The Lively Art of Writing Teacher's Guide

The Lively Art of Writing Teacher's Guide What is an Essay? 1. What is the difference between opinion and fact? A belief not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge, but on what seems true, valid, or probable to one’s mind; what one thinks; judgment. 2. How important are facts in an essay? Facts provide a framework or foundation. To convert the facts to an opinion, one must make a judgment about the facts. 3. Is one opinion as good as another? Explain your answer. Not all opinions are equally good. The best opinions usually have the most opposition. Value judgments (this is better than that) almost always have a clear-cut opposition. 4. Assuming that the writer has an adequate background in his subject would American foreign policy be a good general subject for an essay? Why or why not? American foreign policy would be a good subject in general as long as you pick a specific topic for an argument. This is NOT a subject that most agree upon, therefore it would be interesting to many. 5. The titles below are grouped around particular subjects. Which title in each group would make the best essay topic? Why? A. Sewing as a Hobby B. Clothes You Make Yourself C. Sewing is Suddenly “In” D. How to Make a Pleated Skirt C, because you could have an opinion as to why sewing is suddenly popular. E. Cars for Teen-Agers F. Driver-Training Programs Cost Too Much G. Twin Carburetors H. Styling on the Latest Sports Models F, because you could argue why the programs cost so much. I. Moby Dick J. The Symbolism in Moby Dick K. The Character of Ahab in Moby Dick L. Moby Dick, America's Greatest Novel L, because you have to argue why you think this is the best novel; others would disagree. M. Why Should Students Study Literature? N. High Points in American Literature O. Literature in Relation to History P. Most Students Can't Read P, because this would be controversial. However, one could make an argument about the level of reading today’s student have mastered. Q. The Student Council is Outmoded R. Student Councils and Student Government S. The President of the Student Council T. Your Student Council Q, it is the only one that states an opinion. 6. What is the chief difference between a typical term paper and an essay? Most term papers just give facts, where an easy communicates your opinion. 7. What is the weakness in each of the following essay topics? a. Edison Invented the Electric-Light Bulb This not an opinion, but a fact. b. Teachers Should Explain Things Clearly This would be a universally accepted fact. c. Science Has Influenced Modern Life Again, this is a fact. A better topic would to be to make a value judgment (for or bad) about this statement. d. Safe Driving Should Be Encouraged It would be ridiculous to try to argue against this statement. e. The Responsibilities of Students A paper written from this statement would just give information. No opinion is stated.