Generating Ideas for Writing for Publication Narrowing the Focus Adapted from the work of Dr. Charles Whitaker, Professor of English, EKU

Unit of Study: Ancient Greece Major Focus: A Window to the Distant Past -- Making Connections to the Present

Brainstorming topics from content covered, for example: Ancient Greece DemocracyOlympicsMyths Class Structure Architecture

Narrowing the Focus to help writers choose a topic Myths Origins Purpose/ Impact Modern Interpretation Heroes/ Heroines Greek vs Roman

Identifying an Audience and Establishing a Purpose… Who wants to know this information? What is its relevance today? Why is it still important today?

Angles and Titles… Helpful Questions: What’s an angle that can make your writing unusual? What’s your controlling idea? What might appeal to readers?

Sample Angles/Ideas for Writing… Here’s an interesting fact (or two) that readers may not know about and why it’s/they’re important. How did all this come about? Here’s how it happened and why it’s important. Not sure about such and such? Let me help you. Have you ever thought about such and such? I have and here are my conclusions. My own experience confirms a key idea that is important for readers to know about.

Narrowing the Focus Establishing a Purpose… A two part title helps identify a topic, narrow the focus, and reveal a writer’s purpose:  Greek Mythology: Modern Lessons

Deciding on a Form What Best Suits Your Audience? Letter Feature Article Editorial Speech

Sample Titles Focused Purpose and Controlling Ideas… Ancient Myths: Why Are They So Fascinating For Us Today? Do you know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a good story?

The Mystery of Myths: What They Mean and Why They Are Still Important Read on to learn some important moral lessons that can help us today…

“Ye Gods:” Where Did That Come From? Legacies from Greek mythology that are common in our culture…

Greek Heroes: Role Models for Today? Many legendary heroes were celebrated for their bold exploits and favored by the gods, but some were not!

Science Unit Major Focus: Relationships Among Populations and Ecosystems

Brainstorming Topics/Ideas Environment Global Warming Pollution Global Dimming Conservation Endangered Species

Narrowing the Focus… Global Warming Alternative Energy Sources Greenhouse Effect Rising Temperatures Conflicting Opinions Kyoto Treaty

Angles/Ideas for Writing… Here is a problem readers may not know about and why they should be aware of it. Although some may agree with such and such, I do not. Let me explain and support my view so that others will accept my ideas. I wanted to find answers to these important questions, and this is what I have found and why it is important to others.

Sample Titles Focused Purpose and Controlling Ideas… Too Hot For Comfort: Some Cool Solutions (Here’s what I found out about the change in the earth’s climate caused by greenhouse gases released by cars… and some solutions that can help)

Saving Our Planet: How Green is Our Town? (Here’s what I’ve discovered about our environmental efforts… and some suggestions for making improvements)

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction? (Here’s what I found out about the two sides of the debate … and here’s my opinion too)

Hybrids are Hot: Just Ask Leonardo DiCaprio! (Here’s some information about the popularity of hybrid cars … and some reasons for driving them)

Baked Alaska: Not Exactly A Frozen Treat! (Here’s what I found out about the disappearance of Alaska’s glaciers… and why that is important to us)

Many Countries Endorse The Kyoto Treaty: Should We Too? (Here’s my opinion about endorsing the Kyoto Treaty… and I’m hoping you will agree!)

Personal Finance Unit Major Focus: Money Management… and other Money Matters

Brainstorming Topics/Ideas Personal Finance BudgetingSavingsInvesting Banking Services Economic Independence Long/short term goals

Narrowing the Focus… Investing Bonds Stock Market Mutual Funds Dow Jones NASDAC

Sample Titles Focused Purpose and Controlling Ideas… The Stock Market: Who in the World is Dow Jones? (Here’s some information to solve this mystery…)

Investing Wisely: Financial Security (Here are some important tips that can help us make wise investment decisions…)

Personal Finance: How Big is Your Pig? (Some important facts about saving early…)

Cash or Credit: What do you have in your wallet? (The importance of establishing a good credit history)

Investing Wisely: Saving for a Rainy Day (Here some facts about the importance of saving for the future)

KEEs to the Future: Investing in Yourself! (Here’s some important information about scholarships and reasons for academic investment…)

Debit or Credit: Got Plastic? (Important information about credit or debit)

Purpose Statement… As a (personal connection to writing), I am writing a (form: letter, article, editorial, other) for (reader: school newspaper, etc.) to develop my idea that (main idea, specific purpose in writing)

For more information… Contact: Jennifer Bernhard Reading/Writing Specialist Clark County Schools (859) Ext 232