Assignment #1 “Something About You”

Topics A Place I Love Present and Future Goals My Greatest Talent Something I love to do A Gift I Treasure Someone I admire

#1. Look at the list of topics and choose one you will talk about with the class. #2. Determine your purpose in speaking/writing: Persuasion (Like an advertisement.) Exposition (Simply share information.)

#3. Introduce yourself; then begin with a “snappy” opening – Remember the FADQQCO’S???? Startling FACT ANECDOTE DESCRIPTION QUESTION QUOTE COMMAND ONOMATOPOEIA

#4. Create two or three body paragraphs #4. Create two or three body paragraphs. Be sure that your topic sentences are supported with explanation and detail. Include at least one simile and use imagery. #5. Conclude.

EXAMPLE INTRODUCTION (Hook) Have you ever experienced true boredom? Have you wished that you could magically escape to another time and place? Wouldn’t you love to engage in an activity that provides complete escape and challenging creative thought? I am selling an exciting experience which requires almost no monetary investment but is the “gift that keeps on giving.” (Thesis) Yes, the experience that I am promoting is the joy of reading.

Example Body Paragraph #1 (topic sentence) Reading an interesting book is like a ride in a time machine. If you have ever stood waiting in a long line or sat what seemed like forever in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, you understand how time seems to stand still. When reading a favorite book, you feel as if you’re transported to another person’s life, perhaps another country, another planet or maybe even another reality. (Think about the Tolkien trilogy or the world of Harry Potter!) Time flies, so before you know it, the wait is over! You’re at the front of the line or you hear the familiar sound of your name called by a friendly nurse.

Example Body Paragraph #2 (topic sentence) When reading a book we are engaged in a creative act. This creative act requires no paintbrush or musical instrument. It works like this: the writer puts words on a page, and our mind fills in the blanks. It’s like working in a coloring book with a huge box of Crayola crayons. The words come to life as our minds create a character’s smile, the clanking sounds of swords in a raging battle, or the heart stopping feeling of a first love. These images and feelings are different for all of us because we’ve all had our own unique experiences.

Body Paragraph #3 ( topic sentence) Some of my best memories revolve around reading. As a child I was fascinated by books. I still remember sitting on my mother’s bed paging through a pop-up book with fairy tale castles. I recall the fascination of walking through the aisles of a huge public library in New York and then walking every other week in the hot sun to a tiny little library in Bonita Springs. This is where I discovered the world of Nancy Drew. I will never forget the deafening rain showers of summer in Southwest Florida. As the sky darkened and the heavy drops fell on our metal roof and awnings, nothing could be more cozy than curling up with a favorite book.

Example Conclusion ( restatement of thesis) So this is why I love reading and why I think you’ll love it too. I highly suggest that you ask any of my students about Twilight, The Outsiders, or Fallen Angels. ( power message) Try it today ! Read a book and get the power of language to work for you!!!

“SHOW AND TELL” Remember to bring in an audio or visual “artifact”…a picture, an object etc. that is “shows” the audience what you’re talking about…

REMEMBER! Presentation should be approximately two or three minutes in length. You will all have a quiz about your classmates’ presentations, so write down each person’s name and take brief notes!

RUBRIC CLEAR INTRODUCTION - 20 SUFFICIENT INFORMATION - 20 CONCLUSION - 20 ARTIFACT -20 INTERESTING -10 EYE CONTACT - 10