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SLIDESHARE TO WRITE ESSAYSA guide for the writing of essays from Toronto University
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.
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!!!
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
READING AND RESEARCHING
• Critical reading• Note-taking• Sensible approach towards new
words and internet research
PREVIEWING THE TEXT
Read the titleThink about the subject matter: Who wrote this text? When was it published? Where was it published?
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
USING SOURCES
Use quotations Be careful NOT to plagiarizeParaphraseSummarize
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)
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)
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
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
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
STYLE
Points to evaluate in an essay:
handling of the topic and fulfillment of the assignment
the quality of ideasorganizationstyle and grammar.
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
USUAL GRAMMAR PROBLEMSWordinessPunctuationUsing of the commaFaulty ParallelismPassive VoiceDangling ModifiersPluralsPossessivesSubject-Verb Agreement
ENGLISH AS A 2ND.LANGUAGEUsing ArticlesThe Definite ArticleExpressions of QuantityGerunds and InfinitivesVerbs for Referring to Sources
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
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