Ready to Write More Ch-4

(1)

.,@,,.,.

4

.,'wii@^.,

CHAPTER

Writing

Essays

of the skills you have already mastered

in

. Once you know how to write a paragraph,

it

write an essay; an essay is just longer' Simply

the formula for a five-paragraph essay.

Although many €ssays do not

fit

into the five-paragraph formula, most essays follow some pattern of organization. The formula is

simply a plan to help you affange your ideas into a systematic order. lt has a recognizable beginning, middle, and end. lf you know how to write a typicalfive-paragraph essay, you will always have something to fall back on.

idea. The conclusion summarizes the main points.

(2)

BASIC

PLAN

OF

A

TYPICAL FIVE-PARAGRAPH

ESSAY

INTRODUCTION

BODY

INTRODUCTION

Background

Information

Gets reader's attention _{using one or more of the}

following: Anecdotes Quotations Questions

Facts and statistics

Thesis Statement

States the subject and focus of the essay

lst

SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH

first supporting

point

details, examples, facts

Znd

cRApH

Topic

porting point

Prs

3rd SUPP

Topic Sentence: States

third

supporting pornt Provides details, examples, facts

States

CONCLUSION

Makes

final

_{comments by doing one or more} of the following:

Restating main points

Asking a question Suggesting a solution

Making a recommendation

Making a prediction

Read _{the following five-paragraph essay that a student wrote about the impact}

of

Latin pop music on the united _{states. Notice that the}_first_{line of each new}

paragraph is indented. After you have read the entire essay, _{label the parts on the}

lines provided.

Latin

Pop Music

_Hits

the

United

continuing to grow in popularity, Latin music is not just another fad;

it

is here to stay. Every revolution has its

(3)

1eaders,andtherecentLatininvasion,asithasbeencalled,certainlyhasafew

,t""""i"t

to.k.r,

,h;;

il".

helped to set the stage for the

Latin

pop explosion' Singers

ilil;GiJa

Estefan, Ricky

Martin,

"r,JSh"kira"have

bet n particularly helpful

in

bringing Latin beats to U.S. sound waves'

Gloria Estefan was one of the first Latin American altists to successfully incorporate Latin beats and sound

with Ameri."r,

pof

-rsic

to produce

hit

songs across the

United

States.

\Vith

her group' The Miami Sound

Cuban sounds into her pop-inspired music

recognition as a powerful Latin singer whos

many American music love

way for the Latin

superstars

elped tune the American ear to

Latin

*rrri.

and continue to

play

developing Latin pop scene'

One of the more recent Latin pop sensa

is Puerto Rico native Ricky Martin.

Martin'

Grammy awards made the singer one of the Soon after his performance,

Martin

began g

"r

"l-i"i"g

L" Vid"

Loca" and "Shake

Your

the singer worldwid-e respect and helped to secure

his

music'

In

this

,"rp..r,

Ricky Martirr

r.t

ih.

stage for an

un

und that quickly

afrillslra

any doubts about the future of Latin pop music all over the Americas'

The latest Latin sensation to arrive on the American pop scene is Colombian singer Shakira. Shakira's long-awaited American debut album,

IAwdrJ

Service, introduced a

;^il;"

combination o? Latin sounds and American pop'rock that has captivated- critics

"rrd

,..rrr.d

her

a spot

in

the American po ) scene. Shat<irat distinctive sryle and -unmistakable

voic

embraced by the

U'S'

public' Her.first

.*[, i'\(/h.r.rr.,

ss. Shakira is sure to have no problem challenging the

A

current pop trends.

With Latin

others like Ricky

Martin

setting the

, Latin PoP

will

not be leaving the

successes of the later artists are any

indication, Latin pop music

will

continue to grow as a driving force

in

the American

music industry of

(4)

THE INTRODUCTION

The

introduction is _{the-first paragraph of your}_essay.

_It

_{should capture the}_reader,s

attention and create a desire to read the rest of the essay. The introduction _{should start}

with

a _{general discussion of your subject and lead up}_to_a_specific

_,r"r.1n.rr,

_ofiu.

main idea, or thesis.

The format of an introductory paragraph is different from _{the format of most other kinds}

of paragraphs.

