Writing%20is%20an%20act%20of%20invention

1

• Writing is an act of invention

2
5 Paragraph Essay the Formula

• Paragraph 1
• Introduction with thesis as the last sentence
• Paragraphs 2, 3,4
• Body Paragraphs
• Paragraph 5
• Conclusion

3
Paragraph 1 The Introduction

• Catchy opening/Hook/Grab readers attention
• Give a few brief sentences of summary about
  story/time/place
• Last sentence of the introduction THESIS
• The one sentence that states what the entire will
  essay will prove The premise or central
  argument
• The most important sentence in the essay
• Usually 3 pronged
• The magic number is

4
Introductionsand Conclusions
5
Introduction Moves from the General to Specific

• General
• Specific

• Thesis

6
Introduction From the General to the Specific
Begin generally. Begin with a hook Anecdote,
Quotation, Question, Statistic
GENERAL
Explain how your hook applies to the specific
story.
SPECIFIC
Give some brief background information on the
plot, setting, and characters.
THESIS
Thesis Your specific argument. Thesis is the
last sentence of the introduction.
7
Sample Essay Prompt and Thesis

• Sample prompt Who is to blame for the tragedy in
  The Veldt?
• Thesis re-states the prompt
• The magic number is

3 Pronged Thesis
Sample Thesis The psychologist, the children,
and the parents all play a role in the tragedy
that occurs.
8
Hooks Begin with

• A provocative question
• A startling statement
• An anecdote
• An interesting quotation
• An intriguing definition

9
Anecdote as Hook

• In June 2008, a fifteen year old heiress,
  daughter of actress Ellen Barkin and Revlon owner
  Ron Perelman, Caleigh Perelman, sued her mother
  for not allowing her to have more computer time
  and won. While this situation seems far-fetched,
  we are now living in a topsy-turvy world where
  some children seem to have more power than their
  parents. This scenario is precisely the one
  depicted in Bradburys The Veldt. In this
  story, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley, are
  murdered by their children, Peter and Wendy, who
  premeditate their parents demise after being
  forbidden to continue to play in their high tech
  nursery. The parents make the decision to close
  the nursery at the suggestion of their
  psychologist. Ultimately, the psychologist, the
  children, and the parents are all to blame for
  playing a role in this tragedy.

10
Quotation as Hook

• http//www.quoteland.com (click here)
• A boy or girl who knows that love abounds at
  home will not resent well-deserved punishment.
  One who is unloved or ignored will hate any form
  of discipline.-Dr. James Dobson
• Explain the quotation. Then explain how it
  applies to the story.

11
Startling Statement as Hook

• Technology is ruining our lives.

12
Provocative Question as Hook

• How come parents just cannot say no to their
  children anymore?
• Does technology help us or harm us?

13
Conclusion From the Specific to the General

• Draw a conclusion
• Answers the SO WHAT? question

General
14
Conclusion answers the So what? question

• Why does this topic matter at allto me, to
  society, etc.?
• Draw a conclusion.
• Writing is an act of invention.
• INVENT a reason!

15

• Think of why the work is being taught in school.
  Are there any universal themes? Do the characters
  reflect qualities in human nature we relate to?
  When was the book written? Why?

16
So What? Draw a conclusionDifferent ways to
approach your conclusion

• Literary Application
• This story is reminiscent of Isaac Asimovs I,
  Robot where the technology gets so out of control
  that robots take over the world. Is this where
  our future is headed?

17
Societal application

• This story teaches parents a valuable lesson.
  When parents cease to monitor their children,
  their kids may act with an attitude of
  entitlement or they might begin to get into all
  types of trouble. Children may start associating
  with the wrong type of people who can negatively
  influence them their grades may start slipping

18
Personal application

• I personally relate to this story because I
  trample over my parents and do not appreciate
  them enough

19
You can also end with a hook

• A provocative question
• A startling statement
• An anecdote
• An interesting quotation
• An intriguing definition

20
When you sit down to start the essay

• Some students find it easier to begin with the
  thesis and body paragraphs.
• You may want to write the introduction and
  conclusion LAST.

21

• Ideas dont come out of the air.
• WRITE TO DISCOVER.

22
(No Transcript)