Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Improving Paragraphs

Daily Oral Language Sentence Corrections
1. a. Fix this sentence: Before he arrived at Portland international airport he printed his bording pass
Before he arrived at Portland International Airport, he had printed his bording pass. 
1.b. Correct the other two sentences (I will give them to you when you finish)

Today we will practice writing good transition sentences as we work together to write an argument that Alexander T. Wolf should not be held responsible for the deaths of the three little pigs.. We will listen to "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" and
1. We will summarize the argument, which we will then use as our "essay" to be editted.
2. We will compile a list of strong transition words to use in sentences, based on the list at the bottom of the page
3. Each of you will write transition sentences that could be used in an essay exonerating (showinig that he's not guilty) Alexander T. Wolf.

Adding to what's been said
Pick one of the following and write your sentence:

moreover
of course
likewise
not only ... but also
in addition
Agreement
Pick one of the following and write your sentence:

as a matter of fact
in the light of the fact that 
to say nothing of
similarly

Contradiction
although this may be true
Despite the fact that 
although
of course ..., but
on the other hand
on the contrary
Cause/effect; consequence
Write a sentence of your own using one of the following:

with this in mind
granted (that)
due to
in order to
in order to fully understand ...
by the same token
since
given that
under those circumstances
consequently
therefore
for this reason

Example
Write a sentence of your own using one of the following:

It is important to realize
whenever
because
The most compelling evidence
A point often overlooked
To put it another way
for this reason
in other words
certainly

Effect; Result
Write a sentence of your own using one of the following:

under those circumstances
consequently
therefore
for this reason
Conclusion
Write a sentence of your own using one of the following:

in either case
in the final analysis
usually
in essence
in fact
given these points



Transition Words and Phrases
This structured list of commonly used English transition words — approximately 200, can be considered as quasi complete. It can be used (by students and teachers alike) to find the right expression. English transition words are essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also can introduce a certain shift, contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument.
The transition words and phrases have been assigned only once to somewhat artificial categories, although some words belong to more than one category.
There is some overlapping with preposition and postposition, but for the purpose of clarity and completeness of this concise guide, I did not differentiate.

Agreement / Addition / Similarity

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewiseadd informationreinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.

in the first place
not only ... but also

in like manner
moreover
of course
likewise
not only ... but also
in addition
coupled with
in the same fashion / way
first, second, third
in the light of
not to mention
to say nothing of
equally important
as a matter of fact
similarly
by the same token
again
to
and
also
then
equally
identically
uniquely
like
as
too
moreover
as well as
together with
of course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
furthermore
additionally





Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like butrather and or, express that there is evidence to the contraryor point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).

although this may be true
in contrast
different from
of course ..., but
on the other hand
on the contrary
at the same time
in spite of

even so / though
be that as it may
then again
above all
in reality
after all
but
(and) still
unlike
or
(and) yet
while
albeit
besides
as much as
even though
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless
regardless
notwithstanding

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

in the event that
granted (that)
as / so long as
on (the) condition (that)
for the purpose of
with this intention

in the hope that
to the end that
for fear that
in order to
seeing / being that
in view of
If
... then
unless

when
whenever
while

because of
as
since
while
lest
in case
provided that
given that
only / even if
so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as


Examples / Support / Emphasis

These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.

in other words
to put it differently
for one thing
as an illustration
in this case
for this reason
to put it another way
that is to say
with attention to
by all means
to put it another way
in other words
for this reason

another key point
first thing to remember
most compelling evidence
must be remembered
point often overlooked
to point out
on the positive side
on the negative side
with this in mind
notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
such as

especially
explicitly
specifically
expressly
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
particularly
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
to explain
to enumerate


Effect / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth) are time words that are used to show that after a particular time there was aconsequence or an effect.
Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the consequences or effects.

as a result
under those circumstances
in that case
for this reason
in effect
for
thus
because the
then
hence
consequently
therefore
thereupon
forthwith
accordingly
henceforth

