2. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E John Langan An Introduction to Writing: Part One

3. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 A Good Attitude is a Good Start In the next few slides we’ll discuss some important considerations about your attitude’s relationship with your writing.

4. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Writing is a Skill! talent skill practice hard work Writing is not a talent. It is a skill that can be mastered through practice and hard work.

5. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Writing is a Skill! Since writing is a skill, you can your writing, even if English has given you trouble in the past. Focus on first. Deal with mechanics later in the process.

6. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Writing is a Skill! Focus on writing as a and you’ll be well on your way to better writing! Note: This means you can’t start your papers at the

7. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 The Paragraph Solid are essential to college essay writing. Let’s take a look at in this regard....

8. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Point and Support specific reasons details. Any idea that you advance MUST be supported with specific reasons or details. (What kind? How many? What did it look/feel/smell/taste/sound like?)

9. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Point and Support in a Point and Support in a Paragraph paragraph topic sentence… A paragraph usually consists of a topic sentence… Although I love the movies, i’ve found that there are drawbacks to movie going. Ex: Although I love the movies, i’ve found that there are drawbacks to movie going.

10. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Point and Support in a Paragraph Point and Support in a Paragraph supporting sentences. …Followed by supporting sentences. On a recent visit, teenagers were throwing popcorn and ice cubes to the left of me. The seats were torn and missing springs, and the floors sticky with spilled soda. [...] Ex.: On a recent visit, teenagers were throwing popcorn and ice cubes to the left of me. The seats were torn and missing springs, and the floors sticky with spilled soda. [...]

11. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Benefits of Paragraph Writing Mastering the structure of the paragraph Mastering the structure of the paragraph will better writer,help make you a better writer, stronger thinker,make you a stronger thinker, and strengthen reader and listener. strengthen your skills as a reader and listener.

12. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 The Paragraph......is the building block of the college essay. Now let’s take a look at the goals of effective writing

13. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 The First Two Steps point. the point with specific evidence.

14. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Begin with a Point, or Topic Sentence Step 1: Begin with a Point, or Topic Sentence Write your point out in Write your point out in a single sentence.

15. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 A Good Topic Sentence too broad too narrow: is neither too broad nor too narrow: too broad Crime is a major concern of everyone in our country. too narrow My parents had only one child. JUST RIGHT A honeymoon is perhaps the worst way to begin a marriage.

16. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Step 2: Support the Point with Specific Evidence three points Write down your topic sentence and then jot down the three points that will support it.

17. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 The Importance of Specific Details Develop your supporting points with specific details. WHY? Because details excite the reader’s interest.details excite the reader’s interest. details serve to explain a writer’s point.details serve to explain a writer’s point.

18. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Step 3 Organize and Connect the Specific Evidence methods of organizationcommon methods of organization transitions transitions Organize and connect your supporting material by using:

19. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Common Methods of Organization 2: emphatic order 1: time order

20. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Time Order aka chronological order time. this this this this Details are listed as they occur in time. First this is done; next this; then this; after that, this; and so on. Ex: To exercise successfully, you should follow a simple plan consisting of arranging the time, making preparations, and warming up properly.

21. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Emphatic Order Emphatic Order aka “saving the best for last” Emphasis the most important detail near the end Emphasis is placed on the most important detail by positioning it near the end of a paragraph. Ex.: Celebrities lead very stressful lives. Most important, celebrities must deal with the stress of being in constant danger. Ex.: Thesis: Celebrities lead very stressful lives. Last detail supporting point: Most important, celebrities must deal with the stress of being in constant danger.

22. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1Transitions Transitions direction road signs. Transitions signal the direction of a writer’s thought. They are like road signs that guide travelers. you’ve snagged the job of TV sports reporter, you have to begin working on the details of your image. invest in two or three loud sports jackets [...]. Ex.: After you’ve snagged the job of TV sports reporter, you have to begin working on the details of your image. First, invest in two or three loud sports jackets [...].

23. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Step 4 Write Clear, Error-Free Sentences parallelism.Use parallelism. consistent point of view.Use a consistent point of view. specific words.Use specific words. active verbs.Use active verbs. concise words.Use concise words. Vary Vary your sentences. revising sentences: Strategies for revising sentences: :

24. © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. English Brushup, 3E Introduction: Part 1 Let’s Take a Break! That was a lot of info, wasn’t it? Let’s take five. Be sure to come back for Part Two now, y’hear?