Chapter 4 Ideas 2016 Cengage Learning All rights

Chapter 4 – Ideas © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Learning Outcomes By the time you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to: LO 1 Read for topics. LO 2 Select a topic for writing. LO 3 Read for main ideas. LO 4 Establish a main idea for writing. LO 5 Read for supporting details. LO 6 Draw inferences. LO 7 Choose supporting details in writing. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Opening Activity Suppose you were given the following assignment: Select a particular experience from your life that you remember well and that has had a significant impact on you. As you recall memorable experiences, consider those that you remember best and that have affected you most profoundly. Through such experiences, you may have felt excitement, joy, shock, anger, disappointment, sadness, regret, satisfaction, relief, shame, or a mixture of feelings. Write about one particular experience that stands out, and analyze its impact on you. Now, let’s brainstorm some possible ideas for this essay topic: © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Topics Topic can be defined as what the writing is about. When reading, the first step is to identify the topic. Topics are often identified in the title, first few sentences, or first few paragraphs. Topics can be a(n): person – Barack Obama place – New Orleans object – baseball bat idea – loyalty Bloomua, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock. com © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. animal – penguins

Selecting a Topic for Writing Choosing a Topic Writing is often tied to subjects you are studying. Most assignments will identify a general subject area as a starting point. Always select a topic that interests you! © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Selecting a Topic for Writing Searching Strategies Clustering – begin with the general subject in the middle, and cluster related words around it Freewriting – write nonstop for 5 -10 minutes without stopping to judge, edit, or correct your writing Developing a Dialogue – create a conversation between yourself and another person © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Main Ideas Main ideas are a special feature, part, or feeling about the topic that the author emphasizes. The main idea of a paragraph is usually found in the topic sentence. The main idea of an essay is usually found in thesis statement. Main ideas can also be: found in a summary statement near the end of a text. implied or suggested, rather than directly stated. varied in longer, more complex essays. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Main Ideas In informational essays, main ideas tell you what feature of the topic or pattern of organization will be addressed. Example: Teenagers use and abuse drugs for many reasons, some of which are low self-esteem, parental neglect, and peer pressure. In argument essays, main ideas identify the claim about a topic that the writer will argue for. Example: The usage of steroids in high school sports is increasing daily and must be stopped immediately. In narrative essays, main ideas tell you how the writer feels about the experience or event. Example: I never truly realized the effect my parents’ divorce had on me until I started having marriage problems of my own. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Main Ideas Follow these steps to find the main idea: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Review the title, headings, and first and last paragraphs. Read the opening part for a general understanding of the topic. Look for a sentence or two in an opening paragraph that directs the writing. Underline, highlight, or write this sentence down. Continue reading to see if that sentence makes sense as the main idea. If your thinking changes, write down the new main idea. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Main Ideas Topic sentences or thesis statements have 2 parts: 1. 2. a specific topic the author’s opinion about the topic Do you think these are effective or ineffective thesis statements? Why? 1. 2. 3. I remember my first day of college like it was yesterday. Female candidates still face challenges in U. S. elections due to political socialization, lack of experience, and open discrimination. Texting and driving is a dangerous thing to do, especially for teenage drivers. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Main Ideas Implied main ideas are not directly stated in the paragraph or essay. When a paragraph or essay contains an implied main idea, remember that there will be no topic sentence or thesis statement. Follow these steps to find the implied main idea: 1. Identify the topic. 2. Pay close attention to the details. 3. Write down the important idea that covers all the details. 4. Read the text again, and revise if needed. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Activity Look at these sets of details, and determine the implied main idea. An empty shopping bag on the floor Wrinkled jeans and crumpled towels by the dresser Candy wrappers and dishes under an unmade bed An open dictionary, books, and papers on the floor Dirty socks and muddy cleats next to a football His lectures are well-organized His tests are challenging but fair His powerpoint presentations are creative and helpful He’s an excellent storyteller, sharing anecdotes about history Some students sit on the floor because there aren’t enough seats in the room © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Establishing a Main Idea for Writing Here are some brainstorming ideas to help you establish a main idea for your writing. Ideas Description Five W’s Answer who, what, when , where, and why about your topic. Add how to generate more information. Listing List first thoughts and questions about your topic. Record ideas nonstop for as long as you can. Clustering Begin with your topic in the middle. Cluster related ideas around it. Focused Freewriting Write freely about your topic for at least 5 minutes. See what thoughts and feelings you can uncover. Dialoguing Discuss your topic with another person. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Establishing a Main Idea for Writing Questioning – questions can guide your search for additional information about a topic Choosing a focus – a strong focus or main idea helps you decide what information to include and in what order Forming a thesis statement – a thesis is the controlling idea in an essay (topic + opinion = thesis) © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Supporting Details Supporting details are used to develop the main idea. Major details explain or illustrate the main idea. Minor details complete or clarify the major details. Here are some types of details often included in writing: Facts and statistics Anecdotes Quotations References Explanations Examples Definitions Reasons Analysis Reflections Descriptions © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Reading for Supporting Details It is also important to evaluate details that you read. Use the following criteria to decide if you can trust the details in your reading: The source is a textbook, or the reading comes from a respected publisher, periodical, or domain (. edu, . org, . gov) The author is identified and writing in the field of expertise. The topic is covered in-depth, information is balanced and timely, and reading is clear and logical. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Drawing Inferences An inference is a logical conclusion made about something not actually stated. To make a thoughtful inference: 1. carefully read and reread the text. 2. identify the main idea and supporting details. 3. then ask, What other conclusions can I draw? What can you infer from these pictures? Alexey Losevich, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock. com Hurst Photo, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock. com Vereshchagin, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock. com © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Choosing Supporting Details for Writing When planning a piece of writing, you need to: Select a topic Gather details about the topic Form a thesis or focus for writing Decide how best to the use the details © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. wavebreakmedia, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock. com 1. 2. 3. 4.

Closing Activity Together, let’s try to identify a focus and thesis statement for the following topics. 1. A problem in today’s schools Focus: Thesis: 2. Salaries of professional athletes Focus: Thesis: 3. Social networking Focus: Thesis: 4. Sex in the media Focus: Thesis: Quka, 2014 / Use under license from Shutterstock. com © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Closing Activity Look at the following main ideas and supporting details. Decide which details would best support the main ideas. Online shopping offers many benefits. You can shop anytime. You can’t try clothes on to see if they fit. You don’t have to leave home. You have to pay expensive postage to return items. Physical appearance should be a primary factor in hiring employees. More attractive people can generate more business for a company, especially for those involving customer service or sales. Attractive people are more intelligent and competent than nonattractive ones. Attractive people don’t work as hard as their less attractive counterparts. People are generally drawn to beautiful faces, which can increase company profit. © 2016 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.