Rules of Focus and a Naming of Parts
(See the Handouts)
Umbrella Rule: repeat key noun and answer key question in every single sentence
 How to focus claim/thesis paragraph with introduction:
Repeat key noun/idea in the claim combined with one or more of the 4 methods of introduction:
1. define key terms and ideas
2. state the problem or issue
3. provide some historical or biographical background
4. use relevant article for or against your claim
 How to focus the topic sentence in support paragraphs
Repeat key noun/idea and answer the key questions found in your claim/thesis to build each
topic sentence in each grounds paragraph. These paragraphs will either be primary or
secondary.
 How to focus support sentences to the topic sentence:
Repeat key noun/idea and answer the key questions (how, why, what’s the solution) found in
your topic sentence to build each support sentence in your paragraph. These sentences will be
either primary or secondary.
Remember that primary paragraphs start with primary topic sentences, ones which repeats
key nouns and answers key questions found in the claim/thesis.
Remember that secondary paragraphs start with topic sentences that develop a key idea or
noun found in the primary paragraph.
Remember that primary support sentences repeat key nouns and answer key questions found in
the topic sentence.
Remember that secondary support sentences repeat key nouns and answer key questions found
in the primary sentence.
Rules of Style
Umbrella Rule:
Write Simply: reduce all unnecessary adverb and adjective clauses to phrases
Write Directly: use the active verb
Do not
>Ask questions. Why is Pasadena City College one of the best community colleges in Southern
California? Make Statements! Pasadena City College is one of the best community colleges in
Southern California.
>Use “there are/is” or “it is” constructions. There are many reasons that students at PCC have
weak study habits. Many Students at PCC have weak study habits.
>Address the reader with “you.” You will see that many students from PCC transfer to the best
schools in California. Many students from PCC transfer to the best schools in California. In fact,
avoid you unless you have some reason to talk to the reader directly.
>Start sentences with “It” or even use the word “it.” Instead use a noun to replace the “it” word.
Students at UCLA will face a twenty percent increase in tuition. It will be a burden on
financially disadvantaged students. Students at UCLA will fact a twenty percent increase in
tuition. This increase will burden the already financially disadvantaged.
>Use “I believe” or “In my opinion.” In my opinion, going to college requires a financial
investment that outweighs the financial return. Going to college requires a financial investment
that outweighs the financial return.
>Use this construction “In Mr. Meier’s class, he wants us to follow his rules of style and focus.
Mr. Meier wants us to follow his rules of style.
Or this one: According to Mr. Meier, he believes that college English classes should require
students to be grammar geniuses. Mr. Meier believe that college English classes should require
students to be grammar geniuses. Note that the noun “he” unnecessarily repeats the noun
“Meier” in the phrase.
(You can begin sentences with these prepositions, but you must make a statement after them, not
repeat the noun in the phrase. For example, In Mr. Meier’s class, students work on sentence
patterns to build their grammar skills. Or According to Mr. Meier, most students do not learn
enough grammar in their college English classes.)
Use the Linking Verb or the Passive Verb unless you can defend its use. PCC is in need of a new
computer program for students. Instead write, PCC needs a new computer program for students.
The play Death of a Salesman was attended by most of the students in my English 1B class.
Instead write, Most students in my English 1B class attended the play Death of a Salesman.
Avoid these sentence beginnings: The reason why/One of the reasons/The first reason/The
reason for/The way that/The idea that. Use the name nouns that form the topic of your paper.
The reader or one can find/The reader will note/The reader might wonder (more to come)
In short, here are the Rules of Style: Start Fast. Write Simply and Directly.
To write simply means that you will reduce unnecessary clauses to phrases.
To write directly means that you will consciously try to use active verb in each sentence and
avoid using the passive or linking verb construction.