Unit+1

**Activity 1: Paragraph Writing**
Why are we learning about paragraph writing... again?

You may have seen the title of this activity and said to yourself, "I've learned how to write a paragraph before, why am I learning it again?" It is because the skill of writing a clear, concise paragraph is mastered with constant practice. To become a better golf player or a better musician, you need to practice. To become a better writer, you also need to practice. You will need to write paragraphs for the following tasks throughout your life: 1. When writing a Cover Letter 2. When writing a Letter of Experience 3. When writing a summary of completed jobs for an employer

To write a proper paragraph, you must first learn the parts of a paragraph. There are three main components in a paragraph.
 * How to Write a Paragraph**


 * Parts of a Paragraph**

Without each of these parts, a paragraph is not clear and well put together. A good way to help remember the parts of a paragraph is to compare a paragraph to a hamburger. Without one of the parts, the hamburger would fall apart.
 * Topic Sentence** - introduces the topic and main idea of the paragraph.
 * Body Sentences** - provide details about the main topic stated in the topic sentence.
 * Concluding Sentence** - summarizes the main topic of the paragraph

In addition to the three components of a paragraph, you must keep three important strategies in mind. 1. **Unity** - staying on topic Every paragraph is supposed to have only one main topic. When writing, staying on topic keeps your ideas clear for your audience.

2. **Coherence** - organizing your ideas Organizing your ideas clearly helps your audience follow your thoughts. This is a very important aspect of communicating ideas through a written paragraph.

3. **Transition Words or Connectives** - writing with flow Transition words or connectives are signals to your reader that you are changing direction in your paragraph. In other words you are going on to another part of the topic. These words make your writing flow smoothly. Below are a list of transition words: but, before, first, meanwhile, afterward, immediately, also, during, second, soon, then, finally, after, until, third, later, next, as soon as.

So, now that you have learned the qualities of a great paragraph, let's see if you can choose the better of two example paragraphs. Below are two paragraphs; your task is to choose the one that you feel is more clear and effective. Read each paragraph, and make your choice by clicking on the link belowfor the paragrap that you feel is best.

Teenagers have voted summer the best season. The main reason is summer means no school. That means no more teachers and parents bugging them to do their homework. Also, in summer, teenagers can sleep in until noon if they want. According to some sleep experts teens function better if they get up around eleven o'clock in the morning, rather than at 7 or 8. Another reason teenagers can't wait for summer is that they can "veg out" on the beaches. Sun, sand, and surfing all add up to an awesome time. Fall, spring, and winter all have their good points, but the teenage vote goes to summer when the living is easy!
 * Paragraph One:** The Perfect Season, by Tom Jones

In summer, teenagers can sleep until whenever they want. Also, they don't have parents and teachers bugging them to get their homework done. Sleep experts agree that teens function better if they get up around eleven o'clock in the morning. Fall, winter, and spring all have their positive aspects, but summer is the only one that allows students to get up around eleven o'clock. There are many reasons why the perfect season for teens is summer. Another reason teenagers can't wait for summer is to head to the beach for some summer fun.
 * Paragraph Two:** The Perfect Season, by Tim Smith

Assignment 1
Now it's your turn! For this assignment, you will write a paragraph on one of the topics listed below. Feel free to be creative with these topics; you may branch out and write on a slightly different topic that is based on one listed below. Remember to have a clear topic sentences, at least 4-6 supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence where you restate the topic sentence or the main idea of the paragraph. Don't forget to proofread your work. Read your paragraph out loud to yourself to try to catch any mistakes.

When you have completed your paragraph, post it to your blog in the portfolio section.

1. How the media influences children 2. Ticket prices at national sports games 3. Gang violence 4. Environmental preservation 5. An inspirational person
 * Possible Topics**

Activity 2: Parts of Speech
Understanding the parts of speech helps us to explain the ways words can be used in various contexts. Every word in the English language functions as at least one part of speech; however, many words can, at different times, serve as two or more parts of speech, depending on the context. Be sure to study each part of speech, and the examples provided, as your understanding will be assessed by a graded quiz. Noun: A word or phrase that names a person, place, thing, quality, or act. Examples: Brian, Toronto, radio, kind, race.

