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and interesting paragraph. Write the point in the space below.
Make up and write a realistic dialogue between two or more people. Don t have your characters talk like
cardboard figures; have them talk the way people would in real life. Also, make sure their voices are
consistent. (Do not have them suddenly talk out of character.)
The dialogue should deal with a lifelike situation. It may, for example, be a discussion or argument of
some kind between two friends or acquaintances, a husband and wife, a parent and child, a brother and
sister, a boyfriend and girlfriend, a clerk and customer, or other people. The conversation may or may not
lead to a decision or action of some kind.
When writing dialogue, enclose your characters exact words within quotation marks. (You should
first review the material on quotation marks on pages 523 530.) Begin a new paragraph to mark each
change in speaker. Also, include brief descriptions of whether your characters smile, sit down or stand up,
or make other facial gestures or movements during the conversation. And be sure to include a title for
your dialogue. The example that follows can serve as a guide.
Make up a list of things that bother you in everyday life. One student s list of  pet peeves included the
following items:
Suggestions on How to Proceed
Brainstorm a list of everyday annoyances by asking yourself questions:  What annoys me at
home (or about my kitchen, bathroom, closets, and so on)?  What annoys me about getting to school?
 What annoys me at school or work?  What annoys me while I am driving or shopping? You will
probably be able to think of other questions.
Decide which annoyances seem most promising to develop. Which are the most interesting or
important? Which can be developed with specifi c, vivid details? Cross out the items you will not use.
Next, number the annoyances you have listed in the order in which you will present them. You may want
to group related items together (all those that are connected with shopping, for instance). Be sure to end
with the item that annoys you the most.
 Now write a rough draft of the paragraph. Begin with a topic sentence that makes clear what your
paragraph is about. Concentrate on providing plenty of details about each of the annoyances you are
describing.
In a second or third draft, add signal words (such as one, also, another, and last) to set off each
annoyance.
Use the checklist on the inside back cover to edit your paper for sentence-skills mistakes,
including spelling.
Getting comfortable is a quiet pleasure in life that we all share. Write a paper about the special way you
make yourself comfortable, providing plenty of specifi c details so that the reader can really see and
understand your method. Use transition words such as first, next, then, in addition, also, fi nally, and so
on to guide readers through your paper. Transitions act like signposts on an unfamiliar route they
prevent your readers from getting lost.
A student paragraph on getting comfortable ( How I Relax ) is on page 84.
Write in detail about a person who provided help at an important time in your life. State in the first
sentence who the person is and the person s relationship to you (friend, father, cousin, etc.). For example,
 My grandmother gave me a lot of direction during the difficult time when my parents were getting
divorced. Then show through specific examples (the person s words and actions) why he or she was so
special for you.
Describe a favorite childhood place that made you feel secure, safe, private, or in a world of your own.
Here are some possibilities:
A closet
Under a piece of furniture
A grandparent s room
A basement or attic
The woods
A shed or barn
A tree
A bunk bed
Begin with a topic sentence something like this:  was a place that made me
feel
when I was a child. Keep the point of your topic sentence
in mind as you describe this place. Include only details that will support the idea
that your place was one of security, safety, privacy, or the like.
Write a paragraph providing examples of one quality or habit that helps make you unique. One student s
response to this assignment follows:
Write about techniques you use to make it through a day of
school or work. These may include
Caffeine
A system of rewards
Humor
Food
Fantasizing
You might organize the paragraph by using time order. Show how you turn to your supports at
various times during the day in order to cope with fatigue or boredom. For example, in the morning you
might use coffee (with its dose of caffeine) to get started. Later in the day, you might go on to use other
supports, such as a Red Bull.
Imagine that all the televisions in the United States go blank, starting tonight. What would you and your
family or friends do on a typical night without television? You may want to write about What each
individual would be doing
What you could do together
Problems the lack of TV would cause
Benefits of quality time without TV
Choose any of these approaches, or some other single approach, in writing about your life without
TV.
Write a paper on one of the following topics. Begin with a clear, direct sentence that states exactly what
your paper will be about. For example, if you choose the fi rst topic, your opening sentence might be,
 There were several delightful childhood games I played that occupied many of my summer days. An
opening sentence for the second topic might be,  The work I had to do to secure my high school diploma
is one of the special accomplishments of my life. Be sure to follow your opening sentence with plenty of
specific supporting details that develop your topic. A way you had fun as a child
A special accomplishment
A favorite holiday and why it is your favorite
Some problems a family member or friend is having
A superstition or fear
A disagreement you have had with someone
A debt you have repaid or have yet to repay
The sickest you ve ever been
How your parents (or you and a special person in your life) met
Your father s or mother s attitude toward you
Write a paper on one of the following topics. Follow the instructions given for Assignment 12. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]