Welcome to the Unit 4 Seminar for KU 121! Professor: Ann Meek, PhD. Special thanks to Teresa Kelly, the originator of some of these slides.

Tonight’s topics: creating your outline and thesis sentence for your essay.

In KU 121, we will focus on one writing project for the term—an autobiographical essay. The final version of the project will be due in Unit 9. However, we will work on it step by step each week throughout the remainder of the course.

Project Description Imagine that you have completed your program at Kaplan University and have been offered your dream job! The company or organization you will be working for wants to issue a press release announcing that you are joining them and in what capacity. In order to do so, they need a minimum 500-word autobiographical statement from you. Imagine that you have completed your program at Kaplan University and have been offered your dream job! The company or organization you will be working for wants to issue a press release announcing that you are joining them and in what capacity. In order to do so, they need a minimum 500-word autobiographical statement from you.

Your autobiography should include 5 paragraphs: 1. One paragraph that identifies who you are, where you live, the company or organization that has hired you, and your new job title. 2. One paragraph that gives professional details about you and your life—your age, family, hobbies, etc. (NOTE: this is a professional biography so you need to limit personal details to what is appropriate). 3. One paragraph that talks about your education. You should include high school or your GED, any previous college experience, and your Kaplan program. 4. One paragraph that details professional experiences, honors and awards, or other related details. 5. One concluding paragraph that reinforces where you will be working, your job title, and what you will be doing.

Your autobiography should be written in third person (no I or you), include concrete nouns, descriptive adjectives, active verbs, effective transitions between paragraphs, and be relatively error free. We will go over each of these ideas in the weeks to come.

What is Meant by “Third Person”? First person is the “I” point of view, as in “I went to the ball game.” First person is the “I” point of view, as in “I went to the ball game.” Second person is the “command” form, as in “You should go to the ball game tonight.” Second person is the “command” form, as in “You should go to the ball game tonight.” Third person is the “he or she” form, as in “He went to the ball game tonight.” Third person is the “he or she” form, as in “He went to the ball game tonight.” “Sue is going to the ball game tonight.” “Jane Doe is our new kindergarten teacher.”

Project Timeline Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion and complete and post your Pre-Writing to the dropbox. Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion and complete and post your Pre-Writing to the dropbox. Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the dropbox. Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the dropbox. Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography introduction to the dropbox Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography introduction to the dropbox Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body paragraphs to the dropbox Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body paragraphs to the dropbox Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the dropbox Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the dropbox Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your autobiography to the dropbox Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your autobiography to the dropbox

In Unit 3, you did some brainstorming on your dream job to get ready to write your autobiography. Now that you have started to develop ideas for your autobiography, it is time to define a central focus (your thesis) and to start to plan your autobiography. In Unit 4, we will focus on organizing your writing.

Thesis Sentence Thesis sentence -- A single sentence with an essay, located at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis sentence functions as a "signpost" to signal to the reader the main ideas to come later in the essay. Thesis sentence -- A single sentence with an essay, located at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis sentence functions as a "signpost" to signal to the reader the main ideas to come later in the essay.

Thesis Sentence Must include: Your full name in third person Your full name in third person Exact name of employer (can be made up) or name and title of business you want to own Exact name of employer (can be made up) or name and title of business you want to own Three main ideas – personal background, education, professional experience Three main ideas – personal background, education, professional experience Exact job title – can be made up Exact job title – can be made up

Sample Thesis Sentence Cooper Medical Center (exact name of employer) announces that Jane Smith (name in third person), a 2011 graduate of Kaplan University, will bring her exemplary personal background, distinguished educational record, and varied professional experiences (three main ideas) to her new position as Director of Nursing (exact job title).

Sample Thesis Sentence II Using her exemplary personal background, distinguished educational record, and varied professional experiences (three main ideas) Jane Smith (name in third person), a 2012 graduate of Kaplan University, will open Ways and Means (name of business), an upscale consignment shop (type of business), in Dunwoody Village (location).

Example Thesis Sentences “Jane Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary School who has a personal, educational, and professional background which has uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.” “Jane Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary School who has a personal, educational, and professional background which has uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.” Notice the three points – personal, educational, and professional – are directly related to the three body paragraphs.

Outlines A tool from the writing process that you use after brainstorming to sort and organize main ideas. When you use an outline, you can more easily keep control of how your essay functions. Outlines are usually written with Roman numerals where letters stand for numbers like this: I = 1, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4, V = 5 A tool from the writing process that you use after brainstorming to sort and organize main ideas. When you use an outline, you can more easily keep control of how your essay functions. Outlines are usually written with Roman numerals where letters stand for numbers like this: I = 1, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4, V = 5

Outline: 5 Paragraph Essay I. Introduction – this is your identification (location, company, job title, etc.) Thesis sentence is the last sentence of paragraph one. II. Personal details (professional level) – age, family, hobbies and interests. No personal or inappropriate details! III. Educational background – include program at Kaplan (pretend you already have received your degree) IV. Professional experiences and background – any related work you have done or achievements and awards V. Concluding paragraph – summary comments.

