38th class
 
Brad Johnson Engl 81, 38th class REVIEW OF FINAL PAPER 1.What is your main topic? 2 What are your controlling ideas? • Go from general to specific; introduction should be 5-6 sentences. Entire paper: 1-3 pages maximum. • Remember “Stretch”, pp. 73-77 in the “Writer’s Packer”. The topic is “dog”. The controlling ideas are “loving”, “playful”, and “courageous”. • This paper has 5 paragraphs: Introduction 1st paragraph controlling idea: loving 2nd paragraph: controlling idea: playful 3rd paragraph: controlling idea: courageous Conclusion Note: the author uses details, images, and anecdotes in these paragraphs YOUR PAPER NEEDS TO HAVE 5 PARAGRAPHS SIMILAR TO THE “STRETCH” ARTICLE. • In your paper: see patterns or parts that fit together. • Take the puzzle of your topic and break into logical parts. • Break out your ideas: use outline I. II. III. I. Do a free write II. Do a rough draft – give it shape III. Do your final copy WRITE ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER What is your topic? One or two words What are your controlling ideas: give 3 or 4 words that show your topic Example: 1. Topic: homosexuality 2. Controlling ideas: Family, church, society Example: 1. Topic: Religious intolerance 2. Controlling ideas: literal interpretation, coercing people to read the Bible, one religion is superior Example: 1. Topic: Racism 2. Controlling ideas: hate, intolerance, acceptance Example: 1. Topic: judging people 2. Ideas: appearance, dress/uniforms, identify (Is it helpful to judge people by what they are wearing?) Example: 1. topic: homosexuality 2. Ideas: Bible, family, society Show a connection between controlling ideas and thesis or your statement of purpose. Read your paragraphs, step out, see the big picture. Organize, make order out of the chaos. Example: see the effects of hatred, intolerance, closed-mindedness. Show examples of these. NOTE: If the topics of racism and homosexuality make you uncomfortable, you do not have to write about them. Choose a topic that makes you comfortable. You are being graded on your writing, not on your topic or opinion about that topic. Some suggested topics for your final paper: sports, politics, dogs, animals, school uniforms, favorite dog; cat, community college vs. university. Demonstrate that you can write a 5-paragraph essay. Include an introduction, 3 paragraphs, conclusion. Don’t have to write about racism or sexuality. Write about a topic that you are comfortable with. Other topics to write about: music, your favorite band. Included the feeling of music, lyrics, harmony, sound, what distinguishes it from other forms of music. Write about 3 distinct things relating to your topic Example: school uniforms: tell the advantages and disadvantages: + - no jealousy conformity boring not aesthetic because of color and style less freedom of choice unity less peer pressure economics no morning planning Topic sentence with controlling idea: The disadvantages of wearing uniforms include conformity, wearing boring clothes, and not having freedom of choice. Example: Community College vs. University + - cost prestigious big classrooms less access to teachers easy to get into closer to home proximity welcoming smaller classrooms: better learning better access to teachers enhanced quality when students go to university from community college, they are ahead of other students at same year level because of access to teachers Topic sentence: The advantages of attending community college are proximity, smaller class size, and better access to teachers. You can write about whatever you want. Keep in mind your audience, tone, purpose. Your paper needs to be compelling, engaging, TEXT: pp. 181-185: “Writing the Thesis Statement” p. 182 Topic: brewery: (yellow box) I had a job at a brewery. (Ask: so what? What do you want to say about it? Look at the revised thesis statement.) 1. Boring 2. Painful 3. Motivation to change Example; My grandmother is the most kind, gentle, caring person I know. – Topic sentence. Introduction 1st paragraph: kind 2nd paragraph: gentle 3rd paragraph: caring Conclusion p. 183: Topic: trip to Florida: (yellow box) I went to Florida recently. (Ask: so what? Then go on to explain what happened. Look at the revised thesis statement.) p. 183: Topic: movie (yellow box0 The movie, SOUTHERN SMOKE, seemed phony. (Ask: so what? Go on to explain. Look at the revised thesis statement.) REMEMBER: introduction: Should be 5-7 sentences. conclusion: Should be 3-6 sentences. HW: 1. Revise and have your topic, thesis sentence, 5 paragraphs, introduction, and conclusion for your final paper. 2. Review “Stretch” essay in your packet. 3. Read over the criteria for introductions, conclusions, and titles. 4. Exercises in Chapter 16; Part A: 1-6 Part B: 1-3 Part C: 1-3 QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Self-examination –if it is thorough enough – is always the first step towards change.” Thomas Mann