Conclusion / Summary / Restatement

These transition words and phrases concludesummarize and / or restate ideas, or indicate a final general statement. Also some words (like therefore) from the Effect / Consequence category can be used to summarize.

as can be seen
generally speaking
in the final analysis
all things considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these points
as has been noted
in a word
for the most part
after all
in fact
in summary
in conclusion
in short
in brief
in essence
to summarize
on balance
altogether
overall
ordinarily
usually
by and large
to sum up
on the whole
in any event

all in all

Obviously
Ultimately
Definitely

Time / Chronology / Sequence

These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and definingtime. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions.

at the present time
from time to time
sooner or later
at the same time
up to the present time
to begin with
in due time
as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
in a moment
without delay
in the first place

when
all of a sudden
at this instant
first, second

immediately
quickly
finally
after
later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
since

once
about
next
now


formerly
suddenly
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway

by the time
whenever

until now
now that

instantly
presently
occasionally


Many transition words in the time category (consequently; first, second, third; further; hence; henceforth; since; then, when; and whenever) have other uses.
Except for the numbers (first, second, third) and further they add a meaning of time in expressing conditions, qualifications, or reasons. The numbers are also used to add information or list examplesFurther is also used to indicate added space as well as added time.

Space / Location / Place

These transition words are often used as part of adverbial expressions and have the function to restrict, limit or qualify space. Quite a few of these are also found in the Timecategory and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle
to the left/right
in front of
on this side
in the distance
here and there
in the foreground
in the background
in the center of

adjacent to
opposite to 
here
there
next
where
from
over
near
above
below
down
up
under
further
beyond
nearby
wherever
around
between
before
alongside
amid
among
beneath
beside
behind
across

Improving paragraphs

Sentence 1: Hook
    Imagine that . . .
    Ask a question
Set the stage for the reader with a sentence. "In Frost's poem the traveller faces a fork in the road . . ."
State Frost's point (your interpretation, in one sentence)
Cite an example that illustrates your point. "I doubted if I should ever come back."
As you go, add sentences that help you convince the reader of the point you are making.
To better elaborate:
     Constantly ask yourself "why" and "how" questions and add sentences answering those questions.
General hints:
Don't use the following words: "it," "being"







decision    becomes  life-altering decision or very important decision



Monday, February 2, 2015

. Write your paragraph.
  • Insightful topic sentence. Start by stating your interpretation. You might start with something like:                                   In his poem "The Pasture," Robert Frost implies that . . .
  • Write a sentence citing a specific detail from the poem that leads you to your interpretation
  • Write a sentence or two explaining how that word(ing) leads you to your interpretation
  • Write a sentence citing another specific detail from the poem that leads you to your interpretation
  • Write two sentences explaining how that word(ing) leads you to your interpretation
  • Write a concluding sentence
7 sentences minimum


Friday, January 30, 2015

Robert Frost

Vocabulary for Friday: Bean Trees "indelible"--"perturbed"

Nothing Gold Can Stay
       by Robert Frost
Fire and Ice
       by Robert Frost
"The Greatest Speech Ever" on the necessity of standing up against hatred
       by Robert Frost

Transition words and phrases for writing strong paragraphs.
More Transition Sentences
1. Today we will be working on transition sentences. You will all add at least three of the words and phrases from the following list. Yes, I said "add." It does not matter if you already have three. You must add three more :)
2. Tomorrow we will work on elaboration and Wednesday we will focus on powerful verbs. Thursday we will spend discussion punctuation and the errors that I will never, ever, see in your writing again :)


