Essay Writing

1. Essay Writing

2. Some important instructionsTyped Paragraph • Type your name in the top right corner. • Centre the title about 4 cm from the top edge of the paper. • Leave 4 blank lines between the title and the first line. • Indent five spaces to begin the paragraph. • Leave 2,5 cm margins on both sides and the bottom of the paper. • Double space. (Leave one blank line between each line of typing.)

3. An example of a typed format

4. Title Rules • Capitalise the first and important words in a title : e.g. Choosing a Vacation Spot • Do not capitalise short prepositions such as on, to, in, for; short conjunctions such as and, or, so; and the articles a, an, the • e.g. How to Fight Stress • Capitalise a short word if it is the first word in the title: e.g. The Problems of Single Parenting

5. Capitalisation Rules

8. Comma, is it important? To pardon not to hang. To pardon, not to hang. To pardon not, to hang. Stop Bill! Stop, Bill! Let’s eat grandma! Let’s eat, grandma! A woman without her man is nothing. A woman, without her, man is nothing.

11. Organisation An essay has three main parts: • 1. An introductory paragraph • 2. A body (at least one, but usually two or more paragraphs) • 3. A concluding paragraph

12. The introductory paragraph An introduction has four purposes: • 1. It introduces the topic of the essay. • 2. It gives a general background of the topic • 3. It often indicates the overall “plan” of the essay • 4. It should arouse the reader’s interest in the topic. Consists of two parts: • 1. A few general statements • 2. A thesis statement

13. General statements • Introduce the topic of the essay • Give background information on the topic

14. The thesis statement The most important sentence in the introduction. • States the main topic • Often lists the subdivisions of the topic or subtopics • May indicate the method of organisation of the entire paper • Is usually the last sentence in the introductory paragraph

15. Introduction Any person who has lived in the twentieth century has seen a lot of changes take place in almost all areas of human existence. Some people are excited by the challenges that these changes offer; others want to return to the simpler life-style of the past. The twentieth century had certain advantages such as a higher standard of living for many, but it also had some disadvantages such as a polluted environment, the depersonalisation of human relationships and the weakening of spiritual values.

16. Examples of thesis statements with no subtopics mentioned • Being the oldest son has more disadvantages than advantages • Young people in my culture have less freedom than young people in the United States. • The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major effects on cities.

17. A thesis statement with subtopics • The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major effects on a city’s ability to provide housing, employment and adequate sanitation services.

18. Devices used when listing subtopics in a thesis statement • Colon (:) Prejudice arises from three basic causes: childhood conditioning, ignorance and fear. • Correlative conjunctions (both...and, not only...but also, neither...nor, either...or) Young people in my culture have less freedom than young people in the United States not only in their choice of life-style but also in their choice of careers.

19. Put the sentences in the following introductory paragraphs in the right order

20. Which method of organisation, chronological or comparison and contrast is indicated? • Beginning in World War II and continuing through the period of economic boom,the status of women in Xanadu has changed remarkably. • Although the status of women in Xanadu has improved in recent years, it is still very low when compared to the status of women in the countries of the industrialised world.

21. Thesis statements where both the method of organisation and the major subdivisions of the topic are indicated: • The status of women in Xanadu has changed remarkably in recent years due to increased educational opportunities and change in the country’s laws. • The status of women in Xanadu has improved in recent years in the areas of economic independence, political rights, educational opportunities and social status. How many paragraphs? Which topics?

22. Analyse the following thesis statements. 1. Locate the main topic and subtopics in each of the thesis statements 2. Underline the subtopics. 3. Draw a circle around the words or punctuation marks that are used to introduce the subtopics.

23. Paragraph Consists of 1. a topic sentence 2. supporting sentences

24. Task • 1. Decide which of the following sentences is the topic sentence. • 2. Decide the order of supporting sentences.

25. Unity • Every good paragraph has unity, i.e. only onemain idea is discussed, which is introduced in the topic sentence. • Every supporting sentence must directly explain or prove the main idea that is stated in the topic sentence. • Do not write supporting sentences that are ̎off the topic ̎, i.e. irrelevant sentences.

