Monday 10 March 2014 Melissa Gunby

 Please attend lab when scheduled. If you need to make up time, please check with one of the staff to make sure it’s okay  You should be working on chapter 5: locating main ideas or starting the compare/contrast writing assignment  If you think you need to schedule additional hours, please talk to Diane

Chapter 3

 Why do you think George told Slim what happened in Weed? How can he trust Slim?

◦ Why does Candy have so much more money than the others do? How has it affected his life? What does he want to make himself happy?

 What is Suzy’s place? How is it different from Clara’s place?  How do both of these places show the man’s loneliness?

Chapter 13: Writing an Essay (page 191)

The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. Evidence supports the main idea. Transitional words and phrases show the connections between ideas. A summary statement reinforces the main idea of the paragraph.

 Introduction ◦ Thesis statement  Body paragraphs ◦ Anywhere from 3- ∞  conclusion Intro Body Paragraphs conclusion

 Thesis statements are to essays what topic sentences are to paragraphs ◦ Every essay has to have one ◦ It gives the main and controlling idea for the essay in a single statement ◦ It will be clearly worded and specific ◦ It will not just be a statement of fact ◦ It will not announce ◦ It will be broad enough to complete the assignment, but limited enough to also complete the assignment

 Many people have different opinions on whether people under twenty-one should be permitted to drink alcohol, and I agree with them.  The question of whether we need a national law governing the minimum age to drink alcohol is a controversial issue in many states.  I want to give my opinion on the national law that sets twenty-one as the legal age to drink alcohol and the reasons I feel this way.  To reduce the number of highway fatalities, our country needs to enforce the national law that designates twenty-one as the legal minimum age to purchase and consume alcohol.  The legal minimum age for purchasing alcohol should be eighteen rather than twenty-one. The writer’s opinion is not clear to the reader. It may introduce a thesis, but there is no clear opinion stated. What is the writer’s opinion? There is a clearly stated opinion that will be supported in the essay Clear position that will be supported – I would argue this is a good first draft thesis

 Let’s go through these (13-5) as a group and decide if they are facts, announcements, vague statements, or thesis statements

 Don’t announce: ◦ Your reader knows that you will be talking about something in your essay –that’s the whole point. State an attitude toward the subject.  Don’t say “I believe” or “in my opinion:” ◦ Your reader also knows this is your essay – your name is at the top. Therefore, your reader knows it’s your opinion.  Don’t be unreasonable: ◦ Making irrational claims will only make your reader think that you haven’t done any studying about your topic.  Don’t state a fact: ◦ We need a bit of your view on something to make an essay work  Don’t use a question: ◦ Asking a question as a thesis statement can give the reader doubts as to your credibility. If you can’t give a solid statement of opinion and topic, why should the reader believe anything you say that follows?

NameTopic TeenaCareers JosephReality Television PatriciaMusic JazaleneTexting in class BillyComputer games AnastashiaThe cost of gas LoniDisciplining children JoseTexting in class VaughnMusic Take the topic assigned and come up with a thesis statement for a 2-3 page essay.

 Each paragraph should support the thesis statement ◦ The main idea statement should link back to the thesis  The major supporting details should explain the topic  The minor supporting details should give the support/evidence/explanation needed to make your point.

Thesis: There are many reasons why cats are better than dogs. P.1: Cats are quieter than dogs MSD: Cats don’t have a loud bark msd: my cat’s cry for food is much less loud than my neighbor’s dog barking to be let out. P.2: Cats are calmer than dogs MSD: cats spend more time resting than dogs msd: so they aren’t as active P.3: Cats can be less dangerous than dogs P.4: Cats don’t have to be walked because they use a litter box.

Map/Visual Outline Main Idea Major Supporting Detail Minor supportMinor Major Supporting Detail Minor

Linear/Textual Outline  Main idea: ◦ Major Supporting Detail  Minor support ◦ Major Supporting Detail  Minor support

 Do whatever outlining feels the most comfortable to you to get yourself organized.  Some people are more visually oriented; some are more linear. There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to do it (other than to turn in a hot mess of an essay because you didn’t do any organizing at all).

 All essays: ◦ Have an introduction, which sets up the topic, provides background, and leads the reader to the thesis statement ◦ Have a thesis statement, which gives the main idea for the essay ◦ Has sufficient body paragraphs to support the thesis, with details, evidence, and examples ◦ Has a conclusion paragraph which restates the main idea and brings the essay to a close

 Read “The Twin Revolutions of Lincoln and Darwin” on page 743  Read “The Dog Ate My Disk and Other Tales of Woe” on page 756  Answer the questions that follow for both  Homework packets due next Monday ◦ I will have a checklist for you on Wednesday