Patterns of Essay Development: Part 2
PART I
Modules 1 through 4 Homework Assignments will be a continuation of a writing process. You will construct your essay by answering the following prompt, which will be given at the beginning of each homework assignment. This is a step-by-step process, so if you are unfamiliar with what a descriptive essay is, do not worry. By the end of Module 4, you will have a much better understanding of a descriptive essay and will have written one successfully. As long as you read the textbook and all the lecture notes and complete the activities, you will not encounter much difficulty.
Prompt: Write a descriptive essay about a specific place that you know well and have observed. You will construct a traditional, five-paragraph essay (introductory paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, concluding paragraph).
1. Continuing from Modules 1, 2, and 3 Homework Assignments, take out your outline, introductory paragraph, and three body paragraphs and reread them.
2. Using your outline, introduction, and three body paragraphs, write the conclusion of your descriptive essay by using the model below:
III. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis statement
B. Restate the main ideas or supportive details
C. Conclude with lasting impressions
3. You will turn in the concluding paragraph (in paragraph form, not outline form) along with the introduction and body paragraphs. Make sure that it is a complete essay on one document.
NOTE: Please submit your entire essay.
You have now written the conclusion of your descriptive essay. Congratulations! You have successfully written a descriptive essay. You are now ready to write the next essay which will be broken down in the same step-by-step process in Modules 5 through 8.
[iBoard example]
Shopping online may be more convenient for some; however, nothing can truly replace shopping in an actual store. Most believe that shopping online can save time, but when buying certain items, it may be best to visit the actual store and try the product out beforehand. Many times, online policies can be difficult to comprehend, especially in regards to returning merchandise. The traditional way of shopping is more efficient than online shopping because a product can be tried out before being purchased, the price can be determined accurately, and physical activity is involved in the process.
Being able to try out a product before it is purchased is a critical example of why traditional shopping is more effective than online shopping. For instance, online shopping does not allow shoppers to try on clothing; instead, the shopper has to rely on images of a model, who may be of perfect size, and see if the article will look just as good on the model as it should on the shopper. Shopping in the actual department allows the shopper to try on the actual article of clothing, make sure that the size is right, the material is suitable, and get an overall impression of how it looks. Then the shopper can determine if the item is worth the purchase.
Pricing is another example of how traditional shopping wins over online shopping. The price on the tag is exactly the price that is charged, whereas in online shopping, an additional charge for shipping and handling is tacked on. Many shoppers have a limited budget and can only afford the cost of the item plus tax; therefore, traditional shopping may be a more budget friendly environment than shopping online.
The last example of how traditional shopping is much more effective than online shopping is the actual physical activity involved. Many people are constantly sitting at the desk working on the computer and rarely get up and stretch. Traditional shopping allows these cooped up individuals the change to venture outdoors and stretch the legs. Also, by venturing outside, shoppers will know what is popular and in style and what is outdated by simply observing other shoppers and their buying habits. Online shopping does offer reviews on certain products, but these reviews are hardly helpful. Actual visual examples are more helpful.
The traditional way of shopping is more efficient than online shopping because a product can be tried out before being purchased, the price can be determined accurately, and physical activity is involved in the process. Many shoppers will still cling to their computers, but these shoppers may discover that what they purchased isn’t exactly what they thought they purchased.
PART II
Directions: Please read “The Yellow Ribbon” by Pete Hamill on page 220 of your textbook. When you have finished reading the article, answer the following questions with at least 250 words per question.
1. The thesis of Hamill’s essay is implied rather than stated directly. See if you can state the thesis in your own words.
2. The main point in paragraph 2 is not stated; it is implied. Write a topic sentence for that paragraph.
3. Hamill writes in paragraph 11 that Vingo seemed very shy. Find at least two pieces of evidence in the essay to support the idea that Vingo was shy.
4. Hamill implies that despite his crime, Vingo was an honorable man. Find evidence that supports that point.
5. Reread the introduction. How do you think Hamill learned about this story?