2. Contents
1. Background info
2. Parts of the Pragraph
3. The mechanics of writing
4. What is an essay?
5. Purpose and types of essays
6. Parts of the essay.
7. The thesis statement.
8. The process
9. Assesing the essay?
10. Using APA style.
3. What is a predicate?
3
What is a subject?
2
What is a sentence?
1
Background info
In simple terms, a sentence is a set of words
that contain a subject and a predicate.
It is what the sentence is about, the
topic of the sentence
It is what is said about the subject
4. Which is the most important sentence
In the paragraph?5
What is a paragraph?
4
Background info
A paragraph is a collection of
connected sentences.
Topic sentence
5. What is the clincher?.
7
What are the types of sentences that
follow the topic sentence?6
Background info
Supporting ideas, Details, Clincher
The clincher is the last sentence of the
paragraph.
6. Whenever we read a sentence and like it,
we unconsciously store it away in our model-
chamber; and it goes with the myriad of its fellows,
to the building, brick by brick, of the eventual
edifice which we call our style.
Mark Twain
8. The topic sentence
is the most
important
sentence
in a
paragraph
A.K.A.
focus
sentence
is usually
the first
sentence
Parts of the paragraph
helps
organize
the
paragraph
9. Don’t write
too many
details
Say exactly
what you
want to
say
Don’t be
too broad
Qualities for good topic sentence
Brevity Clarity Precision
Parts of the paragraph
10. What makes a bad topic sentence
Don’t use
facts as
topic
sentences
Think about
causes not
only effects
Don’t write
“I am
going to
tell you…”
Parts of the paragraph
11. 1. Topic sentences – good vs bad
– The following topic sentence is bad. Confer
with your partner. Why is this a bad topic
sentence?
George Lucas is a filmmaker.
Parts of the paragraph
12. George Lucas is a filmmaker.
• It tells the reader very little about what you are
going to say.
• You are not making any real point.
Work in pairs write a better topic sentence.
George Lucas is an influential filmmaker who has
changed cinema in a few important ways.
Parts of the paragraph
13. • Lets make groups.
• Each of you has a piece of a movie poster.
• You need to find the other two pieces to form a
complete image.
• When you form a complete image you can sit
with the other members of your group.
16. Let’s do a quick exercise:
You now have 9 strips of paper.
In your groups put the strips in the correct order
so that they make a coherent paragraph.
17. Imitation is a perfectly honorable way to get
started as a writer—and impossible to
avoid, really: some sort of imitation marks each
new stage of a writer’s development.
Stephen King
19. a. If the student passes this course, they will
graduate.
b. When a person comes to class, you
should have his homework ready.
c. Kim spends all his time reading and
playing soccer, but it isn’t good for him.
The mechanics of writing
20. compound,
singular subject
Noun Verb
Agreement
compound, singular
subject connected
by and, verb is
plural
connected by or
nor, verb is
singular
plural and singular
subject joined by
or or nor, verb
agrees closest
subject
The mechanics of writing
21. Placed together
into one sentence
without proper
punctuation
Run-on
Sentences
Made of two or more
independent clauses
or complete
sentences
plural and singular
subject joined by
or or nor, verb
agrees closest
subject
The mechanics of writing
22. 2. replace it
with a
semicolon
incorrect use
comma to
Comma
splice
It creates a
run-on
sentence.
Correct it:.
1. replace it with
a period.
The mechanics of writing
connect two
complete
sentences.
3. use a
conjunction
23. Example:
Comma splice: Our school received an award, we
raised the most money for the local charity.
Corrected sentence: Our school received an
award. We raised the most money for the local
charity.
or
Our school received an award; we raised the most
money for the local charity.
or
Our school received an award because we raised
the most money for the local charity.
The mechanics of writing
24. 2. that
have commas
Use
semicolons to
separate
Semi
colon
1. joined
without a
conjunction.
3. Connected
with adverb of
relationship
The mechanics of writing
independent
clauses
25. Examples:
1. Four people worked on the project; only
one received credit for it.
2. The strays were malnourished, dirty, and
ill; but Liz had a weakness for kittens, so
she adopted them all.
3. Victoria was absent frequently; therefore,
she received a low grade.
The mechanics of writing
26. It is time for a little game to relax and review
some of the concepts we have gone through
so far.
27. “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down
at a typewriter and bleed.”
Ernest Hemingway
28. A piece of writing that is long enough
to cover many topics and present
different viewpoints.
1
When writing an essay, it is never
acceptable to write in the first person
(I and me.)
2
The introduction presents the topic
and your opinion. Here you write the
thesis statement.
3
In the conclusion you often re-state the
thesis and summarize the main points
of the essay..
4
What is an essay?
35. Parts of the essay: Body
Divide topics
into subtopics
Each one
will be a
paragraph
on its own.
Write
topicSentences to
agree thesis
statement
Use
Transitions
between
paragraphs
1
49. Writers learn to write by paying a certain sort of
attention to the works of their great and less great
predecessors in the medium of written language, as
well as by merely reading them.
John Barth, writer
50. Using A.P.A. style
Work with a partner. Decide if the following
statements are true or false.
1. Spacing between lines should be double
spaced.
2. Margenes a 2,5 cm en todos los lados.
3. Encabezado con título
56. A.P.A. Citations
For in-text citations –
author’s last name and
year of publication.
Lon quotes – Separate line
indented, follow short quotes
Short quotes – Author’s last
name + year publication. End of
quote page number preceeded
by p.
