May 5, 2015

Class Work


1. Sharing time . . . what did you learn from the interviews?
2. Writing the draft . . . Post your draft in CANVAS and bring a paper copy to class. Of course, you may print in the room if necessary.
3. No matter what pattern of organization you select, you must have a fantastic introduction. The first sentence is like the first look at a person you are meeting for the first time. Impressions count.

• Draw the reader into your essay
• Advance the topic/point of your essay
• Provide background information

4. There are several types of introductions:

• Broad to narrow
• Narrow to broad
• Quotation- this adds great interest! You may quote a book, play, famous person, your best friend, you mom, your uncle, another student, a teacher, or that ever famous anonymous . . .
• Anecdote . . . this is a brief story. Humans love stories!
• Historical: This gives the reader the background of your essay and establishes your expertise. Why are you the person I should go to in order to find out more about the topic?

5. Famous and not-so-famous first lines . . .

• As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect! (Franz Kofka, The Metamorphosis (1915)
• Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person. Anne Tyler, Back When We Were Grownups (2001)
• Cell phones are almost everyone's number one accessory. Wordsmith (2012)
• When David Gibbons and Alan Moore released the first installment of their twelve-issue comic series, Watchmen, insider at DC Comics were overwhelmed. Wordsmith (2012)
• As an enthusiastic signatory to the Amethyst initiative, a joint statement issued by college and university presidents and chancellors urging public debate on the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, I am pleased to say the discussion is certainly underway. Write Now (2012)
• At first, it wasn't even an argument. Write Now (2012)
• Some people urge themselves to better performance with slogans like "Practice makes perfect." Wordsmith (2012)
• It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
• Just for fun: http://www.allgreatquotes.com/first_lines_novels.shtml
• http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0934311.html

Which first lines do you like? Why? Which could be better?


6. After your amazing introduction with attention-grabbing first line, you need to get on with the essay. You selected a pattern of organization. Follow it as you write. Be sure to include information about:

A reference to a work of art

An interview

A quotation or reference to music, movie, or literature

A news story - current and/or past

A quotation (There are many quotation sites.)

A reference to something in history

7. End with a powerful conclusion. Conclusions are much like introductions. You want to have power getting into the essay and getting out. Leave your readers with the light of knowledge shining!
8. Let's look at the EMCC writing rubric one more time. (paper handout)Note that your essay must be documented and follow MLA guidelines.


9. Homework: Write the draft of your essay and post it in CANVAS. You need to bring a paper copy on Thursday, May 7, 2015,  for a peer editing activity. This counts as part of your exam. Don't forget!

EXAM DATE: Thursday, May 14, 2015. Time: 8:00-9:45. Place: Regular Classroom

You MUST physically attend the exam.