Welcome to the Welcome to the Unit 6 Seminar Unit 6 Seminar

for KU 121!for KU 121!Topic: Developing the First Topic: Developing the First Draft and Writing the Body Draft and Writing the Body

ParagraphsParagraphs

Professor: Ann Meek, PhD.Professor: Ann Meek, PhD.

In KU 121, we will focus In KU 121, we will focus on one writing project on one writing project

for the term—a for the term—a professional professional

autobiography. This autobiography. This project will be due in project will be due in Unit 9. Each week, in Unit 9. Each week, in

each unit, we are each unit, we are working toward that working toward that

goal.goal.

Project DescriptionProject Description

Imagine that you have completed your Imagine that you have completed your program at Kaplan University and have program at Kaplan University and have been offered your dream job! The been offered your dream job! The company or organization you will be company or organization you will be working for wants to issue a press working for wants to issue a press release announcing that you are release announcing that you are joining them and in what capacity. In joining them and in what capacity. In order to do so, they need a minimum order to do so, they need a minimum 500-word autobiographical statement 500-word autobiographical statement from you. from you.

Your autobiography should Your autobiography should include 5 paragraphs:include 5 paragraphs:

1. One paragraph that identifies who you are, where 1. One paragraph that identifies who you are, where you live, the company or organization that has hired you live, the company or organization that has hired you, and your new job title. you, and your new job title.

2. One paragraph that gives professional details about 2. One paragraph that gives professional details about you and your life—your age, family, hobbies, etc. you and your life—your age, family, hobbies, etc. (NOTE: this is a professional biography so you need (NOTE: this is a professional biography so you need to limit personal details to what is appropriate). to limit personal details to what is appropriate).

3. One paragraph that talks about your education. You 3. One paragraph that talks about your education. You should include high school or your GED, any previous should include high school or your GED, any previous college experience, and your Kaplan program. college experience, and your Kaplan program.

4. One paragraph that details professional experiences, 4. One paragraph that details professional experiences, honors and awards, or other related details. honors and awards, or other related details.

5. One concluding paragraph that reinforces where you 5. One concluding paragraph that reinforces where you will be working, your job title, and what you will be will be working, your job title, and what you will be doing.doing.

Project TimelineProject Timeline Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion and Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion and

complete and post your Pre-Writing to the dropbox.complete and post your Pre-Writing to the dropbox. Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the dropbox.Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the dropbox. Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography

introduction to the dropbox.introduction to the dropbox. Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body

paragraphs to the dropbox. paragraphs to the dropbox. Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the

dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the

dropboxdropbox Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your

autobiography to the dropboxautobiography to the dropbox

Some writers like to put Some writers like to put together the body of together the body of

their work first, and then their work first, and then draft the introduction draft the introduction and conclusion. This and conclusion. This

inverted method allows inverted method allows the work to flow from the the work to flow from the inside out. Other writers inside out. Other writers

prefer to work from prefer to work from beginning to end; beginning to end;

however, this is not however, this is not required. required.

In any case, the key to In any case, the key to writing a successful draft writing a successful draft is to get the information is to get the information on paper. A preliminary on paper. A preliminary

draft is just that – draft is just that – preliminary. It does not preliminary. It does not need to be perfect, but need to be perfect, but

the more time and effort the more time and effort put into it, the less time put into it, the less time needed at the end of the needed at the end of the

process process

Think of each paragraph as Think of each paragraph as a separate unit and you can a separate unit and you can work on each of these units work on each of these units

in whatever order you in whatever order you desire. It can be in the final desire. It can be in the final stages of drafting that you stages of drafting that you

make connections and make connections and rearrange these units so rearrange these units so

that they fall into the that they fall into the logical order you logical order you

established in the outline.established in the outline.

Also, there should be few Also, there should be few corrections made at this corrections made at this

time – aside from running time – aside from running grammar and spelling grammar and spelling check at the end and check at the end and cursory proofing. In cursory proofing. In essence you are still essence you are still

creating your paper, which creating your paper, which is why this draft is often is why this draft is often

referred to as the referred to as the "discovery draft." "discovery draft."

