MEL-Con Writing Strategy

1. MEL-Con Writing Strategy

2. I thought we already learned about paragraphs. The paragraphs you are writing now The paragraphs you will be writing

3. I thought we already learned about paragraphs. The paragraphs you are writing now The paragraphs you will be writing

4. I thought we already learned about paragraphs. The paragraphs you are writing now The paragraphs you will be writing

5. MEL-Con Paragraphs • Main Idea (transitions) • Evidence • Link • Conclusion

6. Main Idea/ Topic Sentence/ Thesis Statement/ Claim • Most general statement of the paragraph Examples: • General: Emotions • Specific: Love, Fear, Hate • General: Pollution • Specific: air pollution, water pollution, solid waste • General: Newspapers include a wide variety of different types of information. • Specific: • Newspapers report world and local news events. • Newspapers publish human interest stories. • Newspapers advertise products and services

7. A good topic sentence does two things: • It makes clear what the paragraph is about—the topic. • It expresses a view or makes a point about the topic.

8. Individually… • Pick out the most general argument among the following sentences. 1. Animals differ according to when they sleep. 2. Some animals sleep during daylight while others sleep during darkness. 3. Animals’ sleeping habits differ in a number of ways. 4. Hibernation is another kind of sleep for some animals.

9. In your groups: GENERAL: ____________________________________ SPECIFIC: 1. Flexible work hours permit employees to work at their peak times of efficiency. 2. Flexible work hours help reduce line-ups at equipment (fax machine and copier, for example). 3. Flexible work hours help reduce rush hour traffic near the office. GENERAL: ____________________________________ SPECIFIC: 1. Some television commercials use humor to sell their product. 2. Other commercials use famous people to persuade their audience to buy their product. 3. Some commercials use the message “Everyone’s buying it, so why don’t you?”

10. Tips for Writing Effective Main Ideas 1. Your main idea should state the main point of your paragraph. It should identify your topic and express a view toward it. 2. Be sure to choose a manageable topic—one that is neither too general nor too specific. 3. Make sure your main idea is a complete thought. Be sure it is not a fragment or run-on sentence. 4. Place your main idea sentence firstin the paragraph. 5. Avoid announcing your topic. • Avoid such sentences as “This paragraph will discuss how to change a flat tire,” or “I will explain why I object to legalized abortion.” Instead, directly state your main point: “Changing a flat tire involves many steps,” or “I object to abortion on religious grounds.” 6. Do not use first or second person point of view!

11. Now… Write your thesis statement (main idea) and get it checked by Mrs. Carlson.

12. Evidence • Evidenceare the facts or sources that support your written argument. • Without evidence, an argument is a flimsy statement of one person’s opinion. • Use examples, facts, reasons or quotes to prove the point you have stated that you will prove – in other words, be specific!

13. Evidence • Should always be prefaced by a transition • Should prove only the main idea – nothing else • Should use information observed or measured (by you or someone else.) ** QUOTES would fit in this category! • Should not be choppy (TS) Living in the country provides many benefits to health and well-being that city living cannot offer. (E) For example, the country-life is free from heavy pollutants.

14. Individually… • Develop your three arguments to support your topic sentence. • Use the MEL-Con template

15. Transition • Each piece of evidence needs to be prefaced with a transition. • Avoid “first,” “second,” and “third.” • Helps with flow of paragraph

17. Link • The why of the argument • Explains what your evidence has proven about your MAIN IDEA • Could move the reader beyond the main idea • Should not repeat main idea word-for-word. Example: (TS) Living in the country provides many benefits to health and well-being that city living cannot offer.(E) For example, the country-life is free from heavy pollutants. (L) This leaves the air cleaner than a city, whose industry and traffic create a smoggy environment and respiratory issues.

18. Example • The average American citizen today is uneducated on Native American issues. Sadly, many generalize Native American culture to reflect one belief system amongst numerous tribes. If Americans today were more educated on the modern Native American, they would understand that there are many tribes that all have different beliefs and traditions.

19. Individually • Take each piece of evidence and think about why that evidence supports your opinion. Create the link between your evidence and the topic sentence.

20. Conclusion • The last sentence of the paragraph • Summarizes the thesis in original words • Mentions the three pieces of evidence again very briefly • AVOID: "All in all" or "In conclusion" or "Finally" or "To sum it all up"(these are overused, cliché, and boring) Interestingly, country life is arguably better than city life due to cleaner air, the relaxing atmosphere, and the beautiful natural scenery.

21. Assignment for Friday: • Finish your template for your MEL-Con paragraph. • We will meet in the classroom tomorrow for a brief overview of instruction, and then we will go to the LMC Classroom Lab. • You are to type your paragraph from your template and print it outtomorrow.