Presented to the ECE

1. Essay Writing Skills
Presented by:
The Learning Curve
Assiniboine Community College
For appointments, please contact Student Services:
• Room 235 (Victoria Ave)
• 204-725-8700 (ext. 6639)
Proofreading request? Email Caitlin at munnc@Assiniboine.net
This presentation can be viewed and downloaded here:
bit.ly/

2. Introductions
 Caitlin Munn - Learning Strategist
 Craig Dedrick
Educational Assistant
 Mireille Saurette
Educational Assistant
 Krista Beam
Educational Assistant

3. Who dunnit?

4. Understand What the Instructor Wants
• Do you have the assignment?
– Read it carefully several times.
– Be sure that you understand how your instructor would
like your assignment to be formatted, how sources are to
be cited, etc.
– For example, do I need to use APA? Include a title page?
• How will you be graded?
– You can use this to help you create your outline.
• Ask yourself – why did my instructor assign this?
– Never start before you know and understand what the
assignment is asking you to do.
– If you just can’t figure it out, ask for help.

5. Create a Plan
• A good paper cannot be written overnight.
• Cramming all your work into a few days will
increase your stress level and impact other
things in your life. As well, your paper will be
more prone to errors.
• How long will the final paper be? How many
sources do you need?
• Now, plan the time to do the paper and
schedule it.

6. Brainstorm!
What is involved in writing a
paper?

7. Phase 1 – Brainstorming

8. Top Tips for Brainstorming
• Start early!
• Review all your class texts (e.g. lecture notes,
textbook, assignments) in order pull ideas from
multiple sources
• Don’t judge your ideas! Get them down on paper
and evaluate later!
• Ask yourself the right questions:
– What examples can I think of?
– How does this relate to the assignment?
– WHY? WHY? WHY?

9. Brainstorming with Concept Maps

10. Brainstorming with Mind Maps

11. Phase 2 - Research

12. Preliminary Research
• Collect sources.
• Write notes.
• Keep track of ideas and quotes.
• Keep source information, like book or journal titles,
authors, publisher, location, and page numbers.
• Get organized — develop a system to compile.
• Use post-it notes on blank paper, possibly colour
coding key points.
• Use a point-form list or index cards.
• Prioritize and sequence your main ideas.

13. Track Your Work with Noodle Tools!
http://public.assiniboine.net/CurrentStudents/Library.aspx

16. Finding Good Sources
• Credible - people who know your topic.
• Not out-dated - especially important for
medical information.
• Do not rely completely on one source.
• If your instructor suggests a source - like your
text - use it.

19. Phase 3 - Writing

20. What is your argument or thesis?
• It is not a fight!
• Instead, make a claim,
explain it, support it,
and convince the reader

21. Fathand Salsa Jar
What’s the worst part of eating salsa? Sharing it. But there’s nothing
we can do about that, so we have to address the second worst part of
eating salsa: Salsa Wrist. This problem affects 100% of salsa eaters and
is a result of lazy jar design and your inability put salsa in a bowl
instead of scooping it out of the jar. When the salsa level in the jar gets
so low that you’re forced to plunge your hand ever deeper into it, your
wrist will inevitably make contact with the walls of the jar. It’s like
trying to get the funny bone out of the guy in Operation: impossible
not to make contact with anything without every ounce of your
concentration. This has resulted in billions of salsa-stained shirt cuffs
or, worse, wrist skin cells freely mingling with what’s left of that spicy
black bean and roasted corn salsa rojo. Enter the Fathand Salsa Jar!
Using patented “flower pot” technology, the Fathand Salsa Jar is wider
at the top than it is on the bottom. Not only will this create a larger
dippable surface area but it will eliminate the scourge of Salsa Wrist.
(Mike Trapp, CollegeHumor.com, 2012)

