The document provides guidance on developing an effective academic essay, including establishing an argument, clear organization, and revision. It outlines the stages of writing an essay such as pre-writing, writing, and revising. Techniques for writing an essay are discussed such as using index cards, outlines, and thesis statements as well as tips for drafting introductions, conclusions, paragraphs, taking notes, using quotations and paraphrasing, revising, editing, and avoiding passive voice.

1. Martín, Eliana Julieta
WrittenExpression IV

3. - It should have an argument
- It should try to prove something
- It should have a clear organization
In order to develop your essay:
- You should bear in mind all the
possible questions and answers
- You should revise it as many times
as necessary

5. Stages of an essay:
Pre writing stage
Writing Stage
Revising Stage

6. Some techniques:
1- Index Cards: When researching, write
every idea, fact and quotation on a card.
Then organize them in the best possible
order to make a draft
2- Computer: Take the advantage of
“outline view” in Word which makes it
easier for you to arrange your points
3- The circle method: To get your ideas
onto a single page so you can see them all
at once

7. Using a thesis statement
The reader will probably expect a
clear statement of your position.
i.e1: -Shakespeare was the word greatest
playwright
i.e2- This essay will show that the north American
free trade agreement was a disaster for the
Canadian furniture industry
There is no rigid rule about the
position of the thesis statement

8. Introductions and Conclusions
Play an important role in academic
essays
A good introduction: should identify your
topic, provide essential context and indicate
your particular focus on the essay. It also
should encourage the reader´s interest.
A good conclusion: will have to provide a
sense of closure to the essay

9. Paragraphs
Each paragraph should contain the
central idea:
TOPIC SENTENCE: It has a
specific main point
* NOT ALL PARAGRAPHS NEED A TOPIC
SENTENCE SPECIALLY OPENING AND
CLOSING PARAGRAPHS WHICH HAVE
DIFERENT FUNCTIONS FROM BODY
PARAGRAPHS

11. Taking notes from research
Reading
- Do not write down too much;
your essay must be an
expression of your thinking
- Copy out the exact words only
when the ideas are memorably
expressed
- Compress ideas in your own
words. Paraphrasing word by
word is a waste of time

12. Using the internet
- Do not rely exclusively on net
sources
- Narrow your research topic
before logging on; internet allows
you with access to a lot of
information and you can easily
get lost
- Keep a detailed record of the
sites you visit and use
- Double check all URLs before
writting them on the paper

13. Previewing
Will anable you to place your focus
on the proper elements of the
reading and to avoid wasting time
on elements which are not
important for your purposes.
- READ THE TITTLE
- THINK ABOUT THE SUBJECT
MATTER
- FIND OUT WHO WROTE IT AND
WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED

15. Use quotations:
Only if
-The language is particulary elegant
or memorable
- You wish to confirm the credibility
of your argument
-The passage is worthly of further
analysis
- You wish to argue with someone
else´s position in detail

16. Verbs and
phrases to
introcuce
quotations:
Argues
Maintains
States
Writes
Suggests
Claims
Points out
Insists
Comments
Explains
Notes
Asserts
Reveals
Demonstrates
Concludes
Observes
Says

17. How to paraphase?
- You must provide a reference
- The paraphrase must be in your own
words
- You must also create your own
sentences structures
- If you think you want to paraphrase
the passage, make a note only of
the author´s basic points
- Capture the general idea

19. Revising and editing
- Gives you the opportunity to
preview your work on behalf of
the eventual reader
- It involves the checking of details
GOOD REVISION AND EDITING
CAN TRANSFORM A MEDIOCRE
FISRT DRAFT INTO AN EXCELENT
FINAL PAPER

20. Using the compiter: makes a good
typewriter. It easily lets you type in a
text, shifts around and make a small
proofreading changes
Punctuations: Try to venture
beyond the comma and the period.
Commas, semicolon, colons, dashes
and parentheses can also be used

21. When to use Passive voice?:
- When the actor is unknown
- When the actor is irrelevant
- When you want to be vague
about who is responsible for the
action
- When talking about general
truths

22. Why not to use passive voice?:
- Because you can sund vague about
who is responsible
- Because too many passive voices can
create confusion
Sometimes students use it to hide
holes in their research

23. Spelling
The English language has many
different ways to spell the same
sound and many diffrent ways to
pronunce the same spelling
- Use a good dictionary
- Be consisten about using the
british or american spelling
- Aways check “troublesome”
suffixes and preffixes
- Use your computer spel checker,
but with caution

24. Website.
University of Toronto. Writing
advice. www.writing.utoronto.ca