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SLIDESHARE TO WRITE ESSAYS A guide for the writing of essays from Toronto University

Slideshare to write essays

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Page 1: Slideshare to write essays

SLIDESHARE TO WRITE ESSAYSA guide for the writing of essays from Toronto University

Page 2: Slideshare to write essays

An excellent essay characteristics

•Strong evidence of original thinking.•Good organization.•Capacity to analyze and synthesize.•Superior grasp of subject matter with sound critical evaluations.•Evidence of extensive knowledge base.

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ORGANIZING AN ESSAYTo have a clear idea of the type

of essay you are about to write

Research (cards, computer, the circle method)

Outline/structure

P-L-A-N!!!

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ORGANIZING AN ESSSAY II Thesis Statements assertion to be explained and supported emphasis, methodology of argument awareness of difficulties/disagreement Paragraphs: illustration; definition; analysis; contrast Introduction identify the topic and catch the reader´s attention

Topic Sentence Main point, mini-thesis Conclusion closure and stationg concepts in wider context

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READING AND RESEARCHING

• Critical reading• Note-taking• Sensible approach towards new

words and internet research

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PREVIEWING THE TEXT

Read the titleThink about the subject matter: Who wrote this text? When was it published? Where was it published?

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SKIMMING AND SCANNING Skim the text by reading carefully

the first paragraphs and the conclusion and just the larger concepts in-between

Scan to look especifically if the text mentions the subject you are researching

Summarize

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USING SOURCES

Use quotations Be careful NOT to plagiarizeParaphraseSummarize

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SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING I The Book Review or Article Critique (it comments on and evaluates the

book) The Annotated Bibliography (account of the research done) The Literature Review (account of the knowledge and ideas

published on the topic) The Academic Proposal (first step in producing a thesis) (first impression, information and reasoning)

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SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING II

The Comparative Essay (compare and contrast ideas,

positions on an issue, events, theories, texts, figures)

History primary source (created at the

time of the event) secondary source (what other

scholars have written)

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SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING IIILiterature avoid telling the plot master the art of analytical thesis respect the structure analyse, avoid evaluative judgements

don´t confuse author with speaker contextualize the quotations

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SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING IV Essays in Science Few differences: jargon, audience, use of

passive voice The Abstract first impression, quantitive and qualitive of

the document The Academic Proposal first step in producing a thesis) Admission Letter be personal, focussed, coherent,

interpretive, specific

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SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING V Aplication Letters and Résumés keep the reader´s interest in mind balace facts and claims write concisely

The Lab Report specific outline, Engineering focussed

Oral Presentations l ike any essay + reharsal +taking looks into

account+ performance+handling of questions

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STYLE

Points to evaluate in an essay:

handling of the topic and fulfillment of the assignment

the quality of ideasorganizationstyle and grammar.

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EDITING1. Revise the intention of the essay2. Revise the organization3. Polish and edit your essay: word choice, sentence structure,

grammar, punctuation and spelling

4. Be neat. Looks do count

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USUAL GRAMMAR PROBLEMSWordinessPunctuationUsing of the commaFaulty ParallelismPassive VoiceDangling ModifiersPluralsPossessivesSubject-Verb Agreement

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ENGLISH AS A 2ND.LANGUAGEUsing ArticlesThe Definite ArticleExpressions of QuantityGerunds and InfinitivesVerbs for Referring to Sources

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FURTHER RESOURCESOnline Writing Advice from Other

InstitutionsOnline Writing Reference ToolsOnline Resources for Students of

English as a Second LanguageOnline Resources on Pursuing a

Career as a Writer

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BIBLIOGRAPHY• Corson, T. and Smollett, R. “Passive Voice: When to use it and

when to avoid it”. University College Writing Centre.• Fitzgerald, H. “Some tools to improve your Spelling”. University

College Writing Centre. Freedman, L. And Plotnick, J. “Introductions and conclusions”. University College Writing Centre.

• Hall, J. and Plotnick, J. “Using Topic Sentences” . University College Writing Centre.

• Knott, D. “Critical Reading Towards Critical Writing”. New College Writing Centre Plotnick, J. “Organizing an Essay”. University College Writing Centre.

• Plotnick, J. “Punctuation” . University College Writing Centre Procter, M. “Paragraphs” . Writing Support, and Visvis, V.

University College Writing Centre.• Procter, M. “Revising and Editing”. Writing Support.• Procter, M. “Using Thesis Statements”. Writing Support Silber, C. A. “Some General Advice on Academic Essay Writing.”

Department of English