TURABO UNIVERSITY

School of Human and Social Sciences

GURABO, PUERTO RICO

Prof. J. Martinez Rodriguez

ENG 153

Letter – can be combined into a word

Word – can be combined into sentences

Sentence – can be combined into paragraphs

Paragraph – can be combined into an essay

Essay

• There are many different ways to write an essay.

Conclusion

Body

Introduction

• The opening sentence of an essay. It “catches” the reader’s attention. Hook

• It states the main idea of the essay and tells what the organization of the information will be.

Thesis Statement

• It tells the reader the main topic of the paragraph. At times, it gives the reader a hint about the writer’s purpose.

Topic Sentence

• It is important that your essay has a clear conclusion. The introduction and conclusion often share some ideas and words. Conclusion

– Read and study the five example essays. Work with a partner to answer the questions before and after the essays. The questions will help you understand the content and organization of the essay (2-20).

• The introduction is the first part of an essay; usually the first paragraph

• There are many ways to write the introduction:

– Question

– Background information

• Introduction consists of three parts

The hook Connecting information

The thesis statement

• The hook is the opening sentence or sentences.

• If it does its job well, readers will want to read the essay.

• It requires a great deal of thought to write a hook.

Question

•How many people take medicine-even simple aspirin-everyday?

Observation

•Asian communist are not sleeping well these days.

Unique scenario

•Traveling at more than one hundred miles an hour, he feels as though he is not moving. He is engulfed in complete silence. For a moment, it is as he was entering another dimension.

Famous quote

•“To be or not to be, that is the question.”

Statistic

•Over 20,000 people in the United States are killed in acohol-related traffic accidents every year.

Hook: the first 2 sentences; it catches the

readers’ attention

Thesis sentence: is not usually the first

sentence; does not grab the readers’ attention

• After the hook, the writer usually writes three to five sentences that help connect the reader and the topic.

– Background information

– examples

• The thesis statement is usually the last part of the introduction.

• It can be one or two sentences long.

• In the thesis statement, the writer tells the reader what to expect in the essay.

Stated

Specific outline

The main problem facing South American countries are a lack of

job opportunities for citizens, increasing demand for better

health care, and limited university programs for poor

students.

Implied

Not so direct

The important problems facing South American countries today

require immediate attention.

• Essay 6-

– In this argumentative essay, the writer argues that mandatory retirement should be abolished.

– Read the whole essay. Then write 3 possible hooks.

• Essay 6-

– Answer the questions about the thesis statement in “No More Mandatory Retirement”

• Essay 7-

– This comparison essay compares two different types of jobs.

• Read the whole sentence than write 3 possible hooks.

• Essay 7-

– Answer the questions about the thesis statement in “The Truth about Coaches and Business Managers”.

General Outline Specific Outline

I. Introduction A- Hook B- Connecting information C-Thesis Statement II. Body A- Topic # 1 B- Topic # 2 C- Topic # 3 III. Conclusion

I. Introduction A- Hook: Write the thesis B- Connecting information 1. What sentences will connect

the information 2. C-Thesis Statement: Write the

thesis statement II. Body A- Topic # 1 1- What sentences will b in this

paragraph B- Topic # 2 1. What sentences will be

included in the paragraph C- Topic # 3 1. What sentences will be

included in this paragraph III. Conclusion 1. Detailed sentences that will

be included in the conclusion

• Making a general outline

– Here is a general outline for Essay # 2, “How Do You Say…?” on pages 7-8. Read the essay again and complete the outline on page 32.

• Making a specific outline

– Here is a specific outline for Essay # 1, “Cinderella and Her Odious Household Chores” on pages 3-4. Read the essay again and complete the outline on page 33. You may use complete sentences if you which, but be sure to include all of the specific information.

Many writers find the conclusion difficult to write.

Suggestion Opinion Prediction

Do not introduce new information in the conclusion.

Help the reader reconsider the main idea.

Let the reader know this is the conclusion.

In conclusion, From the information

given, To summarize,

Folse, K., Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Vestri Solomon, E. (2004). Great Essays (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin