On Tue, Jul 24, 2018 at 12:55 PM, Alice Walker <[email protected]> wrote:

Writing Activity C (Midterm): Paragraphs and Integrating Evidence - Due Sunday July 29th

The Assignment Idea:

In this assignment you will practice

1. building a coherent set of arguments to support a thesis.

2. identifying different types of evidence that support a topic sentence.

3. selecting evidence that supports their topic sentences

One of the most common weaknesses of essays is the lack of effectively developed body paragraphs due to not enough evidence. Writers must provide evidence in each paragraph that most adequately explains, exemplifies, defines, or in some way supports each topic sentence. Here are some examples of supporting evidence you might use to develop the ideas presented in your topic sentences.

• Specific examples

• Researched materials from the textbook or course modules ONLY

• Quotations or paraphrases from a primary source (i.e. Voices of Freedom in Foner's Give Me Liberty)

• Quotations or paraphrase from a secondary source (i.e. Eric Foner's text)

• Statistics or facts

• Description of an artifact: a painting, sculpture, machine, or instrument

Unless specifically permitted, all sources other than readings assigned in this class are PROHIBITED.

 

The Assignment:

In this activity, you will write three topic sentences with complete body paragraphs (about 200 words each) to a thesis.

1. Read the thesis statement carefully: “Although progressives responded to the ills of inner cities and working-class immigrants with important reforms, they largely failed to address the horrors of Jim Crow rule in the South.”

2. Make a list of topic ideas and select three suitable ones that support the thesis. (Keep in mind that this thesis statement refers both to the progressive reforms for inner cities, workers, and immigrants (Chapters 18 and 19) as well as the lack of change they brought about in the South (Chapter 17).

3. Write three concise and effective topic sentences and highlight them in bold font.

4. Organize as much and as diverse a selection of evidence as possible (see the list of evidence up top).

5. Craft three body paragraphs out of the evidence you assembled for the three topic sentence.

6. Make sure that the three paragraphs connect to each other. Your final submission should look like the core of a coherent essay on the thesis.

Before you submit:

1. Read your paragraphs carefully. Are there any grammatical errors, poor word choices, or plain typos? Fix ‘em.

2. Read the paragraphs out loud. Check the instructions again – did you do what this assignment asked for and do the topic sentences address the thesis statement?

3. Read the paragraphs out loud to yourself. Do they sound good. Then, read them to someone else. What are they reactions? What criticisms can they offer?

Submission:

Your submission should be between 600 and 800 words, include your name, the title of the assignment, and bold formatting for the topic sentences.