fundamentals of writing

FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING

Contents

- How to write an introduction paragraph.

- How to write a concluding paragraph.

Essay Structure - Introduction

Consists of two parts:

1. Opening Statements.

- attract reader’s attention.

2. Thesis statement.

- state the main idea of the essay.

- names the specific topic.

- gives a general idea of essay’s contents.

Essay Structure - Body

Consists of one or more paragraphs:

- Each paragraph develops the claim set out in the thesis statement.

- Number of paragraphs in the body varies.

Essay Structure - Conclusion

Consists of two parts:

1. A summary or review of the main points discussed in the body.

2. Closing.

Essay Structure - Other elements

- Unity

- Coherence

i.e.) Transition signals: therefore, because, although, first.

- More on these later.

Thesis statement

Most important sentence in the introduction.

It is usually the last sentence in the introduction.

- It states the specific topic of the essay and also indicates the type of essay.

- The thesis statement tells the reader about the contents of the essay.

Thesis statementThe pattern of organization the essay will follow:

• When buying a used car, use these four strategies to get the best price.

• There are two key differences between a divorce lawyer and a corporate lawyer.

• My best friend and I spent an entire summer building a tree house in my grandmother’s old apple tree.

Instructional

Comparison/contrast

Chronological order

Thesis statementThe thesis statement makes a claim and indicates how this claim will be discussed.

Examples:

“Native Americans have made valuable contributions to modern U.S. culture, particularly in the areas of language, art, and government.”

“A college education is a good investment because it increases earning potential, provides networking opportunities, and broadens perspectives.”

Thesis Statement – Key Features

- States the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence.

- Is not written as a question.

- Comes at the end of the introduction.

- States the claim/position of the paper.

- States how the claim will be discussed/analyzed.

- Does not directly announce the main topic.

Thesis Statement Problems.

Poor:

The sport of cross-country jogging.

Not a complete sentence. No claim.

Improved:

The sport of cross-country running allows people to get in better shape and meet interesting people.

Thesis Statement Problems.

Poor:

Why do I want to be a teacher?

This is a question, not a statement.

Improved:

Being a teacher is a great profession because it allows a person to work with students and be creative.

Thesis Statement Problems.Poor:

I will compare and contrast Hansot 도시락 and Kim Pasa.

This is an announcement. It is also too general. WHAT will the two restaurants be

compared/contrasted on?

Improved:

Despite similarities in both price and service between Hansot Dosirak and Kim Pasa, Hansot’s superior menu choice and food quality make it a better choice for a student on a budget.

Essay Structure - Introduction

Funnel introduction:

- wide at the top, narrow at the bottom.

General statements

thesis statement

Essay Structure - Introduction

Source: http://home.earthlink.net/~khatzi/essay/intro.htm

Introduction

General comment

qualify

relate

thesis

Funnel Introduction: Step-by-step

Essay topic: compare/contrast Hansot and Kim Pasa for a college student on a budget

1. Focus on a key word or phrase related to your topic.

- food in college

Funnel Introduction: Step-by-step

Food in college

2. Write an opening sentence providing a general comment about that word/phrase.

- While attending college, having access to food that is both cheap and convenient is important to a student’s survival.

Funnel Introduction: Step-by-step

Food in college

While attending college, having access to food that is both cheap and convenient is important to a student’s survival.

3. Write a few more (2 or 3) more specific sentences that lead you to your actual topic (thesis).

- Despite the fact that college students constantly need food to fuel their academic and extracurricular activities, having the funds to purchase this food can be an issue; most students are on a limited budget. This budget forces students to seek a balance between food that they like and food they can afford.

Funnel Introduction: Step-by-stepWhile attending college, having access to food that is both

cheap and convenient is important to a student’s survival. Despite the fact that college students constantly need food to fuel their academic and extracurricular activities, having the funds to purchase this food can be an issue; most students are on a limited budget. This budget forces students to seek a balance between food that they like and food they can afford.

4. Next, write a sentence (or 2) clearly relating to the previous sentences and also introducing the specific topic.

- Freshmen, who are often new to being on a budget need to know how to get the best out of their food budgets. Hansot Dosirak and Kim Pasa are two popular restaurants for college students to get their meals.

