Wed. Jan. 8, 2013 Test Prep Draft

Today, I discussed three areas of the test that you had, as a class, problems in: Transitions, finding key ideas, and tone.
If you were not here, there will be a copy of the Powerpoint on transitions and a list of common transition words in your portfolio.

I have pasted the notes on finding the main idea below. You will probably need to look this one up on google for more information as you are missing the discussion.

The main idea of a paragraph is the one that works as the umbrella for all of the supporting information then presented. Without it, the paragraph would have no point. All the evidence and arguments presented are meant to prove that the main idea is a sound one; therefore, the main idea is always arguable (an opinion that will be proven, hopefully, with the supporting evidence).

 

If the paragraph is an introductory one, the main idea will be the thesis and is often presented, either explicitly or implicitly in the last sentence (though not always). In order to determine for sure the thesis of an introductory paragraph, you must read the paper in its entirety.

 

Keep in mind that you have to have the short story "Paul's Case" read for tomorrow.