COMPOSITION WRITING AIDS
1. Do not use 1st person pronouns (e.g. I, me, we, us, our, etc.)
2. Write out all contractions (do not instead of don't) and acronyms (e.g. Dallas Independent
School District instead of DISD the first time used)
3. Do not use the word "YOU," "YOUR," "TODAY," "NOW," "HERE," or "AROUND" and
remember the word "CANNOT" is one word.
4. Never use a cliché without quotations marks (e.g. "Last but not least")
5. Do not start a sentence with the word "THERE" or “THAT
6. When using a quote, all periods and commas go inside quotation marks
7. Open the1st sentence of the Introductory Paragraph with the Subject of the paper
8. Each pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number (People will buy cookies if they like
them/Sally will eat her hot dog)
9. Never end of sentence with a preposition (e.g. in, to, at, on, etc.)
10. Never start two sentences with the same word in a paragraph
11. Never use a particular pronoun or personal name more than twice in a paragraph and make
sure any person's name includes the first and last name and location of the person
12. Five W s (WHO/WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/WHY) of the Subject must be present in the
Introductory Paragraph (The WHO always includes the person's first and last name and the
WHERE requires a specific address)
13. Each Body Paragraph should have at least one specific anecdote/brief
story/example/illustration at least 3 sentences long at the end of the paragraph
14. All proper nouns must be capitalized (e.g. Ramada, Buick, MVC)
15. All titles should be original, clever, and/or humorous. Please use a Title Page only in a
Research Paper.
16. All papers must be single-spaced, typed or printed with paragraphs at least 6 sentences long
(except for a Research Paper which is double-spaced).
LESSON 1
DESCRIPTIVE REPORT
Reading Assignment: Dodge's "Uncle Dock" p. 47
“Elvis and My Little Darlin's'" p. 58
Writing Assignments:
1. Write a paragraph summarizing each of the Dodge articles
2. Write a Descriptive Report Introductory Paragraph (see below)
One part of this lesson is to review one of the basic elements of expository writing, the report. A report is a
form of writing in which a person, place, thing, or event is described in some detail. Review the enclosed outline
and sample of a Descriptive Report. After reviewing this material, please submit a Descriptive Report Introductory
Paragraph on a familiar place with a specific address such as Six Flags over Texas, The State Fair of Texas, a
church, a college campus, a corporation's headquarters, etc. If an A or B is received on this assignment the first
time it is turned it in, then it will not have to be revised. Be sure to check the COMPOSITION WRITING AIDS
before writing this paper.
KEYS TO WRITING A DESCRIPTIVE REPORT
OVERALL
DESIGN
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Background w/Who, What, When, Where, and Why on Subject
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of one area of Subject w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of another area of Subject w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
CONCLUSION: Final summary and related opinions
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH:
The introductory paragraph for a Descriptive Report has I major element: a full explanation of the Subject. The
background to the Subject includes all of the relevant information (especially who, what, when, where, and why)
about the Subject.
THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
The first body paragraph of a Descriptive Report has 2 elements: a full discussion of one area of the Subject
followed by a 3 sentence long SPECIFIC example/illustration, which illuminates the area of the Subject under
discussion.
THE SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH:
The second body paragraph of a Descriptive Report has 2 elements: a full discussion of another area of the Subject
followed by a 3 sentence long SPECIFIC example/illustration, which illuminates the area of the Subject under
discussion.
THE CONCLUSION: The concluding paragraph of a Descriptive Report should briefly summarize the paper. Any
additional opinions on the subject would be appropriate at this time as well as any final conclusions.
Jo Job
Lesson `
English 1301
Date
MOUNTAIN HIGH!
Mountain View College (MVC) sits at the edge a dramatic escarpment overlooking downtown Dallas and on
land once claimed by the famous La Reunion French Colony. Located at 4849 West Illinois in the Western Hills
neighborhood of Dallas, Mountain View is one of two colleges opened by the Dallas County Community College
District in 1970. Dedicated to the educational development of the people in Southwest Dallas County, MVC
regularly enrolls over 5,000 students each semester and countless numbers in non-credit courses, workshops,
seminars, and retreats. Operating from 8AM to 10PM Monday through Saturday, this community college offers
virtually every course imaginable for the freshman and sophomore years of college. Dr. Felix Zamora is currently
the President of Mountain View College.