A word or phrase that expresses action, existence, or occurrence. Examples: throw, be, happen.
 * Verb:**

A word or combination of words that modifies a noun. Examples: blue-green, central, half-baked, temporary.
 * Adjective:**

A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Example: slowly, obstinately, much.
 * Adverb:**

Any of three words used to signal the presence of a noun. 'A' and 'an' are known as indefinite articles; 'the' is the definite article.
 * Article:**

A word that connects other words, phrases, or sentences. Example: and, but, or, because.
 * Conjunction:**

A word, phrase, or sound used as an exclamation and capable of standing by itself. Example: oh, Lord, darn, my goodness.
 * Interjection:**

A word or phrase that shows the relationship of a noun to another noun. Examples: at, by, in, to, from, with.
 * Preposition:**

A word that substitutes for a noun and refers to a person, place, thing, idea, or act that was mentioned previously or that can be inferred from the context of the sentence. Examples: he, she, it, that.
 * Pronoun:**

There is no assignment for this activity, but from now on there will be a weekly grammar quiz on the parts of speech listed and defined above.

Activity 3: Knowing the Newspaper
Define the following terms in your glossary: byline, caption, headline, lead, masthead

Assignment 2
Answer one of the following questions in a full paragraph: 1. Why should teenagers bother to read newspapers? //2. Describe one thing that publishers do to make their newspapers easy to read and attractive.// //3. How do the words and sentences used in newspaper articles differ from those used in another type of writing (e.g., poems, short stories, recipes, car manuals, Internet sites)?//

Activity 4: Introduction to your Learning Journal
The journal is a place in which you will record ideas, think out problems, express personal reactions, and play with words and ideas that come up in class. A journal is a space in which you can collect your thoughts and develop thinking-through-writing skills.

A journal is not a diary. A diary is entirely personal and private. It records an individual's responses and reflections to life events. Although many diaries have later become historical artifacts, a diary is not a written document to be shared.

A journal is not a notebook. A notebook is an academic summary of information. It records important learning, references, and reminders to be used for study purposes and future learning.

A journal is not a work log. You may have been asked to maintain a work log for reading records, culminating studies, or portfolio assignments in past courses. A work log is an account of time spent on work, or quantity of work. It works in much the same way as an employer's time sheet for employees.


 * A journal is a "middle ground" between a notebook and a diary.** While the journal will contribute information, it will also contain personal reflections and responses to material addressed in this course.

Assignment 3: Your first journal entry
Using journal format, you are to write a journal reflecting on a "new day".For many of us, the morning is a time of peace and a time to reflect before the beginning of the regular day's activities. By stopping to reflect in the morning, we allow ourselves to think openly and honestly about our goals and objectives for the day.

As you have started this course very recently, you are in the "morning" stage of this course. In your first journal response, write about your initial feelings about this course. What are your expectations of this course? What expectations do you have of yourself? What do you hope to achieve by taking this course? What are some of your goals and objectives, and how do you plan on achieving these goals?

Evaluation of your Journal Entries: You will be evaluated on your thinking-through-writing and your thoughtful, personal response. Your journal entries will be evaluated on development and insight. The rubric provided shows how you will be marked for all journal entries in this course.

**Activity 5: What is News?**
News is defined as recent events and/or happenings that are classified as new information, reported by the various outlets of media (e.g., newspaper, radio, television newscast, etc.).

A news report is an objective and factual report about an event. A news report is written for a community, national or international newspaper. It should not be an advertisement, a personal story or an interview and it should not include your personal opinion.
 * What is a News Report?**

Though there are various approaches to writing a news report, all news reports have one common element: **the lead**. The opening lines (the first paragraph), make up the lead of your report. In a "news lead", the writer provides just the facts: the who, what, where, and when of the topic. The lead is generally short and to the point. The lead provides most of the answers to a reader's questions about the particular incident or event. The paragraphs thereafter further explore the incident or event in greater detail. Here is an fictitious example of a news report lead:
 * How to Write a Newspaper Report:**

"London police had to break up a riot Friday night, as angry rock fans protested after a cancellation of a Guns N' Carnations concert. Hundreds of rock fans flew into a rage at the London Coliseum Centre last night after the no-show by lead singer Axle Carnation."


