Causal Analysis (Chapter 9, 406-451)

Essay Assignment: to focus on a particular topic (a behavior, event, or trend), discover a possible cause, and then develop an argument in favor of that particular cause.

Objectives to Achieve

Introduction

1. Is lively and interesting

2. Has an effective and catchy lead-in

3. Contains a thesis statement that tells the significance of the memory

4. Contains at least 3 sentences of background information leading up to the thesis

5. Grabs the reader’s attention with the first sentence

Body

6. Begins with a lively and focused topic sentence that relates directly to the thesis

7. Contains at least three supporting sentences

8. Organizes the information and material in a logical way so that one idea or thought naturally follows another, and makes sense to the reader

9. Uses a variety of transitions that unify the paragraph

10. Contains imagination (figurative language, sensory appeal, etc.) that paints a word picture for the reader

11. Uses strong action verbs rather than “being” verbs

12. Is focused and never strays from its purpose

13. Does not ramble

14. Keeps its audience in mind

15. Ends with an effective concluding statement that clearly ends the paragraph and prepares the reader for the next one

Conclusion

16. Leaves the reader with a sense of completion

17. Contains no irrelevant or trivial information

18. Relates directly back to the introduction and thesis

19. Summarizes in some way the significance of the essay

Other Objectives

20. Have an appropriate title that hints at or suggests the content of the paper

21. Contain sentences that are varied in length and structure

22. Contain no run-on sentences or sentence fragments

23. Have no errors in mechanics, spelling and punctuation

24. Clearly communicate the writer’s intended meaning without awkwardness in organization or expression of idea

25. Contain words that are chosen for precise denotation, connotation, and tone

1. correct pronoun usage and antecedents

b) correct word usage (there/their)

2. correct word choice (no vague and unclear words, a lot, things, etc.)

Reading and Journaling Assignments

Reading # 1 --- “Throwing Up Childhood” 416-420

JE #1---answer questions 4 and 5 under from Exploring Ideas, AND complete your journal with one of the two prompts from Ideas for Writing,

OR choose a prompt from Point of Contact suggestions (pages 432-433)

Reading # 2 “The New Politics of Consumption: Why Americans Want So Much More Than They Need” 410-415

JE #2—answer questions 1, 2, and 3 from Exploring Ideas, AND choose one of the two prompts from Ideas for Writing, (415)

OR choose a prompt from Point of Contact suggestions (pages 432-433)

Reading # 3 --- “Sex, Lies, and Conversation: Why is it so hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other?” 422-425

JE #3 --- answer questions 3 and 4 under Writing Strategies: AND complete the entry with 1 OR 2 from Ideas for Writing,

OR with a prompt from Point of Contact suggestions (432-433)

Reading # 4 --- “When Bright Girls Decide That Math is a Waste of Time” 426-429

JE #4 --- answer questions 1 and 2 from Writing Strategies AND complete with 1 or 2 from Ideas for Writing OR

A choice from Point of Contact prompts

IF YOU FAIL TO BE STIMULATED BY ANY OF THE PROMPTS FROM IDEAS FOR WRITING OR POINT OF CONTACT, YOU MAY SELECT A CHOICE OF YOUR OWN, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL FROM INSRUCTOR.

Complete Thesis and Essay Plan

Compose Rough Draft

Response(s)

Final draft submission