_In

introductory.p"r.gr"fhs, _{rhe main idea isusually stated}

_i"

_in.

_Lt

sentence. This sentence is _{called the thesis statement.}

rhefunction of the introduction

is

'/*;,:il:;::ffi"

i";",-l;,"".

\to

_state

_the

_main_idea

_{of the}

_essay_in

r thesis statement.

There are no specific rules for writing an _{introduction, but}_there_are_{several techniques.}

Many introductions use one or a combination of the folrowing techniques to provide background information and capture the reader,s attention.

o

_Move

_from

_general

_to

_specific

This type of introduction opens

with

a generar _{statemenr on the subject}

that establishes _{its importance and then-leads}

_the.."a..

ro the more specific thesis starement.

.

I-Jse an anecdote

Another way to write an introduction _is_to_{rerate an interesting story}_that

will

interest the reader in _{the subject. Newspaper}

""J,*g"rine

writers

frequently use this technique to begin

thei, ariicle;-

-

-.

LJse a quotation

A

quotation is an easy way to _{introduce your topic.}you _{can quote an}

a-uthority on your subject or use _{an interesting quotation from an article.}

,I:::t

lt:-be

more informal and use

_"

pro,o..t or favorite saying of a rneno or relatlve.

.

_Ask

_{a question}

Asking _{one or more questions at the beginning of an}

essay is a _{good way to}

engage readers in the topic right

"."y.

ih.y,uln

rr".rrio."ad

o., in order

to

find

the answers to the questions. '

o

_{Present facts and statistics}

Presenting some interesting facrs or starisrics estabrishes _credibilitv.

(5)

Anatyzing

lntroductions

Reread the introduction for the

Latin

music essay on page.6|. Notice that the author

il;;-*,h

_"

g.rr.."l

statement about Latin pop music and then moved to a more specific statement about

it'

Read the foilowing sample introductions. Then, in small groups' identify the

techniqueortechniquesusedineachone.Rememberthatauthorsoftenusea

combination of techniques to write an introduction'

l.Karate,whichliterallymeans..theartofempty.hands,''isthemost

widely practiced of all the martial arts.

It

is primarily a m€ans of self-defense rhat uses the body as a weapon for striking,

ki.kittg,

and blocking' Having originated

in

the ancient Orient, the art

of

karate is more

than

1,000 years old.

It

developed first as a form of monastic training and

latir

became a method of self-defense'

During the seventeenth century, karate.

became highly developed as an art on the

Japanese island of Okinawa. Over the years,

this ancient art has gained much popularity, and today karate is practiced throughout the world. More than a method of combat, karate

emphasizes self-discipline, positive attitude, and high moral purpose.

Technique(s):

7.

One student looks at his

answers.

Another

student

fin

takes

it

and tells her

friends-with

formulas written on

it

into

the test room. W'hat about you? \Uould you be tempted to cheat on an exam if you knew you wouldn't get caught?

According to a recent national survey, 40 percent of-American teenagers would cheat under that

condition.

Vhat is causing this epidemic of cheating

in

our schools? Most students cheat on tests because they feel pressure to get

i.rao

"

good college, because they want to avoid the hours of studying

they-need

in

order to

_i.r

fiigtt

gr"d.r,

or simply because they are

not

concemed

with

honesty.

Technique(s):

(6)

3.

Homicides cause the deaths of more children in \uashington,

D.c.,

than any other single type of

injury

including _{car accidents, housJ fires, or}

drowning. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not exclusive to \Uashington.

The _{overcrowded neighborhoods of many big}_American_{cities, such}_as Detroit, Dallas, St. Louis,

Atlanta,

and Miami, are all plagued

with

senseless

violent crime. Types of violent _{crime range from}

".ro.,

"rri

burglary to assault, rape, and murder. _{The solution to}_{this growing problem'is}_nor_to

build more and bigger prisons, but rather to eximine

ind

deal

with

the

causes: easy access to guns, drug use, and overwhelming poverty.

Technique(s):

4.

Misty, a five-month-old _{German shepherd}_{p,rppy, goes}_{ro the hospital}

twice a week, but

not

to see a veterinarian.