LESSON 2
THE RESTAURANT REPORT
Reading Assignment: Dodge articles: “Put It on Cooksey’s Bill” p. 81
“Fender Skirt King” p. 85
Writing Assignments:
1. Write a paragraph summarizing each of Dodge’s articles
2. Write the first two paragraphs of a Restaurant Report (see below)
One part of this lesson is to review one of the basic elements of expository writing, the report. In this lesson
the Restaurant Report will be studied. A Restaurant Report is a form of writing in which a restaurant at a specific
address is analyzed in detail. Review the enclosed outline and sample of a Restaurant Report. After reviewing this
material, please submit the first two paragraphs of a Restaurant Report on a familiar restaurant. Visit the restaurant
and take notes on every aspect of the restaurant. Please avoid fast food restaurants for this assignment. Be sure to
check the COMPOSITION WRITING AIDS before writing this paper.
KEYS TO WRITING A RESTAURANT REPORT
OVERALL DESIGN
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Background w/Who, What, When, Where, and Why on the restaurant
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of one aspect of the restaurant w/Specific Example at least 3
sentences long
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of another aspect of the restaurant w/Specific Example at least 3
sentences long
CONCLUSION: Final summary and related opinions
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH:
The introductory paragraph for a restaurant report has 1 major element: a full explanation of the restaurant. The
background to the restaurant includes all of the relevant information (especially who, what, when, where, and why)
about the restaurant.
THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
The first body paragraph of a restaurant report has 2 elements: a full discussion of one aspect of the restaurant
followed by a 3 sentences long SPECIFIC example/illustration which illuminates the
aspect of the restaurant under discussion.
THE SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH:
The second body paragraph of a restaurant report has 2 elements: a full discussion of another aspect of the restaurant
followed by a 3 sentence long SPECIFIC example/illustration, which illuminates the aspect of the restaurant under
discussion.
THE CONCLUSION:
The concluding paragraph of a restaurant report should briefly summarize the paper. Any additional opinions on the
subject would be appropriate at this time as well as any final conclusions.
Jo JoJo
Restaurant Report
English 1301
Date
PANCHO'S REVENGE
The place to go between a hard day's shopping for Ol' Roy Dog Food at Wal-Mart and an evening of
family entertainment at the Sportatorium is Pancho's Mexican Buffet at 222 Wheatland in Duncanville, Texas.
Founded in 1938 by Pancho Gonzalez in San Antonio, this branch of the chain is open everyday of the year
from 10 to 10. Pancho's high fire feast keeps folks queued-up at all hours. Lining up with the "Dun-Lopped-
Over-The-Belt" boys and their curler-bedecked wives, customers impatiently fill their trays at Pancho's
abundant $4.99 "All-You-Can-Eat" Tex-Mex buffet. And, what a treat it is! Liquefied Cheez-Wheez seems to
cover a platter of enchiladas, burritos, Tex-Mex rice, and refried beans. Nestled alongside are piles of
hamburger meat, lettuce, and shredded cheese destined to fill the cardboard-looking taco shells. No one ever
leaves Pancho's hungry!
While lugging the "groaning" tray to the spacious dining room, diners are startled by the liberal use of
brightly colored yellow and green vinyl that reminds one of a playroom in a daycare center. Yet it is in this
garish glare that the decor- traumatized guest discovers Pancho's greatest glory, namely its trademark "flag"
service. Even the service at Sardi's in New York is glacial compared to Pancho's lightning response service. The
secret to Pancho's five star treatment is the small Mexican flag on each table. A patron has merely to hoist this
diminutive banner to full mast and a peasant-clad waitress streaks to the customer's table. It is "south-of-the-
border" hospitality married to "north-of-the-border" efficiency.
LESSON 3
PERSUASIVE ESSAY
Reading Assignment: Dodge’s “The Coneys of No Change” p. 177
“Give Me That Old Time Mythology” p. 221
Writing Assignments:
1. Write a paragraph summarizing each Dodge article
2. Write a four paragraph Persuasive Essay (see below)
One part of this lesson is to review one of the basic elements of expository writing, the essay. In this lesson
the Persuasive Essay will be studied. A Persuasive Essay is a form of writing in which a personal opinion is
expressed on any subject. Review the enclosed outline and sample of a Persuasive Essay. After reviewing this
material, please submit a four paragraph Persuasive Essay on any issue so long as it does NOT deal with an
international or national political issue (abortion, environment, etc.). Check the COMPOSITION WRITING AIDS
before writing this paper.
