Academic Writing I

ACADEMIC WRITING IClass 3

March 11, 2014

Today- Sentence structure (continued)

- Introduction to paragraphs

Key termsSentence: A complete idea/thought consisting of at least one noun (subject) and one verb.

Noun: Germany, dog, ice cream, people

Verb: go, fight, watch

Adjective: big, wonderful, terrible, amazing

Adverb: very, quietly, carefully, loudly

Key termsClause: A group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb.

i.e., Anna left the party early.

Independent clause: A clause that can be a sentence by itself (a bicycle).

i.e., Anna left the party early. Hold the cat’s mouth closed.

Dependent clause: A clause that cannot be a sentence by itself because its meaning is not complete (a basket).

i.e., …because she was tired. before she bites me.

Sentence Review

Students studied.

Students in the biology lab studied sharks in the ocean.

Sentence review• Regardless of how much detail we add, the wheels give

the same kind of information.

• The subject tells us who or what.

• The predicate tells us what about it.

Who or what? What about it?

Tony loves pizza.

Companies benefit from customer loyalty.

Efficient train service will decrease traffic problems.

Sentence Review: Dependent Clauses

When the music began

Everyone started to dance.

When the music began, everyone started to dance.

dependent clause

independent clause

Dependent ClausesWe can place these baskets on the front of a bike.

As soon as it stopped raining, we saw a double rainbow.

When we need a quiet place to study, we go to the library.

Because I registered early, I got the classes I wanted.

Dependent Clauses

We can also place them on the back of a bike.

We saw a double rainbow as soon as it stopped raining.

I got the classes I wanted because I registered early.

We go to the library when we need a quiet place to study.

Dependent Clauses – relative pronouns

These baskets go after the word they describe. Sometimes they’re in the middle of the bike.

Frank, who works part-time,will be our guide.

The new fitness center, which includes a swimming pool, will open in February.

The car that is parked in my driveway is Henry’s.

Dependent Clauses – relative pronouns

Sometimes they are on the back of the bike.

Karen likes books that have a happy ending.

We are making pasta for Tim, who does not eat meat.

I have tickets to the jazz festival, which begins at noon.

Remember…A basket can’t do anything by itself.

I ate lunch as soon as I got home.

Sentence ReviewMake sure you read Slides 30 – 44 from last Friday’s PowerPoint (we did look at them in class).

Ice cream is a good food. I like to eat ice cream. Ice cream is delicious in summer. Summer is hot. Eating ice cream in summer is cool. Let’s eat ice cream.

Types of Sentences - Simple sentence

- Compound sentence

- Complex sentence

Types of SentencesSimple sentence

A group of words that:

a) Contains at least one subject and one verb

and

b) Expresses a complete thought

i.e., Airplanes changed how people travel.


Four basic formulas

S = subject, V = verb

1. S V

The Harry Potter movies were international hits.



2. S S V

Young people and adults enjoyed the them.




3. S V V

The films entertained and thrilled audiences everywhere.




The films entertained and thrilled audiences everywhere.

4. S S V V

Harry Potter and his friends battled evil and made us laugh at the same time.

Types of SentencesCompound sentence

- A sentence composed of at least two simple sentences joined by a comma (, ) and a coordinating conjunction.

- Seven (7) coordinating conjunctions are:

and, but, so, or, for, nor, yet

Basic Formula: S V coord. conj. S V


- A sentence composed of at least two simple sentences joined by a comma (, ) and a coordinating conjunction.

Basic Formula: S V coord. conj. S V

i.e.,

The gold disappeared with the mice, so the greedy man got nothing.


More examples:

He dropped a rice ball, and it rolled into a hole in the ground.

They were happy, but they were poor.

He could choose a big box, or he could choose a small one.

Types of SentencesComplex sentence

- A combination of one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause(s).

i.e.,

Anna left the party early because she was tired.

After it stopped raining, we went outside.