Types of Paragraphs in Types of Paragraphs in EssaysEssays

Introductory paragraphIntroductory paragraph -- The first -- The first paragraph of an essay. It starts with broad, paragraph of an essay. It starts with broad, general ideas and then works toward more general ideas and then works toward more specific ideas, ending with the thesis sentence. specific ideas, ending with the thesis sentence. (paragraph #1)(paragraph #1)

Body paragraphBody paragraph -- The interior paragraphs -- The interior paragraphs within an essay. Each of these paragraphs within an essay. Each of these paragraphs discusses a single main idea presented by the discusses a single main idea presented by the thesis sentence; this becomes the paragraph thesis sentence; this becomes the paragraph topic. (paragraphs #2, #3, and #4)topic. (paragraphs #2, #3, and #4)

Concluding paragraphConcluding paragraph -- The final paragraph -- The final paragraph in the essay. Its job is to briefly remind reader in the essay. Its job is to briefly remind reader of the key points and then end with some of the key points and then end with some broad, general ideas. (paragraph #5) broad, general ideas. (paragraph #5)

Outline: 5 Paragraph Outline: 5 Paragraph EssayEssay

I. Introduction – this is your identification (location, I. Introduction – this is your identification (location, company, job title, etc.) Thesis sentence is the last company, job title, etc.) Thesis sentence is the last sentence of paragraph one.sentence of paragraph one.

II. Body paragraph 1: Personal details (professional level) II. Body paragraph 1: Personal details (professional level) – age, family, hobbies and interests. Remember – do – age, family, hobbies and interests. Remember – do not include any overly personal or inappropriate details.not include any overly personal or inappropriate details.

III. Body paragraph 2: Educational background – include III. Body paragraph 2: Educational background – include program at Kaplan (pretend you already have received program at Kaplan (pretend you already have received your degree)your degree)

IV. Body paragraph 3: Professional experiences and IV. Body paragraph 3: Professional experiences and background – any related work you have done or background – any related work you have done or achievements and awardsachievements and awards

V. Concluding paragraph – the final paragraph in the V. Concluding paragraph – the final paragraph in the essay, wrapping up your overall topic.essay, wrapping up your overall topic.

The examples included in The examples included in this presentation are to be this presentation are to be used as general examples used as general examples or guidelines only. Please or guidelines only. Please use them to inspire ideas use them to inspire ideas

for the development of your for the development of your own paragraphs – do not own paragraphs – do not use them “as is” for your use them “as is” for your

autobiography!autobiography!

Sample Sample Introductory Introductory Paragraph IParagraph I

It is a pleasure to introduce our new It is a pleasure to introduce our new four year old kindergarten teacher at four year old kindergarten teacher at

Gotham City Elementary School – Jane Gotham City Elementary School – Jane Doe. The children at Gotham City Doe. The children at Gotham City

Elementary are excited that one of their Elementary are excited that one of their favorite library assistants is now a favorite library assistants is now a teacher! After over ten years of teacher! After over ten years of

teaching children to love books and teaching children to love books and reading, Jane will now be able to share reading, Jane will now be able to share her skills with a class of her own. Jane her skills with a class of her own. Jane

Doe is a dedicated early childhood Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary educator at Gotham City Elementary

School who has a personal, educational, School who has a personal, educational, and professional background which has and professional background which has

uniquely qualified her to excel in this uniquely qualified her to excel in this fieldfield

Sample Introductory Sample Introductory Paragraph IIParagraph IIThe employees of General Hospital The employees of General Hospital

would like to welcome John Smith as would like to welcome John Smith as our new surgical technician. John’s our new surgical technician. John’s

enthusiasm for his new medical career enthusiasm for his new medical career is contagious! After many years in the is contagious! After many years in the

construction field, John has met the construction field, John has met the qualifications to work as a surgical qualifications to work as a surgical

technician and is looking forward to the technician and is looking forward to the exciting job of assisting our surgeons in exciting job of assisting our surgeons in the operating room. According to John the operating room. According to John – “this is the most important step of my – “this is the most important step of my

working career, and one that I have working career, and one that I have hoped for throughout my adult life.” hoped for throughout my adult life.” John Smith’s personal, professional, John Smith’s personal, professional,

and academic background have and academic background have prepared him to be a top-notch surgical prepared him to be a top-notch surgical technician at General Hospital, and he technician at General Hospital, and he

is excited to begin his new career!is excited to begin his new career!