KEYS TO WRITING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY
OVERALL DESIGN
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Background w/Who, What, When, Where, and Why on Subject + Thesis
w/Main Points
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 1st Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 2nd Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
CONCLUSION: Final summary and related-opinions
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH:
The introductory paragraph for the Persuasive Essay has 2 major elements: the background and the thesis. The
background includes all of the relevant information (especially who, what, when, where, and why) leading up to the
thesis. The thesis includes the subject and opinion of the paper followed by the main points.
The most important element in writing a Persuasive Essay is a workable thesis statement and appears near the end of
the introductory paragraph. Below are 2 sample thesis statements:
SUBJECT: The Texas State Lottery
OPINION: should be abolished
MAIN POINTS: because it is unfair to the poor and gives minimal odds of winning.
SUBJECT: Southern Methodist University's Student Advisement Program
OPINION: needs to be improved
MAIN POINTS: because students are confused and do not receive enough information.
THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
The first body paragraph of a Persuasive Essay has 2 elements: a full discussion of the 1st main point so that the
reader understands the issue followed by a 3 sentences long SPECIFIC example/illustration which illuminates the
1st main point.
THE SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH:
The second body paragraph of a Persuasive Essay has 2 elements: a full discussion of the 2nd main point so that the
reader understands the issue followed by a 3 sentences long SPECIFIC example/illustration which illuminates the
2nd main point.
THE CONCLUSION:
The concluding paragraph of a Persuasive Essay should briefly summarize all the issues under discussions. Any
additional opinions on the subject would be appropriate at this time as well as any final conclusions.
IM Unhappy
Persuasive Essay
October 22, 201?
English 1301
RIPPED OFF!!!
The Texas State Legislature passed a bill in 1988 establishing the first-ever state-run lottery in Texas. This
bill was quickly signed into law by Governor Mark White, and after a short time, the lottery was in full
operation. Since then, the Texas Lottery has raised over $1 billion for the Texas State Treasury and helps keep
down taxes. Unfortunately, the lottery has not always been beneficial to the people of Texas. It is becoming
increasingly clear that the Texas Lottery should be abolished. This is necessary because the set-up is unfair to
the poor and Texans have only a slight chance of winning anything.
A recent study by the University of Texas Research Council shows that the average person who plays the
Texas Lottery comes from a family that has a mean income of under $30,000 a year. Translated into plain
English, this means that most of the people who play the lottery are poor measured against Federal standards.
The case of Mark Skerski of Red Oak, Texas illustrates the point. In 1992 Mark and his wife Sally started
playing the lottery. Every week they put $50 in either picking 6 numbers, 3 numbers, or buying scratch-off
cards in the assumption that sooner or later they would win. By the end of 1995, the Skerskis had invested over
$10,000 in the lottery and had less than $50 in prize money. If they had put the money in the bank, they would
have eventually had enough for a new car.
The chances of winning anything but an insignificant amount of money from the Texas Lottery are
staggering. In April of 1994, THE HOUSTON POST ran a series on the Texas Lottery demonstrating that the
odds of winning big prize money are literally 1 in a million. On average a person would have to make a million
bets to win one. Chances of being hit by lightning or injured in a tornado are much better than these odds. A
1995 Gallup Poll reported that 43% of all Texans thought they had a realistic chance of winning the lottery
when in fact only .000001567% of Texans have ever won anything significant. This disparity dramatizes the
scope of the "illusion." And, the State of Texas promotes this “illusion” which is worse!
It is hard to find a justification for the Texas Lottery except as a form of income for the Texas Treasury. In a
real sense it is a form of taxation masquerading as an opportunity. Those who support it say it is entirely
voluntary and people do not have to participate. This would be fine if the people who make the bets understand
the impossibility of ever winning anything. Yet, in realistic terms, they have virtually no chance of winning.
The State of Texas' involvement in this enterprise is at best immoral.
