Unit #2
May 28-June 3
Read pp 48-52 in Steps to Writing Well under the heading "Planning the Body of your Essay".
This section discusses how to write an outline. The outline is basically a road map of how to get from the introduction to the conclusion. Once the outline is done, the rest of the paper falls into place. The outline is kind of like a skeleton. It's what the paper "hangs on". OK, maybe a gross illustration, but it works.
At this point, you have written your thesis and essay map for your soon-to-be-awesome paper on "being scared". Now we're ready for the next step--the outline...dun, dun, dun (say with a low ominous voice without laughing)
Assignment 2.1: Designing an outline for your paper on “A time when I was scared”. Make sure you understand the reading on pp 48-52 before beginning the outline.
Here goes:
At the top of the page, copy/paste your thesis and essay map so I can refer to it when looking at your outline.
Step #1
Roman Numeral I. should be the first point you have written in the essay map.
Leave space here
Roman Numeral II. should be the second point you have written in the essay map.
Leave space here
Roman Numeral III. should be the third point you have written in the essay map.
Leave space here.
So, remember last week in assignment 1.7 when I used the example of building a log cabin home? No? OK, here it is again:
More people should consider building their own log cabin home. As one considers this possibility, it is important to consider a log home's sound construction and lower building costs, as well as the opportunity to personalize your home.
For the outline, I would do the following:
I. sound construction
II. lower building costs
III. opportunity to personalize your home
Step #2
Now, let's fill in between the Roman Numerals. These subpoints give me more information on what is meant by "sound construction", "lower building costs", and "opportunity to personalize your home"
Use capital letters (A., B., C.) to support each main point with details.
For Roman Numeral I. I might support the topic of "sound construction" with: withstand Mother Nature's wrath, sound proof, energy efficient.
So, my first point would look like this:
I. sound construction
A. withstand Mother Nature's wrathB. sound proofC. energy efficientNow I'm ready for Roman Numeral II.
II. Lower building costs
A. much of the labor can be done by the owner B. construction is quicker thus lowering labor costsC. materials are not as extensiveFinally, Roman Numeral III.
III. Opportunity to personalize your home
A. major changes can be made with a chainsaw (trust me, I have done this)B. craftsmanship can be seen in all areas of homeC. not dependent on stud location for hanging pictures, etc. There you have it. A simple outline for an essay. (2 hour)
Now make me one just like it for the topic "When I Was Scared"
**Don't forget to put your thesis and essay map at the top of the page
Submit Assignment 2.1 (20 pts)
due May 28
Assignment 2.2; Read pp 52-57. In the middle of page 59 follow the instructions for "B" and do numbers 1-5. (30 minutes)
**When writing a topic sentence, make sure it is on only one topic. for example, if I took a topic from my outline above like Roman Numeral III. A. "major changes can be made with a chainsaw", I might write a topic sentence like:
As construction moves along and changes need to be made, the use of a chainsaw is a quick and easy method to alter the plans.
Submit Assignment 2.2 (10 pts) due May 28
Assignment 2.3; In the middle of page 60 labeled "D", I would like you to choose 5 subjects and write a topic sentence for each one. (30 minutes)
Submit Assignment 2.3 (10 points) due May 29
Read pp 61-65
Assignment 2.4
After reading pp 61-65, give me some suggestions I would need to follow to write a good, well-developed paragraph. In other words, what makes a strong paragraph? (1 hour)
The suggestions (or notes) over these 6 pages should be about 1 full page long.
Submit Assignment 2.4 (10 pts) due May 29
Assignment 2.5;
p. 65; "Practicing What You Learned" 'A'
Follow the instructions (make sure you EXPLAIN HOW YOU MIGHT IMPROVE THE PARAGRAPHS...DON'T REWRITE THE PARAGRAPHS) referring back to the reading on pp 61-65. (40 minutes)
Key thought: Remember to look at the first sentence of the paragraph (topic sentence) and see if the sentences following this topic sentence help further explain it. For example, if the topic sentence is "Living with my roommate is unbearable", then the sentences following MUST be about how or why my roommate is unbearable.
Submit Assignment 2.5 (10 pts)
due May 30
Assignment 2.6;
pp. 65-66; "Practicing What You Learned" 'B'
Follow the instructions referring back to the reading on pp 61-65. (40 minutes)
**Remember to use examples from your life to support the topic sentence
Submit Assignment 2.6 (20 pts)
due May 31
Assignment 2.7
Read pp 64-69
Notice when you look back at your outline on building the log cabin home, each subpoint "points" to the main topic.
I. sound construction
A. withstand Mother Nature's wrathB. sound proofC. energy efficientII. Lower building costs
A. much of the labor can be done by the owner B. construction is quicker thus lowering labor costsC. materials are not as extensiveIII. Opportunity to personalize your home
A. major changes can be made with a chainsaw
B. craftsmanship can be seen in all areas of homeC. not dependent on stud location for hanging pictures, etc. By using an outline, it is easy to "stay on topic" and write a paragraph correctly.
Now, go back and look at the paragraph on page 67 at the bottom of the page that begins with, "I have always been a very messy person..."
Take out any sentences that do NOT support the topic sentence of being a messy person. (30 minutes)
Submit Assignment 2.7 (5 pts) due June 1
Read pp 70-75 (stop reading on page 75 where is says, "avoiding whiplash")
Assignment 2.8; Take notes over this reading. When you turn this assignment in, you must have at least 10 "bullets" or ideas about "Paragraph Coherence"
(40 minutes)
Submit Assignment 2.8 (10 pts) due June 2
Assignment 2.9; At this point, for your essay on being scared, you have a thesis statement and three main points in your essay map from assignment 1.8 that you will be discussing. Also, within your three main points in your outline from assignment 2.1, you have 2-4 supporting points that are examples, brief stories, statistics, etc. to support each of your three points. Now, I would like you to start putting this info together in sentence form. So, take your first point from your outline and the support points under that first point, and make a paragraph out of them. Don’t worry about perfection, we will work on that.
**Important: Your first main point of the three you have come up with will be put in sentence form and called your topic sentence of your paragraph. It will occur as the first sentence in your paragraph.
Reread pp 52-57 for additional ideas on the topic sentence. (30 minutes)
So, ONE paragraph on your first main point is what I want for this assignment. DO NOT put your thesis statement and essay map into this first paragraph. They will go in the introduction that we will work on later.
**Please Include Your Outline From Assignment 2.1 With This Assignment
Submit Assignment 2.9 (30 pts) due June 3
