Structured Writing 101

Or how to express yourself more clearly and effectively.

The StructurePromise

Definition

Hook and Transition

Lead - in

Examples (3)

Reminder

Just as missing a flu shot, becoming an airplane attendant would be a dreadful

decision. Airline attendants are people who work on airplanes serving and

helping out passengers. You probably picture and airplane attendant as an exotic and

splendid job but after this you'll have second thoughts. First, an attendant’s job does not

include visiting wonderful places. On the contrary. They will often be confined

to a stifling, claustrophobic plane cabin cleaning house. Also there is limited time

between flight arrival and departure for even personal refreshment let alone time

for site-seeing. Talk about stressful! Second, the other side to being an

airline attendant are the nagging passengers who keep their fingers on the service

button. and the crying babies, screaming at the top of their lungs. These conditions

would definitely be very trying on one’s nerves. Could you even imagine going to

work with annoying, disgusting people all around you? I couldn't stand any of

this nonsense! Third. there is also a thing called jet lag, which is a a fatigue and

sleep disturbance resulting from disruption of the body's normal rhythm as a result of

jet travel. When you should be sleeping, you're awake helping passengers. The

horrible work conditions, the annoying passengers and jet lag are all great reasons why

this isn't the most exotic job.

The “Promise”

a stand on an issue a statement that tells the

reader that you plan to write about only ONE thing

statement of “intent”

No: “I” or “I think”

The “Promise”

War is pointless.

Just as rainfall in a desert, war brings about unexpected consequences.

As heinous as crimes towards children, so is the act of war.

The “Promise”

War is hell.

Like a flower amidst thorns, so is the conflict of war.

Like the inevitability of fog after a spring rain, so is warfare.

War is an unavoidable consequence of humankind’s ill-decision.

Hypothesis?

The Level 4 “Promise”

War is an unavoidable consequence of humankind’s ill-decision.

What makes this a “4”?

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Your turn...

• Science unit: Optics

• Two labs performed (“Mirrors”, “Ray-Box”)

• Purpose: to explore an important property of light (that light travels in a straight line)

• We learned that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

• Time to create a “Promise”

8

8C’s “Promise”

• As certain as condensation forms on a cold glass, so does light travel in a straight line.

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8D’s “Promises”

• If light travels in a straight line, then the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection

• Just as parallel lines never intersect, the incident ray shall always travel in a straight line.

The “Definition”

• War is a state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties.

• War is large scale effort or campaign to combat or put an end to something considered injurious.

“Defines” the topic.

1.irrefutable2.“cut and dry”3.static

The “Definition”• Light is a form of energy that is critical in the healthy

growth/stimulus of organize matter/plants and other terrestrial organisms

• Light energy comes from many different sources both natural and artificial

• Light is a form of energy that travels in a straight lin allowing certain objects to become visible to the naked eye.

• ....that possesses specific characters/properties; one of which is traveling in a straight line.,

“Defines” the topic.

The “hook/transition”

• Although there are some who argue for the cause of war, these are greatly outweighed by many negative matters.

• Despite many positive aspects of going to war, these are overshadowed by several negative factors.

• Even though going to war may be unavoidable, there are several more peaceful options worth pursuing.

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• Despite there being much controversy of how light travels (i.e., wave vs. particle theory), the evidence through experimentation and from documented sources supporting the linear path of light is irrefutable/undeniable.

• Although there being much controversy of how...

The “hook/transition”

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QuickTime™ and aMPEG-4 Video decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

The StructurePromise

Definition

Hook and Transition

Lead - in

Examples (3)

Reminder

Lead in

• (topic) can serve as an (excellent) example of how heinous warfare can become.

Lead in

• This important property of light can be demonstrated as follows.

• There are several ways that once can demonstrate this important property of light.

1818

Just as missing a flu shot, becoming an airplane attendant would be a dreadful

decision. Airline attendants are people who work on airplanes serving and helping out

passengers. You probably picture and airplane attendant as an exotic and splendid

job but after this you'll have second thoughts. First, an attendant’s job does not

include visiting wonderful places. On the contrary. They will often be confined to

a stifling, claustrophobic plane cabin cleaning house. Also there is limited time

between flight arrival and departure for even personal refreshment let alone time

for site-seeing. Talk about stressful! Second, the other side to being an airline

attendant are the nagging passengers who keep their fingers on the service button.

and the crying babies, screaming at the top of their lungs. These conditions would

definitely be very trying on one’s nerves. Could you even imagine going to work

with annoying, disgusting people all around you? I couldn't stand any of this

nonsense! Third. there is also a thing called jet lag, which is a a fatigue and sleep

disturbance resulting from disruption of the body's normal rhythm as a result of jet

travel. When you should be sleeping, you're awake helping passengers. The horrible

work conditions, the annoying passengers and jet lag are all great reasons why this

isn't the most exotic job.

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Examples

• Generate 3 examples (2-4 sentences)

• provide a specific example and support

• use transition words to help “move” from one idea to another.

Reminders

• Had not Gromit been so intellectual, considerate and faithful, he may not have been as aware of his mistreatment

• If not for being so cunning, mischievous, and devious, The Penguin may have been a worthwhile tenant.

Got it?

• Create a Promise for your structured paragraph. You may need to modify your examples.

• Create a definition. Use mine if you wish.• Finish organizing your writing books.• Start your paragraph (without reminder)