Jeopardy! (adapted from A Writer's Reference - Diana Hacker)

Thesis Writing

100

Choose the better thesis: A: A recent trend in law enforcement known as "community policing" shows much promise in deterring criminal activity. B: "Community policing" is a recent trend in law enforcement used in many municipalities across the country.

A

200

Choose the better thesis A: Because air pollution is a serious concern to people in the world today, many countries have implemented a variety of plans to begin solving the problem. B: So far, research suggests that zero-emissions vehicles are not a sensible solution to the problem of steadily rising air pollution.

B

300

Choose the better thesis A: Because it has become outdated, the electoral college should be replaced by a system that allows the US president to be elected by direct popular vote. B: Rather than voting for a presidential candidate, voters in a US presidential election merely choose their state's electoral college representatives, who actually vote for the president; in most states, all of the electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state, no matter how close the outcome.

A

400

Choose the best thesis A: In his autobiographical Narrative, Frederick Douglass draws on techniques used in popular texts of his day - sentimental literature, the bible, and rip-roaring oratory - to persuade his audience to reject slavery. B: Frederick Douglass' autobiographical slavery is an interesting exploration of the issue of slavery.

A

500

Choose the best thesis A: Judges should have discretion in sentencing drug offenders so that those convicted of nonviolent or first-time offenders do not automatically go to prison. B: Currently judges do not have much discretion in sentencing drug offenders, so even nonviolent or first-time offenders go automatically to prison.

A

Topic Sentences

100

For a paragraph in a essay about US murder convictions, which version would work well as a topic sentence? A: Mumi Abu-Jamal was convicted of murdering a police officer in Philadelphia in 1981. B: Mumia Abu-Jamal's murder conviction shows that the US criminal justice system is not always fair and impartial.

B

200

For a paragraph in a paper on recycling, which would make a better topic sentence? A: Broken and obsolete computers must be recycled so that they don't end up in landfills leaking toxic substances into the soil. B: Many offices update their computer hardware or a regular basis, so they generate waste.

A

300

In a paper on the benefits cell phones have brought to third world countries, which version would work better as the topic sentence of a paragraph? A: Cellular telephones are dramatically improving lives in third world countries. B: In India, fishers and farmers living in areas without phone lines are using cellular telephones to market their products.

B

400

In a paper surveying recent studies on weight loss, which version would work better as the topic sentence of a paragraph? A: A recent study suggests that eating the same thing everyday can help people lose weight. B: Would you believe that eating boring food can help you lose weight?

A

500

In a paper on commuting patterns in the US, which version would work well as the topic sentence of a paragraph? A: The 2000 census figures indicate that Americans are willing to accept a commute of an hour or more if moving to a distant area means that they can afford a larger house. B: According to 2000 census figures, the average amount of time an American spends commuting to work is twenty-four minutes.

A

Transitions

100

Chose the transition that makes sense in context. ( Thus / For example / Besides ) if you install low-flow showerheads and water-saving toilets, your household can save dozens of gallons of water per day.

For example

200

Choose the transition that makes sense in context. Many people resist such measures because they think that these inventions do not work as well as the old models. (Consequently / Therefore / On the contrary), because of technological advances, today's water-conserving showers and toilets work surprisingly well.

On the contrary

300

Choose the transition that makes sense in context. By purchasing new, environmentally friendly dishwashers and clothes washers, you can also conserve water. ( As a result / In addition / Nevertheless ) you can save more water by running loads only when they are full.

In addition

400

Choose the transition that makes sense in context. Another way to conserve water is to replace your thirsty lawn with drought-resistant native plants, grasses, and shrubs. If you can't bear to give up your lawn, (for instance / however / moreover) you can decide to water it early in the morning or late in the evening when the weather is cooler and water loss from evaporation is less likely.

However

500

Choose the transition that makes sense in context. ( Finally / That is / Thus ) turn the water off instead of letting it run when brushing your teeth or washing dishes by hand. If every American household takes these simple steps, the country will save significant amounts of water.

Finally

Run-Ons

100

There is no permanent work available, moreover, the money earned by picking crops is not enough to feed the family. Run-on or Okay ?

Run-on

200

Union-organizers have talked to the workers about organizing and striking, and although Tom, the oldest Joad son, has listened to them, he has not yet joined them. Run-on or Okay?

Okay

300

He spends his daylight hours alone, he has lots of time to think about his family's situation. Run-on or Okay?

Run-on

400

Finally, becoming convinced that life is unfair for his people, Tom decides to leave the family, find the union men, and work with them. Run-on or Okay?

Okay

500

As he prepares to leave, his mother expresses her worries, she asks him how she will know where he is. Run-on or Okay?

Run-on