Writing a process analysis essay

This week we've looked at how to write about a process - either describing how something works or what something does. 

If you would like:

• Visit the page How Stuff Works or read about something that interests you.
• Choose a topic that you are interested investigating on how it works.
• Read your information and take notes.
• Write an essay that tells how it works or what something does.

Process Writing

Guess what?!?! ... We have no homework today. I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the little bit of sunshine we had. 


SLIDES

How to ... (part 2)!

Today in class we looked at how important it is to give good instructions to do something - we looked at how to tie your shoes. Where your instructions successful? If so, why? If not, why not? What were you missing?

For homework tonight: think of something that you would like to explain how it works - like how a hurricane forms. We saw an example in class. 

Some of you have problems with spelling, here's a link for you to look at. Hope it helps a little.  

How to ...

Being able to explain how to do something or how something works is important. This week we will be looking at process writing, for homework I would like you to think of different things you've had to explain others how to do. For example, imagine telling your grandparents how to download a file or Face time with you in the written form. 

The start of YOUR compare / contrast essay

All this week we have looked at the different elements of a compare/contrast essay, now it is time to put that knowledge to work. Earlier this week you had to create a Venn diagram that looked at influential people, education systems or technology, using this Venn diagram you will build on it and continue to develop the ideas into an essay. 

In class today, you will create an outline and start your introductory paragraph. 

For homework: 

      ** finish  your outline

      ** finish a draft of your introductory paragraph

      ** look for sources (outside material) that can make your essay            stronger

Paragraph Organization & Parallelism

Compare-contrast paragraphs can be organized in a variety of ways; for example, they can look at only similarities, only differences or both similarities and differences. As a writer you must decide HOW you want to organize your paragraphs and essay. Doing an outline can help you see the big picture and organize the details of your essay in a reader friendly manner. 

For homework tonight: 
You need to bring your completed Venn Diagram, that I asked for on Tuesday, we will be using it in class and writing with it. Remember you had three topics to choose from - influential people, education systems or technology. See google slides for suggestions. 

If you want there are more activities that can help you practice parallelism. You can also check out the SMRT video on Parallel Structure or Parallelism by Shaun. 

Venn Diagrams

Venn Diagram

A useful tool to help you organize your idea is a VENN DIAGRAM, which looks at the similarities and differences between 2 or more concepts/ideas/themes. They are a useful tool as a study guide AND as something to help you write. 

For homework: 
1) Read and answer the questions about Spider-man. DO NOT do the writing at the bottom (question 4). 
2) Create your own Venn diagram about one of the topics given in the slides. 

Outlining & Summarizing

Ooops ... went away on Friday and totally forgot to put up the homework here. (I did it on purpose, so you could enjoy the AWESOME Vancouver weather we had ... lol ...)

So here's your homework for Monday: 

1) Write an outline for a cause & effect essay. Use the topic that you chose to write your paragraph about last week (a global issue). Share with me if you would like some feedback. 

Outline Template - remember that you don't need to use all the spaces provided and you can add if necessary. Every outline is different and it depends on the information that you are including in your essay. 

2) Write summaries for # 3 & 4 from the document that we looked at today in class. 

Cause & Effect Paragraph

Homework: 
Finish the cause & effect paragraph that you started today in class. Focus on: 
1) having the 3 important parts of a paragraph. 
         ** topic sentence - the main idea of the paragraph
         ** supporting sentences - ideas, facts, opinions, quotes, etc                   that all relate to the main idea of the paragraph
         ** concluding sentence - wraps up the idea of the paragraph

2) using different transition words

3) talking about only ONE main idea. 

Cause & Effect Worksheet

Homework:
Please finish the Cause & Effect Worksheet

Cause & Effect - Fishbone Diagram

 

Homework: 
Look at your global issues mind map and choose ONE of the global issues that interest you. Then complete a FISHBONE DIAGRAM that looks at the CAUSES of your global issue.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is an important tool to have in any academic or professional setting, it allows you to explain new ideas that you've learned in YOUR OWN words! 

For homework: Paraphrasing (B)

Descriptive Essay Assignment

This week we looked at different aspects of descriptive writing, which uses a reader's senses to get a picture of what the author wants to say. 

TOPIC: 
For your writing assignment this week, you need to write an essay that describes a cultural aspect from your country to someone who has never experienced it before. Your cultural aspect can be a food, an ingredient, an event, a festival, a location, or even a person - you decide as there is no limit to what can be described. For example, I could describe a hockey game to you. 

You should write at least 3 paragraphs because an essay has an INTRODUCTION, BODY and CONCLUSION. Each body paragraph should describe ONE aspect of what you are talking about.  

Before sharing it with me, remember to ask yourself these questions: 

• Does my essay have any structure mistakes? Capitalization? Spacing? Punctuation?
• Does my essay have any grammar mistakes?
• Subject-Verb agreement?
• Use of plural nouns?
• Word choice fits the context?
• Verb tense?
• Spelling?  

Make a copy of the google doc and share with me when you are finished. Please include your name and share by Monday, April 11 @ noon. 

INFORMATION ABOUT DESCRIPTIVE ESSAYS: 
OWL Purdue Writing Lab: Descriptive Essay
Butte College: Tip Sheet - writing a descriptive essay

TODAY'S Class
We looked at modifiers, so if you are interested in a little more practice and info visit Chomp Chomp: Misplaced & Dangling Modifiers. There are plenty more exercises and it has explanations for the answers. 

Or you can visit the following sites: 
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers - multiple choice questions
LinguisTech: Tips & Tricks
LearnEnglishFeelGood .com - dangling modifiers / multiple choice, the page also has other activities, if you check out the exercise link at the bottom. 

Chilli peppers!

Homework: 
Look at the descriptive essay "Eating Chilli Peppers" by Jeremy MacClancy and create an outline. Remember to include the MAIN point for each paragraph and the supporting details. 

Figurative Language

Today in class we looked at different types of figurative language and adverbs. 

For homework tonight, I'd like you to: 

1. Do the reading on "Eating Chili Peppers" in the slideshow, and answer the questions. 
2. Do Identifying Figurative Language 01. 
3. And if you have time, you can read about adverb position. 

Adjective Order

Adjectives are used to describe nouns, and they have a special order when we use several together. 

For homework do the following exercise: 

• Order of Adjectives

Descriptive Writing

There is a famous saying "A picture is worth a thousand words." Do you agree or disagree with that saying? Why?

There is no homework for today. 

Narrative Essay - Overreacting to a situation.

HOMEWORK: 
For Sunday (April 3rd) at noon (12:00 pm)  you need to share with me your essay. 

Save & share file as:
             AW: Apr.1.16 - LASTNAME, First

The topic is: Think about a time in your life that you overreacted to something that someone else told you or when someone overreacted to something you said. Write a story about this event. 

For more about the assignment: 
"Lamb to the Slaughter" (WA)

This can also help you with your writing: 
Narrative Writing (1)
Narrative Writing (2) 


Remember to proofread/ edit before getting me to read it.