LESSON 4
CLASSIFICATION ESSAY
Reading Assignment: Dodge’s “The Man Who Lives On Weather” (page 42) and “Good Man of Texas” (page 200)
Writing Assignments:
1. Write a paragraph summarizing each Dodge article
2. Write a four paragraph Classification Essay (see below).
One part of this lesson is to review one of the basic elements of expository writing, the essay. In this lesson
the Classification Essay will be studied. A Classification Essay is a form of writing in which a personal opinion is
expressed about a classification. Review the enclosed outline and sample of a Classification Essay. After reviewing
this material, please submit a Classification Essay on something that may be sub-divided for classification purposes.
Check the COMPOSITION WRITING AIDS before writing this paper.
KEYS TO WRITING THE CLASSIFICATION ESSAY
OVERALL DESIGN
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Background w/Who, What, When, Where, and Why on Subject + Thesis
w/Main Points
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 1st Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 2nd Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 3rd Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH:
The introductory paragraph for the Classification Essay has 2 major elements: the background and the thesis. The
background includes all of the relevant information (especially who, what, when, where, and why) leading up to the
thesis. The thesis includes the subject and opinion of the paper followed by the main points.
The most important element in writing a Classification Essay is a workable thesis statement and appears near the
end of the introductory paragraph. Below are 2 sample thesis statements:
SUBJECT: Dallas-Ft. Worth radio stations
OPINION: may be classified into three types:
MAIN POINTS: music, talk, and religious.
SUBJECT: Dallas-Ft. Worth church congregations
OPINION: may be classified into three types:
MAIN POINTS: Protestant, Roman Catholic, and non-denominational.
THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
The first body paragraph of a Classification Essay has 2 elements: a full discussion of the 1st main point so that the
reader understands the issue followed by a 3 sentences long SPECIFIC example/illustration which illuminates the
1st main point.
THE SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH:
The second body paragraph of a Classification Essay has 2 elements: a full discussion of the 2nd main point so that
the reader understands the issue followed by a 3 sentences long SPECIFIC example/illustration which illuminates
the 2nd main point.
THE THIRD BODY PARAGRAPH:
The second body paragraph of a Classification Essay has 2 elements: a full discussion of the 2nd main point so that
the reader understands the issue followed by a 3 sentences long SPECIFIC example/illustration which illuminates
the 2nd main point.
THE CONCLUSION:
Not Necessary/Optional
IMA Listener
Classification Essay
English 1301
Date
RADIO REVELATIONS
In Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), the first radio station was WRR. Initially broadcasting on August 5, 1921, it
was the brainchild of inventor Henry Garrett. Unbelievably WRR is still broadcasting and is the second
oldest American radio station still on the air. Located at 1516 First Ave Dallas, Texas 75210, it is owned
by the City of Dallas and primarily broadcasts classical music. Since 1921 the number of DFW stations
has greatly increased. Although there are many different types of stations on the dial, most Dallas-Ft. Worth
radio stations may be classified into three types: music, talk, and religious.
Music stations run the spectrum of sound. In just the rock arena there are so many different types of stations:
Classic Rock, Christian Rock, Hard Rock, and Easy Rock. Whether one wants to listen to Country and Western
or New Wave music, there is a station that will play a particular type of music part or all of the time. A good
example of a specialty station is WRR-FM (101.1), which plays only classical music. WRR is the second oldest
station in the United States still operating. It is also unique because the City of Dallas owns it.
Talk stations are a narrower category than music stations because there are fewer of these. Typically these
stations provide news all day long and schedule particular talk programs. WBAP-AM (820) is the most
dominant of the talk radio stations in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. Also a very old station, WBAP has the
top rated morning show with Hal Jay, Dick Segal, and "Sam From Sales." It also holds on to the top spot in the
afternoon with the Rush Limbaugh Program. This program is so powerful that there is no effective competition
from any station. Limbaugh owns the dial on weekday afternoons.
Religious stations also make up an important niche in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. Particular churches or
denominations own some of these stations. KCBI-FM (91.1) is a religious station wholly-owned by the Criswell
Bible Institute which in turn is owned by the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, WA Criswell Senior Pastor.
Other stations are simply private enterprises that sell time to any religious, usually Christian, groups. An
example of such a station is KSKY-AM (660). This station broadcasts evangelical and charismatic Christian
programming from dawn to dusk. Evangelists like the faith healer WV Grant may be heard on this station.
