READING + WRITING

A little levity as you worry about midterms.

levity – lack of seriousness, humor

to lighten a serious time

opposites = gravity, seriousness

other forms = levitate, levitation

April 2012

Today’s Goals

1. Comparison Paragraphs
2. DEAW
3. Work on Book Reports
4. Check Vocabulary

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Comparison Paragraphs (page 60)

• inform by showing similarities and/or differences between two people, things or ideas

Key Features

• two subjects
• compares similarities or contrasts differences
• similarities or differences are not so obvious
• point-by-point method or block method (we’ll discuss this later in the semester)

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Comparison Paragraphs

May show:

• similarities between two things (writing and dancing)
• differences between two things (languages: Korean and English)
• strengths and weaknesses of something (Moodle system)
• advantages and disadvantages of something (studying abroad)

In groups, brainstorm a list of things that could be compared

• attending a women’s university/attending a coed university
• living at home/living in a dormitory
• KT and SK
• two people
• two books
• two universities
• high school and university/college

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Activity 4 (pages 61-62)�Read the paragraph and answer questions 1 through 8.�

1. The topic is the similarities of good writers and good ballerinas.
2. The topic sentence is “In reality, the qualities of a good writer mirror the qualities of a good ballerina.”
3. The concluding sentence is “In sum, few people realize that writers and ballerinas share these common traits.”
4. The concluding sentence is a restatement.
5. The writer’s purpose is to inform readers of the similarities of good writers and good ballerinas by giving examples.
6. The purpose of this paragraph is to explain how good writers and good ballerinas are similar.

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answers continued

7. Features include:

a. two subjects = good writers, good ballerinas

b. compared similarities = motivation, dedication (lots of time), and entertainment as a goal

c. showed similarities that are not so obvious = The subjects, writers and ballerinas, are not ones that are commonly compared, so the writer has shown creativity in showing similarities.

8. a. showed similarities between two things

Drop �Everything �And Write

DEAW

Topic: Comparison paragraph – choose a topic and write a paragraph comparing or contrasting two people, things or ideas.

Choose something you find interesting!

Book Reports

• Get in your groups and discuss your plans for your book reports.
• I will pass out the grading rubrics so you know exactly how you will be graded.
• I’ll also come around and check your vocabulary. Remember there is a vocabulary quiz next Friday, April 27^th.