©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

College Writing SkillsCollege Writing Skills, 6E , 6E and and College Writing College Writing Skills with ReadingsSkills with Readings, 6E, 6E

John LanganJohn Langan

Chapter Four

The Third Step in Essay WritingThe Third Step in Essay Writing

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4Step 3Step 3Organize and Connect Specific Organize and Connect Specific

EvidenceEvidence

1.1. common common methods of methods of organizationorganization

2.2.transitionstransitions

3.3. other other connecting wordsconnecting words

Organize and Organize and connectconnect

your supporting material by using:

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Common Methods of Common Methods of OrganizationOrganization

2: 2: emphatic orderemphatic order

1: 1: time time orderorder

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Time OrderTime Order akaaka chronological orderchronological order

Details are listed as they occur in timetime. . First thisthis is done; next thisthis; then thisthis; after that, thisthis; and so on.Ex:Ex: To exercise successfully, you should To exercise successfully, you should follow a simple plan consisting of follow a simple plan consisting of arranging the time, making arranging the time, making preparations, and warming up properly.preparations, and warming up properly.

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Emphatic OrderEmphatic Order aka “saving the best for last”

EmphasisEmphasis is placed on the most the most important detailimportant detail by positioning it near the endnear the end of a paragraph or an essay.

Ex.: Ex.: Thesis: Celebrities lead very stressful Celebrities lead very stressful lives.lives. Last detail supporting thesis: Most Most important, celebrities must deal with the important, celebrities must deal with the stress of being in constant danger.stress of being in constant danger.

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

TransitionsTransitions

TransitionsTransitions signal the directiondirection of a writer’s thought. They are like road signsroad signs that guide travelers..Ex.: After you’ve snagged the job of TV you’ve snagged the job of TV sports reporter, you have to begin sports reporter, you have to begin working on the details of your image. working on the details of your image. First, invest in two or three loud sports invest in two or three loud sports jackets [. . .].jackets [. . .].

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Transitional SentencesTransitional SentencesTransitional,Transitional, or linkinglinking, , sentencessentences are used between paragraphs to help tie them smoothly together.Ex.: Many of the other patrons are Many of the other patrons are even even more of a problemmore of a problem than the concession than the concession

stand.stand. (Concession stand reminds us of the previous supporting paragraph, while Many of the other patrons introduces the point to be developed next.)

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Other Connecting WordsOther Connecting Words

•Repeated WordsRepeated Words•PronounsPronouns•SynonymsSynonyms

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Repeated WordsRepeated WordsRepeatingRepeating key wordskey words helps tie together the flow of thoughts in a paper.

Ex.:Ex.: One reason for studying One reason for studying psychologypsychology is [. . .]. is [. . .]. PsychologyPsychology is is also useful in [. . .].also useful in [. . .].

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

PronounsPronounsPronounsPronouns (he, she, it, he, she, it, you, they, this, thatyou, they, this, that, , and others) connect ideas and help you avoid needless repetition.Ex.: Another way for Another way for peoplepeople to to economize at an amusement park economize at an amusement park is to bring their own food. If is to bring their own food. If theythey pack a lunch, pack a lunch, theythey will avoid high will avoid high prices.prices.

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

SynonymsSynonymsSynonyms are words that are alike in meaning, like prettypretty and attractiveattractive.. They can be used to help writing flow. (They also add variety variety and interestinterest to your sentences.)

Ex.: There are several There are several methods methods of fund-of fund-raising [. . .]. One raising [. . .]. One techniquetechnique is to hold an is to hold an

auction [. . .].auction [. . .].

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Introductions, Conclusions, Introductions, Conclusions, and Titlesand Titles

A well developed introductionintroduction, , conclusionconclusion, and titletitle can also help organizeorganize and connectconnect your essay.

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Introductory ParagraphIntroductory ParagraphThe introductionintroduction to an essay serves several functionsseveral functions:

•It attractsattracts the reader’s interest.•It suppliessupplies background information.•It presentspresents the thesis statement.•It previewspreviews the plan of development.

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Common Methods of IntroductionCommon Methods of Introduction1: Begin with a general statementgeneral statement of your topic.2: Start with an idea or a situationidea or a situation that is the oppositeopposite of the one you will develop.3: Explain the importanceimportance of the topic to your reader.4: Use an incident or a brief storyincident or a brief story.5: Ask one or more questionsquestions.6: Use a quotationquotation.

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

Common Methods of ConclusionCommon Methods of Conclusion

1: End with a 1: End with a summarysummary and and a a final thoughtfinal thought..2: Include a 2: Include a thought-thought-provoking questionprovoking question..3: End with a 3: End with a predictionprediction or or recommendationrecommendation..

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.College Writing Skills, 6E/ CWSwR, 6E

Chapter 4

TitlesTitles

TitlesTitles are are brief summariesbrief summaries of of what your paper is about.what your paper is about.

Exs.:Exs.: How to ComplainHow to Complain; ; Student Student ZombiesZombiesNote: You should not underline or put “quotation marks” around the title, but you should CAPITALIZE all but small connecting words.