Why do we write?Why do we write? To inform (expository writing - process, To inform (expository writing - process,

comparison and contrast, cause and comparison and contrast, cause and effect, classification, definition)effect, classification, definition)

To tell a story / to entertain (narrative To tell a story / to entertain (narrative writing - narration)writing - narration)

To describe (descriptive writing - To describe (descriptive writing - description)description)

To argue (persuasive writing - To argue (persuasive writing - argumentation)argumentation)

An effective essay isAn effective essay is

UnifiedUnified (one main idea is stated as (one main idea is stated as thesis and all supporting ideas are thesis and all supporting ideas are related to the thesis)related to the thesis)

CoherentCoherent (ideas flow smoothly from (ideas flow smoothly from one to anotherone to another

Essay OrganizationEssay Organization

"You tell 'em what you're gonna tell "You tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em you tell 'em, and then you tell 'em you tell 'em, and then you tell 'em what you told 'em."'em what you told 'em."

A good thesis isA good thesis is

SpecificSpecific RestrictedRestricted UnifiedUnified Not an absolute factNot an absolute fact Not a titleNot a title Not an announcementNot an announcement

THESIS STATEMENTTHESIS STATEMENTGeneral subject:General subject: Media MediaNarrowed topic: Narrowed topic: CommercialsCommercialsSpecific topic:Specific topic: How commercials manipulate their How commercials manipulate their

audienceaudience A thesis that is a A thesis that is a truismtruism (a fact) (a fact):: "Television commercials attempt to sell their "Television commercials attempt to sell their

products to the largest possible audience." products to the largest possible audience." A thesis that is A thesis that is too broadtoo broad:: "Several tactics are used to entice consumers to buy "Several tactics are used to entice consumers to buy

the advertised product." the advertised product." Too limitedToo limited:: ““ToffitaToffita commercials are commercials are very annoyingvery annoying." ." A A betterbetter thesis: thesis: "Commercials sell their products by suggesting that "Commercials sell their products by suggesting that

those who buy them will instantly enter an ideal those who buy them will instantly enter an ideal world where they are irresistibly attractive." world where they are irresistibly attractive."

Thesis DevelopmentThesis Development

Think about:Think about: Why you are writing (purpose)Why you are writing (purpose) Who you are writing for Who you are writing for

(audience)(audience) What you are going to sayWhat you are going to say

Thesis DevelopmentThesis DevelopmentTopic:Topic: cars carsPurpose of writing: Purpose of writing: - To show how the choice of car reflects the To show how the choice of car reflects the

owner’s personality owner’s personality (for marketing or psychology course)(for marketing or psychology course)

- To show how the invention of car changed To show how the invention of car changed our way of life our way of life (for sociology or history course)(for sociology or history course)

- To show how Japanese car manufacturers To show how Japanese car manufacturers have forced changes in the American auto have forced changes in the American auto industry industry (for international relations or economics course)(for international relations or economics course)

- To demonstrate the way advertisers To demonstrate the way advertisers compete to sell their automobile models compete to sell their automobile models (for marketing course)(for marketing course)

Thesis DevelopmentThesis Development

Poor:Poor: Our vacation was a really good Our vacation was a really good experience.experience.

Specific:Specific: Our vacation enabled us to learn Our vacation enabled us to learn the true meaning of sharing.the true meaning of sharing.

Extended specific:Extended specific: Our vacation enabled us Our vacation enabled us to learn the true meaning of sharing our to learn the true meaning of sharing our time, space, and possessionstime, space, and possessions

Thesis DevelopmentThesis Development

Poor:Poor: A nutritious diet is important. A nutritious diet is important.

Specific:Specific: A nutritious diet is important A nutritious diet is important for your health for many reasons.for your health for many reasons.

Extended specific:Extended specific: A nutritious diet A nutritious diet with a balanced intake of vitamins, with a balanced intake of vitamins, minerals, and fiber is important for minerals, and fiber is important for your health for many reasons.your health for many reasons.

Thesis DevelopmentThesis DevelopmentPoor:Poor: War is destructive. War is destructive.

Specific:Specific: The war in Vietnam was very The war in Vietnam was very destructive in many ways.destructive in many ways.

Extended specific: Extended specific: The war in Vietnam The war in Vietnam killed thousands of people, ruined killed thousands of people, ruined the land for agriculture and the land for agriculture and destroyed the economy of the destroyed the economy of the country.country.

Essay Outline (Five paragraph essay)Essay Outline (Five paragraph essay)

TS:TS:

Supporting idea #1Supporting idea #1(facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, etc.)(facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, etc.)

Supporting idea #2Supporting idea #2(facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, etc.)(facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, etc.)

Supporting idea #3Supporting idea #3(facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, etc.)(facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, etc.)

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Sample outlineSample outline

TS: TS: Dieting can be dangerous in many ways.Dieting can be dangerous in many ways.

Supporting idea #1Supporting idea #1Some diets can raise cholesterol levels alarmingly.Some diets can raise cholesterol levels alarmingly. Supporting idea #2Supporting idea #2Some diets can lead to serious vitamin deficiencies.Some diets can lead to serious vitamin deficiencies. Supporting idea #3Supporting idea #3Existing medical problems (e.g. HBP) can be Existing medical problems (e.g. HBP) can be

drastically aggravated.drastically aggravated.

Conclusion: There are different reasons why dieting Conclusion: There are different reasons why dieting can be harmful.can be harmful.

Sample outlineSample outlineTS: TS: There are at least three reasons why capital There are at least three reasons why capital

punishment should be abolished.punishment should be abolished.

Supporting idea #1Supporting idea #1Statistics show it’s not really a deterrent.Statistics show it’s not really a deterrent. Supporting idea #2Supporting idea #2It’s impossible to correct a mistaken conviction.It’s impossible to correct a mistaken conviction. Supporting idea #3Supporting idea #3It’s been used in a discriminatory fashion against It’s been used in a discriminatory fashion against

poor people and minoritiespoor people and minorities

Conclusion: For these reasons alone, death penalty Conclusion: For these reasons alone, death penalty should be done away with.should be done away with.

Essay IntroductionEssay Introduction

Many introductions begin with background Many introductions begin with background information of a general type and lead to information of a general type and lead to the thesis by one, or a combination, of the the thesis by one, or a combination, of the following methods:following methods:

Factual statements/historical backgroundFactual statements/historical background A brief description/definitionA brief description/definition Narration of an incidentNarration of an incident A questionA question A shared experienceA shared experience

Sample introductionSample introduction Have you ever entered a room that was Have you ever entered a room that was filled with people you had never met? If filled with people you had never met? If so, what did you do? In such cases, most so, what did you do? In such cases, most people rely on the skill of small talk. Just people rely on the skill of small talk. Just what is small talk? It is pleasant what is small talk? It is pleasant conversation about rather unimportant conversation about rather unimportant matters. Some people do not like small matters. Some people do not like small talk. They would rather share deep talk. They would rather share deep thoughts. However, for most of us, thoughts. However, for most of us, small small talktalk about such things as the weather, about such things as the weather, family matters, jobs, hobbies, sports, or family matters, jobs, hobbies, sports, or school school is a way of relaxing and getting to is a way of relaxing and getting to meet new friends.meet new friends.