LESSON 4.5
Writing the Old of an Assigned Topic
For Grades 7-12
Review
Hidden Questions: These are questions “hidden” in text. The text implies the questions. For example, My mother makes the best biscuits in our village. Some implied questions are—
Who is your mother?
What village?
How does she make them so special?
What proof do you have that they are the best?
Who says they’re the best?
Gathering Information
Each Level 2 (and, often, other levels) should begin with a Claim. A Claim, again, is a statement that (a) summarizes a major section of a document and (b) can be argued.
Task 4.5.1 – Individual
Which of the following are Claims?
- Japanese bobtail cats have short, puffy tails and can hop like a bunny.
- Heart disease is America’s most deadly disease.
- Sudden dry spells called flash droughts has been popping up all over America.
- The last decade was the hottest in 125,000 years.
- Strategies to reduce desertification include erosion control, vegetation upkeep, and general soil health management.
What Statement
The theory of Dr. Terrance Hunt regarding how the Easter Island moia were moved differs dramatically from the earlier theory of Dr. Jo Anne Van Tilburg.
Task 4.5.2 – Tandem
The What Statement is a comparison. Is each variable—
O+N
N+O
N+N
O+O
What word tells you it is a comparison?
Comparison variables have two parts. What are they?
Review of Levels
Most papers are broken into levels. A “level” used to called a “heading” or “subhead.” They are usually used in professional papers and in textbooks. They make the material easier to read.
Levels are always boldfaced. To do that, click on the B key while holding down the Control key. Levels are also very short.
Level 1
This level indicates the main heading. It is centered. You start typing on the next line. The first line is indented 1/2”, not five spaces/
Level 2
This level indicates a main subheading. It is aligned with the left margin.. You start typing on the next line. The first line is indented 1/2”, not five spaces.
Level 3
This level indicates a subsection of Level 2. It is exactly the same as Level 2 except that it is italicized.
Level 4
This level indicates a subsection of Level 3. It is exactly the same as Level 2 except that (a) it is indented ½” and (b) you start typing on the same line. There is a period after the level. That is to tell readers that the level is not part of the first sentence.
Level 5
This level indicates a subsection of Level 4. It is exactly the same as Level 4 except that it is italicized.
Level 6
You rarely reach this level unless your paper is extremely long – say, 50 or 60 pages. This level indicates a subsection of Level 5. It is exactly the same as Level 2 except that (a) it is indented ½” and (b) you start typing on the same line. There is a period after the level.
Level 7
This level is exactly the same as Level 6 except that it is italicized.
Task 4.5.3 – Tandem
Read the excerpt. Do not skim. Read the whole thing, then go back and look for the answers to the following questions.
- This page discusses five methods of trying to move a moai or another large stone. There actually are five, but two are at the level. What are the five?
- Put the timeline of the second method into correct chronological order. You might have to look up something in Wikipedia.
- Create a page with only the levels’ subjects indicated.
4. Turn in the page to your instructor,