SESSION 1 ADV.
WRITING
Although I love movies, I’ve found that there are
drawbacks to moviegoing. One problem is just the
inconvenience of it all. To get to the theater, I have to drive
for at least fifteen minutes, or more if traffic is bad. It can
take forever to find a parking spot, and then I have to walk
across a huge parking lot to the theater. There I encounter
long lines, sold-out shows, and ever-increasing prices. And I
hate sitting with my feet sticking to the floor because of
other people’s spilled snacks. Another problem is my lack of
self-control at the theater. I often stuff myself with
unhealthy calorie-laden snacks. My choices might include a
bucket of popcorn, a box of Milk Duds, a giant soda, or all
three. The worst problem is some of the other moviegoers.
Kids run up and down the aisle. Teenagers laugh and shout
at the screen. People of all ages drop soda cups and
popcorn tubs, cough and burp, and talk to one another. All
in all, I would rather stay home and watch a DVD in the
comfort of my own living room.
The Hazard of Movie going
I am a movie fanatic. My friends count on me to know movie trivia (who was the
pigtailed little girl in E. T.: The Extra-Terrestrial? Drew Barrymore) and to remember
every big Oscar awarded since I was in grade school (best picture 1994? Forrest Gump).
My friends, though, have stopped asking me if I want to go out to the movies. While I
love movies as much as ever, the inconvenience of going out, the temptations of the
theater, and the behavior of some patrons are reasons for me to wait and rent the
video.
To begin with, I just don’t enjoy the general hassle of the evening. Since small
local movie theaters are a thing of the past, I have to drive for fifteen minutes to get to
the nearest multiplex. The parking lot is shared with several restaurants and a
supermarket, so it’s always jammed. I have to drive around at a snail’s place until I spot
another driver backing out. Then it’s time to stand in an endless line, with the constant
threat that tickets for the show I want will sell out. If we do get tickets, the theater will
be so crowded that I won’t be able to sit with my friends, or we’ll have to sit in a front
row gaping up at a giant screen. I have to shell out a ridiculous amount of money – up to
$8 – for a ticket. That entitles me to sit while my shoes seal themselves to a sticky floor
coated with spilled soda, bubble gum, and crushed Raisin.
Second, the theater offers tempting snacks that I really don’t need. Like most of
us, I have to battle an expanding waistline. At home I do pretty well by simply not buying
stuff that is bad for me. I can make do with snacks like celery and carrot sticks because
there is no ice cream in the freezer. Going to the theater, however, is like spending my
evening in a Seven-Eleven that’s been equipped with a movie screen and comfortable
seats. As I try to persuade myself to just have a diet Coke, the smell of fresh popcorn
dripping with butter soon overcomes me. Chocolate bars the size of small automobiles
seems to jump into my hands. I risk pulling out my fillings as I chew enormous mouthfuls
of Milk Duds. By the time I leave the theater, I fell disgusted with myself.
Many of the other patrons are even more of a problem than the concession
stand. Little kids race up and down the aisles, usually in giggling packs. Teenagers try to
impress their friends by talking back to the screen, whistling, and making what they
consider to be hilarious noise. Adults act as if they were at home in their own living
room. They comment loudly on the ages of the stars and reveal plot twists that are
supposed to be a secret until the film’s end. And people of all ages create distractions.
They crinkle candy wrapper, stick gum on their seat, and drop popcorn tubs or cups of
crushed ice and soda on the floor. They also cough and burp, squirm endlessly in their
seats, file out the repeated trips to the rest room or concession stands, and elbow me
out of the armrest on either side of my seat.
After arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was not going to
be a moviegoer anymore. The next day, I arranged to have premium movie channels
installed as part of my cable TV service, and I also got a membership in my local video
store. I may now see movies a bit later than other people, but I’ll be more relaxed
watching box office hits in the comfort of my own living room.
Part of an Essay
“The Hazards of Movie going” is a good example of the standard short essay you will
write in college English. It is a composition of over five hundred words that consists of a
one-paragraph introduction, a three-paragraph body, and a one-paragraph conclusion.
The roles of these paragraphs are described and illustrated below.
Introductory Paragraph
The introductory paragraph of an essay should start with several sentences that attract
the reader’s interest. It should then advance the central idea, or thesis, that will be
developed in the essay. The thesis often includes a plan of development – a “preview” of
the major points that will support the thesis. These supporting points should be listed in
the order in which they will appear in the essay. In some cases, the plan of development
is presented in a sentence separate from the thesis; in other cases, it is omitted.
Activity
1. In “The Hazards of Movie going,” which sentence or sentences are used to attract the
reader’s interest?
a. First sentence
b. First two sentences
c. First three sentences
2. In which sentences is the thesis of the essay presented?
a. Third sentence
b. Fourth sentence
3. Does the thesis describe a plan of development?
a. Yes
b. No
4. Write the words in the thesis that announce the three major supporting points in the
essay:
a. _____________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________________
Body: Supporting Paragraphs
Most essays have three supporting points, developed at length over three separate
paragraphs. (Some essays have two supporting points, other four or more. For the purposes of
this book, your goal will be three supporting points unless your instructor indicates otherwise.)
Each of the supporting paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence that states the point to
be detailed in that paragraph. Just as a thesis provides a focus for an entire essay, a topic
sentence provides a focus for a supporting paragraph.
Activity
1. What is the topic sentence for the first supporting paragraph of the model essay?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. The first topic sentence is then supported by the following details (fill in the missing
details):
a. Have to drive fifteen minutes
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. Endless ticket time
d. ___________________________________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________________________________
f. Sticky floor
3. What is the topic sentence for the second supporting paragraph of the essay?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4. The second sentence is then supported by the following details:
a. At home only snacks are celery and carrot sticks
b. Theater is like a Seven-Eleven with seats
(1) Fresh popcorn
(2) ________________________________________________________________
(3) ________________________________________________________________
5. What is the topic sentence for the third supporting paragraph of the essay?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
6. The third topic sentence is then supported by the following details:
a. ___________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. Adults talk loudly and reveal plot twists
d. People of all ages create distractions
Concluding Paragraph
The concluding paragraph often summarizes the essay by briefly restating the thesis
and, at times, the main supporting points. In addition, the writer often presents a
concluding thought about the subject of the paper.
Activity
1. Which two sentences in the concluding paragraph restate the thesis and supporting
points of the essay?
a. First and second
b. Second and third
c. Third and fourth
2. Which sentence contains the concluding thought of the essay?
a. Second
b. Third
c. Fourth
