Let’s Make a Plan

Preliminary Exercise Explain the importance of planning in the writing process. List benefits of planning and drawbacks of not planning.

Planning – Step 2 Once you have completed your getting started process, it is time to plan your essay Requires critical thinking –Think outside the box

Planning – Step 2 Goals to always keep in mind –Clear subject –Appeal to audience –Purpose Objectives –Establish thesis (focus of your writing) –Supporting information (justification)

Planning – Step 2 Establish thesis –Thesis statements identify the central idea of your paper, express a specific claim about it, or take a stand. –Suggests pattern of organization for essay –Will guide the direction of your essay Form thesis statements –Refer back to your limited topic from Step 1 (remember funnel) –Find a focus/claim to direct discussion (particular angle or perspective)

Planning – Step 2 Forming thesis statements –Create statement that is supported by information collected in Step 1 –Formula: A manageable limited topic + specific claim = effective thesis statement General/Broad topic Limited topic & specific claim/focus

Planning – Step 2 Thesis statement examples (pp. 46 – 47) Alternative Energy Panda poop & viable energy source in China *Panda poop provides a viable energy source in China. Contaminants Dry erase marker dust & causes lung cancer, asthma *When inhaled, dry erase marker dust causes lung cancer and asthma.

Effective Thesis Statement Practice You are to create an effective thesis statement for each of the broad topics listed below: 1. Agriculture 2. Careers 3. Communication 4. Community 5. Education 6. Entertainment 7. Exercise 8. Family 9. Freedom 10. Medicine 11. Natural Resources 12. Olympics 13. Courts 14. Alternative Energy 15. Nutrition 16. Religion 17. Politics 18. Transportation 19. Armed Forces 20. Media

Planning – Step 2 Developing a plan –Once you have formed your thesis statement, it is time to develop a plan –Outlines are excellent ways to create a plan –Three types of outlines Topic Sentence Graphic *Always place your thesis statement at the top of all outlines

Planning – Step 2 Topic Outline –Outline using main points and keywords –State each main point and essential details as a word or short phrase –See page 49 for detailed example Thesis: I.Introduction II.Main point 1 a)Support & detail 1 b)Support & detail 2 c)Support & detail 3 III.Main point 2 a)Support & detail 1 b)Support & detail 2 c)Support & detail 3 IV.Main point 3 a)Support & detail 1 b)Support & detail 2 c)Support & detail 3 V.Conclusion

Planning – Step 2 Sentence Outline –Outline using explaining main points & details –Use complete sentences to fully explain points and supporting details –See page 50 for detailed example Thesis: I.This is my introduction. II.This is my main point 1. a)Here is my support & detail 1. b)Here is my support & detail 2. c)Here is my support & detail 3. III.This is my main point 2. a)Here is my support & detail 1. b)Here is my support & detail 2. c)Here is my support & detail 3. IV.This is my main point 3. a)Here is my support & detail 1. b)Here is my support & detail 2. c)Here is my support & detail 3. V.This is my conclusion.

Planning – Step 2 Graphic Outline –Outline using visual connections to organize main points and details –Six styles Line diagram T-Chart Venn Diagram Chronological Order Web Comparison Table –See pp for detailed examples

Planning – Step 2 Line Diagram

Planning – Step 2 T-Chart

Planning – Step 2 Venn Diagram

Planning – Step 2 Chronological Order

Planning – Step 2 Web Diagram

Planning – Step 2 Comparison Table

Planning – Step 2 After determining the type of organization method you should use, input information from what support you have gathered. Next, create a planning checklist to complete the process. When you answer, yes, to all the questions, you are ready to begin Step 3.

Planning – Step 2 For your thesis, have you: –Reviewed information collected to this point? –Identified a specific focus? –Stated focus in a working thesis statement? –Tested the thesis to make sure it is supported ? For your development, have you: –Identified a pattern of organization to develop thesis? –Organized support? –Completed preparation for drafting?

What have you learned? Choose one of the following essays: –“Call Me Crazy, But I Have to Be Myself,” “ –Shrouded in Contradiction,” –“Fatherless America,” –“In Africa, AIDS has a Woman’s Face,” –Read the essay Identify the thesis Explain the best method of organization Explain how the writer developed the thesis & essay