READING STRATEGIES

Read the "Learning Through Careful Reading and Writing" section in Reference Points on pp. 15-19 . These pages will give you some ideas to improve your reading.

Think about the title of Laurence's essay, "Where the World Began." This title encourages the reader to think about creation and mythology. Perhaps the Garden of Eden comes to mind, or the black void of outer space. In any case, it is something big and mystical.


situational irony:

a discrepancy between what is expected and what actually occurs

thesis: the main idea in an essay



Time to Read!

Read the first paragraph of "Where the World Began" on p. 327 in View points 11 . At first glance the author makes the small town appear exotic and strange, not what most of us would visualize when thinking about a small, prairie town. This irony adds to the sense of mystery. In this way, she creates interest in her subject and creates a thesis which she will have to defend in the course of her essay. She will need to explain how her small prairie town can be "a place of incredible happenings, splendors and revelations" ( p. 327 ).

Read the rest of the essay now.