Communicating Ideas and Arguments through Essays

1. Communicating Ideas and Arguments through Essays Marc Kenneth L Marquez

2. essay (n.)1590s, "trial, attempt, endeavor," also "short, discursive literary composition" (first attested in writings of Francis Bacon, probably in imitation of Montaigne), from Middle French essai "trial, attempt, essay" (in Old French from 12c.), from Late Latin exagium "a weighing, a weight.” (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=essay)

3. essay • a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative (dictionary.reference.com) • a piece of writing that methodically analyses and evaluates a topic or issue; it is designed to get an academic opinion on a particular matter (learnonline.canberra.edu.au)

4. essay as a pedagogical tool In recent times, essays have become a major part of a formal education. Secondary students are taught structured essay formats to improve their writing skills, and essays are often used by universities in selecting applicants. In both secondary and tertiary education, essays are used to judge the mastery and comprehension of material. Students are asked to explain, comment on, or assess a topic of study in the form of an essay. Academic essays are usually more formal than literary ones. (ukessays.com)

5. Two Major Divisions of Essays Formal | Informal

8. Four Functional Types of Essays Expository | Persuasive | Analytical | Argumentative

9. expository essay • a writer’s explanation of a short theme, idea, or issue.

10. persuasive essay • an essay where you try to convince the reader to adopt your position on an issue or point of view

11. analytical essay • an essay where you analyze, examine and interpret such things as an event, book, poem, play or other work of art

12. argumentative essay • an essay where you prove that your opinion, theory or hypothesis about an issue is correct or more truthful than those of others

13. Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay Introduction | Body Paragraphs | Conclusion

15. thesis statement • tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. • is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. • directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel. • makes a claim that others might dispute. • is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

16. thesis statement A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis,” a basic or main idea, an argument that you think you can support with evidence but that may need adjustment along the way. (writingcenter.unc.edu)

17. sample thesis statements analytical thesis statement An analysis of college admission process reveals one challenge facing counsellors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds. expository thesis statement The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent in studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. argumentative thesis statement High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

18. introductory paragraph It should include the thesis statement, a kind of mini-outline for the paper: it tells the reader what the essay is about. The last sentence of this paragraph must also contain a transitional "hook" which moves the reader to the first paragraph of the body of the paper.

19. The introduction begins with a broad view of physical fitness, but also engages the reader by connecting with general experience. The Benefits of Regular Exercise In recent years, many people have become increasingly aware of the need for physical fitness. Almost everywhere people turn, whether it is to a newsstand, television or billboard, advice for guarding and improving health bombards them.  Although much of this advice is commercially motivated by those eager to sell vitamins, natural foods and reducing gimmicks, some of it, especially that advocating a regular exercise program, merits serious attention. Such a program, if it consists of at least thirty minutes three times a week and if a person's physician approves it, provides numerous benefits. Regular exercise releases tension, improves appearance, and increases stamina. By placing the thesis at the end of the introduction, the writer not only makes the main point clear and emphatic, but also makes sure that the essay’s main point is uppermost in the reader’s mind as the reader begins the body of the essay.

20. first body paragraph It should contain the strongest argument, most significant example, cleverest illustration, or an obvious beginning point. The first sentence of this paragraph should include the "reverse hook" which ties in with the transitional hook at the end of the introductory paragraph. The topic for this paragraph should be in the first or second sentence. This topic should relate to the thesis statement in the introductory paragraph. The last sentence in this paragraph should include a transitional hook to tie into the second paragraph of the body.

21. This sentence offers the idea (release of tension), renews the essay idea (these benefits), and also alerts the reader to the underlying logic of the arrangement of main ideas ("is immediate" suggests to the reader that the essay will follow a chronological order, the order in which the benefits become available. The first of these benefits, the release of tension, is immediate.  Tension builds in the body because of an over-accumulation of adrenaline produced by stress, anxiety, or fear. Doctors agree that performing calisthenics or participating in an active sport such as tennis or volleyball for thirty minutes releases tension. If a person swims, jogs or rides a bicycle for half that time, he or she should sleep better at night and have a better temperament the next day. In addition, after the release of tension, petty irritations and frustrations should be less troubling. For example, an employee upset by the day's work and by traffic congestion may rush home, argue with the family, and eat excessively. Taking about thirty minutes to release frustrations through physical exercise could help him or her to avoid this behavior. Planned physical exercise, therefore, can eliminate, or at least control, tension. Note how the general term, "petty irritations and frustrations," is followed by specific examples. Whether you use the exact words or not, "for example" is a helpful concept to employ. This closing sentence reinforces both the idea and the essay idea.

