7 MINUTE

On page 135 in The Brief Bedford reader, look at the picture on page 134 and read the prompt on page 135.

Write a 7 min write based on the prompt.

THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY:TEMPLATE FOR COLLEGE WRITING

Professor Minnis

Introduction A “Hook” (question, story, quote) Background Information on subject Thesis (the argument you are making

support1/2/3) Transition into 1st support topic (Now I will

discuss…) Body Paragraph (Claim 1)

A transition (First/Second/Third) A central claim 3 details to flesh out claim Conclusion to paragraph

Body Paragraph (Claim 2) SAME Body Paragraph (Claim 3) SAME Conclusion

Summation transition (“In Conclusion”) Restatement of thesis Synthesis of claim + evidence applied to

broader issue

EXPANDEDOUTLINE

REAL PURPOSE OF FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY Easy template to American academic writing

expectations Easy to teach Easy to grade Easy to remember Easy to finishOfficial Uses of Five-Paragraph Essay… English class essay (book reviews, short

arguments, etc.) In-class essay exams SAT Writing assessment Some editorial or newspaper column pieces

PROBLEM: NEVER SHOWN BROADER APPLICATION

Instead of thinking “paragraphs,” think “sections”

Instead of thinking “five,” think “Introduction--Body--Conclusion”

Better still, think “Context/Claim, Evidence, Synthesis”

INTRODUCTION = CONTEXT & ARGUMENT

BODY PARAGRAPH #1

= BODY OF EVIDENCE

BODY PARAGRAPH #2

BODY PARAGRAPH #3

CONCLUSION = SYNTHESIS

Five-Paragraphs are just a template:

STILL NEED SAME BASIC ELEMENTS

Introduction Context & Claim

•Create Hook•Establish background context for writing•Give thesis•Preview evidence/organization•Springboard

Body Paragraphs

Evidence •Transition from prior section•Single, clear claim for section•Strong details supporting claim•Mini-conclusion on claim

Conclusion Synthesis •Restate central claim•Review evidence•Apply evidence and claim to context to create broader significance

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING A descriptive essay tells what

something looks like or what it feels like, sounds like, smells like or tastes like. You can use language to create a vivid impression for your readers.

Your descriptions help to create a dominant impression - mood or quality – for your writing.

Your descriptions may be objective or subjective.

Objective Descriptions

1.Focus on object itself rather than your personal reaction to it.

2.Is objectivity completely possible?

3.Achieved through word choicesUse Denotations/ more direct, less emotional

language.

4.Also achieved through selection of details to describe.

Exercise: Spend the next five minutes writing in your journal an objective description of your day today. Be prepared to share your results with your group.

Subjective Description:

1.Conveys your personal emotions and response to your subject

2.Not expressed necessarily directly, but through your word choices and selection of details.

3.Should indicate the significance of the subject.

4.Use subjective language: connotations (emotional associations of words)

5. Use figures of speech to compare dissimilar things:

• Simile (something is like something else)

• Metaphor (something is something else).

• Personification: giving human characteristics to objects or animals.

6. Allusion: reference to a person, place, event or quotation that you assume the reader understands.

Exercise: For the next five minutes, write a subjective version of your previous essay on your day today.

SUBJECTIVE CONTINUED…

Selecting Details:

In both objective and subjective writing, select specific details to describe.

Example:

You might say, “He looked angry.”

Or, you might say, “His face flushed, and one corner of his mouth twitched as he tried to control his anger.”

Imagery: describe using details that appeal to the five senses.

Taste, touch, smell, feel and hear

*******************************************************************************

Exercise: Look about the room: in your journal write for five minutes and describe this room. Give as many specific details as you can, and use imagery. You may decide whether to write objectively or subjectively. Be prepared to share your work with your group.

ORGANIZING A DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

Options:1. Spatial order: describe an object or

space as you move around or through it, from each perspective.

2. Order of impression: what do you notice first, second, etc.

3. Order of importance: what is the least important detail, what is the most?

Whatever scheme you choose, remember that it must serve to support your thesis.

5 PARAGRAPH ORDER

The essay uses the 5 paragraph order we have discussed today.

Example: Main Topic-A restaurant Subtopics-food, décor, and service Conclusion-restate the events, final thoughtYou must tell me in under your personal info if it

is sub/object description and if it is: spatial, impression, or importance order

Due 9/11/12800-1000 words, typed-NR/Arial, double spaced,

12 font.

Descriptive Writing: Essay ExamplesFrom “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck

The high grey-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from all the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot.

On the broad, level land floor the gang plows bit deep and left the black earth shining like metal where the shares had cut. On the foothill ranches across the Salinas River, the yellow stubble fields seemed to be bathed in pale cold sunshine, but there was no sunshine in the valley now in December.

The thick willow scrub along the river flamed with sharp and positive yellow leaves.

It was a time of quiet and waiting. The air was cold and tender. A light wind blew up from the southwest so that the farmers were mildly hopeful of a good rain before long; but fog and rain do not go together.

EXERCISE… In groups of 3-4 you will create a description

prewriting wheel…

Each Group will be given a topic, which you will write about using the wheel. You will fill out the wheel, then create a paragraph based on the information.