Academic writing i

1. Academic writing i May 17th 2012

2. Today • Look at another essay type.

3. Example • Read the sample essay about digestion (소화). • Underline the thesis statement. • Underline the topic sentence in each paragraph. • What does this essay do? • What do you notice about its organization?

4. Chronological order: Process Essays • Sometimes called “how to” essays (depending on the topic). • A way of organizing ideas in the order of their occurrence in time. • Many uses: • - Tell stories • - Relate historical events • - Write biographies • - Explain a process

5. Process essay • A process is a fixed or ordered series of actions or events leading to a… • A process essay either instructs the reader to do something, or tells how something was done. • It can also explain the significance of the process. • i.e., the effect the process may have on objects or people. result

6. Process essay • Here are some important aspects to keep in mind when preparing for a process essay: • What is the process? • What is the significance off the process? • Who is the target audience of this essay? • What tools and skills are required for the process? • What is the time duration of the process? • What are the steps (and their importance)? • What problems could arise in the process? • What are some necessary precautions?

7. Process essay • When developing this kind of essay, keep these points in mind: • - Include all key steps and arrange them in sequence. • - Explain why each step is necessary (include warnings where appropriate). • - Define terms that the readers may not be familiar with. • - Provide clear descriptions of any tools or materials needed to complete the process.

8. Chronological order: Process Essays Organization: I. Introductory paragraph - Can be attention-grabbing or funnel style. 1. State what the process is and why it is important. 2. Give background information and define the process. 3. Thesis statement.II. Body - Step 1 - Step 2 - etc. III. Concluding paragraph 1. Restate the thesis statement. 2. Summarize the main steps. 3. Final comment.

9. Chronological order: Process Essays • Thesis statement: • A thesis statement for a process essay indicates the time order in some way. • Expressions like: “the process of…” “the procedure for…” “plan…” “develop…” “five stages…” indicate that time order will be used.

10. Chronological order: Process Essays • Thesis statement: • The field of genetic engineering has developed rapidly in the past 10 years. • A child learns to share over a period of time. • The process of heating water by solar radiation involves three main steps. • The main steps in the process of heating water by solar radiation are trapping the sun’s energy, heating and storing the hot water, and distributing the hot water to its points of use.

11. Chronological order: Process Essays • Thesis statement: • The procedure for submitting essays has recently changed. • The lifecycle of a butterfly is an interesting phenomenom.

12. Chronological order: Process Essays • Planning: • 1. Be aware of the audience (what do they know?). • i.e., “How to paint a room” is explained differently to a professional painter than it is to me. Explaining how to paint a room to me would require specific details.

13. Chronological order: Process Essays • Planning: • 2. Order the steps chronologically • - Make sure each step of the process is arranged in the order of appearance. • - Look at the sample essay again.

14. Chronological order: Process Essays • Planning: • 3. Don’t leave out any key steps that are important to achieve results. • i.e., Explaining how to get a driver’s license to international students studying in the U.S.

15. Chronological order: Process Essays i.e., Explaining how to get a driver’s license to international students studying in the U.S. • First, go to the Motor Vehicle Department. • Next, take a vision test. • Next, take a written test. • Then, take the driving test. • At the end, pay the fee.

16. Chronological order: Process Essays • Planning: • 4. Define unfamiliar or important technical terms. • i.e., Explaining how to change a flat tire. • - doing this requires a tool called a “lug wrench”. • - a tool that removes bolts from the tire.

17. Chronological order: Process Essays • Planning: • 5. Anticipate problems. • Warn the readers about any possible difficulties that may arise. • i.e., Explaining how to get a driver’s license… • You may warn the reader to practice parking before taking the driving test.

18. Chronological order: Process Essays • Planning: • 5. Anticipate problems. • Explain the purpose of a step. • i.e., Why someone trying for a driver’s license should have his/her car checked before going to the driving test (you could fail the test of the car has a problem).

19. Chronological order: Process Essays • Transitions

20. Paper 5: Due May 29th (Tuesday) • Write a process essay (that explains a process). • Remember to apply what we have talked about in class in this essay. • Choose from one of the topics on the next slide. • NOTE: the length of your essay will depend on the number of steps you discuss.

21. Paper 5: Due May 29th (Tuesday) • How to succeed at a job interview? • How to improve a course you have taken. • How a student becomes burned out. • How to maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. • How to lose weight without losing your mind • How to choose a major •  How to organize a surprise party • How to overcome insomnia • How to develop self-confidence