Ccontents: 1.The Writing Process 2.The First and Second Steps
in Writing
3.The Third Step in Writing 4.The Fourth Step in Writing
5.Four Bases for Revising Writing 6.Paragraph Development
Narrating an Event
At
times we make a statement clear by relating in detail
something that has happened. In the story we tell, we
present the details in the order in which they happened. A
person might say, for example, "I was embarrassed
yesterday," and then go on to illustrate the statement with
the following narrative:
I was hurrying across campus to get to
a class. It had rained heavily all morning, so I was
hopscotching my was around puddles in the pathway. I called
to two friends ahead to wait for me, and right before I
caught up to them, I came to a large puddle that covered the
entire path. I had to make a quick, choice of either
stepping into the puddle or trying to jump over it. I
jumped, wanting to seem cool, since my friends were
watching, but didn't clear the puddle. Water splashed
everywhere, drenching my shoe, sock, and pants cuff, and
spraying the pants of my friends as well. "Well done, Dave!"
they said. My embarrassment was all the greater because I
had tried to look so casual.
The speaker's details have made his moment of embarrassment
vivid and real for us, and we can see and understand just
why he felt as he did.
Narration
Paragraph Example:
Paragraphs
to look:
Topic Sentence
Disaster Prom
My senior prom was a
disaster.
I had arranged to borrow my brother's new
Camaro, but he didn't get home until right before I was
supposed to leave, and in my rush, I neglected to check the
gas gauge. As a result, I ran out of gas and had to
hitch-hike in my tux to the nearest filling station. I
arrived at my date's house sweaty and was met by her
scowling father, who clearly disapproved of anyone who would
keep his precious daughter waiting on such an important
night. My date was forgiving enough until we arrived fifteen
minutes late at the four-star French restaurant where I had
made reservations months in advance. We were informed by a
surly maitre d' that we had lost our reservations and would
have a one hour wait if we wanted to stay. Instead, we opted
for a local restaurant that offered a fancy seafood buffet,
but we felt ridiculous in our formal clothes when everyone
else was dressed casually. My date's dress was so tight that
she could barely eat a bite of food, and I was so miserable
that I ate too much which made me feel queasy. By the time
we arrived at the prom, my date was barely speaking to me.
The prom was held in the gym, which had been only
superficially decorated by potted plants and a canopy of
balloons, and the band the prom committee had hire played
mostly punk rock which was impossible to dance to. Everyone
just milled around awkwardly not knowing what to do. Then,
someone bumped my elbow, and I sloshed my drink all over the
front of my date's blue satin dress, which sent her running
to the bathroom in tears. I suppose that was the last straw
because by the time I dropped her off, she was so furious
that she refused to kiss me goodnight, and she never went
out with me again. All in all, my senior prom was in
experience I would just as soon have skipped.
Arguing and Persuasion
Most of us know someone who
enjoys a good argument. Such a person usually challenges any
sweeping statement we might make. "Why do you say that?" he
or she will ask. "Give you reasons." Our questioner then
listens carefully as we cite our reasons, waiting to see if
we really so have solid evidence to support our point of
view. Such a questioner may makes us feel a bit nervous, but
we may also appreciate the way he or she makes us think
through our opinions.
The ability to advance sound and compelling argument is an
important skill in everyday life. We can use argument to get
an extension on a term paper, obtain a favor from a friend,
or convince an employer that we are the right person for a
job. Understanding persuasion based on clear, logical
reasoning can also help us see through the sometimes faulty
arguments advanced by advertises, editors, politicians, and
others who try to bring us over to their side.
Arguing and
Persuasion Paragraph Example:
Paragraphs
to look:
Topic Sentence
Put Away the Paddle
Corporal
punishment should not be used in secondary schools.
First, corporal punishment aggravates antisocial behavior.
Most parenting books advise parents to teach their children
to solve conflicts by using words rather than by resorting
to physical violence. When school resort to physical
punishment to resolve problems, they teach children it is
acceptable to solve problems by hitting. Second, corporal
punishment blocks the opportunity for communication between
teacher and student. Many student who have behavior problems
in school are acting out because of real or perceived
injustices at home or in society. The teacher may be the
only person in the student's life who is able and willing to
help him. If, however, the teacher restores to paddling, any
chances at communication and positive growth are lost.
Finally, corporal punishment instills fear rather than
respect. Respect comes from the fair and evenhanded use of
authority, not from punitive measures that rob an individual
of dignity. A faculty or an administration that uses paddle
to solve discipline problems is relying on brute force and
fear rather than on respect. Corporal punishment is worse
than useless; it aggravates the very problems it is intended
to solve.
Analysis
In
analysis, the writer breaks down a subject into its
component parts and examines one or more of the parts in
order to clarify the meaning of the whole. Analysis can help
you divide a large and complicated subject into manageable
parts.
Analysis
Paragraph Example:
Paragraphs
to look:
Topic Sentence
Miss Frizzle
Mr. Fizzle's
appearance and attitude are central to the message the TV
show The Magic School Bus teaches about learning.
First, Ms. Frizzle's appearance encourages creativity. Her
outfits always mirror her lessons; for example, if she
intends to have students learn abut weather, her dress is
covered with thunder clouds, lightening bolts, and rain
showers. Next, her attitude is the opposite of that of the
traditional elementary school teacher who wants children to
be orderly, neat, and quiet above all else. The Frizz, as
the students affectionately call her, encourages her
students to explore, take risks, be creative, make mistakes,
and get dirty. As far as she's concerned, exploration is
part of the process of learning. In keeping with her
attitude, she never lectures to students, but instead sets
up adventures that allow them to learn firsthand about
natural phenomenon. Miss Frizzle's creative outfits and her
unconventional attitude help convey the message that
learning has to do with creativity and experimentation.
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