CHAPTER 3

Drafting a Paper

The Short Essay

Essays have three partsIntroductionBodyConclusion

Thesis Statement What the essay is about

Look at example on page 44

Paragraph Length

No set amount of sentences per paragraphUse short paragraphs to isolate a point;

therefore, stressing itType written page with four or more

paragraphs need rewrittenVary paragraph length

Paragraphs as miniature essays

Topic Sentence => thesis statementDeveloping Details => body Closing comment or sentence =>

conclusion

Paragraph Development

Developmental Paragraph (Important Term)Paragraph with a topic sentence and

developing details

5 kinds of Paragraph Development

Examples (47)support a generalization with concrete

information

Illustrations (47-48)

little story, narrative, or anecdote that embodies an idea

Details (48-49)

component parts that make up the wholeex: individual steps in a procedure

Reasons

answer the question whyreasons are acceptable and respectable if the

writer basis them on established fact, close observation and experience, or logical analysis

Mixed Material

Mix of details, reasons, examples, and illustrations

Paragraph Unity (51)

Unified Paragraph (Important Term)

Every sentence is about the topic sentence

Reread first two paragraphs under paragraph unity

Paragraph Coherence (51 – 52)

Coherent Paragraph (Important Term) Paragraph in which a clear pattern of thought emerges

 Achieve Paragraph coherence in three ways: Appropriate ordering principle Providing transitions from one idea to another

Maintaining a consistent tone

Ordering Principles

Way to achieve coherence

Time

You can arrange material according to when it happens

past to presentearly to lateold to new

Space (Physical Space) [53]

Narrator stands in place and proceeds from a natural or logical order of progression

left to rightbottom to top

Importance (54)

Ideas arranged in ascending order of importance or value (least to most)

It is human nature to build towards a climax

Using Transitions (55)

Passing from one subject to another

Symbols, words, phrases can make a smooth passage

Some transitional words: First, next, then, finally

Consistency of Tone

Tone (Key Rhetorical Analysis Tool)

Tone DefinedThe author’s attitude towards his or her subject and audience

A Few Examples

FormalPersonalEmotionalJoking

To Maintain a Consistent Tone

Decide who is speaking => Point of View (116)

Omniscient- outside narrator (3rd Person) knowing everything that is happening

Limited- one character is used. Only know what that character knows, hears, and sees

First Person- narrator is a character in the writing

Objective or Dramatic- moving like a movie camera recording only what you can see or hear, never delving into anyone’s mind or heart

Consider whether the statement should be made in the present tense or past, the active or passive voice

Know what diction to use

Diction (A Very, Very Important Rhetorical Tool)

Word choice and language used (conflagration –vs- fire)

Reread Example on page 56

Getting Started

IntroductionHave a thesis statementDo not have to write the introduction first

Ways to start a paper

Allusion: reference to a person, work of art, event, or literature

Only effective if the audience knows itshort narrationstartling question, observation, or line of

dialogue

definition of a key termstriking contrastdirect statement