Voices of the American Revolution readings
LOC and Edsitement

Library of Congress Exhibit: Religion and the American Revolution http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel03.html

Voices of the American Revolution resources: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=423

Posted by Michael L Umphrey on 10/03 at 09:27 PM
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Classes • American Literature • Readings •

Voices of the American Revolution readings
LOC and Edsitement

Library of Congress Exhibit: Religion and the American Revolution http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel03.html

Voices of the American Revolution resources: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=423

Posted by Michael L Umphrey on 10/03 at 09:27 PM
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Classes • American Literature • Readings •

Recording of Patrick Henry’s speech to the Virginia Convention
Colonial Williamsburg

http://history.org/media/audio.cfm

The actor discusses the character of Patrick Henry: http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biohen.cfm

Listen to an Independence Day Interview: Richard Schumann on Patrick Henry and Independence. Whenever there was trouble in Williamsburg, it’s a sure bet Patrick Henry was in the middle of it.

AND

Listen to a Behind the Scenes Interview: Interpreting Patrick Henry. Richard Schumann discusses the intensity and passionate character of Patrick Henry.

Posted by Michael L Umphrey on 10/03 at 09:13 PM
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Classes • American Literature • Readings •

Steps for writing an informative speech
Choose a topic, Do research, Create an Outline

1. Choose a general topic
2. Do enough preliminary research to be sure there is enough information. Learn enough about the topic to write a purpose statement
3. Do research, using at least three sources. Gather bibliographic information from each source on notecards
4. Create an ouline, with 3-5 main points and supporting detail for each main point
5. Write transitions between each main point.
6. Write introduction and conclusion
7. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

Posted by Michael L Umphrey on 10/03 at 09:08 PM
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Classes • Speech and Media Arts •

Preparing an informative speech
A guide from Purdue

For a simple overview of the steps to preparing an informative speech: http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/speaking/infomod/index.cfm

Informative Speech Outline Format
(Directions: Please use this sheet as a guide to your own Informative Speech Outline)

Specific Goal:
Thesis Statement:

I. Introduction

A. Attention-getter: Rhetorical Question, story, startling statistice, etc. Write a brief description of your attention-getter here.
B. Motivate the Audience to Listen: Explain why the audience should be willing to listen to your speech.
C. Establish Credibility: Tell us why you are speaking about your topic. If you have special knowledge or experience with regard to your topic, let us know here.
D. Preview Main Points: Write out your thesis statement so that you preview each of your main points.

Transition

Write out your transition. How will you leave the introduction and begin the body?

II. Body

A. Point One. Provide a phrase here indicating the first point you will be discussing. List your support material as sub-points. Provide the name of the source from which the support material came (Put direct quotes within quotation marks and list the name of the book or magazine from which it came after. Example: Jones, Time, Oct. 5, 1998. This citation should coincide with the citation on the bibliography.

Transition

Write out your transition. Indicate with a transition that you are discussing the next main point.

B. Point two. See information under point one.

Transition

Write out your transition. Indicate with a transition that you are discussing the next main point.

C. Point two. See information under point one.

Transition

Write out your transition. Indicate with a transition that you are beginning the conclusion of your speech.

III Conclusion

A. Review Points. Tell us what you told us. Provide us with a brief explanation of what you said.
B. Tie it up! End your speech with a bang! If you told, or began, a story in the intro, you can finish it here. If you gave a startling statistic, end with one. Memorable quotes are always good ways to tie up your speech. However you choose, make sure it relates to what your speech was about.

http://www.accd.edu/sac/speech/sp1311/inolform.html

Posted by Michael L Umphrey on 10/03 at 08:58 PM
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Classes • Speech and Media Arts •

Paragraph Development
8 Modes

For an explanation of what makes a good paragraph (Unity, Coherence, A Topic Sentence, and Adequate Development): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_pgrph2.html

For explanations of eight basic modes of developing paragraphs, along with sample paragraphs:
http://www.longleaf.net/ggrow/modes.html

http://www.tameri.com/write/paragraphs.html

Posted by Michael L Umphrey on 10/03 at 08:49 PM
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Classes • Composition • Handouts •

Examples of 5-Paragraph Essays
Composition

The 5 Paragraph Essay Format

The five-paragraph essay is a simple way of using a general principle of effective communication: state an idea; develop it with examples, illustrations, anecdotes, reasons, or facts; then summarize or re-state evocatively your main idea.

The first paragraph:

1) Begins with a topic sentence that introduces a general theme.
2) Follows the topic sentence with sentences that narrow the focus of the theme, so that it is less general.
3) Narrows the discussion of the topic by identifying an issue or problem.
4) Finishes by making a debatable claim (a thesis statement, which is defined as a debatable point/claim).

Body paragraphs:

1) Begin with topic sentences that clearly relate to the topic, or issue, or problem, that was identified in the introductory paragraph.
2) Sentences that elaborate on the issue, or problem discussed in the introductory paragraph, and also demonstrates a clear connection to the thesis statement.
3) A sentence or sentences that make a claim about the topic, issue, problem.
4) A quote from the text you are analyzing that supports your claim.
5) Your interpretation of that quote, which explains how you arrived at your conclusion, and also demonstrates a clear connection to the thesis statement.

Body parargraphs may employ the One, Two, Three Rule, which is:

1) Make a debatable claim.
2) Support the claim with a quote.
3) Explain the connection between your claim and the quote, which means you make an intellectual conclusion.

Concluding paragraph:

1) Begins with a topic sentence that clearly relates to the topic, or issue, or problem, that was identified in the introductory paragraph.
2) Sentences that make connections with, or revisit, points from your introductory paragraph and your body paragraphs. These points now serve to close your argument.
3) A synthesis of these points that clearly demonstrates the focus of your thesis statement.
4) A final comment, or intellectual conclusion of sorts that points out the larger significance of your argument.