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EWRT 1A Class 9

AGENDA

Vocabulary (10-13)

Presentation: Friedman: Anecdotes; Compare and Contrast Holmes: Illustrations and Examples

Basic Features

Discussion: Ways to begin your concept essay.

In-Class Writing: Focusing your Concept

Discuss these words in your groups:Vocabulary 10-13

“Born to Be Happy, Through a Twist of Human

Hard Wire” Richard A. Friedman

In your groups, discuss this essay and answer questions.

Take 10 minutes to discuss the following among

yourselves. • First, briefly summarize the story

• What is the concept about which Friedman writes?

• Which anecdotes does Friedman use to help explain the concept to his readers?

• What other concepts does Friedman compare and contrast to his concept? Why does he do this?

• How does he focus his concept?

• Which terms does he define?

“In The Blink of an Eye”Bob Holmes

Get back into your groups to discuss this essay and answer questions.

Take 10 Minutes to Answer These Questions

First, summarize the story.

How does Holmes focus his concept?

Which terms does he define and why?

How do the pictures and graphs work to enhance his explanation of his concept?

Get Back Into Your Groups

Read Aloud “Basic Features: Explaining a Concept” pages 164-65

When you finish, discuss each feature, noting how you will integrate each one into your own essay.

Take notes about your own writing while you discuss.

The Basic Features of the Concept Essay

A Focused Concept

An Appeal to Readers’ Interests

A Logical Plan

Clear Definitions

Appropriate Writing Strategies Classification Process Narration Comparison and

Contrast Cause and Effect

Careful Use of Sources

A Focused Concept

Concepts can be approached from many perspectives (for example, history, definition, known causes or effects), and you cannot realistically explain every aspect of any concept, so you must limit your explanation to reflect both your special interest in the concept and your readers’ likely knowledge and interest.

Get out your Post #9. Make a list of two or three aspects of one of your concepts that could become a focus for your essay, and evaluate what you know about each aspect.

Under each possible focus in your list, make notes about why it interests you, what you know about it already, and what questions you want to answer about it.

Remember, choose your concept, and then limit it. For example, if you are writing your essay about the concept of games, focus on one kind of game, like playground games.

Then split your limited concept into two or three categories: Using the games example, we might say games with a ball and games without a ball.

Then identify two or three types that fall under each of the categories. For example, you might use kids games with a ball, teenager’s games with a ball, and adult games with a ball. You could use the same three type for “games without a ball.”

Focusing your Concept

Concept: GamesLimiter: Playground

GamesCategory 1:

Games with a ball

Types

Kids’ games with a ball

Teenagers’ games with a ball

Adults’ games with a ball.

Category 2:Games without a

ball

Types

Kids’ games without a ball

Teenagers’ games without a ball

Adults’ games without a ball.

.

Find examples of each type:

Games: Playground Games:

With a ball (kids, teens, adults);Without a ball (kids, teens, adults)

a kids game played with a ball (kick ball; four square; tether ball)

a teen game played with a ball (basketball, soccer, baseball or fast pitch)

an adult game with a ball (slo-pitch or lawn bowling).

a kids game played without a ball (tag, hide and go seek)

a teen game played without a ball (kick the can, red rover)

an adult game played without a ball (cribbage, chess, checkers at the park)

HOMEWORKRead: HG through chapter 22Post #10: Finish and post your in-class writing: Focused concept, thesis, anecdotes Find three more examples of your concept in HG. Endeavor to find examples to represent your classifications or categories. Post #11 Choose another concept to compare and contrast with yours for the purpose of demonstrating differences. Study: Vocab (1-18)