64. When referring to
books, chapters,
articles, or Web
pages, capitalize only
the first letter of the
first word of a title
and subtitle
Reference lists
65. There are no spaces
used with brackets in
APA. Include year,
month, and day in
references.
Reference lists
66. Online articles follow same
guidelines for printed articles.
Include all information the online
host makes available.
Reference lists
67. APA resources at Online
Writing Lab from the
Purdue University.
Reference lists
69. References
• Beattie, K., & James, R. (2000, January 1). Assessing Essays. Retrieved
April 30, 2015, from
http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/resources_teach/assessment/docs/
Assessing_essays.pdf
• Blass, L., & Gordon, D. (2008). Writers at Work: The Essay. New York,
New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Dye, D. (2012). The Basics. In How to Write a Paragraph. Model
Citizen Publications.
• Killgallon, D., & Killgallon, J. (2012). Paragraphs for High School: A
Sentence-Composing Approach. Portsmouth, New Hampshire:
Greenwood Publishing Group.
• Starkey, L. (2004). Mechanics. In How to Write Great Essays. New
York, New York: Learning Express, LLC.
• A guide to paragraph writing. (2013, January 1). Retrieved May 1,
2015, from http://www.uwc.ac.za/Students/WrC/Documents/A guide
to paragraph writing.pdf
Editor's Notes
JUST A NICE LITTLE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW READING AND WRITING ARE LINKED TOGETHER.
Brevity: Don’t write too many details. That’s what the rest of the paragraph is for.
Clarity: Say exactly what you want to say
Precision: Don’t be too broad when introducing the topic that you’re going to discuss.
Don’t use facts as topic sentences.
Don’t just think about the effect of something, but about it’s cause.
Don’t write “I am going to tell you…” or I am going to speak about…”
MAKE GROUPS OF THREE WITH IMAGES CUT UP. EXPLAIN THEY WILL HAVE TO FIND THE OTHER TWO PIECES OF THE IMAGE TO FORM THEIR GROUPS.
If time permits do two or three more:
I am going to discuss the Battle of Pichincha.
Educaton is important.
Barack Obama was born on August 14, 1961.
Is imitation the same as plagiarism?
Pronouns refer back to or take the place of nouns. They should:
Work in pairs. Decide if the sentence is correct or incorrect and why?
Subject is singular but the pronoun is plural
The correct pronoun should be he or she
What isn’t good for him? Reading, playing soccer, or both?
Point out at the comma splice as well as to the different forms to correct it.
Period to form to independent sentences
A semicolon to repplace the comma.
Use a conjunction like «and, because or so»
There is no conjunction so we joined the two independent clauses with a semicolon.
We separate the independent clauses that contain commas, even if the clauses are joined by a conjunction.
To separate items in a series that contain commas.
Explain or discuss a topic and give a personal opinion. -> explanatory essay.
Identify a problem, its causes, and propose a spolution. -> problem solving essay.
Compare and contrast two or more things -> compare and contrast essay.
Persuade the reader to hold an opinion or take certain action. -> persuasive essay.
Respond to a reading or lecture. -> responding to a reading essay.
For each type of essay there is a specific type of organization.
For example:
in compare/contrast, your paragraphs either only compare or contrast information on two or more things or you can dedicate iqua number of paragraphs in the same paper to compare and contrast.
In a persuasive essay you need to use arguments and counterarguments to support your thesis.
Introduction: Approximately 10% of the total length. May be one paragraph or several depending on essay length
It goes from general to specific. Introduces the topic. Provides background information. Limits the scope
of discussion. Introduces the thesis statement.
About 150 words.
2. Body: The minimum essay is a 5 paragraph essay but there are longer ones.
Each paragraph should discuss one single thing.
Everything in the paragraph revolves around the topic sentence.
About 900 words.
3. Conclusion: Sums up the argument/information with reference to the essay question.
Perhaps mentions wider implications or future directions.
Re-estate the topic sentence of each paragraph in different words.
About 300 words.
The first sentence of the essay should introduce the general topic of the essay.
This sentence should be very general.
It doesn’t really matter what is written as lng as it reflects the topic.
The second sentence narrows the topic.
It goes from general to specific.
The writer starts moving to the signaling the thesis statement.
1. The writer can use on or two sentences to state his/her position on the topic.
The thesis statement is introduced here.
It is usually the last sentence of the introduction but not necessarily.
To write the conclusion of the essay:
1. Re-state the thesis statement. Use the same idea with different words.
2. Re-state the topic senetence of each paragraph. Use the same idea with different words.
3. Re-state your opinon and give a recommendation or solution.
Choose a topic to write or use the topic chosen by the teacher.
There are several things to be considered when assessing essays:
the primary goals in assessing written work are to gauge the extent of student learning and to provide feedback to students – grading is a secondary goal.
essay topics and written assignments are well-crafted when they allow students suitable scope to demonstrate their learning
There are goals and objectives we need to set up for the writing piece and students should be aware of them.
Also considere the learning objectives as established by CELEX.
APA style requires authors to use the past tense or present perfect tense when using signal phrases to describe earlier research, for example, Jones (1998) found or Jones (1998)has found...
If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and the page number for the reference (preceded by "p.").
Introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses. According to Jones
(1998), "Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time" (p. 199).
Place direct quotations that are 40 words, or longer, in a free-standing block of typewritten lines, and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.