23. Activity #1 - Take a Side!
Fathand Salsa Jar
(Mike Trapp, CollegeHumor.com, 2012)
What’s the worst part of eating salsa? Sharing
it. But there’s nothing we can do about that,
so we have to address the second worst part
of eating salsa: Salsa Wrist. This problem
affects 100% of salsa eaters and is a result of
lazy jar design and your inability put salsa in a
bowl instead of scooping it out of the jar.
When the salsa level in the jar gets so low that
you’re forced to plunge your hand ever deeper
into it, your wrist will inevitably make contact
with the walls of the jar. It’s like trying to get
the funny bone out of the guy in Operation:
impossible not to make contact with anything
without every ounce of your concentration.
This has resulted in billions of salsa-stained
shirt cuffs or, worse, wrist skin cells freely
mingling with what’s left of that spicy black
bean and roasted corn salsa rojo. Enter the
Fathand Salsa Jar! Using patented “flower
pot” technology, the Fathand Salsa Jar is wider
at the top than it is on the bottom. Not only
will this create a larger dippable surface area
but it will eliminate the scourge of Salsa Wrist.
Brainstorm
• Topic sentence
– Are you in favour of the new
Salsa container design?
• Yes? Why?
• No? Why?
• Know your terms
– Salsa Wrist – what is it?
• Provide an example
– Example of how the problem
can be avoided (no jar
needed).
– Or how the jar solves the
problem.
• Details to make your argument
strong!
5 minutes!

24. How would you respond to the other
side?

25. The 5 Questions to Ask
1. What claim are you making?
2. What reasons can you provide to support
that claim?
3. What evidence do you have to back it up?
4. What is the logic behind your argument?
How do your reasons support your claim?
5. How would you respond to alternative
claims?

26. Understanding Claims and
Evidence
• A claim is a statement that sounds factual but
remember all facts must be based on evidence
• Just because I say something does not make it
true.
– What makes me an expert?
– Why should you care what I think?
• In academic writing, facts must be
substantiated by evidence (data, examples or
expert opinions)

27. Support the Claim #1
• Claim - “My rent is too high.”
• What information do we need to support the
claim?
• Example questions to ask:
– What do the experts say is too high? (e.g.
Financial experts recommend that no more than
30% of a person’s income goes to rent.)
– What percentage of your income goes to rent?

28. Support the Claim #2
• Claim – “A lot of ACC students seek help for
writing.”
• What information do we need to support the
claim?
• Example questions to ask:
– How many students sought help for writing?
– How does this compare to other colleges? What is
the average?
– How do you define a lot?

29. Support the Claim #3
• Claim – “Todd is a great football player.”
• What information is needed to support the
claim?
• Example questions to ask:
– What position does he play? What league is he
part of?
– What statistics are available?
– How does his performance compare to other
players?

30. The Importance of the
Counterargument
• You can strengthen your argument by
understanding the counterargument
• Do some research – who disagrees with the
point you are making? Why is that?
• How would you respond to a
counterargument?
• Examining the counterargument shows your
credibility and that you have done your
research

31. Activity #2 – Construct a Strong
Paragraph
Fathand Salsa Jar
(Mike Trapp, CollegeHumor.com, 2012)
What’s the worst part of eating salsa? Sharing
it. But there’s nothing we can do about that,
so we have to address the second worst part
of eating salsa: Salsa Wrist. This problem
affects 100% of salsa eaters and is a result of
lazy jar design and your inability put salsa in a
bowl instead of scooping it out of the jar.
When the salsa level in the jar gets so low that
you’re forced to plunge your hand ever deeper
into it, your wrist will inevitably make contact
with the walls of the jar. It’s like trying to get
the funny bone out of the guy in Operation:
impossible not to make contact with anything
without every ounce of your concentration.
This has resulted in billions of salsa-stained
shirt cuffs or, worse, wrist skin cells freely
mingling with what’s left of that spicy black
bean and roasted corn salsa rojo. Enter the
Fathand Salsa Jar! Using patented “flower
pot” technology, the Fathand Salsa Jar is wider
at the top than it is on the bottom. Not only
will this create a larger dippable surface area
but it will eliminate the scourge of Salsa Wrist.
Brainstorm
• Topic sentence
– Are you in favour of the new
Salsa container design?
• Yes? Why?
• No? Why?
• Know your terms
– Salsa Wrist – what is it?
• Provide an example
– Example of how the problem
can be avoided (no jar
needed).
– Or how the jar solves the
problem.
• Strong concluding sentence

