Organizational Styles3. DefinitionDefinition:- describes

characteristics or features of something

Example: Explain what it means to be a productive citizen.As a writer you would have to explain what are the characteristics that make a person an involved and productive citizen.

“Two Ways of Seeing a River”

Page 479 in Models for Writers

Text Comprehension ChartWhat is the purpose of this chart?

Before you can skillfully craft your own essays, we need to look out how professional writers structure their ideas. Why do they

put things in a certain order?

What do we want to learn from this?What organizational style does this essay follow?

How does the organizational style impact the presentation of the ideas?

What is the main idea of this essay?How can I write a thesis for this essay following the main idea?

“Two Ways of Seeing a River”

Simple and Compound SentencesFor each sentence cross out the prepositional phrases, label the subject(s) and verb(s), circle the

conjunction (if there is one) and determine whether the sentence is simple or compound.

• You can ask for a refund, or you can request a replacement for your product.

• After the football game we went to Brittany’s house for movie night.

• Jesse Owens was born in Alabama in 1913 and he became one of the world's greatest track and field athletes.

• Some galaxies have clouds of dust and gas, but others do not.

• Chris and Jocelyn went to the movies and out to dinner.

Simple or Compound Sentence Warm-UpFor each sentence cross out the prepositional phrases, label the subject(s) and verb(s), circle the conjunction (if

there is one) and determine whether the sentence is simple or compound.

• You can ask for a refund, or you can request a replacement for your product. Compound

• After the football game we went to Brittany’s house for movie night. Simple

• Jesse Owens was born in Alabama in 1913 and he became one of the world's greatest track and field athletes. Compound

• Some galaxies have clouds of dust and gas, but others do not. Compound

• Chris and Jocelyn went to the movies and out to dinner. Simple

“Two Ways of Seeing a River”

When I heard the learn’d astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me, When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them, When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.

When I heard the learn’d astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me, When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them, When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.

*What is the speaker doing at the beginning? *”With much applause” – what does that imply?*Why does the speaker leave? How is he feeling in that moment?*How is this speaker different than Mark Twain? How are they the same?*What lesson is Walt Whitman trying to get us to understand?*Identify all the scientific words versus the “mystic” words in the poem.

• Learn’d• Proofs• Charts• Figures• Columns• Diagrams• Add• Divide • Measure

• Gliding• Wondered• Mystical• Time to time• Silence

Pre-AP Imitation of “When I Heard…”When I heard the learn’d astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me, When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them, When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.

Try to imitate Whitman by creating your own example of this poem. What similar situation have you been through? Leave the line in yellow, but change everything around it to fit a different scenario. Be sure to pay attention to the poem’s structure, organization, imagery, and tone.

Block Day Warm-Up

Transform all of these simple sentences into compound sentences by adding additional information. Remember: You need a subject and verb on each side

of the conjunction (FANBOYS) for it to be a compound sentence. You also need a comma before the conjunction. My lowest grade right now is in Biology.

I had so much fun at the Homecoming dance!

My favorite show is The Walking Dead.

After school I am going to take a nap.

I am going to be Sy from Duck Dynasty for Halloween.

Organizing your own compare/contrast essay

Thesis Statements A thesis statement is crucial to writing a

strong essay. Without a thesis your reader will not understand the purpose of your writing.A single sentence that expresses what you want your readers to understand; the controlling idea of your essay and road map for your paper

Last sentence of your introduction

Organizing your own compare/contrast essay

Thesis Statements What does a thesis look like?

Main idea of paper + transition word + topics/reasons of paper.

Examples:Prompt: Explain the types of a student may undergo from middle school to high school.

Many students undergo changes from middle school to high school such as becoming more responsible and feeling more stress.

Prompt: Explain the importance of being involved in your community.Being involved in the community is important because it helps people stay connected and gives people pride in their community.

How do I prove my claims?Evidence

Just like a lawyer wouldn’t go to court without evidence, you can’t write a paper without something to prove that your ideas are true!

Types of Evidence1. Facts and Data:

- information that you would research and cite from reliable sources.Ex: 80% of American households have internet access. (from Face the Facts USA)

2. Historical or Literary examples: - using well known examples from history and literature to

prove a point Ex: Rosa Parks demonstrates how one woman’s involvement in her

community impacted not only a single city but an entire country.3. Personal examples:

- using your own life experiences to relate to your audienceEx: Having to balance school work and basketball practice was one

element of my high school experience that caused an increased amount of stress for me.

How do I prove my claims?Analysis

Your audience can’t read your mind. It is up to you to explain how your evidence explains the point you are trying to make.

Definition: explaining to the audience how your evidence connects to your thesis.

Using the middle school/high school changes prompt:

Good analysis: Many students experience similar juggling acts as I did, trying to succeed both academically and extra curricular activities. Many students lack the time management skills needed to balance all these activities, leading to an amount of stress that was not experienced in middle school.

Weak analysis: Trying to keep up with all my stuff was just crazy. It was really hard to stay focused on all the things I was supposed to do. I don’t remember feeling that way in middle school.

Body Paragraph Organization

Body paragraphs should follow this basic outline:

1.) Topic Sentence – shows the main idea of the paragraph

2.) Evidence– facts/data, quotes, examples3.) Analysis– your analysis, explanation, or

interpretation of your evidence. 4.) Concluding/Transition Sentence – wraps

up the main idea of the paragraph, or leads the reader into the idea of the next paragraph

Body Paragraph Organization

An example of an entire paragraph:

One negative change that many students experience from middle school to high school is an increased amount of stress.

Having to balance school work and basketball practice was one element of my high school experience that caused an increased amount of stress for me. Many students experience similar juggling acts as I did, trying to succeed both academically and extra curricular activities. Many students lack the time management skills needed to balance all these activities, leading to an amount of stress that was not experienced in middle school. Even though the increased stress can be difficult, learning those time management skills are a valuable life lesson for students.

Strong TransitionsYour reader needs to see how your ideas connect

or where your ideas are about to change.

Here is a toolbox of strong transition words to use in your writing

Therefore Even though

However Consequently

Furthermore Thus, Hence

“Why we crave horror movies”

Page 504 in Models for

Writers