Types of SentencesA good writer uses a variety of sentence types in each paragraph and each essay.

- We will look at this in a later class.

For now, remember:

- Do not only use simple sentences.

Paragraph = a group of sentences

It’s hot out today. Chickens are crazy. I think I will do my homework. Surfing is fun.

ParagraphsA paragraph is…?!

- Several sentences grouped together.

- These sentences discuss one main subject.

Paragraph StructureA paragraph is a lot like…

Writing ParagraphsParts of a Paragraph:

- Topic sentence

- Supporting details (Development)

- Concluding sentence

Topic sentenceStates the main idea of the paragraph.

• Clearly states the topic and the controlling idea of the paragraph.

• Gives only main idea(s). No specific details.

• Must contain at least one subject and one verb.

• Is usually the first sentence in a paragraph.

Topic sentenceTopic names the subject of the sentence.

Controlling idea limits or controls the topic to a specific area.

• Convenience foods are easy to prepare.

• There are several advantages to growing up in a big city.

• Driving on the highway requires strong nerves and aggressiveness.

Topic sentenceDo not include too many ideas.

• Independent films are characterized by experimental techniques, low production costs, and provocative themes.

VS.

• Independent films are characterized by experimental techniques.

Examples• English has been influenced by other languages.

• The slang expression so long (meaning “good bye”) is probably a corruption of the Arabic salaam.

• The Arabic origins of many English words are not always obvious.

too general

too specific

Just right

Topic sentenceStates the main idea of the paragraph.

e.g.)

“Writing an essay is a complicated process.”

Supporting details- Explanation of the controlling idea.

- Examples/Evidence.

-explanation of evidence.

Explanation• The writer's explanation of his/her thinking about the main

topic, idea, or focus of the paragraph.

• Paragraph development continues with an expression of the rationale or the explanation that the writer gives for how the reader should interpret the information presented in the topic sentence.

Explanation“A writer cannot simply start typing on a keyboard and expect an excellent product as a result. In fact, writing a high-quality essay requires a time investment and several steps.”

Example/ Evidence• The evidence serves as a sign or representation of the

relationship established in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraph.

• Paragraph development progresses with the expression of some type of support or evidence for the idea and the explanation that came before it

Example/ Evidence“For example, before writing an essay about a chosen topic, the writer must research the topic and make a formal outline of the essay.”

Explanation (of example)• The reasoning behind why you chose to use this (or these)

particular evidence to support the major claim of your paragraph.

• NONE of your examples should be left unexplained

Explanation (of example)“These initial steps of the writing process can take hours or days, and the writer may not even have started a first draft, yet.”

Conclusion• A review for your reader about the relevance of the

information that you just discussed in the paragraph.

Conclusion“Indeed, writing can be a difficult, time-consuming activity.”

Example Paragraph 3

“Learning how to turn in homework assignments on time is one of the most valuable skills that college students can take with them into the working world.”

Assignment:

Find: Explanation, evidence, explanation of evidence, and conclusion.

Label each part.

Assignment ‘Who (or what) is responsible for the events in this film?’

Write a paragraph in response to this question:

- Topic sentence

- One piece of evidence

- Remember to clearly explain this evidence!

REVIEW THE ppt. FIRST

‘Who (or what) is responsible for the events in this film?’

Write a paragraph in response to this question:

- Topic sentence

i.e., An invisible wizard is responsible for the events in this movie.

- Explain the topic sentence (Explanation)

- Provide an example from the movie to support my explanation (Evidence)

- Explain how my example relates to my topic sentence (Explanation of evidence)

- Concluding statement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nlFfZ7PtX4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nlFfZ7PtX4

Assignment

Submit to: [email protected]

Subject: AWI paragraph assign

File name: NAME_AWI paragraph kimjinsu_AWI paragaph

Deadline: Tuesday March 18 (11:59 pm)

mailto:[email protected]

Academic Writing I

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