WOW Online Portfolio

Assignment 5 Mechanics 2

Assignment for Session Five
Write an original piece of fiction or nonfiction of 500-750 words. Because this session deals with paragraph form, coherence and unity, be sure that your piece consists of at least three paragraphs (it may contain more, of course). Concentrate on the use of topic sentences to set the reader's expectation of what this piece is about. Try not to include any information—no matter how interesting—that doesn't fulfill the reader's expectations. And don't forget to use appropriate transitions to move your reader smoothly through your paragraphs.

If you don't have a topic at hand, try an essay about a friend or relative using the following topic sentences to form the main organizational structure of your essay:

1. [Subject] has been an important part of my life.
2. Nevertheless, there have been times when [Subject] and I have not seen eye to eye.
3. But when I think of [Subject], it's the good things I remember.

Chances are you will have a lot more information about the subject than will be appropriate for the theme of this essay as defined by these topic sentences. Keeping in mind paragraph unity, coherence and order, carefully select what information to include in each paragraph, and what to leave out. Choose details that will give your reader an accurate "portrait" of your subject's appearance and personality, but that also follow the direction of the essay established by the topic sentences.

website created by Janine Bouyssounouse. Last updated 02/07/07