College Writing Skills with Readings 8th Edition by John Langan

Exercise 3

Both of the following essays contain irrelevant sentences that do not relate to the thesis of the essay or support the topic sentence of the paragraph in which they appear. Cross out the irrelevant sentences and write the numbers of those sentences in the spaces provided.
Playing on the Browns
1 For the past three summers, I have played first base on a softball team known as the Browns. 2 We play a long schedule, including playoffs, and everybody takes the games pretty seriously. 3 In that respect, we're no different from any other of the thousand or so teams in our city. 4 But in one respect, we are different. 5 In an all-male league, we have a woman on the team-me. 6 Thus I've had a chance to observe something about human nature by seeing how the men have treated me. 7 Some have been disbelieving; some have been patronizing; and, fortunately, some have simply accepted me.
8 One new team in the league was particularly flabbergasted to see me start the game at first base. 9 Nobody on the Comets had commented one way or the other when he saw me warming up, but playing in the actual game was another story. 10 The Comets' first-base coach leaned over to me with a disbelieving grin and said, "You mean, you're starting, and those three guys are on the bench " 11 I nodded and he shrugged, still amazed. 12 He probably thought I was the manager's wife. 13 When I came up to bat, the Comet pitcher smiled and called to his outfielders to move way in on me. 14 Now, I don't have a lot of power, but I'm not exactly feeble. 15 I used to work out on the exercise machines at a local health club until it closed, and now I lift weights at home a couple of times a week. 16 I wiped the smirks off their faces with a line drive double over the left fielder's head.
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________
17 The next game, we played another new team, the Argyles, and their attitude was patronizing. 18 The Argyles had seen me take batting practice, so they didn't do anything so rash as to draw their outfield way in. 19 They had respect for my ability as a player. 20 However, they tried to annoy me with phony concern. 21 For example, a redheaded Argyle got on base in the first inning and said to me, "You'd better be careful, hon. 22 When you have your foot on the bag, somebody might step on it. 23 You can get hurt in this game." 24 I was mad, but I have worked ou several mental techniques to control my anger because it interferes with my playing ability. 25 Well, this delicate little girl survived the season without injury, which is more than I can say for some of the he-men on the Argyles.
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________
26 Happily, most of the teams in the league have accepted me, just as the Browns did. 27 The men on the Browns coached and criticized me (and occasionally cursed me) just like anyone else. 28 Because I'm a religious person, I don't approve of cursing, but I don't say anything about it to my teammates. 29 They are not amazed when I get a hit or stretch for a wide throw. 30 My average this year was higher than the averages of several of my teammates, yet none of them acted resentful or threatened. 31 On several occasions I was taken out late in a game for a pinch runner, but other slow players on the team were also lifted at times for pinch runners. 32 Every woman should have a team like the Browns!
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________
33 Because I really had problems only with the new teams, I've concluded that it's when people are faced with an unfamiliar situation that they react defensively. 34 Once a rival team has gotten used to seeing me on the field, I'm no big deal. 35 Still, I suspect that the Browns secretly feel we're a little special. 36 After all, we won the championship with a woman on the team.
How to Con an Instructor
1 Enter college, and you'll soon be reminded of the old saying "The pen is mightier than the sword." 2 That person behind the instructor's desk holds your future in his or her ink-stained hands. 3 So your first important assignment in college has nothing to do with required readings, examinations, or even the hazards of registration. 4 It is, instead, how to con an instructor.
5 The first step in conning an instructor is to use body language. 6 You may be able to convince your instructor that you are special without even saying a word. 7 When you enter the classroom, be sure to sit in the front row. 8 That way, the instructor can't possibly miss you. 9 Then, as the instructor lectures, take notes frantically. 10 The instructor will be flattered that you think so much of his or her words that you want to write them all down. 11 A felt-tip pen is superior to a pen or pencil; it will help you write faster and prevent aching wrists. 12 While you are writing, be sure to smile at the instructor's jokes and nod violently in agreement with every major point. 13 Most important, as class continues, sit with your body pitched forward and your eyes wide open, fixed firmly, as if hypnotized, on your instructor's face. 14 Make your whole body suggest that you are watching a star.
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________
15 Once you have mastered body language, it is time to move on to the second phase of conning the instructor: class participation. 16 Everyone knows that the student who is most eager to learn is the one who responds to the questions that are asked and even comes up with a few more. 17 Therefore, be sure to be responsive. 18 Questions such as "How does this affect the future of the United States " or "Don't you think that someday all this will be done by computer " can be used in any class without prior knowledge of the subject matter. 19 Many students, especially in large classes, get lost in the crowd and never do anything to make themselves stand out: 20 Another good participation technique is to wait until the instructor has said something that sounds profound and then ask him or her to repeat it slowly so you can get it down word for word in your notes. 21 No instructor can resist this kind of flattery.
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________
22 However, the most advanced form of conning an instructor happens after class. 23 Don't be like the others who slap their notebooks closed, snatch up their books, and rush out the door before the echoes of the final bell have died away. 24 Did you ever notice how students begin to get restless about five minutes before class ends, even if there's no clock on the wall 25 Instead, be reluctant to leave. 26 Approach the instructor's desk hesitantly, almost reverently. 27 Say that you want to find out more about the topic. 28 Is there any extra reading you can do 29 Even better, ask if the instructor has written anything on the topic-and whether you could borrow it. 30 Finally, compliment your instructor by saying that this is the most interesting course you've ever taken. 31 Nothing beats the personal approach for making an instructor think you care.
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________
32 Body language, questions, after-class discussions-these are the secrets of conning an instructor that every college student should know. 33 These kinds of things go on in high school, too, and they're just as effective on that level. 34 Once you master these methods, you won't have to worry about a thing-until the final exam.
The number of the irrelevant sentence: _________