CW1: Topic Sentence Writing How to write a topic sentence for an argumentative essay

Notes 1.Do not compare this exercise with your previous work. You don’t have time to waste.

Notes 2. There are many ways to write a topic sentence. This is one way to: fit in the short time we have meet the rubric requirements remove the problems found in your work

Notes 3. When you create your final topic sentence after this exercise, submit an exercise paper as proof of originality. This is required by the school.

PART 1: TENSION Exercise Part 1 will solve 5 problems: 1.ORIGINALITY: to convince the reader that the essay contents are original 2.SOURCE CREDIBILITY: to convince the reader the source of information is credible 3.EASE OF WRITING: to make writing easy by writing about something familiar 4.THESIS: How to create a correct thesis 5.ANTITHESIS: How to create a correct antithesis

Problem Solver 1: ORIGINALITY 1.Think of your younger years before you came here. (for credibility) 2.Think of something in your life that you like very much. 3.Best if this is an adjective + noun. Examples: sour fruit, casual clothes, long pants, strict teacher 4.Write that down as Element 1.

Element 1: Facebook GO TO PART 4. WRITE THIS UNDER ELEMENT 1.

Problem Solver 2: OPPOSING ELEMENTS 1.Think of something specific that you dislike dislike very much: adjective + noun 2.Write that down as Element 2. 3.The two elements must be comparable or belong to one category. 4.If not, change your Elements to fit this criteria.

Element 1: Facebook Element 2: Google (both are websites) GO TO PART 4. WRITE THIS UNDER ELEMENT 2.

Problem Solver 2: OPPOSING ELEMENTS 1.Go to Part 4 2.Under Thesis Element 1, list at least one positive support. (More than 1 is OK.) 3.Under Antithesis Element 1, list at least one negative. (More than 1 is OK.) 4.Do the same for Element 2. 5.For equal strength, the four totals must be the same. 6.If strength is unequal, change one element. Repeat the procedure. 7.If strength is still unequal, change the topic and repeat the procedure.

The elements are now complete.

Problem Solver 3: WRITER’S POSITION 1.Compare Elements 1 & 2 in one short but complete sentence. 2.Use a specific adjective + than than. Do not use a general adjective: General: better better than (not OK) Specific: more effective than, easier to use less expensive than (OK) 3.Your essay is easier to write if this adjective is countable or measurable. Countable: more health benefits than (OK) Measurable: faster to use than (OK)

Facebook Facebook motivates learners better than Google.

The writer’s position is now complete.

Problem Solver 4: THE THESIS STATEMENT 1.Are there two elements from your personal experience? 2.Are they comparable and opposing elements? 3.Is your support for one element clear? 4.Is the comparison countable / measurable? 5.Is it a short and complete sentence? 6.Is the meaning clear? 7.Is the grammar and punctuation correct? Do not go to the next step until all answers are yes.

The thesis statement is now 50% complete.

Problem Solver 5: THE ANTITHESIS 1.Go to Part 4. Choose the strongest support for Element 2. 2.Write a complete sentence that shows the strongest support for Element 2. 3.Make sure this sentence is strong enough to oppose the thesis. 4.If strength is unequal, choose a better support. 5.If strength is unequal, change the element. 6.If strength is unequal, change the topic

Google links links to more educational materials than Facebook Facebook.

The antithesis is complete.

PART 2: SAY HOW OR WHY Exercise Part 2 will solve 1 problem: REQUIREMENT PROBLEM: The requirement that the essay should answer a how or why question is completed.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY 1.Begin with your thesis statement.

Facebook Facebook motivates learners better than Google.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY 2. Say why.

Facebook Facebook motivates learners better than Google because it’s more fun.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY 3. Go to your antithesis.

Google links to more educational materials than Facebook.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY 4. Begin the sentence with although, then end with a comma.

Although Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook,

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY 4. Add the thesis after the comma.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook, Facebook motivates learners better than Google because it’s more fun.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY 5. Delete the repetitions.

Although Google links links to more educational materials than, Facebook, Facebook motivates learners better than Google because it’s more fun.

If you use a fact, say: Despite the fact that Despite the fact that Google links links to more educational materials, Facebook motivates learners better because it’s more fun.

For original claims, use tentative language Despite the fact that Google links links to more educational materials, Facebook seem to motivate learners better because it’s more fun.

The WHY thesis is now complete Although Google links links to more educational materials, Facebook seem to motivate learners better because it’s more fun.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW 1.Begin with your thesis statement.

Facebook Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW 2. Say how.

Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google by providing more fun elements. Fun is not countable. Elements are countable.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW 3. Go to your antithesis.

Google links to more educational materials than Facebook.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW 4. Begin the antithesis with although and then end with a comma

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook,

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW 4. Add the thesis after the comma.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook, Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google by providing more fun elements.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW 5. Delete the repetitions.

Although Google links links to more educational materials than, Facebook, Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google by providing more fun elements.

Even better with tentative language Although Google may may link to more educational materials, Facebook appears to be a better learning motivator by providing more fun elements.

The completed HOW thesis Although Google may link to more educational materials, Facebook appears to be a better learning motivator by providing more fun elements.

Exercise Parts 1 & 2 are now complete. Write your topic sentence in Part 5 of the paper.

PART 3: Originality & Source Credibility Exercise Part 3 will solve 3 problems: 1.ORIGINALITY (again): to convince the reader that the essay contents are original 2.SOURCE CREDIBILITY (again): to convince the reader the source of information is credible NOTE: This information will be used in the opening paragraph, not in the topic sentence.

Problem Solver 7: Primary Source & Credibility 1.State Element 1 2.Avoid 1st- or 2nd-person pronouns. 3.State element experience in terms of amount or number 4.AND/OR: State element experience in terms of length of time

Element 1: Facebook Number: This writer’s AIU hostel-mates have a total of 45 FB accounts Time: This writer’s AIU hostel- mates have been using FB for a combined total of 72 years

Problem Solver 7: Primary Source & Credibility 1.State Element 2 2.State element experience in terms of amount or number 3.AND/OR: State element experience in terms of length of time

Element 1: Facebook Number: This writer’s AIU hostel-mates use Google for academic research. Time: They have been doing this for a combined total of 12 years

Primary source is now complete. Source credibility is now complete.