32. Construct an awesome paragraph
Remember that when writing a paragraph, you are trying to make a point about something. If your paragraph is about the fact
that the sky is blue, prove it to me. You do this by following these simple steps:
• Introduce the topic: usually you will do this by stating the point that you seek to prove.
• Definition: provide a definition of the key term(s). This will often involve a citation.
• Example: this is where you talk about your example, or evidence.
• Relate: you need to show that this is a valid example of your definition. This is an example of ____ because _____.
The archery video has plenty of awesome
shots in it. Awesomeness is something that
inspires “an overwhelming feeling of awe,
wonder or admiration” (Dedrick, 2012). For
example, in the video, Craig makes a shot
that hits the bulls eye and causes the crowd
to gasp and applaud. The crowd’s reaction
indicates that Craig’s shot was awesome.
Awesome Example Paragraph
Introduce the topic
Cite a definition
Provide an example
Relate your example
to the definition

33. Activity #2 – Construct a Strong
Paragraph
Fathand Salsa Jar
(Mike Trapp, CollegeHumor.com, 2012)
What’s the worst part of eating salsa? Sharing
it. But there’s nothing we can do about that,
so we have to address the second worst part
of eating salsa: Salsa Wrist. This problem
affects 100% of salsa eaters and is a result of
lazy jar design and your inability put salsa in a
bowl instead of scooping it out of the jar.
When the salsa level in the jar gets so low that
you’re forced to plunge your hand ever deeper
into it, your wrist will inevitably make contact
with the walls of the jar. It’s like trying to get
the funny bone out of the guy in Operation:
impossible not to make contact with anything
without every ounce of your concentration.
This has resulted in billions of salsa-stained
shirt cuffs or, worse, wrist skin cells freely
mingling with what’s left of that spicy black
bean and roasted corn salsa rojo. Enter the
Fathand Salsa Jar! Using patented “flower
pot” technology, the Fathand Salsa Jar is wider
at the top than it is on the bottom. Not only
will this create a larger dippable surface area
but it will eliminate the scourge of Salsa Wrist.
Brainstorm
• Topic sentence
– Are you in favour of the new
Salsa container design?
• Yes? Why?
• No? Why?
• Know your terms
– Salsa Wrist – what is it?
• Provide an example
– Example of how the problem
can be avoided (no jar
needed).
– Or how the jar solves the
problem.
• Strong concluding sentence
5 minutes!

34. Create an Outline

36. Activity #3 – Example Outline
Title: The Hazards of Moviegoing
Introduction
– Introductory statement
– Thesis statement: I like watching movies but I prefer watching them at home.
Body
– First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): just getting to the theater presents difficulties
• bad weather
• long drive and limited parking space
• long waiting to buy ticket
– Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): facing the problems of the theater itself
• old theater's problems such as smelly carpet, worn-out seat, etc
• new theater's problems such as smaller size, noise from next movie theater, etc
• both floors will be rubber-like dirty at the end of the movie
– Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): Some of the patrons are annoying
• bad behavior such as running, talking loud, etc
• human noise and disturbance
Conclusion
– Closing statement
– Restate thesis: I prefer to watch movies at home where it is comfortable, clean and safe.
Gallaudet University (n.d.). 5-Paragraph essay and outline. Retrieved from
http://www.gallaudet.edu/tip/english-center/writing/essays/5-paragraph-essay-and-outline-the-
hazards-of-moviegoing.html

37. Activity #3 – Example Outline
Title: The Joys of Watching Movies at Home
Introduction
– Introductory statement
– Thesis statement:
Body
– First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________________________
• #1
• #2
• #3
– Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________________________
• #1
• #2
• #3
– Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________________________
• #1
• #2
• #3
Conclusion
– Closing statement
– Restate thesis: ____________________________________
Gallaudet University (n.d.). 5-Paragraph essay and outline. Retrieved from
http://www.gallaudet.edu/tip/english-center/writing/essays/5-paragraph-essay-and-outline-the-
hazards-of-moviegoing.html

