1. Writing an Academic Essay – By Daniel Tarker
The Purpose and Process of Academic Writing

2. What Is The Purpose of the Academic Essay?
The word “essay” is derived from the Latin verb “exigere”, which means to:
Examine
Test
Drive out
Given this definition, what could the purpose of an essay be?

3. Other Purposes Discover knowledge Make a point Persuade the reader
Share information
Synthesize Information
Analyze a topic
Document your observations
All of the above

4. Think of Writing as a Step-by-Step Process
Read and Research
Brainstorm Ideas
Develop a Working Thesis and Outline
Write a Rough Draft
Review for Content
Revise Rough Draft
Review for Grammar and Mechanics
Revise Second Draft
Continue Reviewing and Revising as Needed

5. Where Do I Get Ideas To Write About?
Read texts related to your topic
Use brainstorming techniques like:
Listing ideas
Clustering or mind mapping
Free writing
Discuss the issue with others
Research the topic

6. Reading a Text
Compare these two images about Japanese Concentration camps during World War II. The first is by American photographer Ansel Adams. The second is a cartoon by Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel.

7. Contrasting the Two Texts
Ansel Adams
Uses photograph
Creates sympathy
Documents history
Subtle
Politically motivated
Captures humanity
Shows us the suffering
Emphasizes helplessness
Focused on the individual
Dr. Seuss
Uses cartoon
Stirs animosity
Caricature of sentiments
Exaggerated
Politically motivated
Uses stereotypes
Makes characters look happy
Emphasizes danger to Japanese
Focused on the larger view

8. Brain Storming Sometimes writers work in reverse order.
Determine the facts/ ideas.
Support them with evidence.
Comments about the significance of evidence.
Sometimes once the writer knows his/her points to be made, then s/he develops a thesis statement.
Next develops the introduction and conclusion.
And revises to include transitional sentences and connection to the thesis in each paragraph.

9. Clustering
Write your main point in the center of the page and circle it
As ideas come to you, branch off from the main point
Think of the cluster as a tree, each idea branching off a previous idea
Do not censor or edit yourself

10. Cluster Example

11. Develop a Working Thesis
A thesis comes at the end of the introduction section of your paper
It lets the reader know exactly what overall point you are trying to make
It should be specific, not general
It can be used by the reader and the writer as a road map for the rest of the paper
It is not fixed; it can and should evolve as your ideas evolve
What you present in the paper should not deviate from what you promise in the thesis
Establishes expectations

12. Thesis Examples
Dr. Seuss’ caricature of Japanese in California cartoons during World War II depicts Japanese Americans in a stereotypical way demonstrating the fears of the American public during a time of war, and focuses on the broad, generalized issues of the situation rather than the individual circumstances of the people involved.

13. Developing an Outline
Once you establish a thesis, use it to help you develop an outline of the paper
An outline will:
Help you organize your ideas
Keep you focused
Save time
For every main point, you’ll need several supporting details

14. Outline Example
Thesis
Main Point
Supporting Point
Detail
Conclusion

15. Writing the Rough Draft
Now that you have a thesis and outline, you may begin writing your rough draft.
As you write this rough draft, keep the following strategies in mind:
Organize information in your body paragraphs
Hook the reader in the introduction
Keep your paper coherent with transition words and sentences
Wrap up your paper with a strong closing
Utilize academic writing conventions
Follow the writing process

16. Introductions The purpose of the introduction paragraph is to:
Hook the reader
Contextualize your argument or topic
Provide necessary background information about the topic

17. Strategies to Hook the Reader
Ask a question
Tell a story
Use a quote
Provide interesting statistics
Share an anecdote
Make a provocative statement

18. Give Context in the Introduction
What does the reader need to know to understand this paper?
Historical background
Issues relating to the topic
Important authors and texts you will be referring to
Cultural issues
Why this topic is important or relevant

19. Start Your Body Paragraphs with Clear Topic Sentences
A topic sentence:
Comes at the beginning of a paragraph
Presents the most important point you want to make in that paragraph
Is specific (or not so broad it would require a full essay to explore)

20. Use Compelling Supporting Points to Support Your Topic Sentence
Supporting points are examples or pieces of evidence that support the claim you have made in your topic sentence.
They can be:
Facts
Examples
Anecdotes (Stories)
Expert Testimony
Quotes
Observations
Statistics

21. Make Sure to Elaborate with Concrete Details
Once you have listed your supporting points, you can now elaborate on them by adding details or explaining what you mean further.

22. Example
Topic Sentence: Dr. Seuss emphasized the danger posed by Japanese Americans during World War II.
Main Point: His pictures show a parade of smiling Japanese marching down the West Coast collecting explosives.
Detail: Each box of TNT these cartoon characters carry plays on the often-irrational fears Americans felt toward Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

23. An Alternative: Using the PIE Formula
Another useful strategy to organize information is to use the PIE formula
PIE
P = Point = The main point you want to make
I = Illustration = A quote or paraphrase from the text
E = Explanation = Your explanation about what the quote or paraphrase means

24. Use Transitions to Create Coherence
Use transition words or sentences to bridge ideas so the reader does not get confused
First
Second
In addition
Nevertheless
In contrast
Furthermore
Therefore
Etc.

25. Strategies for a Conclusion
Re-state your thesis statement in a different way.
Make a strong closing comment.
Leave the reader with a closing thought.

26. Academic Conventions: Things to Avoid
Avoid using personal pronouns like “I”, “We”, and “You”.
Avoid not use contractions like “isn’t”, “they’re”, “wasn’t”, etc.
Avoid slang
Avoid a personal tone
Avoid vague ideas
Avoid plagiarism

27. Academic Conventions: Things to Do
Do address both sides of an argument
Do cite your sources
Do use a formal tone
Do take a stand
Do use concrete details
Do give yourself time to develop your paper

28. Remember, Writing is a Process
Every writing assignment is practice for the next one
Writing takes time
Go through every step of the process
Focus on your ideas first
Focus on grammar and spelling last
Get feedback from a peer, instructor, or tutor