Pre-Writing

Answer the following questions in your notebook while watching the Pre Writing Video and be prepared to submit your answers to your instructor.

1. Understand the Assignment: Capturing Your Experience

You will have four minutes to complete this exercise.  What have the classes you've taken up to this point taught you about yourself beyond the subject matter? For example, did a class experience show you how you learn best? How did your interest or lack of interest in the subject affect your success? How did you handle challenging assignments or personalities? Think of the most important thing you learned and write about it without stopping for four minutes using detailed and descriptive language to bring your experiences to life for the reader. 

2. Generate Ideas: Similarities & Differences 

First, list at least five similarities between your best and worst class. Next, list at least five differences between your best and worst class.

3. Develop a Thesis Statement: Establishing Your Plan 

You identified five similarities and five differences between your best and worst class. Now you need to select three points of comparison you will focus on—one similarity, one difference, and the third one is your choice of either a similarity or difference.

Once you've chosen your points of comparison, you can decide if your writing will be evaluative or explanatory. 

Next, draft a working thesis statement based on the information you have already written (similarities and differences). Make sure it is clear which approach you will be using. Remember, an explanatory thesis compares two subjects without taking a particular side. An evaluative thesis, however, does take a side and says one subject is better than another.

4. Organize Ideas: The Comparative Outline 

Draft a point-by-point outline for your writing using this model:

I. Introductory Paragraph

    A. Hook

    B. Tone

    C. Background

    D. Thesis

II.Body Paragraphs

    A. Point of comparison 1

        i. Subject A (Evidence)

        ii. Subject B (Evidence)

        iii. Analysis*

        iv. Link to next paragraph

    B. Point of comparison 2

        i. Subject A (Evidence)

        ii. Subject B (Evidence)

        iii. Analysis*

        iv. Link to next paragraph

    C. Point of comparison 3

        i. Subject A (Evidence)

        ii. Subject B (Evidence)

        iii. Analysis*

        iv. Link to next paragraph

III. Concluding Paragraph

    A. Synthesis

    B. Final impression

*Analysis could go after each subject (evidence) in the paragraph, or come after both as shown above.