Advanced English Writing (2) Instructor: Chun Mao Le

Organization of Essays An essay is a piece of writing that is several paragraphs long. An essay, just like a paragraph, is about one topic. There are 3 parts. 1.An introduction 2.A body (one or more paragraphs) 3.A conclusion

Introduction paragraph General statements: Give the reader background information about the topic of the essay. Get the reader interested in the topic. General statements: Give the reader background information about the topic of the essay. Get the reader interested in the topic. Thesis statement: Introduce the main idea of the essay. Like a topic sentence in a paragraph. State the main topic and tell what will be said in the body. Thesis statement: Introduce the main idea of the essay. Like a topic sentence in a paragraph. State the main topic and tell what will be said in the body.

Body paragraphs Consist of one or more paragraphs. Each paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and sometimes a concluding sentence. Consist of one or more paragraphs. Each paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and sometimes a concluding sentence. Support whatever is stated in the thesis statement. Support whatever is stated in the thesis statement. Are similar to the supporting sentences of a paragraph. Are similar to the supporting sentences of a paragraph.

Conclusion paragraph It summarizes the main points discussed in the body or restates the thesis in different words. It summarizes the main points discussed in the body or restates the thesis in different words. It also leaves the reader with a final comment or thought about the topic It also leaves the reader with a final comment or thought about the topic Begin your conclusion with a transition signal such as Begin your conclusion with a transition signal such as In conclusion, … In conclusion, … In summary, … In summary, … In summarize, … In summarize, …

The conclusion Summarizes the main points or restates the thesis in different words. Summarizes the main points or restates the thesis in different words. Includes a final comment or thought on the subject Includes a final comment or thought on the subject Begin your conclusion with a transition signal such as Begin your conclusion with a transition signal such as In conclusion, … In conclusion, … In summary, … In summary, … In summarize, … In summarize, …

Writing Practice 1. Pre-writing. a. brainstorm the topic. a. brainstorm the topic. b. brainstorm for ideas about strong character traits. b. brainstorm for ideas about strong character traits. c. work on a thesis statement. c. work on a thesis statement.

Writing Practice 2. Outlining. a. Organize your ideas. a. Organize your ideas. Step 1: write your thesis statement Step 1: write your thesis statement Step 2: pick the best examples Step 2: pick the best examples Step 3: remember to begin each paragraph with a transition showing example. Step 3: remember to begin each paragraph with a transition showing example. b. Make a more detail outline. b. Make a more detail outline.

Writing Practice 3. Write a rough draft. 4. Revise your rough draft. 5. Edit your essay. 6. Write your final copy.

Comparing and Contrasting Comparison: Comparison: Look at the similarities between two thingsLook at the similarities between two things Contrast: Contrast: Look at the differences.Look at the differences.

Comparing and Contrasting The two things that you compare and contrast must be of the same general class. The two things that you compare and contrast must be of the same general class. When you compare and contrast two things, the points you use for support must be used for both things When you compare and contrast two things, the points you use for support must be used for both things

Comparing and Contrasting Organization Organization Block organization: All the similarities are discussed in one block. The differences are discussed in another block.Block organization: All the similarities are discussed in one block. The differences are discussed in another block.

Comparing and Contrasting Comparison Words and Phrases Comparison Words and Phrases Sentence connectorsClause connectorsothers Similarly Likewise Also too As Just as and Like (+ noun) Similar to (+noun) Just like (+noun) (be) similar to (be) the same as Both… and Not only… but also

Comparing and Contrasting Contrast Words and Phrases Contrast Words and Phrases Sentence connectorsClause ConnectorsOthers However Nevertheless In contrast On the other hand On the contrary Although Even though While Whereas But Yet Despite (+noun) In spite of (+)

Cause and Effect Essay 1.Pre-writing. a. Brainstorm the topic. a. Brainstorm the topic. b. Brainstorm for reasons and ideas about each person. b. Brainstorm for reasons and ideas about each person. c. work on a thesis statement. c. work on a thesis statement.

Cause and Effect Essay 2. Outlining. a. Organize your ideas. a. Organize your ideas. step 1: write your thesis statement. step 1: write your thesis statement. step 2: pick the two best reasons from your brainstorming activity (or choose three reasons for a three-paragraph body). step 2: pick the two best reasons from your brainstorming activity (or choose three reasons for a three-paragraph body). step 3: remember to begin your paragraphs with different transition words for showing causes and their order of importance. Keep your most important cause for last. step 3: remember to begin your paragraphs with different transition words for showing causes and their order of importance. Keep your most important cause for last. b. Make a more detailed outline. b. Make a more detailed outline.

Cause and Effect Essay 3. Write a rough draft. 4. Revise your rough draft. 5. Edit your essay. 6. Write your final copy.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline 1. Introduction Thesis: situation and reasons for it Thesis: situation and reasons for it 2. Body Topic sentence: cause or reason Topic sentence: cause or reason Supporting sentences Supporting sentences 3. Conclusion Restatement of thesis Restatement of thesis Final comment Final comment