Thesis SentenceThesis Sentence

Thesis sentenceThesis sentence -- A single -- A single sentence with an essay, located at sentence with an essay, located at the end of the introductory the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis sentence paragraph. The thesis sentence functions as a "signpost" to signal to functions as a "signpost" to signal to the reader the main ideas to come the reader the main ideas to come later in the essay. later in the essay.

Example Thesis Example Thesis SentencesSentences

““Jane Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Jane Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary School who has a personal, Gotham City Elementary School who has a personal, educational, and professional background which has educational, and professional background which has uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.”uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.”

““John Smith’s personal, professional, and academic John Smith’s personal, professional, and academic background have prepared him to be a top-notch background have prepared him to be a top-notch surgical technician at General Hospital, and he is surgical technician at General Hospital, and he is excited to begin his new career!”excited to begin his new career!”

Notice the three points – personal, educational, and Notice the three points – personal, educational, and professional – are directly related to the three body professional – are directly related to the three body paragraphs.paragraphs.

Outline Example IOutline Example I

I. I. Introduction:Introduction: Jane Doe is our new four year Jane Doe is our new four year old kindergarten teacher at Gotham City old kindergarten teacher at Gotham City Elementary School. Elementary School. Thesis: Thesis: “Jane Doe is a “Jane Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary School who has a personal, City Elementary School who has a personal, educational, and professional background educational, and professional background which has uniquely qualified her to excel in this which has uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.”field.”

IIII. . Body paragraph 1Body paragraph 1: A 44 year old mother of : A 44 year old mother of three, Jane is an active single mom who enjoys three, Jane is an active single mom who enjoys traveling, cooking, and singing in the traveling, cooking, and singing in the community choir. community choir.

Outline Example I Outline Example I ContinuedContinued

III. III. Body paragraph 2:Body paragraph 2: She has recently She has recently received her degree from Kaplan University received her degree from Kaplan University in Early Childhood Education.in Early Childhood Education.

IV. IV. Body paragraph 3Body paragraph 3: Jane has worked as a : Jane has worked as a teacher’s aid for the past 12 years, so she has teacher’s aid for the past 12 years, so she has extensive experience in working with extensive experience in working with children.children.

V. V. Conclusion:Conclusion: Jane looks forward to working Jane looks forward to working with children and parents to create the best with children and parents to create the best kindergarten experience for all the children kindergarten experience for all the children in her class.in her class.

Outline Example IIOutline Example II

I. I. Introduction:Introduction: The employees of General The employees of General Hospital would like to welcome John Smith Hospital would like to welcome John Smith as our new surgical technician. as our new surgical technician. Thesis:Thesis: John Smith’s personal, professional, and John Smith’s personal, professional, and academic background have prepared him to academic background have prepared him to be a top-notch surgical technician at be a top-notch surgical technician at General Hospital, and he is excited to begin General Hospital, and he is excited to begin his new career!his new career!

II. II. Body paragraph 1Body paragraph 1: John is a devoted : John is a devoted sportsman who enjoys weekend hunting and sportsman who enjoys weekend hunting and fishing trips with his wife, Sue. fishing trips with his wife, Sue.

Outline Example II Outline Example II ContinuedContinued

III.III. Body paragraph 2: Body paragraph 2: John John attended Gotham City Community attended Gotham City Community College and has recently earned College and has recently earned his bachelor degree from Kaplan his bachelor degree from Kaplan University.University.IV.IV. Body paragraph 3 Body paragraph 3: John : John worked for over twenty years in worked for over twenty years in the construction field before the construction field before coming to General Hospital.coming to General Hospital.V.V. Conclusion: Conclusion: It has been a lifelong goal of John’s to work in the medical field, and he is looking forward to working with the patients and staff of General Hospital.

Working from your thesis Working from your thesis sentence and outline, sentence and outline, you should begin to you should begin to

develop your three body develop your three body paragraphs. paragraphs.

Body Paragraph 1 Example: Body Paragraph 1 Example: Personal BackgroundPersonal BackgroundA 44 year old mother of three, Jane is an A 44 year old mother of three, Jane is an

active single mom who enjoys traveling, active single mom who enjoys traveling, cooking, and singing in the community choir. cooking, and singing in the community choir. As a mother of school age children, she is As a mother of school age children, she is particularly aware of the importance of good particularly aware of the importance of good communication between parents and teachers. communication between parents and teachers. Jane’s travels have taken her to Europe, Asia, Jane’s travels have taken her to Europe, Asia, and all over North America. She is excited and all over North America. She is excited about the possibility of exposing the children about the possibility of exposing the children in her class to new cultures and foods based in her class to new cultures and foods based on her extensive travels. She also hopes that on her extensive travels. She also hopes that parents, staff, and children will come and parents, staff, and children will come and enjoy the many performances of the enjoy the many performances of the community choir throughout the year.community choir throughout the year.