 * The "who": London Police/fans/Guns N' Carnations
 * The "what": Riot/Protest/Cancellation of concert
 * The "where": London/London Coliseum Centre
 * The "when": Friday/night

As you can see, news report writing depends on facts. Before a writer completes a news report, he/she must first be knowledgeable about the facts of the story. Quite often journalists will write a report from a string (a list) of facts, using logic and a sensible order to coordinate the paragraphs after the lead.

Some writers use the "**Inverted Pyramid**" approach to news report writing. The Inverted Pyramid approach outlines a specific format of how to write a news report. According to the Inverted Pyramid approach, the report starts with the most important part of the story, then follows with the next most important part of the story, and ends with background or with detailed information. This ensures that the reader gets the essential elements of the story even if he/she stops reading after the first paragraph or two. To further understand the Inverted Pyramid approach, picture an upside-down triangle (one with the narrow tip pointing downward and the broad base pointing upward). The broad base represents the most newsworthy information in the news story, and the narrow tip represents the least newsworthy information in the news story. Simply stated, when you write a story in inverted pyramid format, you put the most newsworthy information at the beginning of the story and the least newsworthy information at the end.

Assignment 4: Writing a News Report
__Write a news report__ (100 words) based on the headline and picture below. __It is important to study the headline and picture before you begin to write__. Remember to include a lead and to organize information logically.

You will have to make up the facts and information, so you are encouraged to use a graphic organizer to develop your story.

Use these questions as headings to create a graphic organizer in Word or Inspiration to organize your information.


 * **What happened?** ||
 * **Who was there?** ||
 * **Why did it happen?** ||
 * **When did it happen?** ||
 * **Where did it happen?** ||

Have fun and be creative! When you are finished, post your news report to the Portfolio section of your blog.


 * Headline: "Divers Thrilled at Spectacular Sight"**



Assignment 5:

 * 1) Read the news reports of your classmates and to notice if there are any differences in these reports. Comment on all the reports you've read by posting your name as a comment.
 * 2) Make a list of all details that are common to most reports.
 * 3) Did the reports follow the Inverted Pyramid structure of news reporting?
 * 4) Then make a list of details that are different. Post your lists to your blog.

Activity 6: The Editorial
The editorial section of a newspaper contains the opinions and ideas of the newspaper editors as well as those of the general public who may feel strongly about a particular issue or event. On the editorial page, an editor gives an opinion in a column called an editorial. An editorial contains the editor's opinion about a current issue.
 * The Editorial**

Editorials are generally written to do one of three things.

The purpose of many editorials is to inform the public about a situation, a proposal, or a trend. For example, an editorial might be written about the issues in a certain bill that is coming up for a vote in Parliament. Or an editor could inform readers about a stream that is being polluted by a local industry or practice. This kind of editorial lets the reader decide what action to take.
 * TO INFORM:**

Another kind of editorial tries to lead the public into taking action or at least into thinking in a certain way. For example, an editorial might try to persuade readers to vote for or against someone running for public office. Or an editor might try to influence public opinion about a local issue that is being decided at the municipal council.
 * TO LEAD:**

Instead of criticizing, some editorials give out praise or compliments. For example, an editor who thinks a school board is doing a good job might write an editorial praising the work of the board members. Or an editorial might praise the efforts of a local organization that is promoting sports availability for youth in the community. Another editorial might compliment the good deeds of a company, club, or local resident.
 * TO PRAISE:**

**__Letters to the Editor__**
Each newspaper has a section for letters to the editor. Here is a chance for ordinary folks to express their opinions. Teenagers often express their opinions about high school curriculum, the literacy test, the dress code at school, how the community views youth, and any other issues that are may concern or annoy them. Editors like to hear from young people so this is a good way to communicate your opinion. Readers can use regular mail, but the fast way is to email the paper. Email ensures the editor gets the letter quickly before the news item has 'died' - meaning that the time is past when the item was news.


