The Last Lecture

1. The Last Lecture Brick walls in-class essay

2. Overall • Most responded to the topic • See development of voice of authority • More comfortable using quotes

3. Continuing problems • Not responding to topic • Many simply gave impassioned pleas to overcome walls; they did not: • Discuss the idea of the brick wall as explained by Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture. In your essay, be sure to explain what a brick wall is, why they exist in our lives, and how we can overcome them. Find three examples of brick walls from the book and thoroughly explain each.

4. Continuing problems • Weak thesis statement that lacks the three divisions of proof: • “From taking our first steps to struggling through college or a career, we all face brick walls or challenges every day throughout our life. Some, such as walking through a crowded hallway, are not as formidable as others.”

5. Continuing problems • Using “you,” “I,” “we” • Using “In this essay I will tell you…” • “Well,” • “In conclusion” • Their for they’re • Their for there • There for their

6. Incorrect internal citations • People used the following • “ Brick walls are there for a reason.” (pg. 79). • “ Brick walls are there for a reason” (p. 79). • “ Brick walls are there for a reason,” -- (79). • Instead of the correct form: • “ Brick walls are there for a reason” (79).

7. New problems • Using quotes as assertions • Quotes are evidence, not topic sentences or assertions • Look at the following example

9. Good intros • Have a clever hook -- not quote from the book

11. Good intros • Have a clever hook -- not quote from the book • Provide background information - engaging • Thesis statement with three divisions of proof that respond to topic • Look at the next two examples

12. Intro

13. Intro with voice

14. Conclusions • Restate topic and give a strong finish • Look at the next example

15. Diction strengthens this conclusion

16. Development of voice • Speak with authority • Show your personality through diction (word choice) and sentence construction. • What makes the next paragraph so powerful? • How can you incorporate the techniques?

18. Looking forward • At the beginning of this unit, we read several poems -- “The Road Not Taken” (290), “Song of the Open Road” (289), “The Courage That My Mother Had” (610). We discussed courage and discussed making courageous choices in life. • Write an essay discussing the theme of courage using The Last Lecture and at least two of the poems – you may use all three if you like. • Each body paragraph must incorporate at least two direct quotations with correct parenthetical citations – one from the book and one from a poem. • Your essay must not contain the pronouns “I” or “you”.

19. Structure of your essay • Intro • Hook -- no questions • Background including general idea of courage • How it relates to (and include) title of book and title of poem • Thesis statement with definition of courage and the three divisions of proof that you will develop in corresponding body paragraphs

20. Body paragraphs • Transitional element -- Sentence or transition word • Assertion (one of your divisions of proof) • Evidence from book or poem - introduced and cited • Explanation of how it supports the assertion - often more than one sentence • Evidence from book or poem • Explanation of how it supports the assertion • Concluding sentence -- clincher OR sentence that sets up movement to next idea

21. Strong body paragraphs • Use transition words to connect sentences • Use precise diction that is colorful and engaging • Vary sentence structures • “Sound good”

22. Strong body paragraphs • Will explain one element of courage as it appears in both the poem and the book (level 1 depth) • Will apply that lesson to “people” and how they can incorporate that into their lives (level 2 depth)

23. Conclusion • Transitional element that is NOT “In conclusion…” • Restates the thesis - different words • Mentions key points of essay • Leaves reader with final thought -- a strong finish

24. To prepare • Read topic and determine your one sentence response • Step one: Courage is ________ and has these three parts: • Step two: textual support • Step three: write the thesis

25. Thesis idea • Many people mistakenly limit the idea of courage to staring down fear on a battlefield when the truth is that courage appears in daily life and defines itself as the unquenchable desire to fulfill one’s dreams despite obstacles, the willingness to take chances no one else believes in, and the ability to transform one’s eventual death into inspiration for others.