_{At ihir-V.t.r".r's}

_{Administration} hospital, Misty is _{helping 6les161s-not}_the_{other way}

"rourrd.

In

what;";

seem like a _{role reversal, animals}_{like Misty}_are_visiting

the halls of human illness to relieve

? _tyq. of pain doctors

cannot

ove,

both giving

it

and _{helping others rerurn}

_it

_to

_t

_dogs

to tropical fish are showing up as therapists

in

_s, prisons, and other institutions.

Source: Cobbbsone

Technique(s):

5. It

is often said that ,,Two head

:il."1

the bu

employment arrangements, like job'sharing, _is_{growing. Employers}_are

beginning to realize that there

"i.

,

"rry

,"i.rr,Jd

peop"le out there who

are looking for altematives _{to traditional}

_pr,,.-,

_o?

_J-ploy-.rrt.

_I.,

_,

eople. As an

one way that

needs.

Not

,

it

also offers several advantages

completed more quicklv, a wider

r".*"

offi

it:::

;?:ti',"i.

ll3i"o,

and most importantly, production is increased

(7)

Thesis Statements

The thesis statement tells the reader what the essay

will

be about and what points you

will

be making in your essay. Your thesis statement should state the subject of the essay,

"pl"

,t.

pJin,

of view the essay

will

take, or describe the

ideas about your topic that

you determined in your outline.

After

you have presented some general background information, you need-to nalrow

yorl

fo.,rr.

fnis

is done

in

the thesis statement.

A

thesis statement is similar to a topic

,.rr,.rr...

Just as a topic sentence controls the information for a paragraph, a thesis

statement controls the information for an entire essay.

-.,ldentlfles

the

subiect of the

essay'

A _soodthesis

statement,-::r**

;::H:

n":1'

-t

Analyzing Thesis

Statements

A.

Underline the thesis statement in "Latin Pop Music Hits the United States" on page 61 and answer the following questions.

1.

Does the thesis statement identifi' the subject of the essay?

Z.

Does

it

introduce the aspects of the subject that the essay develops?

What

are

they?

Now look back at the sample introductions on pages 64 and 65 and underline the thesis statement in each one. Write the five thesis statements on the lines below

1.

7.

3.

4.

5.

Look through several newspapers and magazines for interesting articles. Cut out three examples of introduction paragraphs and bring them to class. In small groups, discuss what makes each paragraph effective or ineffective as an introduction. What techniques did the writers use?

(8)

THE SUppORTtNG

PAR/AGR/APHS

_(THE

_{BODY_)}

The body of an essay consists of several _supporting_paragraphs_that

support the thesis.

Each supporting paragraph _develops_orre_poirrt

"bJ.,t

thE

,.rbi..t.

Each paragraph begins

with

a topic sentence

that

is

supported;rh,;;il';;,"1#.ts,

and examples.

Each main idea that you wrote down in your

ou'ine

_{will become one of the}

:J,::"j,X.lilslio_ll,

tf you had three or four supportins ideas, you

wi[

have three or four supporting paragraphs.

Analyzing

Supporting paragraphs

Look again at the essay "Latin pop Music Hits the United states,, _{on pages 61 and}

1.

\Urite _{the thesis statement}_here.

Z.

\Uhat is the topic of _{the first supporting}_paragraph?

3. rThat is the topic _{sentence of}_that_paragraph?

_!'hat

is _{its main}idea?

4'

Does

it

develop the first point _mentioned

_in

_the_thesis_statemenrl 5.

!7hat

specific details are used _for_support?

What is the topic of the second paragraph?

7

'

Does the topic _senrence

of that paragraph state its main idea? 8. What is the second

point

_mentioned

_in

_the_{thesis statement?}

9.

What _{specific details support it?}

(9)

10.

\Uhat is the topic of the

third

supporting paragraph?

11.

Does the topic sentence of that paragraph state its main idea?

12. What

is the

third point

mentioned

in

the thesis statement?

iln

There are no specific rules for writing a conclusion, but there are several

t

fp

techniques you can use. Many conclusions use one or a combination of the following techniques to wrap up the essay.

13.

What specific details support it?

THE CONCLUSION

The final paragraph of your essay is the conclusion.