 * __Tips for Letters to the Editor__**
 * Give the title and date of the article on which you are commenting.
 * Keep your comments short (about 50-150 words). If you write too much, the editor will cut out extra words!
 * Use standard, polite English, even if you are very angry!
 * Include your name, address, and phone number. Usually newspapers will check to make sure that you have actually written the letter. After all, someone could have used your name, without your permission.

Here's an example of a letter to the editor

Mount Byron, ON L0L 3V3 September 10, 2005

Dear Editor: Re: Closing of Mayfield High School (September 8) Why should the Mayfield Board of Education close the high school? Although there are only 500 students in attendance, once the new housing development is completed, Mayfield will be full again. The estimated increase in high school students is around 200. Where will those 700 students go? Will the board bus them to Greenwood Secondary in Southville? That means our teens will have to leave home at seven in the morning and get back way after dark. Also, Greenwood will be overcrowded. Why won't the board reconsider its wrong decision?

Sincerely, I. M. Angry (A parent of teens) 111-222-3333

**Assignment 6: Editorial Readings and Questions**
Read the following three editorials. Look carefully for details. After reading, answer the questions that follow each editorial and post the questions and your answer to your blog.

(Mount Byron Observer, April 11)
 * Editorial #1**
 * Spring Cleaning**

It's time the people of Mount Byron rolled up their sleeves and got to work making this a better place to live. The village board says it has no money, the park district says it's almost broke, and county officials say they can offer no help.

But as individuals and as small groups, we can accomplish something. We have the energy and the power to do something about the town we call home. All we need is volunteers. If you belong to a club, try to get your members interested in taking on a project. Maybe the people in your neighbourhood or the students in your school might be interested in tackling a problem.

There are eyesores all over town. Weeds make our parks and playgrounds ugly. Public benches, steer crossings, and signs could all use a fresh coat of paint. Bottles, cans, and dead leaves should be swept up and hauled away.

Let's make Mount Byron pleasant and beautiful. Let's all get busy and give our hometown a much-needed spring cleaning.

1. The purpose of this editorial is to (a) praise (b) lead (c) inform 2. The editorial writer seems to be most bothered by (a) unsafe conditions (b) bad smells (c) ugliness 3. The writer is trying to get people to (a) understand the problem (b) give money (c) take action

(Mount Byron Observer, April 18) Homeowners in Mount Byron can be the targets of fast talking "home improvement" companies at this time of year. If you're wise, you will deal only with well-known local and area companies.
 * Editorial #2**
 * Don't Be Cheated**

Many people in the past have been cheated out of hundreds of dollars by travelling "repair firms" that go door-to-door looking for "jobs." Most of these people have trucks or vans with company names painted on them. They offer to do jobs putting on new roofs, repairing gutters, painting houses, and installing insulation. Usually they ask for half of the money in advance. Once they get a big down payment, they are never seen again.

Before you let anyone work on your home make certain you are familiar with the company. If it's a firm you have never heard of, call the Chamber of Commerce and ask for a reference. Above all, never give a down payment before any work is even started. Always ask any repair firms to give you the names of other homeowners who have hired them. Honest companies are always happy to give you references. Crooks never want to be asked such questions.

4. The purpose of this editorial is to (a) praise (b) lead (c) inform 5. The editorial writer is trying to tell people to (a) spend money to improve their homes (b) be careful about hiring repair companies (c) become do-it-yourself experts in home repair 6. Some companies have taken money from people and then (a) left town (b) done only half the work (c) done very poor work

(Mount Byron Observer, June 4)
 * Editorial #3**
 * Hurrah For Jane**

Hats off to Jane Moorside of Mount Byron! People like Jane Moorside make Mount Byron the great place it is. Jane is a junior at Mount Byron High School. She doesn't have a lot of money. She doesn't have friends in high places. She doesn't have a great deal of experience. But Jane Moorside makes up for all these limitations with about as much desire to help people and enthusiasm as any high school junior could ever have.

Last weekend Jane won the OFSAA 100 metres in record time. Last month she saved the life of a very young boy who had fallen into a rain-swollen creek. And again this year she was the organizer of the high school spring park clean-up project. Jane Moorside is one of a kind. We're glad she belongs to us.

