This document provides guidance for writing academic essays from the University of Toronto. It discusses developing an outline and thesis statement, organizing paragraphs, conducting research, and addressing different types of essays. Specific topics covered include developing an argument, incorporating sources, writing book reviews, comparative essays, science writing, and oral presentations. The document also offers advice on style, editing, grammar issues, and resources for developing writing skills.

1. SLIDESHARE TO WRITE ESSAYS
A guide for the writing of essays from Toronto
University

2. An excellent essay
characteristics
•Strong evidence of original thinking.
•Good organization.
•Capacity to analyze and synthesize.
•Superior grasp of subject matter with
sound critical evaluations.
•Evidence of extensive knowledge base.

3. ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
To have a clear idea of the type of
essay you are about to write
Research (cards, computer, the
circle method)
Outline/structure
P-L-A-N!!!

4. ORGANIZING AN ESSSAY II
 Thesis Statements
assertion to be explained and supported
emphasis, methodology of argument
awareness of difficulties/disagreement
 Paragraphs: illustration; definition; analysis; contrast
 Introduction
identify the topic and catch the reader´s attention
 Topic Sentence
Main point, mini-thesis
 Conclusion
closure and stationg concepts in wider context

5. READING AND
RESEARCHING
• Critical reading
• Note-taking
• Sensible approach towards new
words and internet research

6. PREVIEWING THE TEXT
Read the title
Think about the subject matter:
 Who wrote this text?
 When was it published?
 Where was it published?

7. SKIMMING AND SCANNING
Skim the text by reading carefully
the first paragraphs and the
conclusion and just the larger
concepts in-between
Scan to look especifically if the text
mentions the subject you are
researching
Summarize

8. USING SOURCES
Use quotations
Be careful NOT to plagiarize
Paraphrase
Summarize

9. SPECIFIC TYPES OF
WRITING I
 The Book Review or Article Critique
(it comments on and evaluates the book)
 The Annotated Bibliography
(account of the research done)
 The Literature Review
(account of the knowledge and ideas
published on the topic)
 The Academic Proposal
(first step in producing a thesis)
(first impression, information and reasoning)

10. SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING
II
The Comparative Essay
(compare and contrast ideas,
positions on an issue, events,
theories, texts, figures)
History
primary source (created at the
time of the event)
secondary source (what other
scholars have written)

11. SPECIFIC TYPES OF
WRITING III
Literature
avoid telling the plot
master the art of analytical
thesis
respect the structure
analyse, avoid evaluative
judgements
don´t confuse author with
speaker

12. SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING
IV
 Essays in Science
Few differences: jargon, audience, use
of passive voice
 The Abstract
first impression, quantitive and qualitive of
the document
 The Academic Proposal
first step in producing a thesis)
 Admission Letter
be personal, focussed, coherent,
interpretive, specific

13. SPECIFIC TYPES OF WRITING V
 Aplication Letters and Résumés
keep the reader´s interest in mind
balace facts and claims
write concisely
 The Lab Report
specific outline, Engineering focussed
 Oral Presentations
l ike any essay + reharsal +taking looks into account+
performance+handling of questions

14. STYLE
Points to evaluate in an essay:
handling of the topic and fulfillment
of the assignment
the quality of ideas
organization
style and grammar.

15. EDITING
1. Revise the intention of the essay
2. Revise the organization
3. Polish and edit your essay:
word choice, sentence structure,
grammar, punctuation and spelling
4. Be neat. Looks do count

16. USUAL GRAMMAR PROBLEMS
Wordiness
Punctuation
Using of the comma
Faulty Parallelism
Passive Voice
Dangling Modifiers
Plurals
Possessives
Subject-Verb Agreement

17. ENGLISH AS A
2ND.LANGUAGE
Using Articles
The Definite Article
Expressions of Quantity
Gerunds and Infinitives
Verbs for Referring to Sources

18. FURTHER RESOURCES
Online Writing Advice from Other
Institutions
Online Writing Reference Tools
Online Resources for Students of
English as a Second Language
Online Resources on Pursuing a
Career as a Writer

19. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Corson, T. and Smollett, R. “Passive Voice: When to use it and
when to avoid it”. University College Writing Centre.
• Fitzgerald, H. “Some tools to improve your Spelling”. University
College Writing Centre. Freedman, L. And Plotnick, J.
“Introductions and conclusions”. University College Writing
Centre.
• Hall, J. and Plotnick, J. “Using Topic Sentences” . University
College Writing Centre.
• Knott, D. “Critical Reading Towards Critical Writing”. New College
Writing Centre Plotnick, J. “Organizing an Essay”. University
College Writing Centre.
• Plotnick, J. “Punctuation” . University College Writing Centre
Procter, M. “Paragraphs” . Writing Support, and Visvis, V.
University College Writing Centre.
• Procter, M. “Revising and Editing”. Writing Support.
• Procter, M. “Using Thesis Statements”. Writing Support
Silber, C. A. “Some General Advice on Academic Essay Writing.”
Department of English