Let's take a look at a sample student draft from my online class. She does an excellent job with her intro and topic sentences. Go to BB and open up the Sample Student WP3 Draft and read it. You must work alone for this assignment! I want you to download it and:
Find the thesis statement. Thesis statements should be 1-2 sentences long and typically go at the the of the intro. NEVER write This paper will be about or This paragraph is about in a college-level essay. What part of the essay might the thesis be missing?
Find the topic/transition sentence for each paragraph. A topic sentence is typically at the beginning of the paragraph and lets the reader know what the paragraph will be about. NEVER write This paper will be about or This paragraph is about in a college-level essay.
Is there conclusion?
And just for funsies, what is wrong with the References page?
Discuss Introductions and Conclusions. Six ways to add spice:
Quote from a famous movie or song
Quote from one of your sources
Personal anecdote
Definition of a key term
Pose a question and then answer it with the thesis statement
Startling fact or statistic
Discuss next week. Jury duty got moved to the 11th, so we will have class on Monday!
WP3 is due and Final Class Day is December 6th!!
Discuss Final Reflective Portfolio, which is due Wednesday, December 13th at our regularly scheduled class time. You may turn it in early (December 12 or earlier) for an extra 10 points. Some of y'all really need it. And Jesus.
HW: Add a clear thesis statement and topic sentences to your essay. Read “Reflection is Critical for Writers’ Development” by Kara Taczak (pp. 78-79)