This document contains the agenda and notes for an English writing class. It discusses explaining concepts in essays. It provides examples of essays that use anecdotes, comparisons, definitions, and illustrations to explain concepts. Students are instructed to choose a concept from The Hunger Games to explain in their own 750-1200 word concept essay. They are to consider how to focus the concept and which elements from the example essays they could apply to their own writing. Homework includes reading about explaining concepts and posting a draft applying the lesson to their chosen concept.

1. Class 21
EWRT 1A
http://teaching-direction.blogspot.com2012_05_01_archive.html

2. Agenda
Review: Ngo, Toufexis, and the
Concept Essay
Discussion:
Friedman: Anecdotes; Compare and
Contrast
Holmes: Illustrations and Examples
Writing: Beginning your concept essay.

3. Cannibalism: “It Still Exists”
 Extended anecdotes
 Thesis
 Classification
 Categories
 Types
 Definition

4. Toufexis “ Love: The Right
Chemistry
 Hooking the Reader
 Focusing the concept
 Creating a logical plan

5. Topic: Write an essay
about a concept from
The Concept
The Hunger Games that Essay
interests you and that Essay #3
you want to study 750-1200 words
further. When you have 125 points possible
MLA-style formatting and
a good understanding of citations
the concept you have Works Cited page must
chosen, explain it to include three entries: The
Hunger Games, A
your readers, Dictionary or other defining
considering carefully source, and a book or
what they might already article from a credible
source.
know about it and how
your essay might add to
what they know.

6. Friedman: “Born to Be Happy,
Through a Twist of Human Hard
Wire”
In groups, discuss
this essay and
answer the
following questions.

7. Take 6-7 minutes to discuss the
following among yourselves.
• First, briefly summarize the story
• What is the concept about which Friedman writes?
• Which anecdotes does Friedman use to help explain the
concept to his readers?
• What other concepts does Friedman compare and contrast
to his concept? Why does he do this?
• How does he focus his concept?
• Which terms does he define?

8. “In The Blink of an Eye”
Bob Holmes
In groups,
discuss this
essay and
answer the
following
questions.

9. Take 5-6 Minutes to
Answer These Questions
First, summarize the story.
How does Holmes focus his concept?
Which terms does he define and why?
How do the pictures and graphs work to
enhance his explanation of his concept?

10. Writing the Concept Essay:
Applying these Ideas to Your Own

Essay
Which concept will you write about
 Which anecdotes might you use to help explain the
concept to your readers?
 What other concepts might you compare and contrast to
your concept?
 How might you focus your concept?
 Which terms might you need to define?
 Will pictures and graphs work to enhance your
explanation of your concept?

11. Homework
 Read: SMG “Basic Features:
Explaining a Concept” pages 164-65
 When you finish, consider each
feature, noting how you will
integrate it your own essay.
 Post #25: Finish your in-class writing “Applying these Ideas to
Your Own Essay”
 Study for Vocabulary test tomorrow: Chapters 10-18
 Crossword puzzle—no word bank