Essay Structure

__--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[thesis statement]

__[topic sentence]----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__[topic sentence]----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__[topic sentence]----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__[paraphrase t. s.]---------------[summarise]------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[future action]

Topic Sentence

• States the main idea of a paragraph• First sentence in the paragraph• Supports the thesis statement

Find the good topic sentences.

Thesis statement: When an individual moves into a nursing home, there are numerous negative outcomes including A, B and C. • Americans are learning how to grow old gracefully.• The outside world seems to shrink when seen through the

window of a convalescent home.• Closing up a home and moving to a small room can make even

an extrovert turn inward.• It is important to look at the changes in patients' attitudes as

they settle into convalescent homes.• Unsurprisingly, Mr Lee felt alienated from his family.

Find the good topic sentences.Thesis statement: When an individual moves into a nursing home, there are numerous negative outcomes including A, B and C. • Americans are learning how to grow old gracefully.• The outside world seems to shrink when seen through the window of a convalescent

home.• Closing up a home and moving to a small room can make even an extrovert turn

inward.• It is important to look at the changes in patients' attitudes as they settle into

convalescent homes.• Unsurprisingly, Mr Lee felt alienated from his family.

Possible topic sentences are #2 & #3. (#1 is too general, not mentioning nursing home, #4 relies too heavily on the vague word, "important," and #5 is too specific – it is an example to support a topic sentence.)http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/sensen/part3/sixteen/techniques_topic.html

Make a topic sentence

Read the following paragraph and write a topic sentence.

I really wanted Rachel’s haircut—I think every girl wanted Rachel’s haircut back then! Rachel’s haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s Sassy magazine. I don’t think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

Make a topic sentence

Read the following paragraph and write a topic sentence.

I really wanted Rachel’s haircut—I think every girl wanted Rachel’s haircut back then! Rachel’s haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s Sassy magazine. I don’t think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

Topic Sentence: During the 1990s, I really enjoyed watching Friends on television every Thursday night.

Make a topic sentence• What is the position of the topic sentence within the

paragraph?

Make a topic sentence• What is the position of the topic sentence within the

paragraph?

• During the 1990s, I really enjoyed watching Friends on television every Thursday night. I really wanted Rachel’s haircut—I think every girl wanted Rachel’s haircut back then! Rachel’s haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s Sassy magazine. I don’t think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/1/29/

Reader-response Introduction

II Response Introduction-Identify• Using complete sentences, give the name of the author, the

title of the essay, and the author’s thesis, main message, or central idea of the piece. What is the point the writer is making? How does the writer do this? The thesis is usually implied, not stated directly in the essay. This section should consist of several sentences in which you establish and discuss the writer’s main point. You should also include your take on what the author is trying to get across; your writing needs to be more than a summary!

• http://trccwritingcenter.pbworks.com/w/page/9356011/Reader%20Response%20Papers

Reader-response Introduction

To summarize, your introduction should include:• Name of the author• Title of the essay• Author’s thesis• Summary of the article• Your thesis –

the main idea of your essay thesis = topic + opinion in one sentence you need to focus on one point or idea in the reader response

and develop it throughout your essay