It

is the last thing your readers

will

see, so you want to make

it

interesting.

The purpose of this last paragraph is to summarize, without using the same_ words, the

mainpoints you have

_-"d.

in yo.rt

.tr"y.

Your concluding paragraph should also leave

yo.rr reade, agreeing, disagreeing, or at least thinking about your thesis. There are several ways you can accomplish this.

Restate

your

main points

When you use this method of finishing your essay, you restate the main points you presented in your essay. Make sure that you do not repeat your exact words. 'I'iry to figure out a new \Iiay to say

them-Ask

a question

When you ask a provocative question,

it will

keep the readers

thinking

about the topic.

Suggest a

solution;

make a recommendation

or

prediction

Depending on the topic of your essay, the conclusion might be a good place for you to suggest a solution to a problem that you have discussed, or to make a recommendation or a prediction.

(10)

Anallrzing Gonclusions

A'

Read _{the following sample conclusions.}_In_{small groups, identify the technique or}

techniques used in each one.

1.

no longer

with

us, his music is

still

very mtrch

o

2 remarkable individual who spoke

in

a

la

elate to. During the turbule.rt ig6os rrrd

love, and happiness emerged.

recall the themes of his songs and look o come, I predict that Lennon's message

generations. Technique(s):

z.

In

conclusion, although sleep research is a reratively new field,

it

is a

ago, only a handful of sleep are more than sevenw-five. ck the mysteries of what sher

in

life's feast.',

Still,

there are

numerous chapters to be added to _{the bedtime ,tory.}

_Ar,J

_{tiren problem} sleepers

will

be able to rest easy.

Source: Yor HealtJr and Ficness.

Technique(s):

3.

_{_}During his life, peter gained a great deal

influence on the course ofRussianiristory.

In

_nor

always completely successful, _{he worked verv}

westemize Russia. Although _{his act}

Peter did was

in

the best interest

of

had made significant progress _row Russia. Therefore,

in

my opinion,

Technique(s):

4'

Technological

imprwemelts

_{by car manufacturers continue at}

a healthy

pace, and

it

is no coincidence that ioday,s

g".r.."rio.,

_oi."r,

_is_the_safest_ever.

crash tests demo^nstrate,y,ha,t _{many of}

_tod"i',

.il;;

_,.p

ratings for safery.

However, real-life use

will

always _{demonstrate what',ue}

_,ir."dy

_know:

_that

cars are only as safe as the people driving them.

Gchnique(s):

(11)

5.

Technique(s):

6.

As

I

have shown, low-income senior citizens make up approximately 30 percent of the elderly population. These peopleare _among the most

vulnerable members of sotiety because they depend so heavily on

govemmenr programs for food, shelter, and medical needs. They are the ones ivho

will ,.rff.. ,iort

severely

if

the govemment cuts back on its social

programs.

Technique(s):

B.

Look through several newspapers and magazines for interesting articles. Cut out three examples of concluding paragraphs and bring them to class. In small groups' discuss what makes each paragraph effective or ineffective as a conclusion. What techniques did the writers use?

Practicing the

Writing

Process

for

an Essay

You are going to write a five-paragraph essay about the pressures of being a student. You can decide who your audience is going to be.

Step 1: Prewriting

Remember that the hardest parr of

writing

is

often

getting sarrcd. To generate some ideas,

try

brainstonning, _{chstenng, freeuniting, or}l<eeping a

jomwl

about the subject: the

pr.rr.rr.i

of being a

sident.

Then look over what you have written and decide on a

ioc,r, fot yo.tt

.tt"y.

For example, are you going to discuss the pressures of being a

student

in

a foreign country

oi

in

yo.tt native country? Are you golng to

talkabout

the

pressures of being a high school student, college student, and/or graduate student? Are you going to talk about economic, academic, social, or emotional pressures?

