Thesis and Topic Sentence - Argumentative HW

In your groups, post your best thesis and topic sentences from your advertising essay.

Meredith Arabas

Topic Sentences for First Essay

Your thesis tells what your entire essay is about. I prefer it to be your last sentence of your introductory paragraph.

For more information: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

Topic sentences tell what that particular body paragraph is about. I prefer at this stage in your writing that you have your topic sentence to be the first or second sentence of your body paragraphs. Topic sentences help keep the writer and the reader on track. Your topic sentence usually has a word from your thesis to keep the cohesion of the essay together.

Please refer to this site for more information.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/01/

Assignment: Write your thesis for your first essay and then your three topic sentences. You are not required to comment on your peer's post but it is helpful to read other posts to see what others are doing. Remember sign your posts at the end if you want credit.

Media Assignment

Using the information discussed in chapter 2, locate an ad, a photograph, or a cartoon strip on Google Images that appeals to you ( Go to Yahoo Search or Google and type Google Images). Save the image and then add the image in, print it out, or include the address in your response so that we can see it. If possible create a hyperlink in your response. Write a brief paragraph stating your initial reaction to the image. Then decode the image by applying the questions identified throughout chapter 2. How did your initial impressions change after a careful study of the image?"(Mims 43) I want descriptive, well written answers. As usual, please respond to two of your classmates.

For example:

This image is very colorful and keeps the viewer's attention. It appeals to the family unit as a whole as the mother, father and kids are all included. The ad pushes the stereotype of the man always controlling the remote and drinking his can of beer as his big, fat, beer belly protrudes over his pants. The ad is also giving the message that Dad owns the couch and remote and that family should give him space. This can be observed by the annoyance in the father's face that can only be perceived as being mad at having to share the couch and TV.

My initial reaction is that this is the sad state of family now where Dad needs his space and doesn't want to interact with the rest of the family. The plus side is that the family is watching TV together, but clearly the dad is not happy with having the family with him. To me, this shows a disconnect with the dad. I also think that TV plays too much of a role in the lives of youth today and that it is breaking down their communication skills as well as our communication with them. It also shows our youth and their inactivity and over consumption of soda as well as their lack of respect for sitting properly.


Meredith Arabas