Rules for Writers, Chapter 4

In this weeks readings from “Rules for Writers” chapter 4 has described how to create a topic sentence and build effective paragraphs that are coherent and flow easily from one to another. The most important part in the process is to realize what your main point is going to be in each paragraph. This will help you form a good, descriptive topic sentence. With your topic sentence you can work on creating strong supporting sentences to follow, which will build the body of your paragraph and develop your main point. After you have successfully completed your paragraph, you’ll want to start thinking about your next paragraph and how you are going to transition from one to the other. It is a good idea to link the first sentence of the new paragraph with the first sentence of the old paragraph. Using key words in both sentences is also helpful.
After reading this chapter a couple times over, I realize that I do not take enough time to really focus on each paragraph. I need to determine what ideas each paragraph to have and how they will translate into my next paragraph. This chapter also made me realize that having a topic sentence in every paragraph is important, and creates an introduction and focal point for the reader.

How is education a means to save ones life?

Education is a powerful tool one only gains through a willing desire to accomplish something and better themselves. Acquiring an education may come easy to some, but for others it’s a struggle. Take Sherman Alexie for example, he grew up in a poor family on an Indian reservation where “the children were expected to be stupid.” There were no expectations for him accept to be like everyone else. But he wasn’t. He was a reader and he read everything! Reading those books opened him up to a whole different world, and a different way of thinking. He could understand the ways of life outside of the reservation because he was exposing himself to life through his readings.
Saving ones life through education is what Sherman Alexie did with his life, and is trying to accomplish to this day with children on reservations. In him going to the reservation and teaching those children how to write poems and short stories he feels he is making a difference, he is saving their lives. He is giving them an opportunity to see beyond the reservation and into their future.

Chapters 2 and 3 Summary

Chapters two and three really focused on ideas and organization and the creative process that it entails. When writing a paper you want to start with a rough draft, not thinking about how perfect it should be the first time around, which is how I feel when writing. It is too much pressure to put upon yourself to be perfect right out the gate, so just throw ideas out there, and take the time later to review and revise.
Organization plays an important role in creating great paper. If it is organized well, it will flow smoothly and not confuse the reader. You can accomplish this by assigning each paragraph to a specific topic, making sure they make sense and connect with the others. The conclusion paragraph should leave the reader with something to think about weather it’s an image or the main idea.
After reading these two chapters I realized that I need to plan out my ideas, thoughts, and the main ideas I want to address. I am one who rarely writes a rough draft, and I think that’s what makes the writing process so difficult for me. I put too much pressure on myself to create something great the first time, but that is what revising and editing is for, and the more people you have proofreading your work the more feedback you have to make your paper great.

Introduction about Me!

Hello, my name is Kelly. I currently live in Santa Rosa, it is also where I was raised. I have worked as a Veterinary Assistant for about five years. After losing my own pet to cancer I decided that I no longer wanted to pursue a career in the Veterinary field. I weighed my options and decided that I would be a great Radiologic Technologist. I am working on getting my Associated Degree and applying to the Rad. Tech program at the J.C.
I am hoping to become a stronger writer after this course. I have never been much of a writer, it has always been difficult for me. Once I get a pen in my hand I can never find anything to say, or write. Maybe these freewrites will help me!! I always have the intentions of getting my work done early but it usually doesn’t work out that way! As long as I get my work done on time I am happy. I am happy to get this class started.