CW1: Topic Sentence Writing

How to write a topic sentence for an argumentative essay

Notes

1. Do not compare this exercise with your previous work. You don’t have time to waste.

Notes2. There are many ways to write a

topic sentence. This is one way to: • fit in the short time we have•meet the rubric requirements• remove the problems found in

your work

Notes

3. When you create your final topic sentence after this exercise, submit an exercise paper as proof of originality. This is required by the school.

PART 1: TENSIONExercise Part 1 will solve 5 problems:

1. ORIGINALITY: to convince the reader that the essay contents are original

2. SOURCE CREDIBILITY: to convince the reader the source of information is credible

3. EASE OF WRITING: to make writing easy by writing about something familiar

4. THESIS: How to create a correct thesis5. ANTITHESIS: How to create a correct

antithesis

Problem Solver 1: ORIGINALITY

1. Think of your younger years before you came here. (for credibility)

2. Think of something in your life that you like very much.

3. Best if this is an adjective + noun. Examples: sour fruit, casual clothes, long pants, strict teacher

4. Write that down as Element 1.

Element 1: Facebook

GO TO PART 4. WRITE THIS UNDER ELEMENT 1.

Problem Solver 2: OPPOSING ELEMENTS

1. Think of something specific that you dislike very much: adjective + noun

2. Write that down as Element 2.3. The two elements must be

comparable or belong to one category.

4. If not, change your Elements to fit this criteria.

Element 1: Facebook

Element 2: Google

(both are websites)

GO TO PART 4. WRITE THIS UNDER ELEMENT 2.

Problem Solver 2: OPPOSING ELEMENTS

1. Go to Part 42. Under Thesis Element 1, list at least one positive

support. (More than 1 is OK.)3. Under Antithesis Element 1, list at least one

negative. (More than 1 is OK.)4. Do the same for Element 2. 5. For equal strength, the four totals must be the same.6. If strength is unequal, change one element. Repeat

the procedure.7. If strength is still unequal, change the topic and

repeat the procedure.

The elements are now complete.

Problem Solver 3: WRITER’S POSITION1. Compare Elements 1 & 2 in one short but

complete sentence. 2. Use a specific adjective + than. Do not use a

general adjective:• General: better than (not OK)• Specific: more effective than, easier to use than,

less expensive than (OK)

3. Your essay is easier to write if this adjective is countable or measurable. • Countable: more health benefits than (OK)•Measurable: faster to use than (OK)

Facebook motivates learners better than Google.

The writer’s position is now complete.

Problem Solver 4: THE THESIS STATEMENT

1. Are there two elements from your personal experience?

2. Are they comparable and opposing elements?

3. Is your support for one element clear?4. Is the comparison countable / measurable?5. Is it a short and complete sentence?6. Is the meaning clear?7. Is the grammar and punctuation correct?

Do not go to the next step until all answers are yes.

The thesis statement is now 50% complete.

Problem Solver 5: THE ANTITHESIS1. Go to Part 4. Choose the strongest

support for Element 2.2. Write a complete sentence that shows

the strongest support for Element 2.3. Make sure this sentence is strong

enough to oppose the thesis.4. If strength is unequal, choose a better

support.5. If strength is unequal, change the

element.6. If strength is unequal, change the topic

Google links to more educational materials than Facebook .

The antithesis is complete.

PART 2: SAY HOW OR WHY

Exercise Part 2 will solve 1 problem:REQUIREMENT PROBLEM: The

requirement that the essay should answer a how or why question is completed.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY

1. Begin with your thesis statement.

Facebook motivates learners better than Google.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY

2. Say why.

Facebook motivates learners better than Google because it’s more fun.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY

3. Go to your antithesis.

Google links to more educational materials than Facebook.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY

4. Begin the sentence with although, then end with a comma.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook,

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY

4. Add the thesis after the comma.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook, Facebook motivates learners better than Google because it’s more fun.

Problem Solver 6: SAY WHY

5. Delete the repetitions.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook, Facebook motivates learners better than Google because it’s more fun.

If you use a fact, say: Despite the fact that

Despite the fact that Google links to more educational materials, Facebook motivates learners better because it’s more fun.

For original claims, use tentative language

Despite the fact that Google links to more educational materials, Facebook seem to motivate learners better because it’s more fun.

The WHY thesis is now complete

Although Google links to more educational materials, Facebook seem to motivate learners better because it’s more fun.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW

1. Begin with your thesis statement.

Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW

2. Say how.

Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google by providing more fun elements.

Fun is not countable. Elements are countable.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW

3. Go to your antithesis.

Google links to more educational materials than Facebook.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW

4. Begin the antithesis with although and then end with a comma

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook,

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW

4. Add the thesis after the comma.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook, Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google by providing more fun elements.

Problem Solver 6: SAY HOW

5. Delete the repetitions.

Although Google links to more educational materials than Facebook, Facebook is a better learning motivator than Google by providing more fun elements.

Even better with tentative language

Although Google may link to more educational materials, Facebook appears to be a better learning motivator by providing more fun elements.

The completed HOW thesis

Although Google may link to more educational materials, Facebook appears to be a better learning motivator by providing more fun elements.

Exercise Parts 1 & 2 are now complete.

Write your topic sentence in Part 5 of the paper.

PART 3: Originality & Source Credibility

Exercise Part 3 will solve 3 problems:1. ORIGINALITY (again): to convince the

reader that the essay contents are original2. SOURCE CREDIBILITY (again): to convince

the reader the source of information is credible

NOTE: This information will be used in the opening paragraph, not in the topic sentence.

Problem Solver 7: Primary Source & Source Credibility

1. State Element 12. Avoid 1st- or 2nd-person pronouns.3. State element experience in terms

of amount or number4. AND/OR: State element experience

in terms of length of time

Element 1: Facebook

Number: This writer’s AIU hostel-mates have a total of 45 FB accounts

Time: This writer’s AIU hostel-mates have been using FB for a combined total of 72 years

Problem Solver 7: Primary Source & Source Credibility

1. State Element 22. State element experience in

terms of amount or number3. AND/OR: State element

experience in terms of length of time

Element 1: Facebook

Number: This writer’s AIU hostel-mates use Google for academic research.

Time: They have been doing this for a combined total of 12 years

Primary source is now complete.

Source credibility is now complete.