Power point summarizing the Writing advice provided by the University of Toronto

1. ADVICE ON ACADEMIC WRITING
ISFD N°41
Subject: PDCE IV
Teacher: Stella Saubidet
Student: Cornejo Francisco
Deadline: May 25th
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2. INDEX
 Slide 1 Cover
 Slide 2 Index
 Slide 3 General advices on academic essay writing
 Slide 4 High school writing- University writing
 Slide 5 Writer’s block
 Slide 6 Organizing an essay
 Slide 7 Thesis statement
 Slide 8 Dealing with introductions
 Slide 9 Dealing with conclusions
 Slide 10 Paragraphs
 Slide 11 Paragraph characteristics
 Slide 12 The topic sentence
 Slide 13 Critical reading -> Critical writing
 Slide 14 Tips on reading
 Slide 15 Dealing with new words while reading
 Slide 16 Previewing sequence
 Slide 17 Scanning and summarizing
 Slide 18 Quoting
 Slide 19 Specific types of writing
 Slide 20 Revising and editing
 Slide 21 Common errors
 Slide 22 Bibliography
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3. GENERAL ADVICES ON ACADEMIC ESSAY-
WRITING
Should have an
argument
Should prove
something
Should
encourage
hypothesis
Should create a
question to which
an answer will be
sought
Should be well
presented and
organized
Should present
the argument
clearly and
persuasively
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4. HIGH SCHOOL WRITING – UNIVERSITY
WRITING: A COMPARATIVE CHART
High school University
Essays have five paragraphs and three main
points
As many paragraphs needed and no
predetermined number of points
Each paragraph must begin with a topic
sentence
Paragraphs will be clearer if they begin with
a topic sentence
Paragraphs may end with a transitional
sentence
Provide a transition only when it helps the
reader’s understanding
Essays must include a thesis statement Not every essay needs a thesis statement
A thesis statement must be one sentence in
length
A thesis can be as long as required
according to its complexity
The introduction should begin with a general
statement
Introduction should raise the essay topic as
soon as possible
The conclusion should provide a summary of
the main points
The conclusion should do more than just a
summary
Argumentative essays can be based on
personal experiences
Argumentative essays should be supported
mainly by sources
Opposing viewpoints will weaken your
argument
Addressing counter-arguments will make the
essay stronger 4

5. WRITER’S BLOCK: WHAT IS IT? WHAT CAN
CAUSE IT?
Refers to those greater-than-ordinary blockages. It
occurs when a writer feels truly stuck and unable to
write. Can be cause by many different aspects, for
example:
 Poor understanding of the assignment.
 Not enough/too much research about the topic
 Lack of experience in the genre
 Inabilities to express your ideas
 Having difficulties writing introductory parts
 Non-academic stress affecting your academic work
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6. ORGANIZING AN ESSAY:
AN ESSAY OUTLINE
An essay outline is not meant to be handed in, is only
used as a guide for the essay’s structure:
Introduction
• Topic sentence/Thesis statement
• Capture reader’s interest
Paragraphs
development
• Developing main points
• Points on favour-Points against
Conclusion
• Providing a conclusion
• Summarizing information
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7. THESIS STATEMENTS
INTRIGUING
An assertion
that needs to
be explained
and supported
by further
discussion.
WORTH
ATTENTION
Shows
emphasis and
indicates the
methodology
of your
argument
COMPLEXITY
It shows
awareness of
difficulties and
disagreements
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8. DEALING WITH INTRODUCTIONS
Some helpful tips for an effective introduction:
 Illustrate the seriousness of the topic
 Quote an expert
 Mention a common misperception
 Give background information
 Explain key concepts
 Provide definitions to any unfamiliar concept
Some common pitfalls that should be avoided:
 Dictionary and textual definitions
 Avoid repeating assignment specifications
 Avoid explanations that’ll be included in your body
paragraphs
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9. DEALING WITH CONCLUSIONS
Some helpful tips for an effective conclusion:
 Is not merely a summary of previous points
 Use fresh language
 Involves critical thinking
 The length varies according to the length of the
essay
 Give an advice or a warning of a modern topic so it
can be relatable
 Use a quotation of an expert
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10. PARAGRAPHS
Is a series of related sentences developing a topic
Definition
paragraph
Comparison
or contrast
paragraph
Process
Paragraph
Qualification
Paragraph
Analysis or
classification
paragraph
Analysis or
classification
paragraph
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11. SOME PARAGRAPH CHARACTERISTICS
Show connections
Deliberate
repetition/Synonyms
Strategic use of
pronouns
Specialized linking
words
Reinforce ideas
Variable length
depending the
author’s needs 11

