Welcome to Unit 4

1. Welcome to Unit 4 Topic Sentences, Main Ideas, and Supporting Details

2. Introductory sentences • Designed to attract attention • Can be distracting • Can be very general statements or overly specific • Can be in opposition to the topic sentence • Topic Sentences • Summarize the topic of the paragraph or section • Often not exciting • Can be at the beginning, but not always • Contain specific references or ideas Topic Sentences vs. Introductions

3. In the third century BC, the Chinese were the first to sight Halley’s comet. In the fourteenth, the Florentine painter Giotto put the whirling ball of light into one of his paintings; in the sixteenth, William Shakespeare mentioned it in two of his plays. But it took the eighteenth century astronomer Edmund Halley (1656-1742) to recognize that the comet seen by the Chinese, the Italians, and the British was the same comet returning on a fixed schedule. While studying what seemed to be the appearance of many different comets, Halley realized that there might be only one comet that regularly appeared every seventy-six years. As a result of his studies, he predicted that the comet would return in 1758. His prediction was proven correct when the comet showed up on schedule. From that moment on the comet bore his name. Unfortunately, Halley dies without knowing his prediction had come true. Example

4. In the third century BC, the Chinese were the first to sight Halley’s comet. In the fourteenth, the Florentine painter Giotto put the whirling ball of light into one of his paintings; in the sixteenth, William Shakespeare mentioned it in two of his plays. But it took the eighteenth century astronomer Edmund Halley (1656-1742) to recognize that the comet seen by the Chinese, the Italians, and the British was the same comet returning on a fixed schedule. While studying what seemed to be the appearance of many different comets, Halley realized that there might be only one comet that regularly appeared every seventy-six years. As a result of his studies, he predicted that the comet would return in 1758. His prediction was proven correct when the comet showed up on schedule. From that moment on the comet bore his name. Unfortunately, Halley dies without knowing his prediction had come true. Example

5. Some Common Constructions

6. Supporting Sentences • Contain specific facts • Support the topic sentence • Expand the topic sentence • Topic Sentences • Set up a framework for the supporting sentences • Require supporting sentences Topic Sentences vs. Supporting Sentences

7. Use colored highlighter • Only highlight topic sentences and important details • Use different colors for topic sentences and details • Don’t overdo it! • Margin notes • Come up with your own code • Arrows, lines, shorthand to indicate main ideas and supporting ideas Highlighting and Margin Notes

8. In the third century BC, the Chinese were the first to sight Halley’s comet. In the fourteenth, the Florentine painter Giotto put the whirling ball of light into one of his paintings; in the sixteenth, William Shakespeare mentioned it in two of his plays. But it took the eighteenth century astronomer Edmund Halley (1656-1742) to recognize that the comet seen by the Chinese, the Italians, and the British was the same comet returning on a fixed schedule. While studying what seemed to be the appearance of many different comets, Halley realized that there might be only one comet that regularly appeared every seventy-six years. As a result of his studies, he predicted that the comet would return in 1758. His prediction was proven correct when the comet showed up on schedule. From that moment on the comet bore his name. Unfortunately, Halley dies without knowing his prediction had come true. Example

9. Writing author’s ideas in your own words • Important for retention • Easier to remember things in your own words • Demonstrates understanding • Important skill for future writing • Key is using own words • Paraphrase without looking at the original Paraphrasing

10. But it took the eighteenth century astronomer Edmund Halley (1656-1742) to recognize that the comet seen by the Chinese, the Italians, and the British was the same comet returning on a fixed schedule. Example

11. Too similar to original Edmund Halley recognized that the comet was the same comet returning on a fixed schedule. The fact that the comet was the same comet returning on a fixed schedule was discovered by Edmund Halley. • Different meaning Edmund Halley discovered Halley’s comet. Edmund Halley was an eighteenth century astronomer. Common Mistakes

12. Edmund Halley figured out that the bright light seen at different times through history was actually a single comet coming by repeatedly. • Edmund Halley predicted the return of his comet every 76 years. • Even though many people saw the comet at different times in history, Edmund Halley was the first to guess that it was the same comet returning over and over. Correct Examples

13. Two parts • Use SQ3R and Two Column Note Method to create a Two Column Note table for the linked reading. • Identify at least three words that you are unsure of in the reading. Define them in your own words and say how you found the definitions (context, dictionary, asked somebody, etc.). • Must be in Microsoft Word • Must be attached in Unit 4 Project Dropbox • Worth 150 points! Unit 4 Project

14. Two Column Notes

15. The author explains that Edmund Halley figured out that the bright light seen at different times through history was actually a single comet coming by repeatedly. He mentions several sightings by different cultures. He also states that the comet returns every 76 years. The comet is now named Halley’s comet after the scientist. Summary

16. Many of the young heroes and heroines in children’s literature – including popular characters like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, Roald Dahl’s James Henry Trotter of James and the Giant Peach, and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Anne of Green Gables – Are orphans. Although the presence of so many orphans in young adult fiction may seem to suggest and unnecessarily pessimistic, or sad, worldview, literature experts say that orphaned characters actually serve a positive purpose. According to English professor and children’s literature specialist Philip Nel, an orphaned literary character expresses the powerlessness felt by many young readers. Still, says Nel, “many literary orphans are resilient characters who, despite their lack of power, find the emotional resources to beat the odds and make their way in the world.”Thus, orphaned characters make young readers believe it’s possible to have some control over a world dominated by adults. Nel also believes that literary orphans encourage children to think about growing up. He says that a hero or heroine who has been prematurely separated from his or her parents encourages young readers to explore the idea of leaving home and seeking independence. By imagining a world free of their parents, young readers prepare for the transition from child to adult.

17. Identify the Topic Sentence • Identify the main supporting sentences • Paraphrase the main idea • Look for vocabulary words Practice