Writing Workshop

Basic 5-part essay

I. Introduction (with thesis statement)

II. Subclaim 1

III. Subclaim 2

IV. Subclaim 3

V. Conclusion

I. Introduction

STRATEGIES:

• Write a tentative intro and come back later

• Write the intro last

• Opening gambit:

Intriguing example

Provocative quotation

A vivid and unexpected anecdote

A puzzling scenario

I. Introduction

Should include

• Opening gambit

• Transition from our world to your world (which may be your opening gambit)

• Thesis statement

Handout on writing introductions

IA. Thesis Statement

• Tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the matter under discussion

• Is a roadmap for the paper

• Directly answers the question asked of you

 • Is usually a single sentence in the first paragraph

• Makes a contestable claim

• Handout on writing thesis statements

• Write a thesis statement responding to the following prompt.

Analyze the impact of apartheid on the characters of Alex La Guma’s A Walk in the Night (1962).

Apartheid has an overwhelmingly negative impact on the characters in A Walk in the Night.

Through naturalistic techniques, La Guma portrays apartheid as something that strips individuals –
both black and white – of individual agency, reducing Michael, Willieboy, and even Officer Raalt to
pawns in a demeaning system.

I. Introduction (with thesis statement)

1 paragraphs

I. Subclaim 1 – Michael

1-2 paragraphs

I. Subclaim 2 – Willieboy

1-2 paragraphs

I. Subclaim 3 – Officer Doughty

1-2 paragraphs

I. Conclusion

1 paragraph

II, III, IV: Body of the Paper

The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the
reader of the logic of your interpretation.

A. Topic sentences (subclaims)

B. Evidence

A. Topic Sentences (a/k/a subclaims)

  Controlling idea: the expression of the main idea, topic, or focus of the paragraph in a
sentence or two
 Does it support your thesis statement?
 Does it make a strong claim?

Topic sentence

Through the white police officers, La Guma demonstrates that apartheid has a decidedly negative
effect on all members of society, including whites, even a relatively kind white man like Officer
Doughty.

B. Evidence

 Evidence =

 1) explanation of your rationale into your thinking about the main topic,
idea, or focus of the paragraph

 2) examples in support of this rationale

 3) explanation of the examples

Evidence:
1) explanation of your rationale into your thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the
paragraph

Through the white police officers, La Guma demonstrates that apartheid has a
decidedly negative effect on all members of society, including whites, even a relatively kind
white man like Officer Doughty. In comparison to his partner, Officer Raalt, Doughty evinces
a stronger moral code and a certain degree of empathy for the residents of District Six. Yet
even Doughty’s morality is constrained by the ideology of apartheid.
B. Evidence
Evidence =
1) explanation of your rationale into your thinking about the main topic, idea,
or focus of the paragraph
2) examples in support of this rationale
3) explanation of the examples

Evidence =
1) explanation of your rationale into your thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the
paragraph
2) examples/evidence in support of this rationale
 Through the white police officers, La Guma demonstrates that apartheid has a
decidedly negative effect on all members of society, including whites, even a relatively kind
white man like Officer Doughty. In comparison to his partner, Officer Raalt, Doughty evinces
a stronger moral code and a certain degree of empathy for the residents of District Six. Yet
even Doughty’s morality is constrained by the ideology of apartheid. He has disdain for his
partner’s impulsive and potentially harmful actions in District Six largely because Raalt “is
one of those who will disgrace us whites. … He will do something violent … and as a result
our superiority will suffer” (37).

Evidence =
1) explanation of your rationale into your thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the
paragraph
2) examples/evidence in support of this rationale
3) explanation of the examples/evidence

Through the white police officers, La Guma demonstrates that apartheid has a
decidedly negative effect on all members of society, including whites, even a relatively kind
white man like Officer Doughty. In comparison to his partner, Officer Raalt, Doughty evinces
a stronger moral code and a certain degree of empathy for the residents of District Six. Yet
even Doughty’s morality is constrained by the ideology of apartheid. He has disdain for his
partner’s impulsive and potentially harmful actions in District Six largely because Raalt “is
one of those who will disgrace us whites. … He will do something violent … and as a result
our superiority will suffer” (37). Thus in the end, Doughty worries more about maintaining
white racial supremacy than about the lives and rights of the people on his beat.

V. Conclusion
• summarize your thoughts
• demonstrate the importance of your ideas
• propel your reader to a new view of the subject (so what?)

Summary for a few sentences. Summary for a few sentences. Summary for a few
sentences. Alex La Guma personalized apartheid for his readers, highlighting the destructive
impact of racism and hatred on human society. Even seemingly “good” characters like
Michael eventually succumb to crime and odium in the crushing environment of apartheid.
La Guma’s naturalism and symbolism in A Walk in the Night helped bring the lived reality of
apartheid to an international audience.

Standards of Critical Thinking

• Clarity
• Accuracy
• Precision
• Relevance
• Depth
• Breadth
• Logic
• Significance
• Fairness
• Integration