Funnel Introduction: Step-by-stepWhile attending college, having access to food that is both

cheap and convenient is important to a student’s survival. Despite the fact that college students constantly need food to fuel their academic and extracurricular activities, having the funds to purchase this food can be an issue; most students are on a limited budget. This budget forces students to seek a balance between food that they like and food they can afford. Freshmen, who are often new to being on a budget need to know how to get the best out of their food budgets. Hansot Dosirak and Kim Pasa are two popular restaurants for college students to get their meals.

5. Finish with the thesis statement.

- Despite similarities in both price and service between Hansot and Kim Pasa, Hansot’s wider menu choice and food quality make it a better choice for a student on a budget.

Funnel Introduction: Step-by-stepWhile attending college, having access to food that is

both cheap and convenient is important to a student’s survival. Despite the fact that college students constantly need food to fuel their academic and extracurricular activities, having the funds to purchase this food can be an issue; most students are on a limited budget. This budget forces students to seek a balance between food that they like and food they can afford. Freshmen, who are often new to being on a budget need to know how to get the best out of their food budgets. Hansot Dosirak and Kim Pasa are two popular restaurants for college students to get their meals. Despite similarities in both price and service between Hansot and Kim Pasa, Hansot’s wider menu choice and food quality make it a better choice for a student on a budget.

Concluding Paragraph

Often a cause for alarm.

Source: www.dreamstime.com

What do I say in the conclusion?

Concluding Paragraph

First: You do not need to make a profound statement that will change modern human thought forever.

- The purpose of the conclusion in a short essay is to concisely wrap-up the essay.

Concluding Paragraph

Basic essay structure:

- Tell them what you’re going to tell them (thesis statement)

- Tell them (body)

- Tell them what you have told them (conclusion)

Concluding Paragraph

First, tell them what you have told them:

- Refer back to the thesis statement.

- Re-state your position/argument (in different words)

- Give a brief summary of the information that supports your position.

Concluding Paragraph

The important information has been re-stated.

Source: www.brooksrichey.com 

So what?

Concluding Paragraph

Finish, by stating the “so what?”

- The implications of your argument.

or

- What might happen as a result of this information (future prediction)

Concluding Paragraph - Example

Topic: yPad

Source: mp3mp4players.co.uk

Concluding Paragraph - Example

Thesis statement:

Despite similar price points and hardware, the Xtablet is a better value than the Ypad due to its advantages in software and portability.

Conclusion:

Transition into the conclusion.

Ultimately, it is the consumer's choice of what tablet computer to buy.

Concluding Paragraph - ExampleThesis statement:

Despite similar price points and hardware, the Xtablet is a better value than the Ypad due to its advantages in software and portability.

Conclusion:

Re-state the argument and briefly summarize the important points.

Ultimately, it is the consumer's choice of what tablet computer to buy. However, the Xtablet, while sharing a similar price point and similar hardware with the Ypad, offers a superior value to customers due to its software features, such as insta-upload and VRX, and its longer battery life, giving it more portability.

Concluding Paragraph - ExampleThesis statement:

Despite similar price points and hardware, the Xtablet is a better value than the Ypad due to its advantages in software and portability.

Conclusion:

Give a “so what?”

Ultimately, it is the consumer's choice of what tablet computer to buy. However, the Xtablet,while sharing a similar price point and similar hardware with the Ypad, offers a superior value to customers due to its software features, such as insta-upload and VRX, and its longer battery life, giving it more portability. For anyone currently in the market for a budget-priced tablet that has software features that standup to higher-priced models, the Xtablet makes a smart, affordable choice that is sure to impress.

Concluding Paragraph - Example

Ultimately, it is the consumer's choice of what tablet computer to buy. However, the Xtablet,while sharing a similar price point and similar hardware with the Ypad, offers a superior value to customers due to its software features, such as insta-upload and VRX, and its longer battery life, giving it more portability. For anyone currently in the market for a budget-priced tablet that has software features that standup to higher-priced models, the Xtablet makes a smart, affordable choice that is sure to impress.