(12)

It

is sometimes

difficult

to decide which _{supporting points}_to_use

_in

_your_essay._Even

after you have done some-prewriting, you may stilfneed to do

_-o."

ihi.rking

and

planning to

find

a focus if your subject is _{broad. However, there}_are_a_number

_of

common ways to divide a generalsubject

_into

_{three parts}_that_{you can}_use_{for the} supporting paragraphs- _{For example,}_if_{your general zubject}_is_tlrc

effects of computcrs,

there are several possible *ays

yo,

.o,rld diu"ide

it.

you mighi

think

about time and describe the effects of computers

in

the past, present, and lrrtrrr..

or

you might consider

people and write about the effects on children, ad,rlts,

economic

b.

political

c.

sociafleducationafreligious a. business

b.

science

c.

the afts

(13)

A-

For each of the following essay topics, think of three main points that you could develop into an essay. You may use ideas from the chaft on page 71 or come up with ideas of Your own.

Example:

Topic: The Effects of Pollution Main Points: I anA

1.

Topic: The Benefits of Leaming English

Main

Points:

a.

Topic: The Impact of an Earthquake

Main

Points:

a.

3. Topic

The Role of the Media in Our Lives

Main Points:

4.

Topic: The Changing Role of 'lVomen

Main Points: a.

b.

c.

5. Topic

The Causes of Illiteracy Main Points: a.

b.

c.

On a separate piece of paper, make a simple outline of the ideas you generated from prewriting about the pressures of being a student to help you organize your thoughts as you plan your essay. Use your outline as a guide, and refer to it while

you are composing.

Ar

a. b. c. b. c. b. a. b. c.

72,

CHAPTER 4

(14)

Step 2:Writing

After

you have spent some time

thinking

_{about your}_topic_{and doing the}_necessary Bl"_Tt:-1l_e'

I:1l,1:

..,"dy.for the next step in the

writing

process:

writing

your essay.

Degrn

wlth

the

ntroduction.

Write an lntroduction

on

a separate piece of _{paper, write the introduction for}_a_{five-paragraph essay on} the pressures _{of being}

_a

_{student. Follow these steps:}

1'

_{Decide what technique or techniques you want}_to_use_to_{introduce your}

yblea'

\rould

an anecdote be

effecti.'.t

_wh"i

"Lo,r, a quotation or some

tacts and statistics? \il7rite _a_{thesis statement.}

!7ork

with

a partner. Read and discuss _{each other's introductions.}

Write the Supporting paragraphs

a'

Look at your outline. write a _{topic sentence for each supporting paragraph on the}

lines below.

Topic sentence for first supporting paragraph:

Topic sentence for second _{supporting paragraph:}

Z.

3.

Topic sentence for

third

supporting paragraph:

B. on

a separate piece of paper; write a _{first draft of the supporting paragraphs}_for

your ess

chapter

llow

t

n

for

each

toPic

with Writing a Conclusion

TransiUon _{Signals That}

_{Introduce a}

_Summary

or

Concluslon

Note: These signals should be _{followed by}_a_comma.

consequently finally in brief

in

conclusion in short in summary last of all therefore thus to conclude to summarize

Reread _{the introduction and supporting paragraphs you wrote on}

fhe

pressures

_of

being

a

student.

on

_{a separate piece of paper, write the concrusion to this}

(15)

READY TO WRITE

Putting Together

the

First Draft

On a separate piece of paper, put together the first draft of your entire essay on the pressures

of

being

a

student.Include the introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and the conclusion. Give your essay a title that gives readers a good idea of what the essay is about. Save your paper. Your next step will be to revise it'

Steo 3: Revise and Edit Your EssaY

Remember,

writing

is a process that involves revising.

After

you have written the first

draft of you,

".r"y,

yo,., need to revise

it. It

is often helpful to

put your draft away.for at

l."st

a day before you begin to revise

it.

The first thing you need to do is reread the whole essay. Keep

in

mind that your essay is a group of related paragraphs about one main idea.

It

should have an introduction that gets the reader's attention and states the

main idea

in

a thesis statement.

It

should also have several suppofting paragraphs, each

with

a ropic sentence that supports the main idea, and a conclusion that ties the whole

essay together As you read the draft, make sure that you have included all three parts

of

an essay.

You also need to make sure that your essay is well organized. Ask yourself if the ideas follow a logical sequence from paragraph to paragraph.

If

the order is confusing, move the paragraphs around so that your main points are organized logically; for example,

in

time order, spatial order, or order of importance.

