Sentences
Runs like the wind.
What is a sentence fragment?
Why?
This sentence is missing a subject.
Written from broad (general) to specific.
How is an introductory paragraph traditionally written?
Think of the introduction like an upside down triangle that starts with general topic information, followed by details and focused topic information, and ends with the main point of the paper and how the purpose of the paper will be pursued.
Agree or disagree?
Critical thinking is critical reading.
Are critical thinking and critical reading one thing?
Critical thinking and critical reading are two different activities that help students approach a document effectively.
Identification of Topic + Claim (argument; what you believe about the topic) + Directions (reasons; how you are going to prove what you believe).
What is a thesis statement?
This is the formula for constructing a thesis statement for an argumentative research-based paper.
Agree or disagree?
Revision means editing and proofreading.
What does revision involve?
Revision, editing, and proofreading are three different activities that help polish one's writing at different levels.
Royal Ontario Museum was unofficially opened in 1914.
Article error.
Why?
Use "the" before nouns that are unique.
A sentence that connects to thesis statement in the introduction of an argumentative research-based paper, but it appears in a body paragraph.
What is a topic sentence of a body paragraph in an argumentative research-based paper?
A topic sentence conveys the focus and the main point of the paragraph.
Synthesis, analysis, interpretation, evaluation.
What is critical thinking?
When do we perform these activities?
These are activities involved in critical thinking processes.
Agree or disagree?
The thesis statement can only appear at the end of the introduction.
Where can a thesis statement appear?
A thesis statement does not necessarily appear only at the end of the introduction. Depending on the author's argumentation purposes, the thesis can appear in the middle of the introduction or as a separate paragraph in the introduction section of a paper.
Agree or disagree?
Revision involves checking for grammatical and punctuation errors, spelling mistakes, etc.
What does revision involves?
Revision involves analyzing and making changes at the global level and paragraph level organization of the document.
Checking for grammatical and punctuation errors, spelling mistakes, etc. are proofreading activities.
Athletes are criticized when they withdraw from Olympic competitions for personal reasons, many people support competitors who prioritize their health and wellness.
Comma splice.
Why?
Two independent clauses separated by a comma that is not followed by a coordinating conjunction create a comma splice.
“This is what I said, and this is why it matters.”
What is metacommentary/metatext/metadiscourse? (Graff & Birkenstein, 2018, p. 132).
Agree or disagree?
Critical reading means reading for information.
What does critical reading involve?
Critical reading involves looking for ways to think about the subject matter presented in the text. Critical reading requires the reader to observe the text in terms of central claims and purposes, context, kinds of reasoning, and evidence to understand how the text is argued.
Agree or disagree?
In an argumentative research-based paper, the thesis appears in two places: in the introduction and in the conclusion.
Where does the thesis appear in an argumentative research-based paper?
In an argumentative research-based paper, the thesis appears in the introduction, is elaborated in details through the topic sentences of the body paragraphs, and is restated in the conclusion.
I was petting my professor's dog when she told me I won the scholarship.
Dangling modifier.
Why?
It is confusing because the sentence suggests the dog performed the action of telling.
Correction: I was petting my professor's dog when I learned that I won the scholarship.
I prepared for the new academic year by making a budget I also registered for courses and signed up for orientation events.
What is a run-on sentence?
Why?
Two independent clauses in one sentence must be separated by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or separated by a semicolon or period.
Assume, appear, doubt, guess, imagine, question, seem to believe, speculate, suppose.
What are uncertain reporting verbs?
Agree or disagree?
When analyzing an assignment handout, students should only pay attention to the deadline and formatting requirements.
What should we pay attention to when reading an assignment handout?
Besides the deadline and formatting requirements, students should also look for information about the genre conventions of the paper, what content they should deliver in the paper, what kind of materials they should reference or incorporate, and if there is any word count requirement. Students should also refer to the grading rubric or marking scheme if the instructor provides one to understand the evaluative criteria for the paper. Lastly, students can look for recommendations about writing resources or support in case they need further help with completing the paper.
This is an effective incorporation of sources. Agree or disagree?
For females, one of the biggest tendency is the push to be perfect in the mindset of physical appearance. “Women are surrounded by indications and incentives to be perfect and this includes inner beauty and outer” (Sommers, 1999, p.23). “Relational, Sweet and nice, thinness, put others first, look young, sexy, modesty, domestic, caring for children, romantic relationship, sexual fidelity, and investing in appearance” (Mahalik, 2000, p.419).
What's wrong with the sources incorporated in this paragraph?
These sources are not incorporated well into the paragraph. The writer only throws the sources in but does not explain what they mean or how they support the claim stated in the first sentence.
In spite of the fact that I stayed up late to study, I did not do well on the exam.
What is wordiness? What is concision?
Why?
"In spite of the fact" can be expressed using fewer words, such as "although," to convey meaning concisely. Similarly, "not do well" can be replaced with "poorly."
Assume, appear, doubt, guess, imagine, question, seem to believe, speculate, suppose.
What are uncertain reporting verbs?
Apples and oranges are tasty, but they are grown under different conditions.
What is compare and contrast?
Patterns of organization can direct your reader to the point you want to make.
Example:
Procrastination is not helpful, and the effects of delaying tasks can cause stress and anxiety.
This is a cause and effect pattern of organization.
Pedestrian and cyclist deaths caused by motorists is an increasing concern in Toronto; thus, adopting proven urban planning strategies that separate motorists from pedestrian and cyclist traffic would be a responsible public safety strategy.
What is a problem and solution pattern of organization?
The problem and solution pattern of organization required critical thinking to identify a problem and propose a plan for solving it.
To sum up, in summary, in closing, all things considered, on final analysis.
What are transitions that signal conclusions and your final judgement about the topic?
Very, really, extremely, definitely, a considerable amount of, to a certain extent.
What are intensifiers? What is wordiness?
Concision in written work makes it easier for your reader to read and understand your ideas. Aim for concision in your writing.