Structured Paraphrases in Expository Writing

Introduction

  • Importance of downloading lecture notes for practice and engagement.

  • Encouragement to fill out notes and engage with practice problems during the lecture.

  • Aim of the course: analyze and evaluate complex arguments, starting from basic logical connections.

Understanding Expository Writing

  • Definition: Expository writing aims to describe, explain, illustrate, interpret, or evaluate topics.

  • Purpose: Conveys knowledge about various subjects.

  • Example: "People can jump higher on the moon than on Earth because the moon's gravitational pull is weaker than Earth's."

    • This sentence provides knowledge and is an instance of expository writing.

Structured Paraphrases

  • Key focus: Learn how to make structured paraphrases of expository writing.

  • Expository Writing Structure: Contains multiple bits of substance (i.e., points made by the author).

  • Substance Definition: Parts of a passage that can be true or false.

    • Example:

    • Bit 1: People can jump higher on the moon than on Earth. (True)

    • Bit 2: The moon’s gravitational pull is weaker than Earth’s. (True)

  • Connecting Words: Show logical relationships between bits of substance.

    • Examples include: because, so, and, but, hence, therefore, etc.

Identifying Bits of Substance and Connections

  • Bits of substance are linked by connectors, indicating relationships.

  • Creating a Structured Paraphrase:

    • Identify main points and secondary points.

    • Assign labels: MP (Main Point), SB (Secondary Point).

    • Use Indentation to represent subordination of points.

    • Removing Connectors for clarity in structured paraphrases.

Example of Structured Paraphrase

  • Sentence: "Teachers are being paid with produce because the school district is broke."

    • Main Point (MP): Teachers are being paid with produce.

    • Secondary Point (SB): The school district is broke.

    • Connector: because (removed in final structure).

Distinguishing Main and Secondary Points

  • Main Point: Core point from which other ideas build upon.

  • Secondary Point: Comment or additional detail that supports the main point.

Types of Connections in Expository Writing

Explanation

  • Definition: Relation of cause and effect.

  • Examples:

    • "The window's broken because Lucy kicked a soccer ball through it."

    • Cause (Lucy kicked the ball) leads to Effect (window's broken).

Reasoning

  • Definition: Involves evidence (support) and conclusions.

  • Examples:

    • "Sam must be baking because the house smells of saffron and rose water."

    • Support: The house smells of saffron and rose water.

    • Conclusion: Sam is baking.

Identifying Normative Claims and Indirect Language

Normative Language

  • Refers to expressions suggesting what ought to be the case (e.g., should, ought).

  • Example: "The intersection should have a stop sign because traffic is a danger to children."

  • Function: Indicates reasoning, rather than simple explanation.

Indirectness

  • Refers to knowledge derived indirectly (not directly observable).

  • Example: "She must be hungry." (knowledge inferred from context).

Identifying Connections in Sentences

Process

  1. Identify whether the sentence presents a normative claim or indirectness flag.

  2. Determine if the sentence is providing an explanation or reasoning based on the identified connections.

Example Sentences for Practice

  1. "Teachers are being paid with produce because the school district is broke."

    • No indirectness or normativity.

    • Result: Explanation (not reasoning).

  2. "The intersection should have a stop sign because traffic is a danger to children."

    • Contains normativity (should).

    • Result: Reasoning is present.

Understanding Support and Conclusion

  • Support: The evidence provided helps infer conclusions.

  • Conclusion: What can be inferred based on provided evidence.

Practice Exercises Summary

  • Importance of practice in refining skills in identifying connections between sentences.

  • Encouragement to underline normative language and indirectness in practice assignments.