WEEK 2

EXPLANATORY ESSAY

An explanatory essay explains or analyzes sth that the reader wishes to

inform a reader about. You can talk about

REASONS/CAUSES EFFECTS

BRAINSTORMING

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

CAUSES

üfamily problems

ücan't afford school fees

üneed to make money

EFFECTS

²uneducated society

²negative impact on the economy

²can't cope with new technology

GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSES

Üoverpopulation

üdeforestation

ümodern/changing lifestyle

EFFECTS

²climate change

²sea level rise

²acid rain

DIVORCE

CAUSES

ücommunication problems

ülack of money

ücheating

EFFECTS

²broken hearts and broken homes

²children may become violent or depressed

²difficult to remarry

OBESITY

CAUSES

ühereditary factors

ülack of exercise

üpoor eating habit

EFFECTS

²poor health

²lower self-esteem

²limited employment

AGAIN YOU HAVE THREE PARTS

HOOK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

THESIS STATEMENT

A good thesis statement both names the topic and reveals the writer’s opinion about the topic. FOR EXAMPLE;

India has a lot of interesting festivals.

(The statement is too broad. Even though it does state the writer’s opinion, the statement is not clear: It doesn’t explain why the festivals are interesting.

Diwali is an important festival for Indians because they celebrate, remember traditional legends, and enjoy time with their families.

o (The topic is specific enough, and clearly gives the writer’s opinion. In addition, it lists the supporting ideas.)

INTRODUCTION

SPECIFIC VOCABULARY IN THESIS STATEMENT;

For causes;use words or phrases like:Cause, reason, because, due to, another is, since, for

For effects; use words or phrases like:Effect, affect(v), outcome (n), result, lead to, resulted in

Body paragraphs In each body paragraph, tell

a reason or effect. Try to make a connection among the paragraphs by reminding the previous one.

Start with a transition and topic sentence,

Support with explanations, examples, details, or other information

BO

DY

PAR

AG

RA

PH

S1st CAUSE/EFFECT

TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE

SUPPORTING SENTENCES

2nd CAUSE/EFFECT

TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE

SUPPORTING SENTENCES

3rd CAUSE/EFFECT

TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE

SUPPORTING SENTENCES

TR

AN

SIT

ION

S

The first reason(cause)/effect of ….. is ….

The first reason(cause)/effect of ….. Is that… (S+V)

First,…

First of all, …

The second reason(cause)/effect of ….. is ….

The second reason(cause)/effect of …. is that… (S+V)

Another reason(cause)/effect of ….. is ….

Another reason(cause)/effect of …. is that… (S+V)

In addition to ….(1st cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V

Besides ….(1st cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V

The last/third reason(cause)/effect of ….. is ….

The last/third reason(cause)/effect of ... is that… (S+V)

In addition to ….(1st &2nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V

Besides ….(1st&2nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V

The last but not the least, …S+V

The last but not cause(reason)/effect of … is …(NOUN PHRASE)

the least cause(reason)/effect of … is (that …. S+V

1st

BO

DY

2nd

BO

DY

3rd

BO

DY

OR

DER

IDEA

SEMPHATIC ORDER

The main parts in an essay are often organized according to their importance. Often, less important points are given first More important points are given later, with the most important point coning last. This is called EMPHATIC ORDER. It draws attention to the last, most important one.

1st Body Paragraph: LESS IMPORTANT POINT

2nd Body Paragraph: MORE IMPORTANT POINT

3rd Body Paragraph: MOST IPORTANT POINT

CO

NC

LUSIO

N The conclusion is the last paragraph in your essay. A conclusion completes the essay and reemphasizes your thesis statement or main ideas. Look at the example thesis statement and conclusion below.

TRANSITION, RESTATEMENT, SUMMARY, CLOSURE

A ConclusionUseful Transitions

It is sometimes helpful to have a transition at thebeginning of your conclusion to signal the end of youressay. Some common transitions used in conclusionsare listed below. Remember to use a comma after yourtransitions.

In conclusion,

In summary,

Thus,

Therefore,

To conclude,

In short,

RESTATEMENT

First Sentence of Conclusion

Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting the disease…

Thesis Statement

When I first found out that I was diagnosed with cancer, I took

two important steps to fight the disease.

First sentence in conclusion reemphasizes ideas in thesis statement.

SUMMARYSo What?

In addition to referring back to your main idea, yourconclusion needs to show your reader the significance ofyour thesis. When discussing the importance of yourthesis, try to address questions such as…

How and why is this topic important?

How might this topic affect me or other people?

What can be learned from this topic?

Look at the example below of a conclusion that shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay.

Example #1So What?

Conclusion Paragraph Draft

Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting the disease. I

was able to become healthy enough to attend my daughter’s wedding, and I no longer

worried about dying. Others suffering with cancer can learn an important lesson from

my experience: Don’t give up no matter how hopeless things may seem and always

get a second opinion from another doctor!

Example #1

The writer points out how the steps she took to fight cancer affected her and other people.

The writer discusses the importance of her topic by writing about the lessons that can be learned.

Look at the example below of a conclusion that refers back to the thesis statement and shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay.

Example #2Conclusion

Conclusion Paragraph

The decision to move to the United States was a difficult one for my parents to

make. Though I was angry with their decision at the time, I understand now that the

poor economy and political instability of my country forced them to immigrate.

Through this experience I learned that one simply cannot control all of life’s

circumstances. One must learn to deal with tough situations as they come and work

to be successful regardless of one’s location.

Example #2

The first two sentences

reemphasize the thesis statement.

The writer concludes by discussing the lessons learned from his experience.

Thesis Statement

There were several factors that caused my family to make the difficult decision

to immigrate to the United States.

Concluding an EssayTechniques

Some ways to enhance a conclusion are toinclude a…

Prediction

Recommendation

Quotation

Concluding an EssayA Prediction

A prediction talks about what might happen in the future. A prediction can be a good way to finish your essay. It can make your reader think about the possible results of your thesis statement.

PredictionExample

Finally, the importance of beginning a program to reforest parts of Haiti will be an important step in making thiscountry more economically self-sufficient. Without such aprogram in place, the people of this country will continue todestroy their natural resources for fuel in order to salvage theirpresent state of survival.

A program to reforest parts of Haiti is urgently needed.

Thesis Statement

A prediction is used to make the reader think about possible results of the thesis.

Concluding an EssayA Recommendation

A recommendation is often used by a writer after he/she has discussed a problem in an essay. A recommendation can be used to suggest a solution or call the readers to do something about the problem in the essay.

RecommendationExample

As we have seen, international students face a numberof difficulties when coming to a new country to study.However, problems such as culture-shock and the languagebarrier can be lessened before a student comes to the newcountry through preparation. If you are considering going toschool in another country, you should begin learning about theculture, customs, and history of your host nation. Also, youshould be sure that you are proficient in the national languageor be sure to sign up for language classes once you are there.

A recommendation is used to suggest a solution to a problem.

Concluding an Essay“A Quotation”

A relevant quotation can bring good closure to your essay, especially if the quotation is from an expert on the topic

in your composition.

QuotationExample

David Werner, author of, Where There Is No Doctor,notes that, “Only when the people themselves become activelyresponsible for their own and their community’s health, canimportant changes take place.” This should be the mantra ofevery public health agency when looking at makingimprovements in common health problems. Unless acommunity understands the importance of the intervention andtakes responsibility for transformation, no long-lasting changeswill be made.

A quotation from an expert can be used to add credibility to a writer’s position.