Lesson 3: Topic Sentences

Howdy and Hello! On 5/31 we continued our writing with a look at topic sentences.

Topic sentences are much like a compass in that it guides you and the reader of your work where your paragraph is headed. The topic sentence gives direction to your paragraph (and later your full essay but more on that later).

In writing, the topic sentence allows you to continuously check to make sure you are creating a paragraph that meets the expectations of this class and college level work.

Here are the four characteristics of an effective paragraph:

1. Direction: The paragraph has a strong topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph and sets the course the paragraph will follow

2. Unity: The paragraph makes one main point and sticks to that point

3. Coherence: The ideas in the paragraph are logically connected and easy to follow

4. Support: The paragraph contains specific details and discussion of the idea stated in the topic sentence.

We will continue to use these four characteristics and in lessons to come focus on each as well craft more and more writing assignments.

We began class by writing about what you know about topic sentences by examining and writing about any or all of the following prompts:

1. What is a topic sentence to you?

2. Have you used topic sentences in any previous writing?

3. when you heard that this class is about topic sentences how did you feel? Excited? Scared?

4. Do you feel understanding and using topic sentences in your writing is important? Why or why not?

Today we focused on analyzing topic sentences for both a topic and a specific point about the topic. We concluded with a free write on how you feel about using topic sentences. The prompt was:

After the exercise and discussion in class do you feel better or confident with beginning to use topic sentences in your own writing? Write either better, confident, or confused at the top of your paper to turn in depending on how you feel and write about that feeling as it relates to topic sentences. Remember just be honest and thoughtful and use the rubric to guide your writing and discussion in class.

Please turn in the in-class exercise and both of your free writes before leaving class.

See You Next Time!

Lesson 2: Prewriting

Salutations! In this class everyone worked in groups of at least 3 practicing the art of prewriting. You were given the following prompt: My life consists of many things but the three most important are _______, ________, and __________. This exercise each person in the group chose a different way of prewriting for this prompt.

1. Brainstorming

2. Free Writing

3. Clustering

Each student completed the prewriting exercise in class and turned it in for a class grade. See you next class.

Lesson 1, Part II: The Writing Process

Greetings! Here in our second class we continued our writing project. Using your prewriting exercise from our first class you created a finished paragraph through the process of Plan, Draft, Revise, and Proofread. This was turned in at the end of class 5/26. If you received a C or below remember you can rewrite this assignment and turn it in for a better grade.

If you are rewriting this remember to structure your writing either by how your feelings about writing have changed over time or a step-by-step approach to how you feel as you move through a writing project from beginning to end. As always if you need help or have any questions you can email me, come by during my office hours, or post a question to the blog for help from me or your classmates. SEE YOU NEXT CLASS!

Lesson 1: The Writing Process

Welcome! Here in Lesson 1 you covered the overall writing process: Prewriting, Planning, Drafting, Revising, and Proofreading. We followed Stephanie through these steps, looking at each one independently as well as comparing and contrasting each step with the ones around it. We completed the lesson with a prewriting exercise in class where you completed the following prompts:

1. My attitude toward writing is____________

2. When I think about writing, I feel__________________

3. My feelings about writing have always been_________

Remember you must write at least one complete sentence per prompt. Feel free to change the beginning of the sentences as long as you answer each completely. Follow the rubric for guidance.