This document outlines the topics and activities to be covered in an English 102 non-fiction writing unit. It includes reviews of paraphrasing and revising essays, exercises on outlining, topic generation through group work, and readings from writers on their writing processes. It also previews upcoming classes that will focus on writing to persuade, details an assignment to write a "Hero/Advocate" paper, and notes the due dates for the non-fiction essay.

1. Chapter 8 Review: Paraphrasing
Chapter 9 Review: Revising an Essay
Topic Generation: Group Exercise
Writers on Writing: Alex Haley (1976) ; Joyce Carol Oates; John Updike;
Ray Bradbury ; James Michener
“All good
writing is
rewriting.”
anonymous
EN 102– NON-FICTION UNIT

2. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
CLASS POLL: How many people have chosen a
topic? (Show of hands)
How many people have research done, and
have a draft of the essay?
How many people don’t know where to start?

3. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
 Chapter 8 –An Informal Outline / Writing a
Paragraph (p366).
 Outlines help organize information
 Paragraph: Topic sentences
 Page 368: Practice! (2 sentences)
 Page 370: More Practice!! ( 2 sentences)
 Good paragraphs keep your writing flowing…

4. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
 Chapter 8 – Paraphrasing (p 377)
 Read the excerpt “The Fringe Benefits of
Failure, and the Importance of Imagination”
 Practice the excerpt at the bottom of 377.
 Paraphrase and Quotation

5. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
 Chapter 8 – Practice Combining Paraphrase
and Quotation (4 sentences) on page 379
 FINAL TIPS: Review prewriting; questions?
 Form a purpose (thesis)
 Forecast in the thesis to organize
 Paragraphs– focused?
 Give credit (avoid plagarism!)

6. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
 Chapter 9 – Revising an Essay (p 381)
 CHECKLIST: Aim ; Support; Organization
 Introduction, Conclusion
(Sets tone, forecasts, and brings closure)
 Paragraphs, sentences, wording
(Pacing, structure, consistency of tone)
 Style, mechanics
(Clarity, comprehension, ease of reading)

7. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
Transitions (p391) Key word repetition: transitions between
paragraphs.
COHERENCE = The ease of understanding ideas, the completeness
of development, and the “holding together” of the entire piece.
Transition terms:
Time: first, second, before, then, next, meantime, meanwhile, finally,
at last , eventually.. Etc.
Spatial: above, below, inside, outside, across, along, in front of,
behind, beyond, there, here, in the distance, etc.
Contrast: In contrast, on the contrary, on the other hand, still,
however, yet, but, nevertheless, despite, even so, etc.
Compare: similarly, in the same way
Examples: Causes (effects): Conclusions:… (p392).

8. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
Page 366– The outline for the essay on page 387--- read both the
introduction, and conclusion. Is it compelling? Is it cohesive? Go
to p 398 –Introductions…
Direct
quotes
Describe Intro Question
Anecdote

9. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
These are other ways to write an introduction: I’ve added narrative as a
possible way to start your essay, as well.
Contradict
Stat /
Fact Intro Mixture
Narrative

10. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
Conclusions (p 401) …”Ideally, the conclusion should fit like the lid on
a box.” Good conclusions: reinforce the idea of the essay, give a
feeling of completion, satisfaction, a sense of closure. Also, they may
suggest a possible future, a solution, or leave a sense of hope, or
wonder.
Read the conclusions listed on 401-2.
What makes these conclusions effective?
TIPS: Use a key
word, a key
image,
Or answer the
question posed
in the
introduction.

11. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
Gather into 4 groups: designate a writer for the White board.
Next: Using the strips of paper provided, write a broad topic, and fold in
half: place tab in hat.
Finally: Pick a strip, and wait for instructions.
In five minutes time, your group must develop as many sub-topics as possible:
The Group with the most topics wins 5 points.
NEXT: Pick a sub-topic: prepare an outline (informal), introduction, and
conclusion (one sentence a piece), and a beginning thesis: Group with best
wins 5 points.

12. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
Writers on Writing:
Alex Haley, on writing / researching “Roots”
James Michener, on being a “slow starter”
Joyce Carol Oates, on being a productive writer
Isaac Asimov, on writing his 200th book
John Updike, on writing “Bech is Back”

13. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit
Read Chapter 10 for next class: Writing To Persuade (p 404)
We will begin our “Hero/ Advocate” paper next week. (Details
forthcoming…)
Bring a paper copy of the Non-fiction paper for peer editing for the
beginning of Class Twelve.
REMEMBER : Non-Fiction Essay DUE: 7995 -- April 1
7766-- April 13

14. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit

15. EN 102– Non-Fiction Unit