Chapter 1: Exploring. Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives LO1 Visualizing the Paragraph and the Essay LO2 Key Steps in Exploring LO3 Topic LO4 Audience

Chapter 1: Exploring

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Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives

LO1 Visualizing the Paragraph and the Essay LO2 Key Steps in Exploring LO3 Topic LO4 Audience LO5 Purpose LO6 Exploring Strategies LO7 Journal and Portfolio Writing



• A paragraph is a series of sentences that are about one central idea.

• An essay is a series of paragraphs that are about one central idea.

LO1 Visualizing the Paragraph and the Essay



• Characteristics of a paragraph– Topic sentence – Body – Concluding sentence

• Characteristics of an essay – Thesis statement – Body paragraphs – Concluding paragraphs

LO1 The Paragraph and the Essay



• Answering the following questions can help ensure you understand what your assignment is: – How many words or pages should I write? – What it the due date for the assignment? – Are there any special qualities my writing should include?

LO2 Key Steps in Exploring



• Your topic, or subject, is what you are writing about.

• When you think about your topic, ask yourself the following questions: – What special knowledge do I have about the topic? – What subtopics are most relevant to me? – What aspect of the topic arouses my emotions?

LO3 Topic



• Your audience is your intended reader. – Remember to adapt your language and vocabulary for a specific

audience.

LO4 Audience



• When you think about your audience, ask yourself the following questions: – Who will read my assignment? Will the reader be my instructor, or will

other students read it as well?– What does my audience already know about the topic? – What information will my readers expect? – Should I use formal or informal language?

LO4 Audience



• Your purpose is your reason for writing. • When you consider your purpose, ask

yourself the following questions: – Is my goal to entertain? Do I tell a personal story or anecdote? – Is my goal to persuade? Do I convince my reader that my point of

view is correct? – Is my goal to inform? Do I explain something or present information?

LO5 Purpose



• Exploring strategies, also known as prewriting strategies, can help get your ideas about your paper flowing.

LO6 Exploring Strategies



• Prewriting strategies can be general or focused. – Freewriting – Brainstorming – Questioning – Clustering




• One way to practice your writing is to keep a journal. – A journal is a book, a computer file, or a blog (Web log) where you

record your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and impressions.

LO7 Journal and Portfolio Writing



• A writing portfolio is a binder or an electronic file folder where you keep samples of all your writing.



A paragraph is

A. a series of thoughts that are about one central idea.

B. a series of sentences.C. a series of sentences that are about one

central idea. D. a series of thoughts.


A paragraph is

A. a series of thoughts that are about one central idea.

B. a series of sentences.C. a series of sentences that are about one central

idea. D. a series of thoughts.



Which of the following is not a characteristic of an essay?

A. The body paragraphs each express a new and interesting idea that may or may not be related to the thesis of the essay.

B. The introduction engages the reader’s interest and contains a thesis statement.

C. The body paragraphs each support the main idea of the essay.

D. The conclusion reemphasizes the thesis and restates the main points of the essay.


Which of the following is not a characteristic of an essay?

A. The body paragraphs each express a new and interesting idea that may or may not be related to the thesis of the essay.

B. The introduction engages the reader’s interest and contains a thesis statement.

C. The body paragraphs each support the main idea of the essay.

D. The conclusion reemphasizes the thesis and restates the main points of the essay.



When you explore, you

A. think about your topic.B. think about your audience and purpose. C. try exploring strategies. D. All of the above


When you explore, you

A. think about your topic.B. think about your audience and purpose. C. try exploring strategies. D. All of the above

LO2 What is Exploring?


Your topic, or subject, is

A. the thesis of your essay. B. the topic sentence of your paragraph. C. what you are writing about.D. either the thesis or topic sentence,

depending on whether you are writing an essay or a paragraph.


Your topic, or subject, is

A. the thesis of your essay. B. the topic sentence of your paragraph. C. what you are writing about.D. either the thesis or topic sentence,

depending on whether you are writing an essay or a paragraph.

LO3 Topic


Your audience is

A. your intended reader.B. your boss. C. your instructor. D. your classmates.


Your audience is

A. your intended reader.B. your boss. C. your instructor. D. your classmates.

LO4 Audience


Your general purpose can be

A. to inform.B. to persuade. C. to entertain. D. to inform, persuade, or entertain.


Your general purpose can be

A. to inform.B. to persuade. C. to entertain. D. to inform, persuade, or entertain.

LO5 Purpose


Which of the following could be a specific purpose in an essay

about fashion? A. To informB. To explain how to make the best hand sewn

dress possibleC. To persuadeD. To entertain


Which of the following could be a specific purpose in an essay

about fashion? A. To informB. To explain how to make the best hand sewn

dress possibleC. To persuadeD. To entertain

LO5 Purpose


Which of the following is not an exploring strategy?

A. Freewriting B. Brainstorming C. Clustering D. Drafting


Which of the following is not an exploring strategy?

A. Freewriting B. Brainstorming C. Clustering D. Drafting



To narrow her topic, Jemma writes for a limited period of time without stopping. What exploring strategy

is she using? A. Clustering B. Freewriting C. Brainstorming D. Questioning


To narrow her topic, Jemma writes for a limited period of time without stopping. What exploring strategy

is she using? A. Clustering B. Freewriting C. Brainstorming D. Questioning



When journaling, you should

A. worry about your grammar and mechanics. B. keep your audience in mind. C. keep your purpose in mind. D. not worry about your readers and what

they might think about your writing.


When journaling, you should

A. worry about your grammar and mechanics. B. keep your audience in mind. C. keep your purpose in mind. D. not worry about your readers and what they

might think about your writing.


Documents

Chapter 1: Exploring. Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives LO1 Visualizing the Paragraph and the Essay LO2 Key Steps in Exploring LO3 Topic LO4 Audience