Reference no: EM133382133

Writing Project Revision Worksheet

Instructions: Please revise your Writing Project by using the following worksheet and Submit this complete worksheet.

1.      Revisit your Introduction: Revise it to follow these guidelines.

Introductory paragraphs should accomplish two tasks: 1. They should get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more. 2. They should let the reader know what the writing is going to be about.

The second task can be accomplished by a carefully crafted thesis statement. The first task-securing the reader's interest-is the task that this discussion addresses. 

Reading-source lead   Use this kind of introduction when you are asked to respond to a reading. Begin with a single sentence in which you give the author's full name, the title of the reading, and a summary of its main idea or thesis statement. Then, in your own words, sum up the other key points in the reading. To introduce these ideas, place, at the beginning of the sentence, the author's last name or a pronoun (he or she). Then, transition to your thesis statement.

Formula:   In "[title]," [author's full name] [verb in present tense] that [thesis summary].  In "Procrastination," Ed Lazie argues that putting things off is a good idea. He points out . . . He adds . . . Finally, Lazie concludes . . . 

In "What Employees Need Most," Peter Drucker argues that the most important skill an employee can possess is the ability to communicate well in both writing and speaking. As one moves up the corporate ladder, the demand, he says, is less for particular technical abilities and more for the skill to "make clear . . . ideas to others and persuade them." To acquire these skills, Drucker recommends taking writing courses in college-even creative writing. Despite his enthusiasm, it can be argued that the modern employer is still unwilling to accept such preparation.

Write your revised introduction here using the information you learned above:

2.      Revisit your Thesis: Revise it to follow these guidelines.

If you have a strong, focused purpose, you're well on your way to a solid thesis statement (the foundation of all essays).

• A purpose for your essay is a general idea of what you will write about.
• A thesis, on the other hand, is your stance on the topic-a one or two sentence statement of opinion, or something that you will explore, prove, expand upon, develop and provide a through discussion of in your essay. Remember, a thesis must be arguable.

Since there could be many different thesis statements for the same purpose, your thesis will depend on what you see as the main point of your essay. Your audience does not have to agree with your point; your job is to use your evidence-stories, observations, facts and so on-to make your point credible. 

A thesis statement is the basic point or main idea of the whole essay. A thesis is often an assertion that you argue or support in the essay. But in less argumentative papers, it can simply forecast the territory your essay will cover. Having a thesis is useful to both the writer and the reader. 

Follow these two conventions:  a thesis statement is often (but not always) one sentence, and it is often placed at the end of an introductory paragraph.

Write your revised thesis statement here using the information you learned above:

3.      Revisit 1 Body Paragraph: Choose one bodyparagraph to revise by following these guidelines.

P - Point - Communicate your purpose to the reader by writing a topic sentence that addresses the issue with an opinion based on facts.

• A point is an opinion based on facts, not merely a fact.
• A point is a topic sentence for a body paragraph.
• A topic sentence has two functions:

I - Information - Provide outside information to support your topic sentence.  

• Information is used to support the point (topic sentence).
• Information is used to make the topic sentence creditable and verifiable.
• Information is data, facts, surveys, observations, individual experience, and published material.

E - Explanation - Explain to your reader why the information is relevant to your topic sentence.

• The explanation comes right after a piece of information or direct quote
• The explanation illustrates to the reader why the information is relevant to the topic sentence.
• The explanation analyzes why the information supports the point.