Back to Basics:

1. Back to Basics: • Reviewing paragraph and essay structure

2. Defining the Paragraph • a group of related sentences with a single, unified idea which is adequately developed • t.s. states main idea • p/p/exps develop the MAIN IDEA with evidence to support the t.s. • closing sentence restates main idea (not a repeat)

3. Diagram of a Paragraph • Topic Sentence • Transition and pt. 1/pr. 1/explanation • Transition and pt. 2/pr. 2/explanation • Transition and pt. 3/pr. 3/explanation • Concluding sentence (rephrasing t.s.)

4. Topic Sentence • tells the reader clearly what point will be made in the paragraph • includes the title of the work being discussed • also includes the author the work (first and last name)

5. Points • small ideas that relate to main idea • only 1 pt. per sentence • ask yourself: “what am I trying to say?; “Have I made my point or did I only state a fact?”

6. Fact vs. Point • FACT: can be interpreted many different ways --> therefore, unclear • POINT: very clear (shows your view)

7. FACT vs. POINT • FACT: There are 85 parking spaces in the student parking lot. • POINT: There is not enough parking for student drivers in the student parking lot. • note: the fact could actually become your proof/support

8. Reminders for HW Paragraph • NO ADVICE: present an unbiased opinion in 3rd person (no “I” or “you” or “we”) • SPECIFIC PROOF: it should not repeat your point but further illustrate it • LINK IDEAS: build the argument (don’t repeat) • ORDER POINTS FOR STRENGTH: weakest first, strongest last

9. SELECTING QUOTES • use direct quotations ONLY to support or clarify argument • don’t PAD the paper with unnecessary quotations or a longer excerpt than is needed

10. EXPLANATIONS • If needed... • always explain how QUOTE is relevant to the POINT being made • don’t summarize the quote • develop your own insights • the quote doesn’t speak for itself (show the connection)

11. Sentence Variety • vary the length of your sentences • consider using different types of punctuation where appropriate (commas, colons, semi-colons) • try to find another word for your main idea rather than repeating the same word over and over...boring!

12. FORMAL PARAGRAPH • no contractions -- don’t do it :=( • indent the paragraph • double space your work • edit: check for complete sentences, comma usage, sentence fragments, cliches • No THINGS! What is the ‘thing’ you are talking about?

13. AVOID!!! • avoid using abused transition words: firstly, secondly, thirdly • avoid phrases like “In my paragraph I will talk about” or “I will prove that” or “This is about”

14. ACTIVITY • In groups of 4 choose a symbol that represents a paragraph’s structure and explain how that symbol is like a paragraph • e.g. HAMBURGER - a hamburger is like a paragraph because it has layers • BUNS = t.s. and c.s. • MEAT = points (important!) • TOPPINGS = proofs/explanations

15. Diagram of an Essay • Introduction and thesis • Transition and Topic Sentence 1 • Points and Proofs • Transition and Topic Sentence 2 • Points and Proofs • Transition and Topic Sentence 3 • Points and Proofs • Conclusion

16. What is a thesis? • It is not the same as a topic • It expresses the writer’s opinion about the topic • However, it needs to reflect insight into the topic, not just present a simple, observable fact

18. Importance of the Thesis • An entire essay hinges on its thesis • The thesis commits you to a purpose that all the rest of the essay must support • It is your guide as you write

19. Characteristics of a Good Thesis • A thesis should be written as a single, complete, clear sentence • It should be able to be supported with gathered evidence

20. Thesis: Location • Generally, it is located at the end of the opening paragraph • Remember the funnel:

21. The List Thesis: • Includes the topic of the essay, the writer’s position in relation to the topic, and the areas of development • The enormous increase recorded in productivity growth in Japan in the past ten years is the result of innovative employee training programs, incentive programs, and reward programs.

22. Ex. 2: List to General • St. Mary Catholic Secondary is a good school because of its academic programs, athletic programs and community outreach programs

23. The General Thesis • includes the topic of the essay, the writer’s position in relation to the topic, and synthesizes the areas of development • St. Mary Catholic Secondary is a good school because its programs contribute to the total development of the learner.