12. THE TOPIC SENTENCE
Is the main point of the paragraph, and should
provide a sketch on the essay’s argument
 Most of the times, they are located at the beginning
of the paragraph
 Must be related to the paratext and the text
 Should be a part of the texture of the text
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13. CRITICAL READING CRITICAL WRITING
Ways of thinking
about the subject
matter
Avoid looking only
for primarily
information
Make judgements
about how the text is
argued
Determine
purpose of the
text
Make judgments
about context
Distinguish the
kinds of
reasoning the
text employs
Examine the
evidence the text
employs
Asses the
strengths and
weaknesses of
an argument
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14. TIPS ON READING
 Distinguishing the relevant parts of the text
 Extra research about certain topic
 Avoid fast reading, do reading in depth instead
 Take down notes, focusing on main information
 Compress ideas in your own words
 Label your notes
 Use marginal notes
 Research using the internet, being careful with
modified or false information
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15. DEALING WITH NEW WORDS WHILE READING
Sound
• Using simple phonetics may help you to
understand meaning
Structure
• Looking for familiar words might help you to
identify prefixes and suffixes
Context
• Looking at the context is a good way of meaning
understanding
Dictionary
• Only then use the dictionary
Writing
• Reinforce your understanding by writing down a
brief definition 15

16. PREVIEWING SEQUENCE
Read the title
Think about
the topic
Who wrote
the text?
Where was
the text
published?
Who would be
the targeted
audience
When was
this text
published?
What is the
significance in
its context
Read chapter
titles
Why are you
reading this
text? 16

17. SCANNING AND SUMMARIZING
Previewing
techniques
Read in depth
the introductory
paragraph/s
Try to predict the
direction of the
incoming
information
General reading
of the
paragraphs
Read the
concluding
paragraph
carefully
In depth reading
Include the
author and the
title
Author’s thesis
Divide the
article into
sections
Omit ideas that
are not central
Omit minor
details and
examples
Avoid writing
opinions
Use quotations
and avoid
plagiarism
Summarizing
Scanning
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18. QUOTING
The language of the
passage is significant
Enlisting to support your
argument
The passage is worthy of
further analysis
Wishing to argue with
someone else’s point of view
Why quoting
You can avoid quotation by:
•Paraphrasing: Using your words providing a reference, refer explicitly
to the author in your paraphrase adjusting it to what you need.
•Summarizing: Sketch the most important points in the passage,
avoiding useless information. First absorb the meaning and then
capture in your own words the most important elements.
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19. SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING
 The book review or article review: It comments and evaluates the work in
the light of specific issues and theoretical concerns in a course.
 Annotated bibliography: Is an alphabetical list of research sources.
Provides a concise summary of each source.
 Literature review: Its purpose is to convey what knowledge and ideas
have been established on a topic.
 The abstract: Should represent as much as possible the quantitative and
qualitative information in the document.
 The comparative essay: Compares at least two (or more) items
according to the assignment.
 Historical writing: Use primary (documents created at the time of the
event) and secondary (other scholar’s work) sources. Then ask a good
historical question (why, how, what, etc).
 Writing about literature: You should focus on analytical thesis and not on
plot summary. Integrating quotations is a good resource.
 Writing a philosophy essay: Understand philosophical questions and to
have a critical view about the theories concerning those questions. Then
provide an answer to those philosophical questions.
 Writing in science: Base the writing in the following factors: Audience
(who is going to read the work), titles, headings, jargon (unrecognizable
language), passive/active voice, present/past tenses and references. 19

20. REVISING AND EDITING
Check if you have
fulfilled the intention of
the assignment
(genre, concepts and
methods, evidence,
etc)
Check overall
organization (Clear
introduction, right place
of each section,
connectors and
conclusion)
Polish and edit your style
Appearance
Number of
pages
Cover page
Staple your
pages
Reference
list or
bibliography
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21. COMMON ERRORS IN GRAMMAR PUNCTUATION
AND STYLE
Faulty
agreement
Sentence
fragments
Run-on
sentences
Overuse of
passive voice
Faulty
parallelism
Vague pronouns
Misplaced
modifiers
Faulty word
choice
Misuse of
comma,
semicolon and
colon
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22. BIBLIOGRAPHY
University of Toronto. Writing advice. Retrieved from:
Writing at the University of Toronto. Last visited May
25th, 2022. Available at: https://writing.utoronto.ca/
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