Generating Ideas for Writing for Publication Narrowing the Focus Adapted from the work of Dr....
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Generating Ideas for Writing for Publication Narrowing the Focus Adapted from the work of Dr. Charles Whitaker, Professor of English, EKU
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Transcript of Generating Ideas for Writing for Publication Narrowing the Focus Adapted from the work of Dr....
Generating Ideas for Writing for Publication
Narrowing the FocusAdapted from the work of Dr. Charles Whitaker,
Professor of English, EKU
Unit of Study:Ancient Greece
Major Focus: A Window to the Distant Past --
Making Connections to the Present
Brainstorming topics from content covered, for example:
Architecture
Class Structure
Myths
Olympics
Democracy
Ancient Greece
Narrowing the Focus to help writers choose a topic
Greek vs Roman
Heroes/Heroines
ModernInterpretation
Purpose/Impact
Origins
Myths
Identifying an Audience and Establishing a Purpose…
• Who wants to know this information?
• What is its relevance today?
• Why is it still important today?
Angles and Titles…
Helpful Questions:
• What’s an angle that can make your writing unusual?
• What’s your controlling idea?
• What might appeal to readers?
Sample Angles/Ideas for Writing…
• Here’s an interesting fact (or two) that readers may not know about and why it’s/they’re important.
• How did all this come about? Here’s how it happened and why it’s important.
• Not sure about such and such? Let me help you.
• Have you ever thought about such and such? I have and here are my conclusions.
• My own experience confirms a key idea that is important for readers to know about.
Narrowing the FocusEstablishing a Purpose…
A two part title helps identify a topic, narrow the focus, and reveal a writer’s purpose:
Greek Mythology: Modern Lessons
Deciding on a FormWhat Best Suits Your Audience?
• Letter
• Feature Article
• Editorial
• Speech
Sample TitlesFocused Purpose and Controlling
Ideas…
Ancient Myths: Why Are They So Fascinating For Us Today?
Do you know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a good story?
The Mystery of Myths: What They Mean and Why They Are Still Important
Read on to learn some important moral lessons that can help us today…
“Ye Gods:” Where Did That Come From?
Legacies from Greek mythology that are common in our culture…
Greek Heroes: Role Models for Today?
Many legendary heroes were celebrated for their bold exploits and favored by the gods, but some were not!
Science Unit
Major Focus: Relationships Among Populations and
Ecosystems
Brainstorming Topics/Ideas
Endangered Species
ConservationGlobal
Dimming
Pollution
Global Warming
Environment
Narrowing the Focus…
KyotoTreaty
ConflictingOpinions
RisingTemperatures
GreenhouseEffect
AlternativeEnergy Sources
Global Warming
Angles/Ideas for Writing…
• Here is a problem readers may not know about and why they should be aware of it.
• Although some may agree with such and such, I do not. Let me explain and support my view so that others will accept my ideas.
• I wanted to find answers to these important questions, and this is what I have found and why it is important to others.
Sample TitlesFocused Purpose and Controlling
Ideas…
Too Hot For Comfort: Some Cool Solutions
(Here’s what I found out about the change in the earth’s climate caused by greenhouse gases released by cars…
and some solutions that can help)
Saving Our Planet: How Green is Our Town?
(Here’s what I’ve discovered about our environmental efforts…
and some suggestions for making improvements)
Global Warming: Fact or Fiction?
(Here’s what I found out about the two sides of the debate …
and here’s my opinion too)
Hybrids are Hot: Just Ask Leonardo DiCaprio!
(Here’s some information about the popularity of hybrid cars …
and some reasons for driving them)
Baked Alaska: Not Exactly A Frozen Treat!
(Here’s what I found out about the disappearance of Alaska’s glaciers…
and why that is important to us)
Many Countries Endorse The Kyoto Treaty: Should We Too?
(Here’s my opinion about endorsing the Kyoto Treaty…
and I’m hoping you will agree!)
Personal Finance Unit
Major Focus:Money Management…
and other Money Matters
Brainstorming Topics/Ideas
Long/short term goals
Economic Independence
Banking Services
Investing
Savings
Budgeting
Personal Finance
Narrowing the Focus…
NASDAC
Dow Jones Mutual Funds
Stock Market
Bonds
Investing
Sample TitlesFocused Purpose and Controlling
Ideas…
The Stock Market: Who in the World is Dow Jones?
(Here’s some information to solve this mystery…)
Investing Wisely: Financial Security
(Here are some important tips that can help us make wise investment decisions…)
Personal Finance: How Big is Your Pig?
(Some important facts about saving early…)
Cash or Credit: What do you have in your wallet?
(The importance of establishing a good credit history)
Investing Wisely: Saving for a Rainy Day
(Here some facts about the importance of saving for the future)
KEEs to the Future: Investing in Yourself!
(Here’s some important information about scholarships and reasons for academic investment…)
Debit or Credit: Got Plastic?
(Important information about credit or debit)
Purpose Statement…
As a (personal connection to writing), I am writing a (form: letter, article,
editorial, other) for (reader: school newspaper, etc.) to develop my idea that (main idea,
specific purpose in writing)
For more information…
Contact:
Jennifer BernhardReading/Writing SpecialistClark County Schools
(859) 744-4545 Ext 232
