The Basics of Writing

Troy University Student Support Services English/Reading Workshop

Student

Support

Services

Purpose: To equip students with practical tools for successful writing in

school, at work, and for leisure.

Objective: To help ease the writing tensions students experienced when

faced with writing tasks or challenges.

1. Start early when possible.

2. Know your deadline.

3. Know your assignment (requirements).

4. Devise a plan of action.

Who is the audience?

Will the audience be interested?

What does your audience already know about the topic?

What does the audience need to know?

What do you hope the audience will gain?

Summarizing

Arguing/persuading (appealing to audience to gain support)

Narrating (Tell a Story; Who, What, When, Where, Why, How)

Evaluating (Judging)

Analyzing (Explaining)

Responding

Examining/investigating (Finding Answer to Question)

Observing-- Reporting Objectively (facts) and Subjectively (interpretation)

Thinking

Loose notes

Free writing

Blind free - writing

Interneto University sites - .eduo Organizations - .orgo Government - .gov

Academic databases

Library o Webcat o Library staff

Narrow down your topic.

Make a point.

Include a verb in your thesis.

Say something interesting.

Revise.

Questions to Ask:1. Is this thesis defendable? What counter-

arguments might you encounter?

2.Can it be supported? Where’s the evidence?

3.Does the thesis clearly state my point of view? Is there a focus evident?

Sketch it out.

Create one – line sentences.

Use Bullets to highlight your points.

Arrange & Re – arrange.

I. Topic Sentence

I. Supporting sentence 1-- Supporting evidence 1

Supporting sentence 2-- Supporting evidence 2

Supporting sentence 3-- Supporting evidence 3

III. Concluding sentence

See the next slide for details about each type of sentence one should include in a paragraph.

Topic Sentence – General statement of paragraph’s main idea. It is not the thesis, but in an essay, it can relate to the thesis statement.

Supporting statement – Requires a transition word or phrase. It is a more specific statement that puts a burden of proof on the writer and that narrows the focus of the topic sentence.

Supporting details or examples – Evidence which satisfies the burden of proof. If you use a direct quote, make sure you cite your source of the quote.

Concluding Sentence – a restatement of the topic sentence

A Topic Sentence for a Body Paragraph

(Remember to Indent First Sentences of Paragraphs.)

Student Support Services (SSS), a Federal TRIO

program, helps participating college students achieve their

academic goals through SSS’s offering of academic tutoring.

Key Terms

(1) Supporting Sentence, (2) Detail, and (3) Example

With (4) Transitions; (5) Concluding Sentence

. . . SSS participants may request academic tutoring for general studies

English, mathematics and science. Moreover, SSS offers basic study skills

and basic computer applications tutorials. After learning in SSS to use the

Microsoft PowerPoint computer application, one Troy University participant

designed his first-ever PowerPoint presentation for one of his general

studies course. The participant later reported that he made an out-

standing presentation for his class and that he truly realized the benefit

of attending SSS tutoring sessions.

Three Main Parts of an Essay

Introduction – Starts broadly, usually with a topic sentence. Narrows to the thesis statement.

Body– Explores and details the thesis.Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence that is related to the thesis.

Conclusion – Restates the thesis. May summarize body paragraphs contents.

If you use outside source material, you will need a reference, works cited or

bibliography page.

SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful information.

Feel free to suggest any other topics that you would like to see presented. Stop in the Office located in Shackelford Hall or Phone: 334-670-5985.

Please complete the evaluation form.

Have a great learning experience here at Troy University.

Presentation developed by: JoAnna McShan, SSS tutor, and

Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist

Phone: 334-670-5985

PPT dev: 11/2/09

Program Coordinator: Buffie M. Edwards

Student Support Services

Center for Student Success109 Shackelford Hall Annex

Troy University; Troy, AL 36082Phone: 334-670-5985