The 1st & 2nd steps in essay writing.ppt

ppt

1. The First and Second Steps The First and Second Steps
WritingWriting

Step 1: Begin with a Point StepStep 1: Begin with a Point Step

Step 2: Support the Point with Specific EvidenceStep 2: Support the Point with Specific Evidence

Reinforcing Point and SupportReinforcing Point and Support
-The Importance of Specific DetailsThe Importance of Specific Details
-The Importance of Adequate DetailsThe Importance of Adequate Details
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Writing a ParagraphWriting a Paragraph

2. Four steps Four steps

P. 55 Read the BoxP. 55 Read the Box

3. Step 1: Begin with a Point Step 1: Begin with a Point

First step: discover what point you First step: discover what point you
want to make & write that point in want to make & write that point in a a
single sentencesingle sentence
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Two reasons for doing this:Two reasons for doing this:
1.1.To know right from the start if you To know right from the start if you
have a clear and workable ideahave a clear and workable idea
2.2.To use this sentence as a guide while To use this sentence as a guide while
writing writing

4. Activity 1 p. 55Activity 1 p. 55

Paragraph AParagraph A

5. Identifying Common Errors in Identifying Common Errors in
Topic SentencesTopic Sentences

People often do the following mistakes People often do the following mistakes
when writing thesis statements:when writing thesis statements:
-Simply announce the subject matterSimply announce the subject matter
-Write a sentence that is too broadWrite a sentence that is too broad
-Write a sentence that is too narrowWrite a sentence that is too narrow
-Write a sentence containing more than Write a sentence containing more than
one ideaone idea
Tips for avoiding such mistakesTips for avoiding such mistakes

6. 11. Write Statements, Not Announcements:. Write Statements, Not Announcements:
AnnouncementAnnouncement: I want to talk about the crime wave : I want to talk about the crime wave
in our country./My car is the concern of this in our country./My car is the concern of this
paragraph.paragraph.
ThesisThesis: The recent crime wave in our country has : The recent crime wave in our country has
several apparent causes.several apparent causes.
2. Avoid Statements That Are Too Broad2. Avoid Statements That Are Too Broad
Too broadToo broad:: Disease has shaped human Disease has shaped human
history./Many people have problems with their history./Many people have problems with their
cars.cars.
Revised thesisRevised thesis:: In the mid-1980s, AIDS changed In the mid-1980s, AIDS changed
people’s attitudes about dating.people’s attitudes about dating.

7. 3. Avoid Statements That Are Too Narrow3. Avoid Statements That Are Too Narrow
Too narrow:Too narrow: The speed limit near my house is sixty-The speed limit near my house is sixty-
five miles per hour./My car is a Ford Focus.five miles per hour./My car is a Ford Focus.
Revised thesisRevised thesis: : The speed limit near my home The speed limit near my home
should be lowered to fifty-five miles per hour for should be lowered to fifty-five miles per hour for
several reasons.several reasons.
4. Make Sure Statements Develop Only One Idea4. Make Sure Statements Develop Only One Idea
Thesis with more than one topic:Thesis with more than one topic: Teachers have Teachers have
played an important role in my life, but they played an important role in my life, but they
were not as important as my parents.were not as important as my parents.
Revised thesis:Revised thesis: Teachers have played an important Teachers have played an important
role in my life.role in my life.

8. Read the examples p. 58Read the examples p. 58

Activities 2/3/4 first 3 numbersActivities 2/3/4 first 3 numbers

9. Understanding the Two Parts of Understanding the Two Parts of
a Topic Sentence p. 59a Topic Sentence p. 59

The point that opens a paragraph is The point that opens a paragraph is
called a topic sentence called a topic sentence

A good statement does two things: A good statement does two things:
1.1.It tells the reader the It tells the reader the limitedlimited topictopic
2.2.It presents the writer’s It presents the writer’s opinion or opinion or
attitude toward the topicattitude toward the topic

10. Examples:Examples:
Owning a petOwning a pet has several important benefits..
Our company president should be fired for Our company president should be fired for
three main reasons.three main reasons.
The Internet has led to new kinds of The Internet has led to new kinds of
frustration in everyday life.frustration in everyday life.
My girlfriend is very aggressive My girlfriend is very aggressive

11. Practice Practice

Activity 5 p. 60Activity 5 p. 60
First 4 sentences First 4 sentences

Activity 7 p. 62Activity 7 p. 62
first 2 numbersfirst 2 numbers

12. 
Our school cafeteria offers healthy, Our school cafeteria offers healthy,
delicious and cheap food choices.delicious and cheap food choices.

The working conditions in my last job The working conditions in my last job
were unbearable.were unbearable.

Credit cards ensure security in dealing Credit cards ensure security in dealing
with money. with money.

13. Step 2: Support the Point with Step 2: Support the Point with
Specific EvidenceSpecific Evidence

The second step (after writing a point) is to The second step (after writing a point) is to
support the point with specific reasons or support the point with specific reasons or
details.details.

A scratch outline is important to find three A scratch outline is important to find three
supporting pointssupporting points

Read the example p. 65Read the example p. 65

ExerciseExercise

14. 1.1.The first day on a new job can be The first day on a new job can be
nerve-racking.nerve-racking.
a.a.Meeting new peopleMeeting new people
b.b.Finding your way around a new placeFinding your way around a new place
c.c.______________________________________________________________
2.2. My stepmother has three qualities I My stepmother has three qualities I
admire.admire.
a.a.PatiencePatience
b.b.ThoughtfulnessThoughtfulness
c.c.______________________________________

15. Good-Bye, Tony p. 66Good-Bye, Tony p. 66

LateLate

BossyBossy

Abrupt Abrupt

16. Reinforcing Point and Support Reinforcing Point and Support
p. 68p. 68

Act. 10 first 4 numbersAct. 10 first 4 numbers