22. second body paragraph It should contain the second strongest argument, second most significant example, second cleverest illustration, or an obvious follow up the first paragraph in the body. The first sentence of this paragraph should include the reverse hook which ties in with the transitional hook at the end of the first paragraph of the body. The topic for this paragraph should be in the first or second sentence. This topic should relate to the thesis statement in the introductory paragraph. The last sentence in this paragraph should include a transitional hook to tie into the third paragraph of the body.

23. See how the paragraph opens with both the new idea and a renewal of the essay idea. There’s no way the reader can get lost here. An improved appearance, which is a second benefit of regular exercise, is not as immediately apparent as a better disposition. Exercise takes perhaps a month or longer to show its results in a trimmer, firmer figure. Improvement, however, will come. A person who is ten pounds overweight, for instance, may be able during this time to burn away most excess fat and to tighten muscles, thereby reshaping the physique. Having improved muscle tone and even posture, he or she will wear clothes more attractively and comfortably. Combined with a sensible diet, an exercise program will also improve a person's skin tone. This improved appearance will provide confidence and favorably impress others. Better disposition" points back at the preceding. “Not as immediate" reinforces the underlying chronological order of the main ideas.

24. third body paragraph It should contain the weakest argument, weakest example, weakest illustration, or an obvious follow up to the second paragraph in the body. The first sentence of this paragraph should include the reverse hook which ties in with the transitional hook at the end of the second paragraph. The topic for this paragraph should be in the first or second sentence. This topic should relate to the thesis statement in the introductory paragraph. The last sentence in this paragraph should include a transitional concluding hook that signals the reader that this is the final major point being made in this paper. This hook also leads into the last, or concluding, paragraph.

25. Note the transition, pointing back to the preceding paragraph and ahead to the new idea.   In addition to the self-confidence engendered by an improved appearance, increased physical strength produces stamina. A stronger, healthier body is obviously more capable of working harder and, in fact, of withstanding normal fatigue then a tense, weak one. A worker who exercises should be able to complete a forty-hour week and still retain enough energy for mowing the grass, painting the garage, or cleaning windows. Similarly, the student who goes to school, keeps house and perhaps works part time should accomplish tasks efficiently. Equally important, this stamina helps to ward off illnesses such as colds and influenza. Altogether, improved endurance is one of the most important benefits of a regular exercise program.

26. concluding paragraph It should include the following: • an allusion to the pattern used in the introductory paragraph, • a restatement of the thesis statement, using some of the original language or language that "echoes" the original language. (The restatement, however, must not be a duplicate thesis statement.) • a summary of the three main points from the body of the paper. • a final statement that gives the reader signals that the discussion has come to an end. (This final statement may be a "call to action" in an persuasive paper.)

27. This is an example of the "circle close." The conclusion returns to the opening, repeating the initial example, question, problem or statement that opens the essay. This provides a satisfying sense of overall design and completeness, and strengthens unity. This is not the only approach to an effective conclusion, and sometimes it seems artificial or forced, but it’s often smooth, effective, and easy. Be sure to note how it works here by rereading the introduction to see how it is repeated here. Although easy solutions to the goals of losing weight and achieving an attractive, energetic body saturate the media, actually acquiring these benefits is not easy. The rewards, however, are fully worth the effort of an established exercise program that makes a person feel relaxed, look healthy, and have adequate strength for strenuous as well as routine activities. Note how clearly the essay idea and the main supporting points are reinforced through their restatement here. The overall pattern of the essay follows old advice for effective public speaking: "Tell them what you’re going to tell them; tell them; then tell them what you told them." In a short essay, this approach can sometimes seem like overkill—but there’s little risk of your readers being confused..

28. Writing Homework. Choose a thesis statement from the given below. Then, develop the idea in a five-paragraph essay. You may embed researched information in your paragraphs; however, proper in-text citations must be made. Submit a word-processed output (in a short bond paper) next meeting. Note: Additional 10 points to the final examination scores will be given to the top five performing students in this task. Being successful at any job requires punctuality, dependability, and ambition. Advertisers target young people when marketing cigarettes, alcohol, and adult movies. Celebrities are often poor role models because of the ways they dress, talk, and behave. Teaching kids requires hard work, commitment, and patience. Being a good citizen means becoming informed about important social, environmental, and political issues. Stress in the fast-food workplace has led to serious physical, psychological, and emotional problems for employees.