Effective Writing Structural Steps for Success

A Conglomeration of Paragraphs First: Writing Introductions An Introduction is essential because: It creates interest for the reader It helps the reader predict the substance (meaning) and the structure (type of writing) of the piece Some tactics to generate introductions: Define relevant term(s) Use an anecdote that supports your thesis Start with a rhetorical question Begin with an interesting, relevant quotation REMEMBER: At the end of the intro, must be your THESIS or MAIN IDEA! General (large) opener specific

All paragraphs must have:  Unity—all sentences focus on one single or main idea  Development—the process of adding detail and support to the main idea  Coherence—all sentences are logically organized to guide your reader and you create paragraphs that flow well

Strategies to ensure UNITY 1. Topic Sentence 2. Adherence to One Main Idea— i.e. do not clutter the paragraph with unnecessary sentences or irrelevant information 3. Concluding Sentence—or summary statement that wraps up the focus of that paragraph—closes!

Elaboration or Development  Types of detail for development: –Facts, statistics, quotations, definitions, anecdotes, incidents, examples, reasons, and comparisons –Don’t hesitate to use more than one kind of supporting detail in a paragraph; however, do not wander from one idea to a completely different idea

Writing Coherently  Be Clear—eliminate wordiness  Guide the reader—use transitions (to express logical movement)  Choose the appropriate ORDER of arrangement--organization

4 Common Organizational Forms 1. Chronological Order: Telling events in the order they occurred—useful for narration and steps in a process papers 2. Spatial Order: Organize spatially, i.e. moving from left to right, top to bottom, near to far, inside to outside, etc.– useful for description of person, place or object 3. Order of Importance: Organize by degree of importance, either increasing or decreasing importance— useful for persuasion 4. General-Specific Order: Make a general statement and give the specifics to support that or start with specifics and lead to the general that grows out of them.

Expressing Logic--transitions Type of Logic Types of Transitions To show Time First, after, at last, before, finally, later, then, afterword, etc. To Compare Likewise, similarly, also, in addition To Contrast Although, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, yet, still, but To show Order of Importance Above all, then, finally, secondly, last To show Cause and Effect Therefore, consequently, because, since, so that, as a result, if... Then To summarize All in all, thus, in summary, therefore To emphasize Moreover, again, in fact To show place (most prepositions) To show examples For instance, namely, in other words, for example, that is, in addition

Finally: Writing Conclusions Concluding Paragraphs are essential because: Readers remember best what they read last. It the last chance to reinforce and review the points you wanted to make Some tactics to generate conclusions: Review the main points and restate thesis Recommend a course of action Conclude with a prediction of what will occur End with a quotation (that adds weight if carefully chosen) Specific General (application to the world)