ARW-Spr-3-Paragraphs-2011

ARW Class 3:

ARW Class 3 Paragraph Writing Basics You need a... Topic sentence... Unity... Coherence... Transitions... Summary sentence... Note: These slides will be on Moodle for your review after class.

Warm Up (5 min):

Warm Up (5 min) Ask 1 or 2 partners: How is everything going? (Good? Not bad?) Have you written any Journal topics yet? Did you write and bring a paragraph about three things to achieve? Was it difficult to write the paragraph?

5 Key Points of Academic Writing:

5 Key Points of Academic Writing M ain point first (topic sentence) O bjective, not personal (Avoid I/you/we) O rganized (First, Second, etc.) S upported by specific reasons, and E nough evidence, examples and explanations. Please remember the MOOSE -> Next, let’s cover some key rules...

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems:

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems I like ICU. Because it has many trees. I like sports. For example, tennis and soccer. Rule 1 (See SGW p.4): In formal writing, each sentence should be one complete idea, not an incomplete idea. Correct: I like ICU because it has many trees. I like sports such as tennis and soccer.

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems:

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems Many students want to study abroad. But , a lack of money is often a problem. Rule 2: Conjunctions such as and/but/so are usually used inside a sentence. Combine. Or..."Transitions" such as Also, However, Therefore, are usually used at the start of an new sentence. Correct: Many students want to study abroad. However, a lack of money is often a problem.

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems:

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems Rule 2: Continued... Combine overly short sentences. Separate overly long sentences. English is fun. But , English is difficult. English is fun but difficult. English can be fun if you approach it with a sense of humor, but , at the same time, it can be difficult if you have a negative or unrealistic attitude toward it. ( Make a new sentence with However ,)

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems:

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems I think ICU is a good university. Anyway , I'm glad to be here. By the way , I like tennis, soccer etc . Rule 3: Avoid casual "spoken" language. Rule 6: Avoid unclear or meaningless language. Explain things specifically and clearly. Rule 8: Avoid using "I think.“ because it is obvious and unneeded. Avoid I/you/we in general to be objective. Correct: The sentence is not really an academic sentence...it is a personal feeling. OK for journal...

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems:

Academic Writing: Fix the Problems Japan shouldn't have an army. Rule 7: Avoid contractions in formal writing. He’s  He is, Can’t  Cannot etc. Correct: Japan should not have an army.

Avoiding Sexist Language:

Avoiding Sexist Language If a student wants to improve his English, he should sing Guns and Roses songs.  If student s want to improve their English, they should sing Guns and Roses songs every day . But...this is not 100%.

Rule 5: Non-English Words:

Rule 5: Non-English Words I enjoy going to the sento near my house. Use italics and define the word. I enjoy going to the sento , or public bath , near my house.

Paragraph Basics:

Paragraph Basics Read and Discuss: Which is better, Paragraph Sample A or Sample B? Why? Topic Question: Should teachers be allowed to smoke cigarettes in college classes?

Paragraph Sample A:

Paragraph Sample A Education is very important. And, smoking is very bad for the teacher’s health. It causes cancer, heart disease etc. Smoking may bother many students. Many students dislike the smell of smoke. Smoking is not OK in many places such as the U.K. Personally, I think there is no big problem. Some teachers like to smoke. Anyway, it is the teacher’s choice. He is an adult. So, if he opens the window, maybe it is OK, sometimes, I think. He can ask the students. By the way, drinking beer is not OK because drunk teachers will not teach well.

How is Sample A?:

How is Sample A? Ask your partner: What is the writer’s main point? What are his reasons? Is this a good paragraph? Why or why not? How would you fix it?

Paragraph Sample B:

Paragraph Sample B Teachers should be allowed to smoke in class if all of the students agree. This is for two main reasons. First, some teachers like to smoke, and smoking in class may help them feel happier and more relaxed. They may teach better classes if they are smoking at the same time. Second, although smoking is not healthy, it is a choice for all adults in Japan. If the students do not mind, the teacher should have this choice. Thus, saying that teachers never can smoke in any classes is not reasonable.

What is a good paragraph?:

What is a good paragraph? 1. Say your main idea and points at the beginning. (=Topic sentence) 2. Make all ideas related to the topic sentence. (=Unity) 3. Organize and connect all ideas logically. (By using transitions, key words, pronouns) (=Coherence) 4. Summarize your idea at the end. 5. Use academic language. Follow the rules.

Slide 16:

Topic Sentence – Main Point and Key Words/subpoints Summary Sentence – Repeat Main Point and Key Words Organized, juicy details -- Transitions, explanations/examples

How are your paragraphs?:

How are your paragraphs? Exchange papers  Read Then, the reader will ask the writer Q1~5: The writer will do a self-analysis and the reader can say suggestions too. (5 min. each) Q1. Do you have a topic sentence? summary sentence? Q2. Is your paragraph “unified”? Q3. Is your paragraph “coherent”? Q4. Is each point explained clearly enough? Q5. How will you improve your paragraph?

Homework by Monday:

Homework by Monday Please improve your paragraph. Make it as clear/specific as possible with examples. The length can be as long as 300 words, but not longer. See the Sample I gave you on Wed. Please type, print, and bring it on Monday for self-evaluation and submission to me for my advice (which I’ll give in a tutorial). Everyone will re-write after that one last time. Good luck with that and your Journal!