English 105

Tosspon!

Agenda

• Review punctuation – comma, colon, semicolon

• Sentences!• Compare/Contrast

Semicolons, Comma, Colons!

• Practice for the quiz: http://www.mrnussbaum.com/semicolonwars/index.html

• Then choose one of these quizzes: • http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/p

unct_fillin.htm• http://www.quia.com/quiz/280221.html

Effective sentences

Chapter 6, pg 125

What’s wrong with these?• In accordance with your

instructions, I have given birth to twins in the enclosed envelope.

• There will be a discussion tomorrow on the problem of adultery in the minister’s office

• Passes will not be given to members until the manager has punched each of them first.

Assignment

• Jigsaw: form into 4 groups• Each group will be assigned to make

a poster of one (1) subtopic within “developing effective sentences”

• You will have 20 minutes to create a poster

• Posters will be presented to the class• Take notes as groups present

their posters.

Develop a Clear Style• Give your sentences content– Look @ bulleted sentences on pg 126.– How could you put more information into each?

• Make your sentences specific– Vague to SPECIFIC

• Avoid Over-packing your sentences• Fix fragments• Pay attention to word order• Avoid mixed constructions and faulty

predication

Practice what you’ve learned, pg 134

1. There’s a new detective show on television. Starring Phil Noir. It is set in the 1940’s. According to TV guide.

2. Roger’s marketing skills made him important to his company’s sales department. I can’t help but wonder if he’s welcome.

3. Biofeedback: How to Stop It has so many funny and sarcastic comments about California self-help fads, I couldn’t put it down.

4. The magician became disillusioned when his assistant stole the disappearing rabbit, the magic wand and the invisible ink.

1. According to TV Guide, the new detective show on TV stars Phil Noir and is set in the 1940s.

Developing a concise style• Avoid deadwood constructions• Avoid redundancy• Carefully consider your passive

verbs• Avoid pretentiousness

Pg 139, Practice1. The reason he lost his job was

because he was careless and sloppy in his proofreading.

2. The staff notified us that many people (both adults and children) threw their trash on the ground at the company picnic.

3. My older brother Austin was in an accident early Saturday morning and cannot drive to work this week.

Developing a lively style• Use specific, descriptive words• Use specific, precise modifiers that help

the reader see, hear, or feel what you are describing

• Emphasize people when possible• Vary your sentence style• Avoid overuse of any one kind of

construction of the same sentences• Don’t change your point of view

between or within sentences

Pg 144, Practice1. Judging from the rasping, grating sound …2. The City Council felt guilty and nervous

because3. To watch Jim Bob eat pork chops was as

fascinating as it was disgusting.4. For sale: gorgeous, ornate antique bureau5. We discourage boredom and encourage

festivities, but most of all have fun.6. My roommate is a fat, sloppy pig, but he’s

a kind and honorable guy at heart.

Developing an emphatic style

• Use specific, descriptive words• Use specific, precise modifiers that help

the reader see, hear, or feel what you are describing

• Emphasize people when possible• Vary your sentence style• Avoid overuse of any one kind of

construction of the same sentences• Don’t change your point of view

between or within sentences

Pg 149, Practice1. Joe Louis, former heavyweight boxing

champ, reportedly said, “…2. Where do most people get their news

today? Television.3. The world’s most important problem:

hunger.4. Greece was my favorite country in my

tour of Europe last year.5. Knuckle-cracking is the habit I can’t

stand.

Exposition: Compare and Contrast

Pg 227

Exposition

• “Exposing” the subject: give information about it

Developing your essay

Pattern 1: Point by Point

Thesis: Mom’s Hamburger Haven is a better family restaurant than McPhoneys.• Point 1: Food

A. Mom’sB. McPhoney’s

• Point 2: ServiceA. Mom’sB. McPhoney’s

• Point 3: AtmosphereA. Mom’sB. McPhoney’s

Pattern 2: Block

Thesis: Mom’s Hamburger Haven is a better family restaurant than McPhoneys.A. Mom’s

1. Food2. Service3. Atmosphere

B. McPhoney’s 4. Food5. Service6. Atmosphere

Read the sample compare/contrast essays

• Bringing Back the Joy of Market Day(pg 233)

• Backyards: Old and New (pg 237)

Create an outline of the major points

Point By Point Pattern: Market Day

Grocery store v. Food Cooperative• Attitude towards profits– Coop: Provide members with

good/inexpensive– Grocer: profits through “gimmicks”

• Atmosphere– Cold fluorescent lights– People who help you look after your

children!

Block method

Backyards: Old and New

Old Backyard

-“wild spot”-Lopsided-Irregular shape- creative/fun

Shared?

New Backyard

Neat, TidyFlat, SquareFenced

Nothing wild, no variety

No fun for anyone

Known Issues (pg 230-231)

1. “So what?” – a) Why should your reader care? FIND A

PURPOSEb) Direct your thesis to a particular audience

2. Describe your subjects clearly and distinctly

3. Avoid a choppy essay – use transitions! (pg 231)

Choose your topic• Pre-Write checked in by end of class today

(Venn diagram or Evidence Gathering sheet, etc)

• Rough draft due next meeting • Final draft will be due the following week

• Topics – choose from: 231-232– online:

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/compare.htm

– Propose a topic to me by the end of class today.