Unit 5 Seminar

Expository refers to writing that explains and clarifies an idea.

You come across examples of expository writing every day:

Magazine articles Newspaper articles Emails and memos Instruction manuals

Academic assignments and essays often fall under the category of expository writing.

Hallmarks of expository writing: Precisely-worded Focused around a central idea Logically sound (uses adequate support) What is “Business Speak?”

What is a thesis statement? The thesis statement is a statement of your topic and a comment about it. The thesis sentence appears as the last sentence of

the introduction paragraph, the first paragraph of the essay.

The thesis sentence expresses the central idea of the essay and gives the specific points upon which the body paragraphs will be based.

These points are called key points and give specific direction to your general topic.

Topic + Key Points = Thesis sentence

Generally stated in a single sentence. Expresses an point of view, not a topic. Limits the topic. Indicates the kind of support to follow. Helps to organize the supporting material Is precisely worded. It does NOT announce by saying: I am

going to tell you about….or My essay will explain….

• Define what you want to do in this paper• For example: Cause and effect • Cause and Effect examines the relationships between what

happens (the effect) and why it happens (the cause). One cause may have several effects. For instance, if you

decide to move into the country from the city, you may have the benefit of cleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and cheaper prices.

Or, several causes can contribute to a single effect. For example, we make choices based on several criteria: The captain of the Titanic ignored fog warnings, iceberg warnings, and even the announcement that the ship was going to sink because he bought into the idea that the ship was unsinkable.

To incorporate this into a thesis statement, identify the topic, make an assertion about the topic, and decide if you want to focus on causes, effects, or both.

Example: Because of their mainly vegetarian diet, Malaysia has healthier adults, less childhood obesity, and a booming farm economy.

It is your “what’s the point?” It is your main perspective/focus of your paper. Has two main parts: perspective + three main focus

areas/directions. It is what you want your readers to know, and what

you have to develop. It is the main idea you are trying to get across.Steps to constructing a draft thesis statement: A. Identify your main topic: Love in the twenty-

first century B. Ask a specific research question regarding your

topic (this leads to a more personalized and specialized focus): Use the trigger words “How,” “Why,” or “What about it?”

C. The second part of your thesis statement will be your illustration (goals and direction of your paper).

Point 1, Point 2, and Point 3 How something works: 3 stages Why something works: 3 reasons The causes and effects of a phenomenon: 2

causes, 1 effect Putting it together: A + B + C! Love in the twenty-first century (how does it

work)? – functions primarily through technology, which 1. 2. and 3.

The Problem Solution! Problem solution writing begins by identifying and examining a

problem. After analyzing the problem, you then discuss possible solutions and their viability. For instance, if you wanted to focus on the problem of teenage pregnancy, you would look at how others have tried to solve this problem. The availability of contraception, mandatory sex education courses, and the inclusion of abstinence as a form of birth control would be possible solutions

For an essay, you could choose to examine: a single solution and discuss how it works

and why it works, or detail three proposed solutions and discuss

and analyze their viability.

What’s with our public schools? Identify the thesis of this article.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0929/Waiting-for-Superman-to-reform-education-He-s-already-here

Now for the best part: you will have a very creative format for your assignment.

You will create a script of a conversation between two people—a dialogue. This will be like writing a scene for a movie or television show. Have fun! Use characters from your favorite movies, television shows, and books if you like. You may also simply make up your characters.

In your script, you’ll be describing through your two characters a social problem. One of the characters is part of the problem—the cause—and the other is part of a solution, the “cure” that would help you and your world.

Some examples of social problems include world poverty and hunger, intolerance of differences among people, and a list that could go on and on.

You are encouraged to think carefully and creatively. Of course, not all social problems are created equal, but you are free to choose among them. Do not feel you must choose in order of importance. Possible problems could include ignorance, bad driving, unfairness, not recycling, gossiping, abuse of children and the elderly, or illiteracy.

Brainstorm ideas until you have an idea that feels right to you: one with which you connect and that you have confidence exploring further.

Create a thesis that justifies why your “cure” is important. This is again a kind of cause and effect writing called problem-solution writing. You identify the problem and suggest the cure (solution).

What should you cover in your “script”? What are at least three causes of this problem? How does this problem affect your daily life or the

life of others? Mention at least three effects. The script should be 500 words or greater. Submitting your Project Put your project in a Word document. Save it in a

location you'll remember and with a name that follows the rules for naming projects for this course. See the course syllabus (“naming conventions”) for the required format.

Best of luck!