Additional Writing Activities

	College Writing Skills: 5th Edition John Langan
	Online Learning Center

Chapter 3: The First and Second Steps in Essay Writing

Additional Writing Activities | Interactive Exercises |

Writing Activities

Activity A

Directions: Beginning with a strong thesis is an important first step. Praciticing developing a thesis that is neither too broad nor too narrow for each of the following subjects. Write your answers on a separate piece of paper. The first two have been completed for you.

General Subject Limited Subject Thesis

Marriage Honeymoon A honeymoon is perhaps the worst way to begin a marriage.

Sports Player's salaries High player's salaries are bad for the game, for the fans, and for the values our children are developing.

1. Family Parents _______________________________________

2. Television Sitcoms _______________________________________

3. School Math teachers _______________________________________

4. The college experience Roommates _______________________________________

5. Authority My boss _______________________________________

Activity B

The Second Step in Essay Writing

Directions: Supporting your thesis with specific evidence is an important second step in the process of writing an essay. Practice this skill by filling in the short outlines that follow on a separate sheet of paper. Provide logical supporting points for each thesis statement.

1. Waiting tables was the most demanding job I have ever had.

a. Long shifts
b. Impatient customers
c.

2. College poses new pressures for many students.

a. Heavy workload
b. New people
c.

3. _________ is my best friend for three reasons.

a. Spontaneity
b. Generosity
c.

4. Sixteen-year-olds do not make safe drivers.

a. More likely to speed
b. Easily distracted by friends in the car
c.

5. The first day of high school was the worst of my life.

a. Couldn't find my first class
b. Tripped and fell on the main staircase
c.

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General Subject	Limited Subject	Thesis
Marriage	Honeymoon	A honeymoon is perhaps the worst way to begin a marriage.
Sports	Player's salaries	High player's salaries are bad for the game, for the fans, and for the values our children are developing.
1. Family	Parents	_______________________________________
2. Television	Sitcoms	_______________________________________
3. School	Math teachers	_______________________________________
4. The college experience	Roommates	_______________________________________
5. Authority	My boss	_______________________________________