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Date: | Mon, 28 Nov 2005 12:04:41 -0500 |
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Wanda,
You just wrote two strong paragraphs that rather dramatically break
your own rules. I assume that they say what you would like them to say
and the number of sentences and organization of sentences at least
roughly fit those purposes. Wouldn't a good student paper do the same
thing?
Is a final settling on ideas a first sentence decision, or can it
come after long thinking and pondering?
Could you do the same thing without making the claim that a paper
SHOULD fit that form?
Should we judge all writing by those standards?
Craig
WANDA VANGOOR wrote:
> For what it's worth, I tell my college freshmen that for a paragraph
> to have power, it should be like a fist--it has a two-part topic
> sentence (the thumb: topic and assertion about that topic); 3 MAJOR
> supports for that assertion (the 3 middle fingers), each of which has
> at least 2 MINOR supports (the knuckles on those 3 fingers); and a
> clinching sentence (the pinkie) that touches base with the thumb
> (topic sentence). Obviously, I illustrate with my own fist.
>
> By the end of the semester, they write introductory and conclusion
> paragraphs as well as this standard expository one. They will often
> write a paragraph with only two majors or one with 5 majors--but they
> get the idea. And then the move to a full 5-paragraph paper is pretty
> simple; it's just an extension of the fist-paragraph.
>
> Hope this is helpful.
>
> Wanda Van Goor
> Professor
> English Department
> Prince George's Community College
> 301 Largo Road
> Largo, MD 20774-2199
>
> M3064--Telephone 301-322-0603
> 301-322-0549
> Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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