Comparisons, Part 1
Prepare two (2) logical comparison maps.
[See: Making Logical Comparisons: Info Mapping]
Be prepared to explain your maps next class, 05.13.
TWP: Topic Sentence Challenge
Can you write a paragraph with a good topic sentence? Let’s
find out!
First, a word about Titles vs. Topic Sentences
A topic sentence has SUBJECT and a CLAIM about that subject.
For example, “My cat is wonderful for several reasons” is a
good topic sentence.
However, “The reason I love my cat” is NOT a topic sentence.
Why not? “The Reason I Love My Cat” is not a sentence (S+V),
it is a noun phrase. Noun phrases make good titles, but they
are not complete sentences.
Challenge: Write a paragraph with a
good topic sentence
Step 1: Read the following titles:
The best day of my life.
A place I would like to visit one day.
How tablet computers are changing our society.
Benefits of studying English.
Why I like a particular type of movie.
A person who changed my life.
Step 2: Choose one and brainstorm ideas on a piece of paper.
Write at least seven ideas.
Step 3: Write a topic sentence (with a controlling idea) for
that topic.
Step 4: Use your brainstorming notes and topic sentence to
write a paragraph. Make sure your topic sentence guides the
whole paragraph.
Jill Bolte Taylor’s stroke of
insight
This is one of the highest rated talks on TED. Watch this talk
and see if you can answer these two questions:
1. Why do you think it is so popular?
2. What techniques make her presentation so powerful?
First discuss with your group, and write your answer below.
#1
Assignments for Day 1, April 8, 2016
Today you have three assignments:
1. Read the CEFR-J1.1Jap or CEFR-J1.0Eng (English version)
and do a self-assessment. What do you think your English
levels are for Listening, Reading, Spoken Interaction,
Spoken Production, and Writing?
2. Send a “Selfie” Introduction to [email protected].
In the subject, put “TWP”. In the body of your mail,
please tell me about you: where you are from, what you
are studying, what your English level is (CEFR-J, TOEIC,
EIKEN, etc.) and what you hope to learn in this class.
3. Interview (in English!) another student to find out
basic information about him or her. Next, make a map
(no sentences) of another student. Then, next week you
will use your maps to introduce the other student to the
class. (You may not read sentences, but you may look at
your map to help you remember.)