Is your cell phone turned off and put away?

First In-class Essay Your first in-class essay is next Wednesday, September 9. Come to class on time, prepared to write for an hour and a half. Bring with you a black or blue ink pen, a blue book, and a dictionary.

Essay Conventions Exercise

Topic Sentences

A topic sentence clearly introduces a single main idea for the paragraph.

Topic Sentences A topic sentence should: be a complete sentence. clearly relate to the topic of the essay. introduce a single, relevant supporting idea. avoid vague and often bland assertions of how the topic is “important” or “interesting.”

Topic Sentences Topic: What would cause you to end a friendship? Weak topic sentence: First, my friends should always be honest with me. Does not address the full topic. Good topic sentence: First, a friendship with someone who is not honest with me is one I would quickly end.

Topic Sentences Topic: Each year, many teenagers run away from home. What do you think are the chief causes? Weak topic sentence: Many teenagers feel that their parents are too strict. Does not address the full topic. Good topic sentence: Many teenagers run away because they feel that their parents are too strict.

Topic Sentences Transitions as counters or progress markers: First, a good pet should not require more maintenance than you are capable of. The next thing you need to consider before you buy a car is gas mileage. Finally, if you want your new business to be successful then you need to do everything you can to get the word out to potential clients.

Topic Sentences Transitions that refer back to the previous topic: In addition to having a thorough home inspection, before you buy a house you should also look at the history of recent sales in the neighborhood. Besides my lifelong fascination with ghosts, I’m also very interested in silent movies, especially comedies. Good study habits are important, but to be a good student you must also pay attention in class.

First of all, just getting to the theater presents difficulties. Leaving a home equipped with a TV and a video recorder isn't an attractive idea on a humid, cold, or rainy night. Even if the weather cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the theater down a congested highway, followed by the hassle of looking for a parking space. And then there are the lines. After hooking yourself to the end of a human chain, you worry about whether there will be enough tickets, whether you will get seats together, and whether many people will sneak into the line ahead of you.

Once you have made it to the box office and gotten your tickets, you are confronted with the problems of the theater itself. If you are in one of the run-down older theaters, you must adjust to the musty smell of seldom-cleaned carpets. Escaped springs lurk in the faded plush or cracked leather seats, and half the seats you sit in seem loose or tilted so that you sit at a strange angle. The newer twin and quad theaters offer their own problems. Sitting in an area only one-quarter the size of a regular theater, moviegoers often have to put up with the sound of the movie next door. This is especially jarring when the other movie involves racing cars or a karate war and you are trying to enjoy a quiet love story. And whether the theater is old or new, it will have floors that seem to be coated with rubber cement. By the end of a movie, shoes almost have to be pried off the floor because they have become sealed to a deadly compound of spilled soda, hardening bubble gum, and crushed Ju-Jubes.

Some of the patrons are even more of a problem than the theater itself. Little kids race up and down the aisles, usually in giggling packs. Teenagers try to impress their friends by talking back to the screen, whistling, and making what they consider to be hilarious noises. Adults act as if they were at home in their own living rooms and comment loudly on the ages of the stars or why movies aren't as good anymore. And people of all ages crinkle candy wrappers, stick gum on their seats, and drop popcorn tubs or cups of crushed ice and soda on the floor. They also cough and burp, squirm endlessly in their seats, file out for repeated trips to the rest rooms or concession stand, and elbow you out of the armrest on either side of your seat.

Topic Sentences For homework, pick one of the thesis statements that you rewrote. Write two topic sentences to go along with that thesis statement. Write only the topic sentences, not the whole paragraphs! (But also write the thesis statement on the sheet you will turn in.) This is due next Wednesday, September 9.

Commas Exercise

As I expected, the professor gave us a quiz the first day after Spring Break. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

As I expected, the professor gave us a quiz the first day after Spring Break. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Unfortunately, I had left my wallet in the car. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Unfortunately, I had left my wallet in the car. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

She told me the car had a full tank of gas, but when I cranked it up I saw that it was nearly empty. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

She told me the car had a full tank of gas, but when I cranked it up I saw that it was nearly empty. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

July 17, 1972, is my brother’s birthday. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

July 17, 1972, is my brother’s birthday. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Mark decided he was going to stay home, for the weather forecast predicted heavy rain. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Mark decided he was going to stay home, for the weather forecast predicted heavy rain. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The dish turned out to be mild, not spicy at all. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The dish turned out to be mild, not spicy at all. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

My mother was born in Greenville, North Carolina, in A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

My mother was born in Greenville, North Carolina, in A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Long-haired cats, in my experience, require a lot of maintenance. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Long-haired cats, in my experience, require a lot of maintenance. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The house had a tall, rusty fence around its whole perimeter. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The house had a tall, rusty fence around its whole perimeter. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The grandfather clock gave a loud, grating chime every hour. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The grandfather clock gave a loud, grating chime every hour. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

He cleared his throat and said, “I believe I’m ready now.” A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

He cleared his throat and said, “I believe I’m ready now.” A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The qualities I admire most in a person are diligence, honesty, and intelligence. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The qualities I admire most in a person are diligence, honesty, and intelligence. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The new curtains, as I feared, turned out to be highly flammable. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The new curtains, as I feared, turned out to be highly flammable. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The car was very slow, but also noisy. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The car was very slow, but also noisy. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The last thing we ever heard him say was, “I’m pretty sure that isn’t gas that I smell.” A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

The last thing we ever heard him say was, “I’m pretty sure that isn’t gas that I smell.” A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Scotland is a very interesting place to study because of its history, culture, and people. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Scotland is a very interesting place to study because of its history, culture, and people. A. to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. C. to set off introductory elements. E. to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. G. to set off quoted language. B. and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. D. to separate coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. F. to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc. H. to set off parenthetical, or non- essential, elements.

Before you leave, turn in: –The Polishing Cloth assignment –Your practice introductory paragraph