CLEAR THINKING AND WRITING JOHN LANGAN 2010 Townsend

CLEAR THINKING AND WRITING JOHN LANGAN © 2010 Townsend Press

Chapter Two: More about Point and Support There are two parts to effective writing: (1) making a point and (2) supporting that point with solid evidence.

MAKING A POINT A. My brother’s car is a Toyota. B. My brother’s car is a lemon. • Which of these sentences is a fact? • Which of these sentences expresses a point, or opinion, that needs support?

MAKING A POINT A. My brother’s car is a Toyota. B. My brother’s car is a lemon. Explanation • Which of these sentences is a fact? Statement A is a fact. It does not need any support. • Which of these sentences expresses a point, or opinion, that needs support? Statement B expresses a point, or opinion, that needs support. The writer must back up the statement with specific reasons or examples or details.

MAKING A POINT Which sentence is a point? A. I have a fever of 102. B. I must be getting the flu.

MAKING A POINT Which sentence is a point? A. I have a fever of 102. B. I must be getting the flu. Explanation Statement A is a fact. It does not need any support. Statement B expresses a point, or opinion, that needs support. The statement must be backed up with specific reasons explaining why the writer thinks he or she is getting the flu.

MAKING A POINT Which sentence is a point? A. Some people deal with conflict by getting angry. B. People deal with conflict in different ways.

MAKING A POINT Which sentence is a point? A. Some people deal with conflict by getting angry. B. People deal with conflict in different ways. Explanation Statement A is a fact. It does not need any support. Statement B expresses a point. The writer must back up the statement with specific examples of different ways people deal with conflict.

MAKING A POINT Which sentence is a point? A. My sister is an ambitious woman. B. My sister works two jobs during the day and then goes to school at night.

MAKING A POINT Which sentence is a point? A. My sister is an ambitious woman. B. My sister works two jobs during the day and then goes to school at night. Explanation Statement A expresses a point. The writer must back up the statement with specific details that show the sister is ambitious. Statement B is a fact. It does not need any support.

MAKING A POINT The point can also be called the idea or opinion or topic sentence.

SUPPORTING A POINT Point: You should not put your hand into that box. This statement would probably cause us to ask, “Why do you say that? ”

SUPPORTING A POINT Point: You should not put your hand into that box. Supporting reasons: 1. A flesh-eating spider the size of a large crab just crawled into the box. 2. Inside the box are freshly cut leaves of poison ivy. 3. A loaded mousetrap is inside, ready to spring. These three details provide solid support for the point. They give us a basis for understanding and agreeing with the point.

SUPPORTING A POINT Point: You should not put your hand into that box. Supporting reasons: 1. A flesh-eating spider the size of a large crab just crawled into the box. 2. Inside the box are freshly cut leaves of poison ivy. 3. A loaded mousetrap is inside, ready to spring. This is a small example of what clear thinking and writing is about: making a point and providing support that truly backs up that point.

SUPPORTING A POINT Which sentence is a point? (The other three sentences are details that support and develop this idea. ) A. The burgers are full of gristle. B. The roast beef sandwiches have a chemical taste. C. The Beef and Burger Shop is a poor fast-food restaurant. D. The French fries are lukewarm and soggy.

SUPPORTING A POINT Which sentence is a point? (The other three sentences are details that support and develop this idea. ) A. The burgers are full of gristle. B. The roast beef sandwiches have a chemical taste. C. The Beef and Burger Shop is a poor fast-food restaurant. D. The French fries are lukewarm and soggy. Explanation A, B, and D each give an example of something that makes the Beef and Burger Shop a poor fast-food restaurant.

SUPPORTING A POINT Which sentence is a point? (The other three sentences are details that support and develop this idea. ) A. B. C. D. The neighborhood park is not a safe place to play. Large stray dogs often roam the park. Gangs hang out in the park. Broken glass litters the ground of the playing fields.

SUPPORTING A POINT Which sentence is a point? (The other three sentences are details that support and develop this idea. ) A. B. C. D. The neighborhood park is not a safe place to play. Large stray dogs often roam the park. Gangs hang out in the park. Broken glass litters the ground of the playing fields. Explanation B, C, and D each give a detail that shows why the neighborhood park is not a safe place to play.

SUPPORTING A POINT Which sentence is a point? (The other three sentences are details that support and develop this idea. ) A. Credit cards have high interest rates. B. People should try not to use credit cards. C. Credit cards encourage people to spend more money than they have. D. Many credit cards charge yearly fees in addition to monthly interest.

SUPPORTING A POINT Which sentence is a point? (The other three sentences are details that support and develop this idea. ) A. Credit cards have high interest rates. B. People should try not to use credit cards. C. Credit cards encourage people to spend more money than they have. D. Many credit cards charge yearly fees in addition to monthly interest. Explanation A, C, and D each give a reason that supports the idea that people should try not to use credit cards.

MAKING AND SUPPORTING A POINT Remember: Point + Support =