English outline

Online Workshop 1: Let's Outline Essay 1 with Topic Sentences! 55 unread replies.55 replies.

This online discussion is designed to help practice important skills for essay writing, particularly for in-class essays. You only have to write one post for five points, but that post is designed to help you as you start to brainstorm for Essay 1.

When writing in-class essays, the time limit is a big challenge for many people. Two important tools for managing a timed writing assignment like an in-class essay are 1) a main idea, and 2) a rough outline. But even without a time limit, writing an essay will result in a lot less suffering if you brainstorm and plan before you start to write the essay.

You can use two strategies to plan an essay:

First, identify the main question of an essay prompt. Then use that prompt to write a 'first-draft' thesis statement. That is, use the language of the prompt to write your first thesis statement.

Second, write some rough topic sentences guided by your draft thesis statement. Use these to brainstorm support for your supporting body paragraphs, and thus for your essay.

Let's work on some draft thesis statements and draft topic sentences together to brainstorm for Essay 1.

The essay question is the following:

Tell me about your worst class. Tell me about your best class.

Compare the two experiences.

What is the most important part of this prompt? Once you have identified it, you can use the sentence of the prompt to write a first thesis statement.

Remember: Your thesis statement should state the controlling idea of your whole essay.

After you have a draft thesis statement, draft two or three more topic sentences for your essay. Your topic sentences should each state a controlling idea of a paragraph that will explain and support your

thesis statement. You can also write two or three closely connected paragraphs controlled by one key topic sentence.

You will not see anyone else's thesis statement or topic sentences until after you have written your own post. I will check all on time thesis statements and topic sentences, and make suggestions.

Deadline: 23:55 Wednesday, September 8. We will go over some outlines in class on Thursday, September 9. You can complete this activity late for four points, but I won't have time to write comments on late submissions.