MINILESSON 8: Focusing Your Idea

Focusing Ideas

Writers must narrow their topic and link their topic to other subjects. The point where those ideas link is a great place to look.

Exploring a Writing Topic

·         Think of the big picture. How broad is your topic?

·         Where does the text overlap or connect with others? This point of connection can be a good topic about which to write.

·         Use the 5Ws and H to define your topic.

·         Once you know your topic, narrow it down. What exactly are you interested?

·         After narrowing your topic, look at it again. What are its individual parts? Can you narrow it down even more?

·         What is the history of the topic? Where did you learn about this issue?

·         What is its purpose?

·         What does it affect? How does it affect that other thing?

·         What other events or issues affected this topic?

·         What will the topic be like in the future? How will it change?

·         Why is the topic important?

·         Why are you interested in this topic?

·         What is your purpose for writing about this subject?

·         Who will be your audience?

·         What do you want to tell your audience about this topic?

Ideas are everywhere. They are everything that you think, remember, notice, believe, wish for, or dream up. The ideal design is where you make a connection that other don’t.

In writing, there are six traits or qualities that we look for when we read our own or someone else’s writing:

·         Ideas

·         Organizations

·         Voice

·         Word Choice

·         Sentence Fluency

·         Conventions and Presentation

Here is a checklist to look for when thinking about your idea:

·         My writing will grab and hold your attention.

·         The central idea or message jumps out at you.

·         I know this topic inside or out.

·         This writing will make you think and remember.

·         The details I choose will intrigue you.

Mentor Text:

 “Flying a helicopter to the North Pole is not exactly as straightforward as it seems. Firstly, there is no pole at the geographic North Pole. If you need one, you have to take your own. The pole sits directly on some ice flows. These can drift up to four miles a day. The Magnetic North Pole does not remain static, either. It is closer to Resolute, about 300 miles, but it moves around too. It moves in an arc of approximately 90 miles. There are lots of other physical difficulties about flying in the Arctic, one of which is a lack of horizon on most days.”