Topic & Concluding Sentences

Shifts

Directions: A timer is set. A topic is given.

You write whatever comes to mind,
regardless of whether it is on topic. If your
mind goes blank, just choose a word to write
repeatedly until your next thought comes.

Which stage of the writing process is the

most difficult for you? Why?

1. What are the stages of the writing process?

The stages of the writing process are

Prewrite
Plan
Rough draft
Revising/Proofreading
Final Copy/Publish

2. What is wrong with the topic outline on

OWL@Purdue?
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/200811130
13048_544.pdf

The topic outline on OWL @ Purdue is not

balanced.

3. Using the link above, create an outline for a

college-level body paragraph. Label the
placement of the topic sentence, primary details,
and secondary details.

Every body paragraph contains

topic sentence
primary details
secondary details
concluding sentence
In a college-level essay, paragraphs should be
a minimum of 7-10 sentences in length.

I. Topic
A. Topic sentence
1. primary detail
a. secondary detail
b. secondary detail
2. primary detail
a. secondary detail
b. secondary detail
3. primary detail (optional)
a. secondary detail (optional)
b. secondary detail (optional)

States main idea of paragraph

Topic sentences can appear in many places

In this class, a topic sentence must be directly

stated as the first sentence of each body
paragraph.
In class, complete pages 35-37 Practice 6 &
Practice 7

Most often missing from student writing

Align with topic sentence

Key word(s) from topic sentence should appear in

concluding sentence

Go back to pages 35-36. In Practice 6, which

paragraphs dont have concluding sentences?
Write concluding sentences as needed.

These distract or confuse readers

Point of view
Verb tense
Mood or voice
Indirect to direct questions/quotations

First person emphasizes writer

Good for informal letters and writing based on
personal experience
Second person emphasizes reader
Good for giving advice or explaining how to do
something
Third person emphasizes subject
Best for formal academic and professional writing

One week, our class met in a junkyard to practice

rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. We learned
to dismantle the car with the essential tools. You were
graded on your speed and your skill in extricating the
victim.
One week, our class met in a junkyard to practice
rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. We learned
to dismantle the car with the essential tools. You were
graded on your speed and your skill in extricating the
victim.

One week, our class met in a junkyard to practice

rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. We learned
to dismantle the car with the essential tools. You were
graded on your speed and your skill in extricating the
victim.
One week, the class met in a junkyard to practice
rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. They
learned to dismantle the car with the essential tools.
They were graded on their speed and their skill in
extricating the victim.

Consistent verb tenses clearly establish time of the actions

being described
Which sentence is incorrect?

A. She caught the ball and then throws it to the catcher for the
out.
B. She caught the ball and then threw it to the catcher for the
out
C. She catches the ball and then throws it to the catcher for
the out.
A. She caught the ball and then throws it to the catcher for the
out.

When writing about literature or current research, use

present tense
Which sentence is correct?

A. Research showed that the Great Pyramids were built

before wooly mammoths became extinct.
B. Research shows that the Great Pyramids were built
before wooly mammoths became extinct.
B.

Three moods in English

Indicative is used for facts, opinions, questions
Imperative is used for orders or advice
Subjunctive is used to express wishes or conditions contrary to fact
Which sentence is correct?

A. The officers advised us against allowing anyone into our homes without
proper identification. They also suggested that we alert neighbors to our
vacation schedules.
B. The officers advised us against allowing anyone into our homes without
proper identification. Also, alert neighbors to our vacation schedules.
A.

Which sentence is correct?

A. Mother said that she would be late for dinner and

asked me not to leave for choir practice until Dad came
home.
B. Mother said that she would be late for dinner and
please do not leave for choir practice until Dad comes
home.
A. Mother said that she would be late for dinner and
(she) asked me not to leave for choir practice until Dad
came home.

B. Mother said that she would be late for dinner

and please do not leave for choir practice until
Dad comes home.
Mother said that she would be late for dinner
uses the indicative mood/voice.
Please do not leave for choir practice until Dad
gets home uses the subjunctive mood/voice.

Indirect question: Alex asked whether the potatoes

were ready and whether he could cut them for
the salad.
Direct question: Are the potatoes ready and can I
cut them for the salad?

Which of the following is incorrect?

A. My instructor asked whether I was prepared for the

course and have I bought myself a laptop.
B. My instructor asked whether I was prepared for the
course and whether I had bought myself a laptop
C. My instructor asked, Are you prepared for the course,
and have you bought yourself a laptop?
A. My instructor asked whether I was prepared for the
course and have I bought myself a laptop.

Complete pg. 475 Practice 4A, pg. 476

Practice 5, pg. 455 Practice 1A, pg. 455
Practice 2 (listed on Homework Journal
handout)
Read Chapter 19 Subjects and Verbs & pg.
456