Writing in the Discipline: selecting a topic and narrowing it down

Writing in the Discipline: selecting a topic and narrowing it down

selecting a topic and narrowing it down

One of the most challenging prewriting step is choosing a topic. If you don't like a topic, you are not likely to want to write about it. If you like a topic but don't know much about it, you may want to know more about it but you may later be overwhelmed by the many new ideas you have learned or discovered about the topic that you might not be able to thread all these information into a coherent whole. Thus, the safest thing to do for a novice writer is to choose a topic that is not only interesting but also one he or she knows fairly much about. 

It may be not possible of course to know everything about a topic but choosing a topic that one already is well acquainted with will make the writing task more manageable. For example, if the writer needs to read further about the chosen topic, he or she will not have to start from scratch nor will he or she be looking for just about anything under the chosen topic. 

Deciding on a focus for a chosen topic is called narrowing it down. It makes the writing task realizable. 

 

In class, I have shown you how we try to narrow down a broad topic by asking you questions such as: What do you want to write or talk about global warming?  Do you want to talk about its effects or its causes?  Then we did some clustering and concept mapping to help you see how we can come up with a more specific topic and with lots of ideas for writing about it later.

Here is a helpful link on narrowing topics.

After narrowing your topic, I asked you to make a thesis statement - a sentence that encapsulates your view, stand or conclusion on the chosen topic. For instance,  if you chose for a topic - the major cause of global warming, you may need to answer the question -  What is the major cause for global warming? The answer to it should be phrased in a sentence to make up a thesis statement. Clearly, a statement is not a fragment but a sentence.

 

Here is a helpful link on writing a thesis statement.

 

Now, think of another topic - one that will be easy for you to write about. Narrow it down by clustering ideas or mapping concepts. Write your specific topic and the thesis statement for the topic. Write this down on a one whole sheet of paper and submit on the second meeting this week (Thurs or Friday). 

 

You may find helpful ideas on clustering and  concept mapping here.

 

That's all for now.

On getting around this blog project

Welcome to the rest of you who have just followed this official blogsite for our English 2 classes this second semester. I see a few have followed my earlier instruction. For those who are just coming in, it is important that you click on all my posts which can be seen on the lower right side of your screen so you would know what to do. It is important that you follow directions. For the most part of my brief blogs, I am simply trying to get you acquainted or familiar with how this site works.

But here are a few more things you must do before we get started at your blogging project which we call your learning log. Other than following me, you must create your own blog site. For example, this blog site is named Writing in the Discipline and my name is Lynnie. You can name your blog in any way decent and appealing to your readers which includes me. When I click on your profile, I will then find your blog site and will follow it. You should also do the same for the other followers. That way you can follow your classmates' blogs and as they follow you and be able to make comments . Once more thing, please use a pic with your shirt on. Just as it's not right for you to entertain visitors at home without your shirt on, so it won't be right for you to enter my premises (my blog) not appropriately clad. So, change your pic to something more becoming of a university student. You don't have to look formal just appropriate.

For your first blogging assignment which is due on November 22, 2009, you must blog about what you think and feel towards writing in English. Make sure that you use only English or if you need to use a vernacular word you have to provide a translation in English. The blog can be up to 150 or more words.

If you have any query, don't hesitate to post a comment here.

I will look forward to your writing and a better pic for your profile:-)

identifying oneself

I would like to congratulate three of the early followers of this blog. I see that you have your profile pics and I read, at least in one of you, a personal description of oneself. Nice.

Let me, however, remind all writers to spell out your words correctly so you are better understood.

And so I can remember to give credit where credit is due, I prefer that you name yourself, not necessarily your blog site, just write your full name with your pic followed by your section. For example,Marie Jess Lea Abarquez B1-1

That way I can easily keep track of you.

My pic has my first name for identification.

Thanks.

on tripping over and missing classes

Today, I met a little accident and tripped over. I fell heavily on my knees and got a swollen right knee and a badly sprained left foot. I had first aid and managed to relieve the agonizing pain. As of this writing, I can only manage to limp from my PC to my room. I missed today's classes and will miss tomorrow's classes as well.

So what I want you to do is create your blogsite and acquaint yourself with it. Never forget to create one. You can follow me even without a blogsite here but you can't blog which is important.

Free to type in questions if you have.

To write or not to write

So here it is. The blog site for our class. You need to follow me to know the activities and assignments you need to do online. By doing so, you must create your blog account here. Make sure to use your original name.

Some rules to observe. This is a public site so you need to refrain from giving personal details about your life. You should avoid using derogatory, foul and abusive language.

Be nice.