jay's sample outline - my decision to become english instructor
Jay’s Sample Outline for Tuff-Stuff Cause and Effect Essay.
TS: My most important training to become an English teacher came long before I stepped foot on any college campus.
1. Introduction – Summary of experience that preceded tuff-stuff event.
a. Struggle to find my calling – my own personal emotional marathon
b. Thesis Statement
2. Less Important and/or Obvious Cause or Effect – Growing up in Houseful of Books
a. Both parents were teachers/readers
b. Shelves in house were full of books
c. I became a natural reader
d. My mindset – what did I think about it then?
3. More Interesting or Not-So-Obvious Cause or Effect – Jay’s Bar Mitzvah
a. Forced to quit basketball team to study Hebrew
b. Experience of leading a ceremony – the importance of public speaking
c. Developed interest/skill set in learning more languages
d. Surprise factor – It took me a while to realize the true (long-term) value of learning second and third languages.
4. Casual Chain of Events – One Thing Leads to Another – Travel to Foreign Countries
a. Reading/language experience inspired interest in different cultures
b. Developed diversity of experience to write about and share
c. Motivated to teach students to do the same
d. Example: this essay – narrows the gap between teacher and student through the discussion of shared experiences
5. Conclusion - Greatest preparation to become English teacher was life experience.
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- Steve Fisher quote about passion and work: “if you have passion for what you do, you will never work another day in your life.”
- Interest in books, language, culture pushes me, pulls me every day on the job