Format Writing Format Writing and and

Social StudiesSocial StudiesMiss AsherMiss Asher

English 100 and 116English 100 and 116

What needs to be What needs to be consideredconsidered

• Audience: Who is your audience? Are Audience: Who is your audience? Are you writing for a teacher or is it a you writing for a teacher or is it a larger population?larger population?

• Purpose: What do you want to Purpose: What do you want to accomplish? There are three purposes accomplish? There are three purposes for writing- to inform, to entertain, to for writing- to inform, to entertain, to persuade.persuade.• You are writing to inform or persuade! You are writing to inform or persuade! That means this is FACT based!That means this is FACT based!

• Occasion: What are you writing? Is this Occasion: What are you writing? Is this an essay, test question, or project?an essay, test question, or project?

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence

• Just like all other format paragraphs your Just like all other format paragraphs your topic sentence should contain your subject topic sentence should contain your subject and “opinion”.and “opinion”.

• ““Opinion” is misleading-this is already Opinion” is misleading-this is already provided for youprovided for you

• If you are answering a question, simply If you are answering a question, simply restate the question as your topic restate the question as your topic sentence.sentence.• Your “opinion” should be a givenYour “opinion” should be a given

Example: TS Early scientists advanced knowledge in Example: TS Early scientists advanced knowledge in biology and chemistry.biology and chemistry.

Concrete DetailConcrete Detail

• These are FACT statements or examplesThese are FACT statements or examples

• When a question asks your to provide When a question asks your to provide examples (generally two) those examples examples (generally two) those examples belong in the concrete detailbelong in the concrete detail

Example: (CD 1) For example, Andreas Example: (CD 1) For example, Andreas Vesalius became known for his work in Vesalius became known for his work in anatomy.anatomy.

(CD 2) In addition, Robert Boyle was the (CD 2) In addition, Robert Boyle was the first chemist to define an element.first chemist to define an element.

CommentaryCommentary

• In these sentences you will explain your In these sentences you will explain your concrete details.concrete details.

• The explanation is FACT based! No opinions!The explanation is FACT based! No opinions!

• Remember: our purpose is to inform or persuadeRemember: our purpose is to inform or persuade• What does this mean?What does this mean?• Facts onlyFacts only• No “flowery” languageNo “flowery” language• FOCUS on the subject FOCUS on the subject

Examples: Examples: (CD 1) (CD 1) In 1539 a judge learned of his work and made In 1539 a judge learned of his work and made bodies of executed criminals available to Vesalius for dissection. bodies of executed criminals available to Vesalius for dissection. Vesalius hired artists to produce accurate drawings of the bodies and Vesalius hired artists to produce accurate drawings of the bodies and then published then published On the Workings of the Human BodyOn the Workings of the Human Body in 1953. in 1953.

Concluding SentenceConcluding Sentence

• Restate your topic sentenceRestate your topic sentence

• Restate means that you need to use Restate means that you need to use different words!different words!• Make sure the subject and opinion is Make sure the subject and opinion is very clear!very clear!

• Use a concluding transitionUse a concluding transition

Example: Scientists made great discoveries Example: Scientists made great discoveries in the fields of biology and chemistry in the fields of biology and chemistry during the Scientific Revolution.during the Scientific Revolution.

Important Points to Important Points to rememberremember

• FACT based writing (purpose to inform FACT based writing (purpose to inform or persuade)or persuade)

• No “flowery” languageNo “flowery” language• Overly complex sentences will distract Overly complex sentences will distract readersreaders

• Keep your writing clear and preciseKeep your writing clear and precise

• You may only use personal pronouns if You may only use personal pronouns if your purpose is to persuade! your purpose is to persuade! Otherwise leave them out!Otherwise leave them out!

Example

Early scientists advanced knowledge in biology Early scientists advanced knowledge in biology and chemistry.and chemistry. For example, Andreas Vesalius became For example, Andreas Vesalius became known for his work in anatomy. In 1539 a judge known for his work in anatomy. In 1539 a judge learned of his work and made bodies of executed learned of his work and made bodies of executed criminals available to Vesalius for dissection. criminals available to Vesalius for dissection. Vesalius hired artists to produce accurate drawings Vesalius hired artists to produce accurate drawings of the bodies and then published of the bodies and then published On the Workings of On the Workings of the Human Bodythe Human Body in 1953. In addition, Robert Boyle in 1953. In addition, Robert Boyle was the first chemist to define an element. His 1661 was the first chemist to define an element. His 1661 work, work, The Scpetical ChemistThe Scpetical Chemist, described matter as a , described matter as a cluster of tiny particles. Boyle stated that cluster of tiny particles. Boyle stated that changes in matter happened when these clusters were changes in matter happened when these clusters were rearranged. Scientists, such as Andreas Vesalius and rearranged. Scientists, such as Andreas Vesalius and Robert Boyle, made great discoveries in the fields Robert Boyle, made great discoveries in the fields of biology and chemistry during the Scientific of biology and chemistry during the Scientific Revolution.Revolution.