Lecture 7: From School Essay to Business Letter

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Lecture 7From School Essay to Business Letter
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As this semester draws to a close, remember this
important point

• To write a successful personal essay, you must
  approach the topic in the right manner.

Whats the right manner again?
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You should

• Keep the topic singular.
• Narrow the topic so that your essay will not
  sound like everyone elses.
• Incorporate personal experience so that your
  details will be unique.

Weve heard all of these strategies before!
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Directions Read the topics below. Keep in mind
the qualities of a good topic.

• A problem that people ultimately benefit from
• A reason why some marriages end in divorce
• A way to deal with juvenile crime

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Now lets read some of the thesis statements that
previous students created
Are they knockouts
or sleepers?
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The Topic A problem that people ultimately
benefit from
A student writes Failing a class is a problem
that people ultimately benefit from because they
finally learn the material, have a better
understanding, and grasp the knowledge.
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
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The Topic A problem that people ultimately
benefit from
A student writes Failing Fundamentals of Biology
was the best thing that ever happened to me. When
I retook the class over the summer, I met Betty,
the love of my life and future wife.
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The Topic A problem that people ultimately
benefit from
A student writes My cousins abnormal size has
brought him fame, fortune, and a great job.
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The Topic A reason why some marriages end in
divorce
A student writes Body odor is a reason marriages
end in divorce, especially when morning breath,
unexpected bowel movements, and offensive feet
are present.
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The Topic A reason why some marriages end in
divorce
A student writes Marriages end in divorce
because of lying, cheating, and addiction to
pornography.
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
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The Topic A reason why some marriages end in
divorce
A student writes Lack of communication is the
biggest reason marriages end in divorce because
the couple doesnt talk about feelings, hopes, or
the future.
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
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The Topic A reason why some marriages end in
divorce
A student writes When couples get married in Las
Vegas, they are doomed to end in divorce because
the wedding is too spontaneous, the parents are
not usually present, and Elvis is officiating.
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The Topic A way to deal with juvenile crime
A student writes Running out while swinging my
Louisville slugger, letting out my blood thirsty
Rottweilers, and planting mines in my yard are
the types of violence I use to deal with my
hoodlum neighbor Roary.
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The Topic A way to deal with juvenile crime
A student writes Tougher punishments like longer
sentences, mandatory jail time, and treating
teenagers as adults will reduce juvenile crime.
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
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The Topic A way to deal with juvenile crime
A student writes When my desperate mother sent
me to Camp Consequence, a boot camp for troubled
teens in Jacksonville, I learned discipline and
self-respect. These skills helped tame my wild
impulses.
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A good thesis statement will be interesting,
narrow, and personalized. It will also be
organized, letting the reader anticipate whats
to comeBecause of A, B, and C, interesting X
is so.
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Directions Write a thesis statement for each
topic below. One of these will be your choice for
the next essay.

• The best age for a person to get married
• A product that does/does not perform as
  advertised
• One of the best or worst things about dating
• A personality trait that virtually assures
  success or failure in school or at work
• A trip or visit that anyone would benefit from
  making

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Directions Write a thesis statement for each
topic below. One of these will be your choice for
the last essay.

• The best restaurant to visit on a special
  occasion
• A product that does/does not perform as
  advertised
• A college course that taught me more than I
  expected
• A politician who is worthy of praise or scorn
• A requirement that causes students difficulty in
  college

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Start Your Prewriting

• Choose one of the two topics I circled.
• If you want to advocate for a topic that I did
  not circle, see me individually.
• Write a phrase outline for the paper.
• Begin the outline with your corrected thesis
  statement.
• Write detailed phrases of what you plan to cover
  in the paper. One or two-word items will be
  unacceptable.
• Adhere to all format guidelines or you will have
  to do the outline twice. You can single space.

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Write Your Rough Draft

• Your first draft should look like a regular
  essay.
• Include the correct heading in the top left.
• Give the essay an original and interesting title.
• Adhere to all format guidelines.
• Be sure to send an email copy.
• Our next class will be held in the Computer Lab
  on the first floor of Building 6.
• Bring a copy card with at least 40 cents on it.