2019-10-30 Writing: clustering

Greg Malivuk
gmalivuk@staffordhouse.com
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - Notes from all classes
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Homework: p. 60 - Identify subjects and verbs in the paragraph, then add commas where needed.
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Any time you have three or more parallel structures in a list, you need a comma between the first ones, and a conjunction (“and” or “or”) before the last one. The comma before the conjunction is optional.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma
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parallel structures = words or phrases or sentences that have the same grammatical form
	of the people, by the people, and for the people (preposition + definite noun)
	run, walk, or bike (verb)
	hiking, swimming, and camping (verb+ing)
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Pre-writing = the steps you take before you start to write
Brainstorming = generating different ideas, not worrying about which are better or worse
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One method of brainstorming is called a cluster or mind map.
Choose a job you know about (not "businessman", and not one of the jobs from the handout examples), and make a cluster of important characteristics for doing that job.
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After you make and edit your mind map and choose an order for the ideas, you can write an outline.

Title: A Good Teacher
Topic Sentence: A good teacher has three important characteristics.
	A.  knowledgeable
		1.  knows what to teach
	B.  communicative
		1.  transfer knowledge to students
		2.  explain things in different styles
	C.  patient/empathetic
		1.  some students understand faster or slower
		2.  need to understand student issues
Conclusion: In conclusion, good teachers have knowledge, communication skills, and patience.
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Transition Signals for list-order paragraphs

First,... / Second,... / Third,...
	“First, a good teacher must be knowledgeable.”
	“First, a good teacher knows many things.”
Finally,... (for the last supporting idea, NOT the conclusion)
In addition,... / Furthermore,... / Additionally,...

The first characteristic is empathy.
The second quality is…
Another important trait is…
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Example:
	A good teacher has three important characteristics. First, a good teacher knows many things. A teacher has to teach information to students, so of course he or she must know that information before teaching it. Second, a good teacher has good communication skills. It’s important…
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Homework: Use your mind map/cluster to write an outline of your description.