Types of Paragraphs in Essays Introductory paragraph -- The first paragraph of an essay. It starts with broad, general ideas and then works toward more specific ideas, ending with the thesis sentence. (paragraph #1) Introductory paragraph -- The first paragraph of an essay. It starts with broad, general ideas and then works toward more specific ideas, ending with the thesis sentence. (paragraph #1) Body paragraph -- The interior paragraphs within an essay. Each of these paragraphs discusses a single main idea presented by the thesis sentence; this becomes the paragraph topic. (paragraphs #2, #3, and #4) Body paragraph -- The interior paragraphs within an essay. Each of these paragraphs discusses a single main idea presented by the thesis sentence; this becomes the paragraph topic. (paragraphs #2, #3, and #4) Concluding paragraph -- The final paragraph in the essay. Its job is to briefly remind reader of the key points and then end with some broad, general ideas. (paragraph #5) Concluding paragraph -- The final paragraph in the essay. Its job is to briefly remind reader of the key points and then end with some broad, general ideas. (paragraph #5)

Unit 4 Project Use the format on the next screen for your outline, fill it in with your own sentences and underline your thesis sentence. Every section should have at least 1 (one) complete sentence:

Outline Format I. Introductory paragraph (general to specific ideas) - identifies who you are, where you live, the company or organization that has hired you, and your new job title. Thesis sentence: I. Introductory paragraph (general to specific ideas) - identifies who you are, where you live, the company or organization that has hired you, and your new job title. Thesis sentence: II. Body paragraph 1 gives professional details about you and your life— your age, family, hobbies, etc. (NOTE: this is a professional biography so you should limit personal details to what is appropriate). II. Body paragraph 1 gives professional details about you and your life— your age, family, hobbies, etc. (NOTE: this is a professional biography so you should limit personal details to what is appropriate). III. Body paragraph 2 details professional experiences, honors and awards, or other related details. III. Body paragraph 2 details professional experiences, honors and awards, or other related details. IV. Body paragraph 3 talks about your education. You should include high school or your GED, any previous college experience, and your Kaplan program. IV. Body paragraph 3 talks about your education. You should include high school or your GED, any previous college experience, and your Kaplan program. V. Concluding paragraph (specific to general ideas) reinforces where you will be working, your job title, and what you will be doing. V. Concluding paragraph (specific to general ideas) reinforces where you will be working, your job title, and what you will be doing.

Unit 4 Project Example I. Jane Doe is our new four year old kindergarten teacher at Gotham City Elementary School. Thesis: “Jane Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary School who has a personal, educational, and professional background which has uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.” II. A 44 year old mother of three, Jane is an active single mom who enjoys traveling, cooking, and singing in the community choir.

Unit 4 Project Example Continued III. Jane has worked as a teacher’s aid for the past 12 years, so she has extensive experience in working with children. IV. She has recently received her degree from Kaplan University in Early Childhood Education. V. Jane looks forward to working with children and parents to create the best kindergarten experience for all the children in her class.

Building Paragraphs Key point –- Another term for main idea; a key point is the driving force behind each body paragraph. Key point –- Another term for main idea; a key point is the driving force behind each body paragraph. Paragraph topic –- A single main idea from the thesis that becomes the topic sentence of a body paragraph. Paragraph topic –- A single main idea from the thesis that becomes the topic sentence of a body paragraph. Supporting details –- Ideas that provide additional information about the main ideas or key points of each body paragraph. Supporting details –- Ideas that provide additional information about the main ideas or key points of each body paragraph.

Unit 4 Discussion In your own words, define a thesis statement and how you create one. In your own words, define a thesis statement and how you create one. What three components are required in a thesis statement? What three components are required in a thesis statement? What is the thesis for your essay? What is the thesis for your essay? How does your thesis identify the main goal of your essay and hint at how you will achieve that goal in your writing? How does your thesis identify the main goal of your essay and hint at how you will achieve that goal in your writing?

Unit 4 Project In Unit 4, you will post your essay outline so that your instructor can offer suggestions, tips, and comments. Because professional presentation of writing is critical to your success, please compose all projects in MS Word even if you are asked to cut/copy and paste rather than attach. At a minimum, you must run grammar and spelling check before submitting all work. You should also proof carefully for typos and other noticeable mistakes. You also must employ a formal, professional writing style. Do not use chat lingo. For example, do not use "i" for "I.” Do capitalize the first letter of each sentence, and do not use abbreviations like IMHO, TY, etc. All writing assignments must be double-spaced, use Arial or Times New Roman font, and employ a 12-point font size.

Submitting your Outline Put your outline in a Word document. Save it in a location on your computer with your name. For example: macgrottyoutline.doc. Then, upload a copy to the Unit 4 Project Dropbox: Put your outline in a Word document. Save it in a location on your computer with your name. For example: macgrottyoutline.doc. Then, upload a copy to the Unit 4 Project Dropbox: 1. Click on the Dropbox. 1. Click on the Dropbox. 2. Click the link that says Submit an Assignment. 2. Click the link that says Submit an Assignment. 3. In the "Submit to Basket" menu, select Unit 4: Project. 3. In the "Submit to Basket" menu, select Unit 4: Project. 4. In the "Comments" field, include the title of your paper. 4. In the "Comments" field, include the title of your paper. 5. Click the Add Attachments button. 5. Click the Add Attachments button. 6. Follow the steps listed to attach your Word document. 6. Follow the steps listed to attach your Word document. 7. To view your graded work, come back to the Dropbox or go to the Gradebook after your instructor has evaluated it. 7. To view your graded work, come back to the Dropbox or go to the Gradebook after your instructor has evaluated it. Make sure that you save a copy of your submitted outline. Make sure that you save a copy of your submitted outline.

The End! Any last questions? Thanks for your participation, and have a great week!