E12 Notes for writing a paragraph

answer the question that is asked

          address the question directly

          Was the questions. “What do you think the poem means?”

-        plan first

-        begin with a topic sentence

mirror the writing prompt, either by using same key words, or by using synonyms

-        incorporate quotations

Topic sentence: topic, controlling idea

Discuss the jump in “Prelude to Jumping in the River” as a metaphor for making important decisions.

discuss- talk about, write about

“the jump” which jump? jump taken by the guy, jump not taken by the narrator

first person- internal, tension about decision

metaphor- direct comparison- jump direct comparison to making a decision

important decision- jump river, dangerous, drown consequences, careful

decision – make decision to jump or decide to not jump

narrator doesn’t make a decision – hesitate

be decisive, don’t waffle, don’t sit on the fence

GRABBER

“strike while the iron is hot”

“look before you leap”

“she who hesitates is lost”

People always tell us to look before we leap. They also tell us that if we hesitate, we will be lost. So Therefore, / Accordingly, when we make important decisions, although we must be thoughtful/ mindful/ careful/ cautious, untimately, we must make the decision. The jump in “Prelude to Jumping in the River” is a an apt/ prescient/ compelling metaphor for this kind of decision making process.

NOTES FOR BODY OF PARAGRAPH

- guy who jumps, made a decision

-narrator who is unable to make the decision

Conclusion

-poem tells us to grab our opportunities when we can and not let them slip away

- or at least to actively decide to quit/ forego/ give up- still make a decision