Here are two approaches to writing topic sentences for body paragraphs. In Approach 1, you don't reference the book in the topic sentence (reference the book in the examples). In the second approach, you reference the book, but you don't use a specific example in the topic sentence.
Let's start with this thesis statement that we worked on in class:
Thesis Statement: Love is often corrupted by the power of money.
Approach 1: (Break down the thesis statement method)
Paragraph 1: Money often corrupts people. (Followed by examples in the book of money corrupting)
Paragraph 2: People sometimes say they love someone, but they're really interested in their own gain. (Followed by example)
Approach 2: (the novel method -- explain how the novel
discusses the main ideas in the thesis statement):
Paragraph 1: In the novel, money plays a huge role. In case after case, characters who don't have money are driven to commit immoral acts to get it.
Second body paragraph: The novel draws a picture of what love can become when people use other people for gain. Characters in this novel frequently say they love someone, but in fact they are really interested in their own gain. Often this gain is monetary. (Follow this with examples)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Essay Assignment
Homework: Write a 2-3 page literary response essay on theme. This essay should be double-spaced in 12-point type with one-inch margins. It should follow the format we've discussed in class. Choose one of the following topics (themes) to write about:
1. criminality
2. poverty
3. influence of surroundings on people
Remember, developing a theme from these topics requires you to really think about what the book says about the topic. This can't be a simple thought that could apply to any book on the subject; it needs to really reflect what Dickens is saying in Oliver Twist. For example, it won't be sufficient to say that poverty is a bad thing that makes people's lives hard. Or that criminality leads to people being put in prison. Or that people's surroundings often influence who they are. Instead, you need to get at how poverty is a bad thing in Dickens' view; what are the effects of criminality both on criminals and on the society, in Dickens view; and how do people's surroundings influence them and how does that play out against their basic natures.
This paper is due on Monday, January 3. It must be uploaded to turnitin.com by that date and must be sent as an attachment to me in your engrade account. Attach the file as a Word document or, if you don't use Word, attach it as an .rtf file.
1. criminality
2. poverty
3. influence of surroundings on people
Remember, developing a theme from these topics requires you to really think about what the book says about the topic. This can't be a simple thought that could apply to any book on the subject; it needs to really reflect what Dickens is saying in Oliver Twist. For example, it won't be sufficient to say that poverty is a bad thing that makes people's lives hard. Or that criminality leads to people being put in prison. Or that people's surroundings often influence who they are. Instead, you need to get at how poverty is a bad thing in Dickens' view; what are the effects of criminality both on criminals and on the society, in Dickens view; and how do people's surroundings influence them and how does that play out against their basic natures.
This paper is due on Monday, January 3. It must be uploaded to turnitin.com by that date and must be sent as an attachment to me in your engrade account. Attach the file as a Word document or, if you don't use Word, attach it as an .rtf file.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Period 11: Post your comments on O.T. here!
Make at least one comment by clicking on the comment button below: either a point about the reading, a question, or an answer to a question.
And please remember to sign your comments using your first name ONLY -- this is the way I'll be able to give you credit.
And please remember to sign your comments using your first name ONLY -- this is the way I'll be able to give you credit.
Period 6: Post your comments on O.T. here!
Make at least one comment by clicking on the comment button below: either a point about the reading, a question, or an answer to a question.
And please remember to sign your comments using your first name ONLY -- this is the way I'll be able to give you credit.
And please remember to sign your comments using your first name ONLY -- this is the way I'll be able to give you credit.
Period 5: Post your comments on O.T. here!
Make at least one comment by clicking on the comment button below: either a point about the reading, a question, or an answer to a question.
And please remember to sign your comments using your first name ONLY -- this is the way I'll be able to give you credit.
And please remember to sign your comments using your first name ONLY -- this is the way I'll be able to give you credit.
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