Welcome to CM 107 Unit 3 Seminar Paragraphs, thesis statements, and the writing process

Unit 3 requirements  Attend Unit 3 seminar  Complete reading (Chapters 1 and 6 in textbook)  Complete Unit 3 discussion  Complete Unit 3 project NOTE: For Unit 3 discussion, you must write a main post and respond to 3 of your classmates. REMEMBER: For Unit 3 Project, you will write a 300 word paragraph based on the assignment instructions. This assignment will be submitted through the dropbox.

What is a paragraph?  What should a paragraph do?  What should a paragraph look like?

Definition  A paragraph is a group of sentences which begins with a topic sentence.  The paragraph is a group of unified sentences that expresses one main idea.  So, what is a topic sentence?

Topic sentences  The topic sentence summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

Example Topic Sentences  We live in a world of so many risks that it is difficult to imagine anything that is risk free.  What sentences could come next to build this paragraph?

A suggestion…  Even basic human activities take on new risks. Eating in an era of genetically-altered food, walking outside in polluted air, and drinking water full of chemicals cause us to wonder what we can do to improve our health and the environment.

Let’s finish it…  Nutritionists tell us one thing, and scientists another. However, one thing is certain. Eating organic food can help to improve our health.  Do you see how the sentences start large (the big picture) and then narrow the focus down to a single, particular idea (the snapshot)?  Readers can then expect the rest of the paper to tell them why and how eating organic food will help to improve health.

Thesis statements  What is a thesis statement?

Definition  Remember that the thesis statement states the main point of your paper.  The thesis statement predicts (tells what the main point is and how you feel about it), obligates (makes the writer stick to doing what she promises to do in the thesis statement), and controls (makes the writer structure the paper based on the thesis and controls what kind of information makes its way into the paper).

Types of thesis statements  Type: General  Example: Offshore oil drilling should be illegal for several reasons.  Type: Detailed  Example: Offshore oil drilling should be illegal because it endangers the environment, poses threats to local businesses, and threatens the global economy.  Type: Compromise  Example: Offshore oil drilling should be illegal due to environmental, community, and economic concerns.

Prewriting strategies  Why is prewriting necessary?

Prewriting  Prewriting is necessary to overcome writer’s block.  Prewriting is the first step of the writing process because it helps to get ideas on paper. Once these ideas are on the page, it is easier to choose which ones you would like to use in your writing project.

Types of prewriting  Free writing  Brainstorming  Bubbling  Clustering  Listing  Informal outlining  Annotating  Questioning

Informal types of prewriting  You have creative control when it comes to free writing, brainstorming, bubbling, clustering and listing.  You can find all kinds of information on prewriting, with examples, in the Kaplan Writing Center.

Outlining We use an outline because it provides the structure we need to create an organized essay. The outline can help you decide what to include and where it would be most effective to place particular points. Another purpose of the outline is to determine how outside sources will fit into your paragraphs. You can use the formal (Roman Numeral) outline structure or a less formal version of the outline.

Informal outlining I. Introduction: The United States should ban smoking. A. Danger to health of smoker B. Danger to health of non-smoker C. Contributions to rising health costs in U.S. II. Smoking is dangerous to the health of smokers. A. Lung cancer risks B. Asthma and other breathing disorders C. Heart problems

Annotation  Used when reading potential sources  Be a critical reader—ask questions and take notes as you read!  You could also keep an “annotated bibliography” of each source as you read it. Create an APA-style citation, then write a brief paragraph that summarizes the main points and notes whether the source will be useful in your paper.

Questions?  Now is the time for Unit 3 questions, or questions regarding any of the material we discussed today.

Thank you for being with us today!