Thursday, January 29, 2015

"The Pasture"       by Robert Frost

1. Copy the poem
2. The poem ends with the words, "You come too." The implication is that we would be
happy if we were to follow him. Your assignment is to write a paragraph explaining why 
we would be happier if we were to follow him. 
3. Before you write, I want you to brainstorm three or four ideas at the top of  your paper. Actually 
number them 1, 2, 3. I also want you to circle five important words from the poem and put them 
in quotes. 
4. Write your paragraph.
  • Insightful topic sentence. Start by stating your interpretation. You might start with something like:                                   In his poem "The Pasture," Robert Frost implies that . . .
  • Write a sentence citing a specific detail from the poem that leads you to your interpretation
  • Write a sentence or two explaining how that word(ing) leads you to your interpretation
  • Write a sentence citing another specific detail from the poem that leads you to your interpretation
  • Write two sentences explaining how that word(ing) leads you to your interpretation
  • Write a concluding sentence
7 sentences minimum




"The Pasture"       by Robert Frost

I’m going out to clean the pasture spring;
I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I sha’n’t be gone long.—You come too.

I’m going out to fetch the little calf
That’s standing by the mother. It’s so young,
It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I sha’n’t be gone long.—You come too.










Three more poems by Robert Frost:
Fire and Ice
 


Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Robert Frost

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost

The Quest of the Purple-Fringed

I felt the chill of the meadow underfoot,
But the sun overhead;
And snatches of verse and song of scenes like this
I sung or said.

I skirted the margin alders for miles and miles
In a sweeping line.
The day was the day by every flower that blooms,
But I saw no sign.

Yet further I went to be before the scythe,
For the grass was high;
Till I saw the path where the slender fox had come
And gone panting by.

Then at last and following him I found—
In the very hour
When the color flushed to the petals it must have been
The far-sought flower.

There stood the purple spires with no breath of air
Nor headlong bee
To disturb their perfect poise the livelong day
‘Neath the alder tree.

I only knelt and putting the boughs aside
Looked, or at most
Counted them all to the buds in the corpse’s depth
That were pale as a ghost.

Then I arose and silently wandered home,
And for I one
Said that the fall might come and whirl of leaves,

For summer was done.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The Road Not Taken--by Robert Frost

To begin the period, I would like you to take out a sheet of paper and copy "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Then write 3/4 page telling me what you think the message of the poem is. This 3/4 page is supposed to be one very strong paragraph, starting with a topic sentence (what you think the message is) and supporting details from the poem that lead you to this interpretation. We will hand it in at the end of the period.

Be sure that you tell us what Robert Frost is telling us about life. What point is he making about decisions we make.
Examples of topic sentences:
ex. 1  . . . in life there are two different paths and you need to make a decision of which one to take.
ex. 2Frost is sayinig that you have to put a lot of thought into your decisions so that you don't regret them in the future.
ex. 3 Be careful about the decisions you make because you can never go back . . .
ex. 4.The choices that you make will affect your life forever.
ex. 5 The meaning of the poem is to not doubt what you're doing in life, and to always take confidence in your choices and decisions.
ex. 6 Robert Frost is saying that we should be very careful about our decisions because they can affect the direction of your life and if you don't choose wisely, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
ex. 7 Robert Frost is saying that all your life you will have decisions to make, and though you may try the first, you will always wonder what the second would have been.
No matter what, you're going to live with regret because, as humans, we have to make choices that will define our lives, but we'd better choose carefully because there are no second tries. As The Indigo Girls say, "Nobody gets a lifetime rehearsal."

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;        5
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,        10
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.        15
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.        20

Monday, January 12, 2015

Today Charlie Hebdo magazine released a new edition of it's magazine. Here's the cover:
Charlie Hebdo, January13 Cover


Of Mice and Men Vocab, Chapters 4-6
Of Mice and Men Vocab chapters 5,6
BBC Update on Charlie New York Times Terror Attack on Charlie  Hebdo Newspaper in Paris Kills 12
Witness video of Shooting
BBC News The provocative cartoon
He Drew First
HOMEWORK:
Write one strong paragraph explaining the point being made in the following cartoon:
Cartoon: Pencil pointing toward gun