Essay writing intro_lab

Essay Writing (1)

Universidad Alberto Hurtado, English (EFL) Pedagogy MM /2010

Don’t you sometimes want to

scream?

An essay in simple words is

Your voice

But we can also…

WRITE! (the scream becomes soother, more permanent, more

powerful… and it can have just as much energy as that

first scream:that’s up to you)

The purpose of an essay Think of when & why we write essays.

l When applying for a grant or scholarship

l When applying for a university

l When posting to your personal website or blog

Why?

lTo communicate an idea we strongly believe in lTo persuade our intended audience / readers lTo weigh possible alternative solutions to a problem in our school, our city or our society at large.

The essay “look” l Our reader expects to see clear paragraphs. Typically these are:

l Introduction (1 paragraph)

l Body (at least 2 paragraphs)

l Conclusion(1 paragraph)

Essay Introduction

l Have a “hook”, that is, write a couple of lines on the topic in order to motivate the reader to read your work.

l Write the main (controlling) idea you wish to communicate = “ thesis” .

l Include arguments here without developing them at length.

Essay body paragraphs Body paragraphs are the meat of your essay, and as such are the most important component of your essay.

l Expand upon and provide support for the thesis you introduced in the first paragraph

l Provide the details that move that theme forward.

Key ingredients

l A topic sentence per each paragraph; that is, each argument goes into ONE paragraph.

l Relevant examples & details

l Transitions denoting your line of thought

Essay conclusion l Re­affirm your opinion here.

l Summarize your main arguments; however....

l Extend your essay parameters here, without resorting to ideas not discussed in your writing.

Completely new ideas are out might be “out of the scope”!

Some Essay Flaws • Thesis is too broad (you might consider writing a book!) ;

• Thesis is too narrow; this will affect the essay importantly since your ideas will come across as “uninteresting” or trite;

• Supporting ideas are not relevant to your thesis;

• Supporting ideas contradict your predicament;

• Examples are not developed (or absent!);

• Examples are actually supporting ideas, not examples;

• The essay does not have a logical sequence;

• Transitions are absent (think of our city without traffic lights for a moment…you would be in complete chaos, right?

• Transitions are overused (think of a pizza with lots of onions, and nothing but onions… yuck!);

• The conclusion is a simple repetition of your thesis (boring);

• Your conclusion reveals an idea not discussed in the essay (unfinished essay)

Tips (1) • Once you have a topic.. Ask yourself: what do you want to say;

• Brainstorm ideas, arguments and examples;

• You may have a great idea, if you cannot support it, you’d better drop it; or go all the way and do your research!

• Write an outline. Doctors take X­rays : Good writers make outlines;

• Only once you know what you will say, dive into your writing.

• (Sigh) you’re finished! … but WATCH: you want to proof­read. Check for spelling, grammar variety and word choices.

Tips (2) • Use the school library and the Internet to investigate your topic more

carefully. You want to quote sources but you do not want to say what some other 1 million writers have already stated;

• Map your ideas: www.webspiration.com is free to try; • A good mapping tool will give you an automatic outline. Check that outline

and edit it if necessary; • As you write, consult dictionaries and language resources. Do not even

attempt an online translator! Check this and laugh; • Proof read for corrections and have a peer review your essay. • Deliver nicely and on time. (check essay title, format, spacing and

publish).

Essay Writing References

• Pre –writing: general questions (ref) • Your thesis statement (ref) • Making outlines (ref) • Sampling outlines (ref) • Proof reading (ref)

Essay Writing Exercises Group Brainstorming

Read the news below. Click on them to express your opinion.

• Chilean miners remain 700mts under & alive. Politicians taking advantage?

• Mapuches ignored again! Four political prisoners on a hunger strike for 45 days and little or no information in the media.

• The Swiss­owned coal power plant soon to be located in Punta de Choros will destroy part of our eco­system in Chile yet the Goverment approves the project.

Essay Writing Exercises Mapping your ideas

Choose one of these three topics, research, think and map your ideas!

www.webspiration.com

• You need to upload your concept map later this evening (Friday, Aug 27th) Name your document with your first+last name: ex“bartsimpson_map.rft”

• Write your essay. Post it in our course website and print it for revision on Monday