38. Activity #3 – Example Outline
Title: The Hazards of Moviegoing
Introduction
– Introductory statement
– Thesis statement: I like watching movies but I
prefer watching them at home.
Body
– First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): just
getting to the theater presents difficulties
• bad weather
• long drive and limited parking space
• long waiting to buy ticket
– Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): facing
the problems of the theater itself
• old theater's problems such as smelly carpet,
worn-out seat, etc
• new theater's problems such as smaller size,
noise from next movie theater, etc
• both floors will be rubber-like dirty at the end
of the movie
– Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): Some of
the patrons are annoying
• bad behavior such as running, talking loud,
etc
• human noise and disturbance
Conclusion
– Closing statement
– Restate thesis: I prefer to watch movies at home
where it is comfortable, clean and safe.
Gallaudet University (n.d.). 5-Paragraph essay and outline. Retrieved from
http://www.gallaudet.edu/tip/english-center/writing/essays/5-paragraph-essay-and-outline-the-hazards-of-moviegoing.html
Title: The Joys of Watching Movies at Home
Introduction
– Introductory statement
– Thesis
statement: ____________________________________
Body
– First Supporting Idea (Topic
Sentence): ____________________________________
• #1
• #2
• #3
– Second Supporting Idea (Topic
Sentence): ____________________________________
• #1
• #2
• #3
– Third Supporting Idea (Topic
Sentence): ____________________________________
• #1
• #2
• #3
Conclusion
– Closing statement
– Restate
thesis: ____________________________________

39. Get Writing!
• Explain your ideas to a study partner.
• Tape-record what you want to say.
• Listen to the tape. Re-record if necessary.
• If no tape-recorder, somehow translate your notes into
spoken sentences.
• This is about rehearsing what it is you want to write about.
• Getting the information into your own words and working
on the ideas is the most important part of writing a paper.
• Don’t worry about spelling and grammar yet – get the ideas
out!
• Follow your outline and write one point at a time.

40. Writing Your Introduction
• Take a side!
– Look at your paper as an argument. You are trying to
say something about something.
– Your introduction should have a clear statement about
your argument.
• Your introduction should be a guide to your paper.
I should be able to read your introduction and get a
little outline of your main points. I can look at your
introduction and decide if I need to read further.

41. Write Your Conclusion
• Your conclusion should address all of the
points that you raise in your introduction.
• Your conclusion may feel repetitive. That is
okay – it is supposed to be! Do not introduce
new information in your conclusion.

42. Phase 4 - Revision

43. Phase 4 - Revision
• You need to have some time in order to distance
yourself from your writing.
– Leave your paper for a day (if you can) and then re-read it.
• Look for spelling and grammar mistakes.
• It can help to read your paper out loud.
• When you read your key points, interrogate your
arguments.
– Ask yourself, “why?” until you are satisfied.
• You will probably want to read your paper critically
multiple times.

44. Getting Some Help
• Take your paper to someone (friend or tutor) who
can read it and make good suggestions.
• Ask:
• Does my paper make sense?
• Do you understand what I am trying to explain?
• Does my writing flow together?
• Revise with the feedback from your editing friend or
tutor.

45. Questions?

46. Helpful Resources
• Purdue Writing Lab - https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
• Writing an Abstract -
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/tlc/files/2013/10/abstracts.pdf
• Comparison and Contrast -
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/tlc/files/2013/10/comparison-
and-contrast.pdf
• Structuring Your Essay -
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/tlc/files/2013/10/STRUCTURING
-YOUR-ESSAY-revised-20141.pdf
• Writing a Thesis Statement -
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/tlc/files/2013/10/thesis-
statement.pdf

47. Contact Information
For appointments, please contact Student
Services:
• Room 235 (Victoria Ave), P116 (North Hill)
• 204-725-8700 (ext. 6639)
This presentation can be viewed and
downloaded here:
bit.ly/