CHAPTER 3. PLANNING A JOURNEY

Expository WritingWriting, pp. 22-27

Determine your direction

Identify your center Think about where you are headed

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a single declarative sentence that

summarizes your essay Narrows your subject Specific, significant claim Purpose of your writing Previews the arrangement of the paper

Write a thesis

Topic (for a causal argument) If I accept that promotion at work…

A claim about the topic my family will be affected because…

Add main points my husband will have to work less, we will be able to buy a house, and I will receive the job satisfaction.

Write a thesis

Main points eventually may become the topic sentence of paragraphs: First, if I get a promotion, my husband

will have to work less, which will result in his being able to spend more time with the children, which we agree would benefit all of us.

Then add supporting details and examples.

Write a thesis

Second, because we will receive significantly more income, we will be able to buy that house we have been researching, which also happens to be closer to both of our work sites and in a better school district.

Then add supporting details and examples.

Write a thesis

Finally, I will receive the job satisfaction for which I have been working so hard, which will increase my overall health and well being.

Then add supporting details and examples.

Plan your route

Visually organize Write a formal outline Write a working outline

Write Now. Make a plan.

Using the discovery exercise you did earlier as your source for notes, Write a working thesis Make a plan using one of the three

methods suggested Visual organization, formal outline, working

outline Work for 15 minutes

Working together

How effective was the discovery technique the student used?

Evaluate the working thesis: Is it specific? Is it manageable? Is it interesting?

Evaluate the plan: Is it focused? Is it complete? What still needs to be done?

CHAPTER 4.RETURNING AND REVISING

Expository WritingWriting, pp. 22-27

Evaluate your draft

Does the paper meet the assignment? Do you have a clear focus? Are your main points adequately

developed? Do you consider your readers’

knowledge and points of view? Do you represent yourself effectively?

Learn strategies for rewriting Visualize audience Sharpen focus Define key terms Develop as needed Link paragraphs

Learn strategies for rewriting Consider your title Consider your introduction Consider your conclusion Improve your text visually

Respond to others

First reading: Read aloud your own text Second and third readings: Exchange

papers Respond to prompts, Writing, p. 31

What does the writer do especially well? What one or two things would most

improvethe draft in a revision?

Pay attention to details last

Edit for particular goals Check transitions between sentences Check sentences for completeness Eliminate wordiness Use precise vocabulary

Pay attention to details last

Proofread carefully Spell check and check for usage Check for grammar and punctuation