In-class Essay Writing_ Essay Structure

7/30/2019 In-class Essay Writing_ Essay Structure

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By: Kristina Yegoryan

ESSAY STRUCTURE


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WHAT IS AN ESSAY?

The word essay means to try.

An essayis a piece of writing which is often writtenfrom an author's personal point of view.

It is a short piece of non-fiction: an editorial, afeature story or a critical study.

It differs from the article as in the essay the pleasureof reading takes precedence over the informationin the text!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspective_(cognitive)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspective_(cognitive)


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THE ORIGINE of ESSAY

The term was first used during the Renaissance ( 16thcentury) by Michel Montaigne who attempted toassay (weight) his thoughts on human perception.

17 th Cent. Age of Enlightenment: Essays were afavored tool of polemicists who aimed at convincingreaders of their position

18th

, 19th

Cent: Essays were written for a general public 20th Cent: Some used essay to explain the new

movement in art ( T.S. Eliot) and some used for literarycriticism (v. Woolf, Charles du Bos)


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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OFAcademic ESSAY WRITING ?

Essay writing shows critical thinking and ability to

express ones thoughts in writing.

Writing an academic essay means fashioning a

coherent set of ideas into an argument.


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The Main Essay Types are:

Narrative ( to tell a story/incident)

Expository (to explain or acquaint with something)

Exemplification (brings in many examples to

support a choice/argument)Cause and Effect

Descriptive

DefinitionCompare and Contrast

Persuasive/ Argumentative (prove a point)


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PARTS OF ESSAY

Introduction: The introductory paragraph sets the tone and thedirection for the composition. The paragraph starts with a generalstatement or question that captures the readers attention. Theparagraph concludes with a specific thesis statement.

Body: The body of a composition can consist of any number ofparagraphs that support the thesis statement. Typically compositionscontain one to three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph has its owntopic sentence with supporting evidence or commentary.

Conclusion: The concluding paragraph brings the composition to aclose. It often begins with a restatement of the thesis in different words.The paragraph ends with a more general statement or a call to action.


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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OFIN-CLASS ESSAY?

At times it is difficult to test a students knowledgewith multiple-choice tests.

Essay writing shows:Students interpretation

Critical thinking

Projection/expression of ideasWriting skills


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In-Class EssayHOW TO DO WELL

First read the instructions

Read and understand the questions

Break each question down to grasp what they areexpecting as a response

All the 3 questions have several small questionswithin them; make sure you address them all

Underline or circle the main ideas in each question

Turn the page and NOW ONLY read the text

Manage your time wisely


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THESIS (Argument +A, B, and C supports)

BODY

AB

C

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

ESSAY STRUCTURE

ESSAY MAN


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Have you ever had an interest in self defense? Karate is martial art and a way offighting and self-defense based on an understanding of both body and mind. As acollege student, I discovered tae kwon do. Even though I was physically fit and plannedto become a police officer, I thought that women needed special skills to protectthemselves. Karate teaches these skills and more.

First, the discipline of karate helps the student to outfight and outsmart heropponent. For a while, I didnt appreciate the discipline. We had to practice every nightin class and also commit to a rigid exercise plan outside of class. We also had to bedisciplined in our study of the course materials.

Second, with practice, karate increases maturity. Although maturity sometimescomes with age, it can also come with experience. Maturity is something that I thoughtI had developed until I started my karate classes, and I realized that I have a hot temper

and often jump to conclusions.Finally, after a year or so, karate can change the students self-concept. This

happened to me. On one hand, I became confident that I had the skills to take care ofbusiness if necessary. On the other hand, the better I got, the more I started to act like apussycat instead of a lion. Inside I knew that I had nothing to prove to anybody.

As I discovered firsthand, the practice of karate can bring personal benefits thatgo far beyond self-defense

t in this martial art. Imagine the benefits

that practicing karate could possibly bring to your own life. Chances are that thereclasses are being offered in your local community right now. What are you waiting for?Sign-up today.

Adapted from the following book:

Fawcett, Susan and Alvin Sandberg. Grassroots with Readings. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print.


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1.Attention Getter / HookUse anyof these hook strategies:

Rhetorical question

General statement

Very specific statement

2. Definition/ Depiction

3. The Triangle ( The author , title, and main idea ofthe reading)

4. Explanation/Summary of the story (1-2 sent.)

5. Thesis Statement ( the last sent/the main argument)

INTRODUCTION


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A Thesis Statement is

A sentence that goes at the end of yourintroductory paragraph. IT IS THE LASTSENTENCE OF INTRODUCTION

The main idea of the whole essay.

A debatable statement, the authorsargument /opinion.

It is usually 1 sentence or 2 max.


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What does a thesis statement do?

A thesis statement

provides the point you (the authors) want to prove.

presents your argument in a concise form.

can provide the opposite point of view.

gives the structure your essay will follow; it is

like a roadmap that tells what to expect next.

Thesis is also said

to be like an

umbrella that covers

all the main ideas of

the essay.


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THESIS STATEMEMT

It is the main idea of the whole essay

It is the last sentence of Introduction

It should show if you agree with the authors mainargument ( so it shows your argument) andintroduces the support (s) that are later developedin the Body paragraph.


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A Simple Thesis Formula

Althoughcounter argument, actuallyyour

argument because 1st supporting idea,2nd supporting

Idea,and3rd supporting idea.


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Are there different types of thesisstatements?

Open vs. Complete

An Open Thesis does not contain the body points.

i.e. Everyone should drive a hybrid car.

A Complete Thesisincludes the body points.

i.e. Everyone should drive a hybrid car because they pollute

less, they get better mileage, and they help reduce gasoline

costs.


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Question(s) 1Question(s) 2 Question(s) 3

BODY A BODY B BODY C

BODY PARAGRAPHS

In any of the Body paragraphs include:At least 1 quote and an example


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BODY PARAGRAPHS

Each Body Paragraph has:

Topic Sentence ( a statement referring/paraphrasing the question)

Supporting sentences united with transitional words

( Answers to the questions )

Closure sentence ( summarizing the idea of theparagraph


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1. Summary sentence

(General statement going back to Introduction

or if started with a rhetorical ?-then answer to the question)

2. Restating the Triangle

3. Restatement of Thesis (re-saying your argument

(Ex. Since A, B, and C + your argument)

4. Call for action ( a suggestion/advice what to do)

Hence, we should do. (shouldnt).

CONCLUSION


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TANK YOU for YOUR Attention!

Lets try to structure a sample essay!

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In-class Essay Writing_ Essay Structure