Jeff Richards

Notes and Outline

General Notes about Articles and Essays:

An Article:

• A nonfiction literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.

An Essay:

• A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author.

• A testing or trial of the value or nature of a thing.

• An initial attempt or endeavor, especially a tentative attempt.

One General Classification of Essays:

• Narration

• Description

• Exposition (Informative)

• Argumentative (Persuasive)

One Particular Classification of Expository Essays:

• Process Analysis

• Exemplification (Illustration)

• Division (Analysis)

• Classification

• Comparison / Contrast

• Cause / Effect

• Definition

Other Types of Organization:

• Chronological

• Spatial

• Logical -- also called Classical Argument

• Climactic -- also called Order of Emphasis

• General to Specific

• Specific to General

• Problem-Solution

Sample Outline:

Paragraph 1 -- Introduction

• 1st person plural -- “we”
• Repetition / parallel structure
• Summarizes an authority / source -- gives credentials
• Details at the top
• Examples throughout (names of people)

Paragraphs 2-6 -- His Experience

• 1st person singular -- “I”
• Repetition / parallel structure
• Turning point = paragraph 4
• Humor
• Adapts -- repetition

Paragraphs 7-11 -- His Daughter

• Repetition / parallel structure
• Changes the bad teacher’s name -- combination of two other names
• Comparisons between himself and his daughter

Paragraphs 12-14 -- The Lab School of Washington

• Gives an authority / source -- gives credentials

Paragraph 15 -- Conclusion

• Example: the Fonz
• Example: the paleontologist from Johns Hopkins
• A new look at LD
• Repetition / parallel structure -- “what” / “gifts” / “will”

Sample Summary (DRAFT):

In Jeff Richards' essay, "LD," his central idea is that having a learning disability does not have to be a disadvantage; it can also be a "gift" or an advantage. Richards begins his essay by . . .

Questions?