26. Task • 1. Find paragraphs. • 2. Underline the first sentence of each paragraph.

27. Coherence • Latin verb cohere means ̎hold together ̎. Coherence in writing means: • Logical and smooth movement from one sentence/paragraph to the next. • No sudden jumps.

28. Four ways to achieve coherence • 1. repeat key nouns • 2. use pronouns • 3. use transition signals • 4. arrange sentences in logical order

29. Cohesion 1. Well constructed sentences 2. No unnecessary repetition

30. Task • Read through both paragraphs about gold: one with and the other one without coherence. • Read through the paragraph and replace the pronoun with the key noun English wherever needed • Read through the third paragraph and replace some of the pronouns with nouns.

31. Transitions signals • Words : first, second, next, finally, therefore, however, etc. • Phrases: in conclusion, on the other hand, as a result, etc. • Traffic signs that tell the reader when to go forward, turn, slow down and stop.

32. They tell the reader when you are giving • a similar idea (similarly, moreover, furthermore, in addition); • an opposite idea ( on the other hand, however, in contrast); • an example (for example); • a result (as a result); • a conclusion (in conclusion).

33. Task: add transition signals • Paragraph • A difference among the world’s seas and oceans is that the salinity varies in different climate zones. The baltic Sea in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East. There are reasons for this. In warm climates water evaporates rapidly. The concentration of salt is greater. The surrounding land is dry and does not contribute much fresh water to dilute the salty sea water. In cold climate zones, water evaporates slowly. The runoff created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh water to dilute the saline sea water.

34. The Concluding Paragraph • 1. A summary of the main points or restatement of your thesis in different words • 2. Your final comment on the subject, based on the information you have provided

35. An example of a concluding paragraph • In short, although the twentieth century has indeed given some of us a lot of advantages by making us richer, healthier and freer to enjoy our lives, it has, in my opinion, not made us wiser. The twentieth century has also made our earth dirtier, our people less humane and our spiritual lives poorer. We wish to continue to enjoy the benefits of technological advancement because they free us to pursue our other interests and goals. However, we must make a concerted effort to preserve our natuaral environment for future generations.

36. Correct the mistakes • Parallel structure with correlative conjunctions 1 My sister not only gives the dog treats but she also brushes him twice a day. My sister not only gives the dog treats but also brushes him twice a day. 2 Either people go to pet stores to buy a pet or just to enjoy looking at the animals. People go to pet stores either to buy a pet orjust to enjoy looking at the animals.

37. 3 Not only does Sam expect a good return on his money but also an increase in the stock’s value. Not only does Sam expect a good return on his money, but he also expects an increase in the stock’s value. Or: Sam expects not only a good return on his money but also an increase in the stock’s value

38. 4 Not only are you wrong, but also reckless. Not only are you wrong, but you are also reckless Or: You are not only wrongbut also reckless. 5 She is either buying a new house or she will rent an apartment for a year. She is either buying a new house or renting an apartment. Or: Either she is buying a new house or she is renting an apartment.

39. 6 The advertisement promised both satisfaction and it promised success. The advertisement promised both satisfaction and success. 7 Tell me where you were, what you were doing and the reasons for doing it. Tell me where you were, what you were doing and why you were doing it.

40. Tense consistencyUse the correct tense form 1 The weather service predicts that it (get) cold in a week. will get 2 The outer rings of the disc cracked after the centre (dry) out from age. had dried 3 The students (work) on their projects as we are speaking. are working

41. 4 By next Thursday, he (talk) to the assembly twice. will have talked 5 Her brother (kept) a diary for over ten years now. has kept

42. Miscellaneous usage errors 1 An inventory of cars and trucks are now available. An inventory of cars and trucks is now available. 2 Michael Phelps won a huge amount of medals in the 2008 Olympics. ....a huge number of medals... 3 Brown’s lawyer argued passionately for his innocence. Brown’s lawyer argued passionately for the defendant’s innocence.

43. 4 The situation in Guyana is more serious than El Salvador. The situation in Guyana is more serious than the situation in El Salvador. 5 Since returning in 2005, much of Bill’s time is devoted to his garden. Since he returned in 2005, .... 6 the candidate spoke clearly, persuasively and with grace. ... and gracefully