7. The purpose of this editorial is to (a) praise (b) lead (c) inform 8. The writer is trying to tell (a) all the good things Jane Moorside has done (b) how lucky Jane Moorside is (c) the bad things that happened to Jane Moorside 9. The writer says Jane's greatest qualities are (a) having lots of money (b) having important friends (c) having lots of enthusiasm and desire to help 10. The point of the editorial is (a) Jane is lucky to live in Mount Byron (b) Mount Byron is lucky to have Jane (c) Jane will do better if she moves away from Mount Byron

**Assignment 7: Write a Letter to the Editor**
Your letter to the editor should **express your opinion about one of the three editorials** in the first part of this activity. Your letter could be written to express your agreement or your disagreement with one of the editorials.

Remember to read the Tips for Writing a Letter to the Editor in this activity.

After you have written your letter, use this checklist to make sure you have a great letter.
 * Did I get the proper email address for the newspaper?
 * Did I clearly name the article (with date) to which I am writing a response?
 * Did I use appropriate language?
 * Did I give my reasons for my opinion?
 * Did I include my daytime phone number and address?

You should pretend you are addressing the letter to the editor of the newspaper but you will be posting it to the portfolio section of your blog.

**Assignment 8: Newspaper Reading**
Keep reading the newspaper during this course. When you find an issue in the newspaper that bothers you, annoys you, or interests you, write an actual letter to the editor and mail it to that newspaper. Be sure to post a copy of that letter to the portfolio section of your blog.

Assignment 9: Journal
Everyday we hear and read news about many topics. We hear and read about news in our communities, news about sports and celebrities, news about the world. Some people say that the news media influence us too much because the news media are present in so many aspects of our lives. Your journal should reflect on this idea. Are you influenced by the news media? Do you think you act at times because of what you have seen on television, heard on radio, or read in newspapers? Remember a journal has both information and personal reflection. You should reflect on yourself, not on other people in this journal. This journal will also help you when you are doing the unit culminating task which is in the next activity.

Activity 6: Culminating Activity
A paragraph is a series of sentences that relays one idea. There are three types of paragraphs, introductory, body, and concluding. You should include one of each in your assignment. - Introduces the main idea or thesis.
 * 3-Paragraph Structure**
 * Introductory Paragraph**

- Develops the main idea or thesis. This paragraph should have some type of logical order. For example, place your ideas in the order of importance, or organize by comparing and contrasting ideas. Body paragraphs should finish with transitional sentences that make it easy for the reader to move from one paragraph to the other, while keeping his/her focus on the main idea or thesis.
 * Body Paragraph**

- Is very similar to the introductory paragraph. The concluding paragraph restates the main idea or thesis, but does so by repeating it in another way. The concluding paragraph highlights the main idea or thesis again for the reader, and in doing so, implies its significance. A well written paragraph should have the following characteristics:
 * Concluding Paragraph**

- The paragraph should have sentences that work together to get a single point across. A paragraph should never focus on more than one idea at a time.
 * Unity**

- The sentences should following in a logical and understandable order to make their connections clear.
 * Coherence**

- A well-written paragraph provides details that explain and demonstrate the paragraph's idea.
 * Development**

- The paragraph should highlight the important sentences and ideas for the reader.
 * Emphasis**

Assignment 10
Everyday we are bombarded with images, slogans, testimonials, and promises from the media. This constant bombardment has the power to influence us. What is the media? It is television, radio, and the Internet presenting us with news, entertainment, and commercial messages.

It is not uncommon to hear a news report switch from a story about world hunger to a story about what the hottest stars are wearing. The media will place world hunger and fashion trends at the same level, as if they were equally important.

Using the ideas that you developed in your previous journal assignment, respond to the following questions. Your response should **use the 3 paragraph structure** described above. Do not forget to use proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar. When finished post your response to the portfolio section of you blog.
 * How important is the media's influence on our view of news events?
 * How does the media affect you and your peers?
 * Does the media have a positive or negative effect on our world?
 * What do you think will be the influence of the media on future generations? In the future, how might the media change in form?