Patterns of Essay Development:
PART I
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. As long as you read the textbook and all the lecture notes and complete the activities, you will not encounter much difficulty.
Prompt: Today there is an increasing amount of students enrolling in online schools and online courses than ever before. Write a cause-and-effect essay explaining the effects that online education has on students.
You will construct a traditional, five-paragraph essay (introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph).
1. First step in the writing process is prewriting.
2. Next, make a list of as many effects of online education as you can think of.
3. Then, try to see if any effects can be grouped together. Using the numbers (1), (2), and (3), number those effects according to where they should appear in the body paragraphs. For example, group (1) would appear in the first body paragraph, group (2) would appear in the second body paragraph, and group (3) would appear in the third body paragraph.
4. Create an outline using the model below. You will skip the introduction and conclusion sections and return to them in later modules. Focus on the body section for now.
You have successfully created an outline for your cause-and-effect essay. You are now ready to formulate the thesis statement.
PART II
Directions: Please read "How to Do Well on a Job Interview" by Glenda Davis on page 263 of your textbook. When you have finished reading the article, answer the following questions with at least 250 words per question.
1. Either of two sentences in "How to Do Well on a Job Interview" might serve as the thesis. Write the opening words of either of these sentences.
2. Which statement would make the best topic sentence for paragraph 4?
a. Beauty is only skin-deep.
b. Interviewers care only about how applicants dress.
c. Professional job recruiters meet many applicants for a single job.
d. You should present yourself as a winner because first impressions count a lot.
3. According to Davis, what is the best reason for sending a thank-you note?
4. Which statement best describes the introductory paragraph of "How to Do Well on a Job Interview"?
a. It begins with a broad, general statement about job interviews and narrows it down to the thesis statement.
b. It describes a typical job interview and its aftermath.
c. It explains the importance of doing well on a job interview.
d. It asks a series of questions that encourage readers to think about how they prepare for a job interview.
5. What method for writing conclusions explained does Davis use?