Unit #4
11th and 12th English
Read pp 46-49 in Steps to Writing Well under the heading
"Planning the Body of your Essay".
This section discusses how to write an outline. The outline
is basically a road map of how to get from the introduction
to the conclusion. Once the outline is done, the rest of the
paper falls into place. The outline is kind of like a skeleton.
It's what the paper "hangs on". OK, maybe a gross illustration,
but it works.
At this point, you have written your thesis and essay map
for your soon-to-be-awesome paper. Now we're ready for
the next step--the outline...dun, dun, dun (say with a low
ominous voice without laughing)
Assignment 4.1: Designing an outline for your paper on “A Time I Was Scared”. Make sure you understand the reading on pp 46-49 before beginning the outline.
Here goes:
At the top of the page, copy/paste your thesis and essay map so I can refer to it when looking at your outline.
Step #1
Roman Numeral I. should be the first point you have written in the essay map.
Leave space here
Roman Numeral II. should be the second point you have written in the essay map.
Leave space here
Roman Numeral III. should be the third point you have written in the essay map.
Leave space here.
So, look at this example of building a log cabin home:
(Thesis) More people should consider building their own log cabin home. (Essay Map) As one considers this possibility, it is important to consider a log home's sound construction and lower building costs, as well as the opportunity to personalize your home.
For the outline, I would do the following:
I. sound construction
II. lower building costs
III. opportunity to personalize your home
Step #2
Now, let's fill in between the Roman Numerals. These subpoints give me more information on what is meant by "sound construction", "lower building costs", and "opportunity to personalize your home"
Use capital letters (A., B., C.) to support each main point with details.
For Roman Numeral I. I might support the topic of "sound construction" with: withstand Mother Nature's wrath, sound proof, energy efficient.
So, my first point would look like this:
I. sound construction
A. withstand Mother Nature's wrath
B. sound proof
C. energy efficient
Now I'm ready for Roman Numeral II.
II. Lower building costs
A. much of the labor can be done by the owner
B. construction is quicker thus lowering labor costs
C. materials are not as extensive
Finally, Roman Numeral III.
III. Opportunity to personalize your home
A. major changes can be made with a chainsaw (trust me, I have done this)
B. craftsmanship can be seen in all areas of home
C. not dependent on stud location for hanging pictures, etc.
There you have it. A simple outline for an essay. (2 hour)
Now make me one just like for the topic "A Time I Was Scared"
**Don't forget to put your thesis and essay map at the top of the page
Submit Assignment 4.1 (20 pts) due September 13
Read pp 58-62
Assignment 4.2
After reading pp 58-62, give me some suggestions I would need to follow to write a good, well-developed paragraph. In other words, what makes a strong paragraph?
The suggestions (or notes) over these 6 pages should be about 1 full page long. (1 hour)
Submit Assignment 4.2 (10 pts) due September 14
Assignment 4.3
p. 62; "Practicing What You Learned" 'A'
Follow the instructions referring back to the reading on pp 58-62. (40 minutes)
Key thought: Remember to look at the first sentence of the paragraph (topic sentence) and see if the sentences following this topic sentence help further explain it. For example, if the topic sentence is "Living with my roommate is unbearable", then the sentences following MUST be about how or why my roommate is unbearable.
Submit Assignment 4.3 (20 pts) due September 15
Assignment 4.4;
p. 63; "Practicing What You Learned" 'B'
Follow the instructions referring back to the reading on pp 59-62. (40 minutes)
**Remember to use examples from your life to support the topic sentence
Submit Assignment 4.4 (15 pts) due September 16
Assignment 4.5
Read pp 64-66 about paragraph unity. Stop reading when you get to the "section" called "Practicing What You've Learned"
Notice when you look back at your outline on building the log cabin home, each subpoint "points" to the main topic.
I. sound construction
A. withstand Mother Nature's wrath
B. sound proof
C. energy efficient
II. Lower building costs
A. much of the labor can be done by the owner
B. construction is quicker thus lowering labor costs
C. materials are not as extensive
III. Opportunity to personalize your home
A. major changes can be made with a chainsaw
B. craftsmanship can be seen in all areas of home
C. not dependent on stud location for hanging pictures, etc.
By using an outline, it is easy to "stay on topic" and write a paragraph correctly.
Now, go back and look at the paragraph on page 65 toward the bottom of the page that begins with, "I have always been a very messy person..."
Take out any sentences that do NOT support the topic sentence of being a messy person. (30 minutes)
Submit Assignment 4.5 (5 pts) due September 19
Done for the week!!
Sep 12-16
