1. THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF WRITING PARAGRAPHING

2. WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH? “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” Can be a group of sentences. Can be one sentence. The ideas must be unified* and coherent* *More on these will follow….

3. 5 STEP GUIDE TO PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

4. PARAGRAPH WRITING STEP 1: Decide on a controlling idea (the foundation of the paragraph) and create a topic sentence introducing it. STEP 2: Explain the controlling idea. STEP 3: Give an example. (Can be personal!) STEP 4: Explain the example. STEP 5: Complete/Conclude the paragraph’s idea and move into a new section with a transition.

5. (S1) Although frowned upon by most of my teachers growing up, reading comic books shaped my identity by teaching me morals. (S2) Most superhero stories have some sort of ‘do good’ moral foundation, and any child who reads one of these stories is bound to pick up on it. (S3) For example, I remember crying in my local Wal-Mart as a kid because Superman ‘died’ while fighting Doomsday, a disgusting alien monster, but I took away that sometimes you have to sacrifice your own well-being for those people that you love the most. (S4) If Superman didn’t sacrifice his own life while fighting Doomsday, everyone he loved would have died. While I am lucky to never have been in a similar situation where I would have to sacrifice my own safety and well-being in this manner, I know that if I were to ever face a disgusting alien monster, I would mess him up because Superman taught me how to do so. (S5) And this is only one of the many moral lessons comic books taught me growing up!

6. Greek and Roman Rhetoric THE CLASSICAL ORATION

7. 1.Exordium: The speaker/writer tries to win the attention and good will of an audience while introducing a subject or problem. 2.Narratio: The speaker/writer presents the facts of the case, explaining what happened when, who is included, and so on. The narratio puts an argument in context. 3.Partiotio: The speaker/writer divides up the subject, explaining why the claim is, what the key ussues are, and in what order the subject will be treated. 4.Confirmatio: The speaker/writer offers detailed support for the claim, using both logical reasoning and factual evidence. 5.Refutatio: The speaker/writer acknowledges and then refutes opposing claims or evidence. 6.Perroratio: The speaker/writer summarizes the case and moves the audience to action. CLASSIC SIX PART PATTERN

8. Classical Rhetoric MODERN INTERPRETATION

9.  Introduction  Gains readers’ interest and willingness to listen.  Establishes your qualifications/credibility to write about your topic.  Establishes some common ground with your audience.  Demonstrates that you’re fair and evenhanded.  States your claim.  Background  Presents any necessary information, including personal narrative, that’s important to your argument. MODERN INTRODUCTION

10.  I almost threw a fit while eating at Wool Street, a local restaurant near my home, this weekend. It all started when the waitress came over to take my drink order. “I’ll have a Coke,” I said proudly. The waitress, without looking up, nonchalantly asked, “Is Pepsi okay?” I wanted to jump up and scream at this woman who obviously doesn’t understand the implications of what she had just told me: “NO! OF COURSE PEPSI IS NOT OKAY! WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU NOT SERVE COCA-COLA IN YOUR STUPID RESTAURANT?!” But, alas, I did not and could not express my semi-violent disappointment in the establishment for fear of not being served food (or getting arrested) over a soda order. This might seem like an overreaction (and you would be correct on one hand), but when it comes to colas, there’s really only one choice that anyone should make: Coke. While some people enjoy the depressing blue cans and the overly sugary corn syrup that is Pepsi cola, in my opinion Coke is the superior cola in every way, from its taste to its commercials to its cans/bottles, and this is why all restaurants should only serve Coke to its customers. If this is my introduction to a Coke VS Pepsi argument, what am I doing well according to the Classical Argument, and what am I doing poorly? Discuss with your group!!!

11.  Lines of argument  Presents good reasons, including logical and emotional appeals, in support of your claims.  Point  Example(s)  (Like your body paragraphs in a 5-paragraph essay!)  ALWAYS USE EXAMPLES WHEN YOU CAN  SHOW DON’T TELL!!! MODERN PRESENTATION OF ARGUMENT

12.  Counter Argument  Examines alternative points of view and opposing arguments.  Notes the advantages and disadvantages of these views.  Explains why your view is better than others. COUNTER ARGUMENT

13.  Conclusion  Summarizes the argument.  Elaborates on the implications of your claim.  Makes clear what you want the audience to think or do.  Reinforces your credibility and perhaps offers an emotional appeal. MODERN CONCLUSION