2.2 Outlining and 2.3 Drafting (pg. 53-72)

Writing a conclusion

-A conclusion that does not correspond to the rest of your essay, has loose ends, or is unorganized can unsettle your readers and raise doubts about the entire essays -Can often be the most logical part to compose

Writing a Title

-A writer's best choice for a title is one that alludes to the main point of the entire essay -An essays title gives the audience a first peek at the content -If readers like the title, they are likely to keep reading

Types of outlines

-Alphanumeric -Decimal -Micro/Full-Sentence -Macro/Topic

Attracting Interest in Your Introductory Paragraph

-Begin with an engaging statement -In the next few sentences, introduce them to your topic by stating general facts or ideas about the subject -As you move deeper, gradually narrow the focus, moving closer to your thesis

Concluding statement techniques

-End the essay with a final emphatic statement -Challenge your readers to make a change in either their thoughts or their actions -Do NOT expressly state that you are drawing to a close

The anatomy of a strong conclusion

-First you paraphrase your thesis -Follow up with general concluding remarks -These sentences should progressively broaden the focus of your thesis and maneuver your readers out of the essay

Use any of the following sources for your essay:

-Newspapers or news organization websites -Magazines -Encyclopedias -Scholarly journals

Make sure your essay is balanced by:

-Not having excessively long or short introduction or conclusion -Check that they match each other in length as closely as possible -Try to mirror the formula you used in each -Parallelism strengthens the message of your essay

Select primary support for your thesis

-Primary support can be described as the major points you choose to expand on your thesis -Each point you choose will be incorporated into the topic sentence for each body paragraph

The Bowtie Method

-The left side is the introduction -The center is the body paragraphs -The right side is the conclusion

Drafting body paragraphs

-The reader should be able to predict what follows your introductory paragraph by simply reading the thesis statement -The body paragraphs present the evidence you've gathered to confirm your thesis

Key takeaways 2.9

A body paragraph comprises a topic sentence plus supporting details

Key takeaways 2.8

A topic sentence presents one point of your thesis statement while the information in the rest of the paragraph supports that point

Key takeaways 1.2

Always be aware of your purpose for writing and the needs of your audience. Cater to those needs in every sensible way

Evidence definition

Anything that can help support your stance

Identify the characteristics of good primary support:

Be RSD -Be relevant to the thesis -Be specific -Be detailed

Funnel technique

Broad general statement General introductory remarks Thesis

Approaches that may improve your writing and help you move forward in the writing process

Brooke Wants The Burger KIng -Begin writing with the part you know the most about -Write one paragraph at a time and then stop -Take short breaks to refresh your mind -Be reasonable with your goals -Keep your audience and purpose in mind as you write

Select the most effective primary supporting points for a thesis statement

Choose at least 3 of only the most compelling points. These will serve as the topic sentences for your body paragraphs

Diction, or word choice is most crucial in your introductory paragraph, so

Choose words that create images or express action

An introduction serves the following purposes:

English Is Stupid -Establishes your voice and tone, or your attitude toward the subject -Introduces the general topic of the essay -States the thesis that will be supported in the body paragraphs

Key takeaways 2.6

Evidence includes facts, judgments, testimony, and personal observation

Kinds of evidence

Find Judy The Post office -Facts -Judgments -Testimony -Personal observation

Key takeaways 1.6

Generally speaking, write your introduction and conclusion last, after you have fleshed out the body paragraphs

Creating an outline

I Don't Like College Essays -Identify your topic -Determine your main points -List your main points/ideas in a logical order -Create sub-points for each major idea -Evaluate

Get your readers personally involved by doing any of the following:

I POO U BOAR -Including a personal anecdote -Presenting an explanation or rationalization for your essay -Opening with a relevant quotation or incident -Opening with a striking image -Using logic -Beginning with a provocative question or opinion -Opening with a startling statistic or surprising fact -Appealing to their emotions -Raising a question or series of questions

It is wise to avoid doing any of the following in your conclusion:

ICAC -Introducing new material -Contradicting your thesis -Changing your thesis -Using apologies or disclaimers

A first draft should include the following elements:

In Trail The Students Cry -Introduction -Thesis statement -Topic sentence (in each paragraph) -Supporting sentences -Conclusion

Writing tip

Keeping your purpose and the audience at the front of your mind is the most important key to writing success

Key takeaways 1.1

Make the writing process work for you. Use any and all of the strategies that help you move forward in the writing process

Key takeaways 2.5

Prewriting helps you determine your most compelling primary support

Key takeaways 2.3

Primary support comprises the most important points you use to support your thesis

Key takeaways 2.7

Reliable sources may include newspapers, magazines, academic journals, books, encyclopedias, and firsthand testimony

Key takeaways 1.3

Remember to include all the key structural parts of an essay: a thesis statement that is part of your introductory paragraph, three or more body paragraphs as described in your outline, and a concluding paragraph. Then add an engaging title to draw in readers

Key takeaways 2.2

Strong body paragraphs contain evidence that supports your thesis

Key takeaways 2.4

Strong primary support is specific, detailed, and relevant to the thesis

Topic sentences indicate:

The location and main points of the basic arguments of your essay

Drafting definition

The stage of the writing process in which you develop a complete first version of a piece of writing

Key takeaways 1.5

Use your topic outline or your sentence outline to guide the development of your paragraphs and the elaboration of your ideas. Each main idea, indicated by a Roman numeral in your outline, becomes the topic of a new paragraph. Develop it with the supporting details and the sub-points of those details that you included in your outline

Key takeaways 1.4

Write paragraphs of an appropriate length for your writing assignment. Paragraphs in collge-level writing can be a page long, as long as they cover the main topics in your outline

Key takeaways 2.1

Your body paragraphs should closely follow the path set forth by your thesis statement

Each body paragraph should comprise the following elements:

topic sentence + supporting details (examples, reasons, or arguments)