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University English - Week3 - Introduction To Writing - Revised 2

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11 views23 pages

University English - Week3 - Introduction To Writing - Revised 2

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cyj148
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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University English

Fall Semester
CONTINUING WITH WEEK 3
Introduction:
Begin with the
Basics of
Writing
I. Paragraphs and Short Compositions

• Understand correct paragraph format.


• Correct format includes indentation, and the sentences
must be joined together continuously. A list of sentences
is not a paragraph.
A short composition of only one paragraph normally
includes the following:
• main idea
• supporting ideas & details
• conclusion

A short composition with several paragraphs normally has


the main idea in the first paragraph and the conclusion in
the last paragraph.
• It is important to separate between general ideas and specific ideas.
General ideas can be used as main ideas and specific ideas can be
used to add support or details.

Example:
a. reading
b. going to movies
c. bowling
d. weekend entertainment
e. watching television
II. Parts of a Short Composition

A. Main idea
• Very important and basic fact about writing
• The main idea sentence of a composition includes two
parts:
• the topic
• the comment (also called the controlling idea)
Example:
• My flight on Korean Air was very enjoyable.

• What is the topic?


• What is the comment?
The following are not good examples of a main idea
sentence (thesis statement) because they only contain
a topic with no comment:

• I am going to write about my flight on Korean Air.


• I took a flight on Korean Air last summer.
• My topic for this essay is my flight on Korean Air.
B. Supporting ideas

• Supporting ideas form the body of a composition.


• The body is the largest of a composition.
• It provides supporting ideas and details to explain and
develop the main idea and usually has several
sentences.
C. Supporting details

• Supporting details help “prove” your ideas by showing


facts or evidence. Good writers try to make supporting
details vivid and dynamic.
D. The conclusion

The conclusion ties the entire composition together and provides


closure for your reader. There are several types of conclusions:
1. Restatement of the main idea
Ex. There is no doubt about it: I really do not like my job.
2. A summary of main points
Ex. I just cannot accept the terrible hours, the low pay, and the
unfriendly atmosphere.
3. A look to the future, such as a prediction about what will happen or
could happen
Ex. It is time for me to look for another job.
4. A related thought that grows out of the body
Ex. I wish I could quit this job tomorrow.

5. A combination of several types of conclusions


Ex. There is no doubt that I really do not like my job, so it
is time for me to look for another one.
• To summarize this chapter, let’s look at the basic structure of a
short composition.

• [indented] I have become very unhappy with my job as a cashier


at McBuns Restaurant. First, the hours are very hard for me. I work
from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and I have trouble getting up for
class the next morning. Next, the pay is terrible. I am making only
twenty cents above minimum wage. Finally, the people I work with
are unfriendly. They never smile or want to have a pleasant
conversation. I think it’s time to look for a new job.
• [indented] I have become very unhappy with my job as
a cashier at McBuns Restaurant. First, the hours are very
hard for me. I work from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and I
have trouble getting up for class the next morning. Next,
the pay is terrible. I am making only twenty cents above
minimum wage. Finally, the people I work with are
unfriendly. They never smile or want to have a pleasant
conversation. I think it’s time to look for a new job.
III. Process Writing

• Writing that is attractive and forceful usually comes out of a


process.
1: selecting a topic
2:planning and organizing
3:writing the first draft
4:revising
5:proofreading and editing
6:writing the final draft
7:sharing your writing with others
Guidelines for titles

• The title introduces your work and should catch the


reader’s attention before he or she starts to read.

• Even though the title appears first, many writers prefer


writing the title after they write the composition.
• Center the title on the top line.

• Capitalize the first and last words of the title, as well as the
most important words (the words with the most meaning).
Ex. My Dreams for the Future

• Use a capital letter after a colon (:)


Ex. Parenting: Life’s Biggest Challenge
• Do not capitalize the following words.
- Articles: a(n), the
- Coordinators: and, but, or, so
- Short prepositions: in, on, at, to, for, with, from
ex. Hope for the Future

• Always capitalize the word if it is the first or last word in the


title.
ex. A Childhood Home Revisited
• The first word after a colon is always capitalized.
ex. My Favorite Pastime: A Brief Description

• If a quotation appears in the title, use a capital


for the first word in the quotation.
ex. An Interpretation of “No man is an island”

• Do not write a sentence nor put a period.


ex. I had a disappointing welcome in Chicago.
 A Disappointing Welcome in Chicago
• Do not underline a title.
Ex. A Terrifying Midnight Boat Ride
 A Terrifying Midnight Boat Ride

Other examples:
*A summary and reaction to the story “one exit”
 A Summary and Reaction to “One Exit”
Determine your Audience?

• Indentify your audience before you write.


Knowing your audience helps you write
appropriately for that specific person or
group.
• If your audience includes your
classmates, you may choose an informal
style, whereas your audience being an
academic community, you may choose a
more formal, academic style.
Go back to textbook
Next class:

• Quiz (Vocabulary and Mini-Essay)


• + More Discussions

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