Information on Writing an ESSAY

Paragraph Writing
When writing, be sure that each paragraph has only one main point. Each paragraph should begin
with a topic sentence. The topic sentence introduces the topic or main idea of the paragraph. It
is usually the first sentence of the paragraph; it should not be too general because if it is, there
will be too much to write about and you will need more than one paragraph. The topic sentence
is followed by a few sentences (an EXAMPLE) that support or give details about the topic
sentence.

Also, be sure to write interesting topic sentences. For example, “The next thing is high gas
prices,” is not an interesting sentence to begin a paragraph, but “The high price of gasoline is
outrageous,” will stimulate more interest in your paragraph.

ESSAY Writing
A composition has 3 parts: an introductory paragraph, a development (2 or 3 paragraphs), and a
concluding paragraph.

A: Introductory paragraph
There are 2 parts to an introductory paragraph:
- attracts a reader to your writing, but without using cheap tricks
(for example: SEX. Now that I’ve got your attention, I’d like
1st the grabber
to talk about the history of the automobile…)
- usually in one sentence, but maybe 2 or 3
- explains the main point of your composition
the thesis - is not explicit
2nd
statement - is not in the form of a question – the point is stated, not asked
- is stated in one sentence, not more

B: Development
- 2 or 3 paragraphs that support your thesis statement.
- each of these paragraphs talks about one supporting idea and elaborates (gives an
EXAMPLE) on it
- each one begins with a topic sentence, gives details, and finishes with a concluding sentence.

C: Concluding paragraph
There are 2 parts to a concluding paragraph:
- restates the main point of your composition in a different way
st the summary
1 from the thesis statement.
statement
- is not explicit
2nd clincher - a thought-provoking remark on your subject; it could be a
 suggestion, a solution, a prediction or a thought-provoking
question.

Avoid Explicit Statements

Different writing styles are common in different languages and cultures. When writing a
composition in English, do not use phrases like “This text explains…”, “Arguments are
presented about…”, Let’s see the effects of…”, “I will describe…”, “I will talk about…”, “In
this composition…”, “I’m convinced that…”, “According to me…”, “In my opinion…”, “I
think…”, “I feel…”, and “I believe…”. This might be a fine style in some languages, but it is
too explicit in English writing. Express your ideas in directly as though they were facts. For
example, instead of “This text explains that women are smarter than men because of genetics,
learning styles, and work ethic,” just say “Women are smarter than men because of genetics,
learning styles, and work ethic.”

Joining Your Ideas

Adverb clauses (using subordinating conjunctions)
- act like adverbs (answer how, when, where, or why)
- begin with subordinating conjunctions (examples: after, although, before, etc…)
- used to combine thoughts; show a connection between ideas in one sentence.
example: One engine broke down. The plane fell 7000 feet. It completed its flight.
Because one engine broke down, the plane fell 7000 feet before it completed its flight.

Co-ordinating conjunctions
– used to connect ideas within one sentence.
– there are 6: and, but, or, for, so, nor
– some writers use them to connect ideas between sentences. However, if you are not a
professional writer in English (a journalist, an author), you should not do so.

Transitions
- used to connect ideas between two sentences or larger sections of text (paragraphs)
- used with commas (,)
- there are four main types of transitions that you will need to use the most often.
- give the idea of “and” (in addition, moreover, furthermore, etc.)
- give the idea of “but” (however, nevertheless, on the other hand, etc.)
- show a cause-and-effect relationship (therefore, thus, consequently, etc.)
- show a relationship of time (first, second, finally, in conclusion, next, etc.)
(note: “finally” is not a synonym for “in conclusion” and “to conclude” …

What you use What you SHOULD use

Addition: you want to add new
and moreover; furthermore; next; secondly;
information to what you are talking
thirdly; finally; likewise; also
about
Illustration / example: you give such as; like for example; for instance;
examples that make your ideas
to illustrate, consider the case of
clearer
Cause and Effect: you present a so; because; since; therefore; thus; consequently; as a
result or a consequence so that; due to result; accordingly,
Comparison: you show the
similarities between two or more as…. as; just as likewise; similarly; in the same manner
things
Contrast: you discuss the
but; while; even however; nevertheless; on the contrary;
differences between two or more
though; whereas… on the other hand; conversely
things
Uncertainty: you are not
apparently; it seems that; it appears
absolutely sure of what you are
that; it might be that; possibly
saying

Punctuation
You should be familiar with the rules for correct usage of these punctuation marks:
. period : colon - dash (to indicate a pause)
? question mark ” quotation marks - hyphen (to combine 2 words)
, comma ; semi-colon ... leaders
() parentheses * asterisk ! exclamation point

Capitalisation for Titles

Capitalise the first word of the title, and then any important words like nouns, adjectives,
adverbs, or verbs (do not capitalise articles, prepositions, or conjunctions).

Using Prepositions Correctly

Do you have difficulty with prepositions? They are a difficult part of writing in a second
language. There are some rules for using prepositions with time or places, but quite often it
depends on the verb they are used with in the sentence and how they are used with that verb.
To be sure you are using the correct preposition after a verb, look up the verb in a unilingual
(English English) dictionary, and look for examples of how prepositions are used with the verb.

