WEEK 2 EXPLANATORY ESSAY
An explanatory essay explains or analyzes sth that the writer wishes to
inform a reader about. You can talk about
REASONS/CAUSE 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 WARMINGCAUSES
Üoverpopulation
üdeforestation
ümodern/changing lifestyle
EFFECTS
²climate change
²sea level rise
²acid rain
DIVORCECAUSES
ücommunication problems
ülack of money
ücheating
EFFECTS
²broken hearts and broken homes
²children may become violent or depressed
²difficult to remarry
OBESITYCAUSES
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 STATEMENTA 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
BODY PARAGRAPHS
1st CAUSE/EFFECT
TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING SENTENCES
2nd CAUSE/EFFECT
TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING SENTENCES
3rd CAUSE/EFFECT
TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING SENTENCES
TRANSITIONSThe 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+VBesides ….(1st&2nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+VThe last but not the least, …S+VThe last but not cause(reason)/effect of … is …(NOUN PHRASE) the least cause(reason)/effect of … is (that …. S+V
1st
BODY
2nd B
ODY
3rd
BODY
ORDER IDEAS
EMPHATIC ORDERThe 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
CONCLUSION
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 tooktwo 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. Iwas able to become healthy enough to attend my daughter’s wedding, and I no longerworried about dying. Others suffering with cancer can learn an important lesson frommy experience: Don’t give up no matter how hopeless things may seem and alwaysget 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 ParagraphThe 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 thepoor economy and political instability of my country forced them to immigrate. Through this experience I learned that one simply cannot control all of life’scircumstances. One must learn to deal with tough situations as they come and workto 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 StatementThere 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.