In

addition, you need to pay atrention to individual sentences

within

paragraphs.

Remember that each paragraph rnust develop one main supporting

point

stated

in

the

topic sentence.

If

a sentence

in

a paragraph does

not

support the main idea of the paiagraph, you should delete

it,

rewrite

it,

or move

it

to another paragraph

in

the essay. Check that you have nor left out any important points or relevant information that

would help support your topic or prove your thesis.

If

so, you need to add a sentence or paragraph to improve your essay.

Finally, edit to check the grammar, punctuation, and spellinB, and correct any mistakes you find.

Practicing

Revision

A

Reread the draft of the essay you wrote on the pressures of being

a

student. Answer the following questions.

1. \7hat

is the subject

ofyour

essay?

Z. \7hat

is the purpose of this essay?

3. Who

is vour audience?

(16)

B-

_{Revise your essay by answering each of the foilowing questions.}

Revising Checklist

_for

Essavs Does the

title

of the essay give readers a

good idea of what the essay is about? Does the introduction create interest

in

the topic for readers?

Does the introduction _{state the main idea}

and the focus of the essay

in

a clear thesis statement?

Does the first (second,

_third)

_supporting paragraph have a topic sentenc.

ihat

cl-early

srares rhe first (secon l,

third)

main supporting point?

Does every sentence

in

that paragraph support the topic sentence?

Have irrelevant sentences _{been eliminated}

so that the paragraph has a single focus?

Are

the sentences

in

_{the paragraph arranged}

in a logical order?

8. Are

there transitions

_in

_{the paragraph to} guide the reader from one

idia

to the next?

9.

Do the

supporting

_equare

support and

enoug

_to

develop and

prove

_!

10. Are

the su_pporting _{paragaphs arranged}

_in

a logical order?

11.

Does the conclusion summarize _the_main ideas of the essay?

1.

3.

4.

yes

not yet

-

yes not yet

yes _not_yet

_yes

_not

yet

_yes

not yet

5.

7.

not yet

_yes

_not

yet

-yes

not yet

_yes

_not

yet

-Yes

not Vet

If

the answer to any of the questions is "not _{yet," go back and}_{try to}_improve

your essay.

(17)

C.

Peer Revising. Sometimes it is helpfulto have someone else read your paper and offer suggestions on ways to improve it. Exchange drafts with a classmate and read each other's essay. Use the following worksheet as a guide for suggesting

improvements in your partner's essay.

Writer:

Peer Editor:

1. \ilhat

are the strengths of the essay?

Z. What

did you like best about it?

3. \[hat

weaknesses did vou notice?

4.

'What suggestions for improvement can you offer?

Incorporate any suggestions your partner has made that you agree

with.

O.

Use the checklist on page 75 to edit your essay. Conect

allthe

gramma6

punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

erors

before you copy it over or type

it-On

Your Own

Choose one of the other topics on page 72 and write a five-paragraph essay. Be sure that your essay includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

(18)

Crossword

puzzle

5. 8. 4. 6. 7. 8. 10. 12. ACROSS

2.

One way to get your reader,s attention is

to ask a

Paragraphs of an essay that develop

and support the thesis

A short, interesting, _{or amusing story}

about a percon _{or an}_event

To _{describe something that will}_happen

in the future

States _{the main}idea of the essay and is

often the last sentence in the introduction

Paragraph of an essay that captures the

reader's interest and states the thesis

One _{technique authors use}_in_their

conclusion is to make a

about the future.

DOWN

1.

The name of an essay is the

2.A

is sometimes used

at _{the beginning of an introductory} paragraph.

3.

A group of sentences about one main

topic

4.

An introduction gives

information _to_{capture the}_reader"s attention.

Paragraph _{of an}_essay_that_summarizes

the main points

Sentence in a _{paragraph that states}_the

main idea

9.

Presenting _facts_and

about a _{subject helps}_establish credibitity.

11.

_{Another word for subiect}_is

A group of paragraphs about one

subject

Your _{first attempt at writing}_on_a_topic

13.

To give _advice_or_suggest

16.

To restate the main points, using new words

17.

Transition _{words and phrases}_add _14.

essay.

to a paragraph and

15.