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Staying on Topic/Keeping Focus
1) To keep focused on your topic, try writing your main idea down on a slip of paper and propping it in front of you as you write your drafts. Reread it frequently to stay focused.
2) Every sentence in your essay should develop your main idea (also called thesis). Expand your topic with specific details by asking the questions who, when, where, why, what, and how. Also make sure to include in your paper why your subject is important for you and for your reader.
3) If you slip off topic, ask yourself, “How does what I’m writing relate to my topic?” and then add more information to make the connection clear for the reader. If you don’t know why you have included a piece of information, consider just deleting it.
4) After stating your main idea somewhere in your first paragraph, rephrase it at the end of your essay. By the time a reader finishes reading your essay, your main point should be completely clear.
Here is an unedited example of an introductory paragraph from the “Special Word” assignment. Is the focus of the essay clear from this first paragraph?
Jessica means “god sees”. Well I’ll tell you one thing I do not know what God sees in these three women, but I’ll will tell you what I see. I’m going to talk about three different women with the same name. I will also write about how important they are to me and why. Jessica B. a girl who taught me what it meant to love in a way and in a level I never imagined (girlfriend type). Even though we never officially when out. Jessica C. a girl who showed me what it fells like being married for many years (wife type). Even though we were never married. But we acted like we were married to each other for 65 years. Jessika R. a woman that showed me what it is like to have a loving step mom (mom type). Even though she has no legal custody over me, at all.
Here is the concluding paragraph of that same essay. Notice how skillfully he summarizes his main ideas and ties his essay together.
These three women have changed my life completely. All of them have three things in common there names. 2’ they thought me how to love and be loved. 3rd they have given me the confidence to take life as it comes and make the best of it. So I still do not know what god sees, but I see three extraordinary women who have shaped my past, present, and feature all ready.
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