24. Thesis Development:

25. Brainstorming - reasons why it’s dangerous • It can make claims that aren’t true • It causes people to buy what they don’t need • It creates standards that people can’t live up to • It deceives people with trick photography • It can brainwash people with music and repetition

26. Develop a list thesis • Advertising is dangerous because it deceives, brainwashes, and places pressure on consumers.

27. Develop a General Thesis • General: Advertising is dangerous because of its harmful effects on consumers.

28. Thesis Practice • Brainstorm and develop both a list and a general thesis on the following topics: • Friends • The latest gadget (e.g. iPods, mp3 players, Blackberrys, Mac computer)

29. How to Categorize • many perspectives to approach an argument (angles) • written or oral --- can look at it from different perspectives (e.g. social perspective or from a gender perspective) • look at your topic, think about which perspectives may work best with it

30. List of Categories • The list below is not INCLUSIVE - does not include all perspectives - but has a variety

31. Transitions • improve coherence by using a variety of transitions in the topic sentence

32. Transitions • 2 METHODS to indicate structural or logical relationship btw. paragraphs • Transitional Words or Phrases • in addition, however, finally... • Paragraph Hooks: 2 types

33. Transitions: Paragraph Hooks • Type 1: single words, phrases or synonyms carried over from the last sentence of one para. to first sentence of next

34. Transitions • Type 2: Phrases, clauses, or occasionally whole sentences that briefly recall the ideas of one paragraph at the beginning of the next.

35. Essay Organization • UNITY is achieved when... • all ideas in essay are on topic of thesis • all ideas in each paragraph are on topic of the topic sentence

36. Essay Organization: • COHERENCE = FLOW • achieved when... • ordering of ideas is logical • paragraphs flow into one another (transitions) • sentences flow into one another

37. Paragraph Organization • all body paragraphs should be organized using a GSG pattern • G(general) - topic sentence • S(specific)- specific details to develop it • G(general) - concluding sentence that is effective, not repetitive

38. Topic Sentences • characteristics of good topic sentences: • clearly worded • on topic of thesis • present a single focus for paragraph • narrow down thesis or are more specific than it

39. Writing Narrowed T.S. • Thesis: Using animals in research is necessary to help doctors save lives. • TS 1: Animal research is necessary because many of our life-saving medications have been tested for safety on animals first. • TS 2: Moreover, animal research has resulted in the development of safe surgical procedures that save human lives. • TS 3: As a preventative measure, we need animal research to find cures for the devastating diseases that take human lives.

40. Introduction • The lead arouses the reader’s interest • avoid the two extremes of a boring lead, or a ridiculous one

41. to capture the reader’s attention use any of the following: • a striking statement • a quotation (ensure that you explain it) • an anecdote (i.e. a real or fictitious story, approximately 3-5 sentences) • a statistic or fact (ensure that you reference it) • a broad statement (ensure that you narrow it down to your thesis) • a rhetorical question (i.e. a question with an obvious answer that speaks to your thesis) • a brief summation of subtopics (ensure that this information is not specific)

42. Elements to Remember: • funnel down to your thesis (which should be the last statement in your introductory paragraph) • your lead and thesis should blend together • the lead is not simply the first sentence of the introductory paragraph, it is EVERYTHING prior to the thesis

43. Conclusion • it is the last opportunity to communicate with your reader, so you want to give him or her something to take away

44. Structure • it is organized from specific to general - the opposite of the thesis paragraph (a pyramid) • it has 3 distinct parts: • echo statement of thesis • brief summary of the main ideas in essay • a method of creating interest

45. Guidelines for Writing • conclusion should: • develop logically from what you said in the essay; it should tie in smoothly • remind the reader of your thesis • be striking enough to leave a lasting impression • be somewhat emotional in tone but not too far removed in tone or language from the rest of the essay

46. Methods of Creating Interest • In the conclusion, the writer should strive to provide the reader with a “zinger” or clincher • Also leave the reader with a “so what?” statement • SO WHAT: Having studied your topic consider what will happen if nothing is done about it or what impact the topic has on the environment/society/global community or why your topic is important

47. To leave a lasting impression, you can end with: • a reminder of the lead (coming “full circle”) • an anecdote • a vivid description of possible consequences • a rhetorical question • a quotation from an authority • a specific proposal or suggestion • a clincher, a clever remark that decidedly ends the essay in a bold and witty way

48. NOTE:Effective conclusions DO NOT begin with “In conclusion” OR introduce new information