MANAGING THE MAIN POINTS

Generating Main Points: The Bottom-Up Approach

3 methods to stimulate thinking

Talking
Focused dialogue in small groups is usually best for this technique. Great way to clarify what you already know and dont know about a topic. And you can build on the ideas of others, discover what you think & evaluate your own reasoning.

Talk the talk, and walk the talk.

Still talking
Its important that you take notes since what is significant to one person may not to another; and you never know what youll need for your essay.

Free Writing
Free Writing is talking written down.

And business communication is talking written down in a clear and orderly fashion. This never goes out of fashion. Never.

Brainstorming (youve done this before)

What else?

Generating Main Points: Top Down Approach

The 12 questions to answer:

Answer these questions to generate ideas: 1. How is your subject made or done? 2. How does your subject work? 3. What are the main kinds of your subject? 4. What are the component parts of your subject? 5. What are the significant features, characteristics, or functions of your subject? 6. What are the causes of your subject? 7. What are the effects or consequences of your subject?

The 12 questions to answer cont:

8. What are the similarities and/or differences between your subject and X? 9. What are the main advantages/disadvantages of your subject? 10. What are the reasons in favor of/against your subject? 11. What does your subject look, feel, sound, smell, and/or taste like? 12. How did your subject happen? 13. This is the theory. Lets test it.

Generating Main Points: Top Down Approach

Generating Main Points: Top Down Approach

Subject: Law enforcement officers Selected Question: What are the main functions of law enforcement officers? Main Points: Preventing crime Apprehending criminals Enforcing the law Acting as role models Helping those in need

Another Example:
Subject: Job interviews Selected Question: How do you make a negative impression in a job interview? Main Points: Be inappropriately dressed. Be ignorant about the company. Complain about former employers.

Testing Your Main Points

Testing Your Main Points

Main points must be significant, distinct & relevant. Reasons for attending college: 1. to learn career skills 2. to improve your general knowledge of the world 3. to enjoy the social life 4. to participate in student government

Testing Your Main Points

Are your main points distinct? Advantages of cycling: 1. improves fitness 2. stimulates enjoyment of surroundings 3. keeps one in shape 4. doesnt damage the environment

Testing Your Main Points

Are your main points relevant? Why buy all-season tires?

1. 2. 3. 4.

better control on turns increased traction in loose snow added expense decreased stopping distance

Organizing Your Main Points

Organizing Your Main Points

There are 4 ways to order your main thoughts: 1. CHRONOLOGICAL

2. CLIMACTIC
3. LOGICAL 4. RANDOM

Organizing Your Main Points

1. CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Example: the evolution of a relationship

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

first meeting attraction discovery intimacy disillusionment

Organizing Your Main Points

2. CLIMACTIC Example: Advantages of a postsecondary education

1. 2. 3. 4.

development of skills & knowledge friendships & contacts with compatible people potential for higher income discovery of ones own potential

Organizing Your Main Points

3. LOGICAL Example: the main causes of youth crime

1. 2. 3. 4.

lack of opportunity for work lack of recreational facilities boredom craving for excitement

Organizing Your Main Points

4. RANDOM Example: the garbage disposal crisis

1. disposal sites are hard to find 2. cartage costs are high 3. new technologies are not yet fully developed

Huh?
So youve learned how to identify main points How to test them for suitability How to arrange them in the best order