During Class
As a class, go over pp 88-91 “How to Write a Good Concluding
Paragraph.” In order to have a satisfying conclusion,
the reader should feel that the questions have been
answered, everything in the paper has been wrapped up,
and you can sleep now that you feel the paper has
ended. As quoted in the text, "a good
ending should snap with grace and authority, like the
close of an expensive sports car door."
After reading the 12 suggestions on pages 88-90, you should realize that your conclusion should sum up the three main points of your paper, introduce NO new material, and tie everything up.
Assignment 6.1
p. 91 “practicing what you’ve learned”. Follow the instructions. (30 minutes)
Make sure when you do this assignment, you just list for me the problems with the conclusion...don't rewrite a better conclusion.
Submit Assignment 6.1 (10 pts)
Assignment 6.2
Giving it a try. In your essay about being scared, you have an intro and three paragraphs making up the main body. Now let’s try the conclusion.
Using what you have learned in this section of reading, write a one paragraph conclusion.
Tip: Do not rewrite your thesis statement and essay map in the conclusion word for word. Find another way to state what the paper was about. Try to write the conclusion in about 6 or 7 sentences.
So, here are the main thoughts about a conclusion:
1) introduce no new "stuff". It should only sum up what was already said
2) find a way to restate the thesis and three points in your essay map without restating them the same way you did in the intro paragraph (this is the hard part)
3) sum up the paper and bring it to a close
***The conclusion is the hardest part of the paper for me to write. I could have the entire paper written in no time, then come to a screeching halt on the conclusion--so you're not alone in this. Just try to get some "stuff" down, then work on improving it. (40 minutes)
Please include with this assignment: thesis and essay map at the top of the page so I can see that you included both in the conclusion paragraph
Submit Assignment 6.2 (20 pts)
Assignment 6.3
What I would like you to do is read chapter 5 (pp 95-128).
And…just to make you accountable, I would like you to write about what was learned in this chapter. No special format, just jot down notes, ideas, examples, etc. as you read through the chapter. In order to write down enough information to show you are really involved in the reading, you will need to have at least one, better yet, two pages of notes.
Although painful, revision is what gives you an “A” on a paper. I have written hundreds of papers and “sweated blood” over them. Oftentimes I got so obsessed that I would spend an hour on a single paragraph to get the wording right. It all pays off when the “A” is written in large red letters on the paper though. Take the time to revise, then revise, then, yes, revise again.
Pay special attention to page 104, third paragraph under the heading "A Revision Process for Your Drafts" where it says, "When you do return to your draft..."
The key here is to pick a couple things at a time to revise. For example, I would normally look just at the intro paragraph and see if it "did" what it was supposed to "did". Does it get the reader's attention? Does it go from general to specific? Does the thesis state the topic of the paper? Is the essay map showing the reader the three points that will be covered in the main body of the paper? Are the words spelled write? : ) Correct grammar? No "Mr. Leiter Hate Words" (things, stuff, 'like' overused, and other vague words), etc. Then later that day or the next day, go over the next paragraph, and keep going until the entire paper is revised and incredibly awesome before it is turned in for a final grade. (2 hours)
Submit Assignment 6.3 (15 pts)
Outside Homework
Assignment 6.4
Read the instructions for part "A" on page 118 and make a list of revision suggestions you might have on the paper entitled "Maybe You Shouldn't Go Away to College". DO NOT rewrite the paper, just give me suggestions as to what needs to be changed.
(40 minutes)
Submit Assignment 6.4 (15 pts)
Assignment 6.5
Revise your completed 5-paragraph paper on "Being Scared" one more time and be ready to turn in your paper the next time we meet.
Submit Assignment 6.5 (50 points)
Unit #6
Intro to Expository Writing