The Outline
An outline is a plan for a composition. It is organised in sections and written mostly in point
form (not sentences or paragraphs).
Norton & Green (1999) give the following example of an outline for a composition.

Title In from the Cold

Introductory paragraph
 Every year, North American businesses lose billions of
1. Grabber
dollars to the common cold.
Folk medicine, science-based remedies, and preventive
2. Thesis statement
measures can significantly reduce absenteeism.
Development
Paragraph # 1 - Topic sentence Drink lots of fluids.
 danger of dehydration
 minimum eight glasses of liquid a day
details for 1st supporting idea  chicken soup relieves stuffiness.
 garlic soup also effective.
 hot lemon and honey for sore throats
Paragraph # 2 - Topic sentence What science offers cold sufferers.
 over-the-counter cold remedies may be
harmful.
 nutritional supplements relieve symptoms and
details for 2nd supporting idea reduce duration of illness.
— vitamin C
— zinc
— garlic
Paragraph # 3 - Topic sentence Prevention is the best solution.
 avoid infected people if possible.
 avoid spreading infection (no kissing for six
details for 3rd supporting idea
days)
 wash your hands frequently
Concluding paragraph
By communicating these preventive and restorative tips to
1. Summary statement
employees, employers can reduce absenteeism.
Consoling thought: teenagers catch colds twice as often as
2. Clincher
people over fifty.

The final version of the composition is on the next page.

In from the Cold

INTRODUCTORY Every year, North American businesses lose billions of dollars to the
PARAGRAPH common cold. Absenteeism caused by the misery of this seasonal malady can
cripple an office. Although a quick cure has yet to be found, help is close at
Grabber in italics hand. Folk medicine together with science-based remedies can reduce the
Thesis statement in severity and duration of the symptoms, and, even more reassuring to
bold employers, preventive measures can significantly reduce the incidence of
colds.
DEVELOPMENT First of all, if your grandmother told you to drink lots of fluids and
 specifically recommended chicken soup to fight a cold, she was right. If you
1. Topic sentence have a fever, you are in danger of dehydration— even before you feel thirsty.
underlined Eight glasses of liquid a day are the minimum you require to prevent
dehydration. As for chicken soup, nutritionists confirm what our grandmothers
details for 1st have always known: it reduces congestion and thus relieves stuffy noses.
supporting idea Another healthful broth, less common here than in Europe, is garlic soup.
Garlic’s ability to stimulate the immune system has long been known. Add
some hot peppers to your soup and you’ll clear your sinuses at the same time
you kick-start your immune system. if your symptoms are mild, another of
Grandma’s remedies, lemon and honey mixed into a hot drink, works wonders
2. Topic sentence on sore, raspy throats.
underlined Moreover, what can science offer cold sufferers? Over-the-counter cold
remedies may do more harm than good. They mask the symptoms of a cold,
but, by making you feel better without attacking the virus itself, these
medications can prolong your sickness. Worse still, from an employer’s point
details for 2nd of view, they may make you feel well enough to go to work, where you can
supporting idea spread the germs to colleagues. Far superior are nutritional supplements that
reduce the duration and severity of colds. The number one supplement is the
established cold fighter, vitamin C. You can opt for mega-doses taken in pill or
powder form, or you can choose the simpler route; increase your consumption
of citrus fruits and juices. A mineral that is effective in speeding your recovery
from a cold is zinc. You can buy zinc over the counter in pills or lozenges, or
you can increase your zinc intake naturally by including more nuts, wheat
germ, dried peas and beans, seafood, and red meat in your diet. And don’t
forget garlic! If you can’t stand the taste of garlic or dislike its after-effects,
you can consume it in its friendly form: tasteless, odourless capsules available
3. Topic sentence in your local health-food store.
underlined In addition, folk wisdom and chemical remedies can do much to alleviate
cold symptoms and shorten the time that you will be off work, but these
palliative aids are no substitute for prevention. Although it’s not always
possible to avoid infected people, you should do your best to keep your
details for 3rd distance (the U.S. National Health Foundation recommends that, after
supporting idea contracting a cold, a person should not kiss anyone for six days). The easiest
way to avoid catching a cold, however, is to wash your hands frequently. In an
environment where you suspect cold germs may be lurking wash your hands
after touching anything—doorknobs, keyboards telephones light switches—
that has been handled by someone else. Professional actors have long known
about this tip. If you go on set or backstage, you will find actors opening doors
with their elbows steering clear of anyone with a sniffle and washing their
hands 20 or 30 times a day—all to avoid catching a career-limiting illness.
CONCLUDING To conclude, the only places on Earth where you run no risk of catching a
PARAGRAPH cold are the polar regions, where it’s too cold for the virus to survive. Short of
moving operations to Inuvik or Antarctica, businesses can do little to prevent
Summary statement an outbreak of productivity-sapping seasonal illnesses. By publicising some
in bold of these preventive and restorative tips, however, they can moderate the
damaging effects of employee absences. Finally, employers can console
Clincher in italics themselves with this thought: an ageing workforce is an advantage. Teenagers
catch colds twice as often as people over fifty.