Body Paragraph 1 Example Body Paragraph 1 Example II: Personal BackgroundII: Personal Background

John is a devoted sportsman who enjoys John is a devoted sportsman who enjoys weekend hunting and fishing trips with weekend hunting and fishing trips with his wife, Sue. He and Sue own a cabin at his wife, Sue. He and Sue own a cabin at Camp Gotham, and most weekends, you Camp Gotham, and most weekends, you will find them there enjoying the great will find them there enjoying the great outdoors. John and Sue are the parents outdoors. John and Sue are the parents of one adult child, and have two of one adult child, and have two grandchildren. John is also an organizer grandchildren. John is also an organizer for the local “Toys for Kids” program, for the local “Toys for Kids” program, and spends his holidays delivering toys to and spends his holidays delivering toys to charity organizations throughout the city.charity organizations throughout the city.

Body Paragraph 2 Example: Body Paragraph 2 Example: Academic BackgroundAcademic Background

Jane graduated in 1983 from Gotham Jane graduated in 1983 from Gotham City High School, where she was involved City High School, where she was involved with the Glee Club and played the clarinet in with the Glee Club and played the clarinet in the band. As her three children became more the band. As her three children became more independent, she decided to continue her independent, she decided to continue her education at Kaplan University. Jane chose to education at Kaplan University. Jane chose to pursue an online degree so that she could pursue an online degree so that she could more easily continue to work and raise her more easily continue to work and raise her children while working on her college degree. children while working on her college degree. She has recently graduated from Kaplan She has recently graduated from Kaplan with a degree in early childhood education.with a degree in early childhood education.

Body Paragraph 2 Example Body Paragraph 2 Example II: Academic Background II: Academic Background

John graduated from Gotham City High John graduated from Gotham City High School in 1979, where he was a member of the School in 1979, where he was a member of the football team for all four years. Through the football team for all four years. Through the vocational education program, John became vocational education program, John became interested in carpentry and completed the interested in carpentry and completed the carpentry program at Gotham City Community carpentry program at Gotham City Community College in 1982. In 2005, he returned to College in 1982. In 2005, he returned to college to earn his bachelor’s degree in the college to earn his bachelor’s degree in the medical field from Kaplan University. John medical field from Kaplan University. John completed his degree online, and he feels that completed his degree online, and he feels that he benefited greatly from the flexibility of the he benefited greatly from the flexibility of the online degree program. online degree program.

Body Paragraph 3 Example: Body Paragraph 3 Example: Professional BackgroundProfessional Background

After completing high school, Jane After completing high school, Jane worked at her family’s hardware store, worked at her family’s hardware store, but in 1996, our school had the great but in 1996, our school had the great fortune of hiring Jane as a library fortune of hiring Jane as a library assistant at Gotham City Elementary. assistant at Gotham City Elementary. Jane has been heavily involved in our Jane has been heavily involved in our Accelerated Reading program, keeping Accelerated Reading program, keeping track of students’ reading records, track of students’ reading records, points, and the rewards system. points, and the rewards system.

Body Paragraph 3 Example Body Paragraph 3 Example II: Professional BackgroundII: Professional Background

After completing the carpentry After completing the carpentry program at Gotham City Community program at Gotham City Community College, John worked for many years as College, John worked for many years as an independent carpenter. John worked an independent carpenter. John worked on many well known buildings at Gotham on many well known buildings at Gotham City, including the public library and the City, including the public library and the courthouse. However, John always had courthouse. However, John always had an interest in the medical field, and after an interest in the medical field, and after a serious back injury, he decided to take a serious back injury, he decided to take the steps to qualify to work as a surgical the steps to qualify to work as a surgical technician at General Hospital. technician at General Hospital.

Thank you all for your Thank you all for your participation – I’m glad participation – I’m glad

you were here!you were here!

Have a great week, Have a great week, everyone!everyone!