Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Rosemary Jones
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Use of deductive reasoning - Stating the thesis (main idea) early and then following with supporting examples and details make complicated ideas easier to understand. Semiformal voice - This means no slang, colloquialism (common expressions of ordinary speech), contractions of nouns and verbs, etc. Third person point-of-view - Third person points-of-view (e.g., he, she, it, and they as well as their accusative, dative, and possessive forms) should be used. No first and second person points-of-view (e.g., I, you, we) are used in academic writing.
What is it? What does it do? What does it resemble? How does it work? How does it come about? Why is it important? Cause and Effect Comparison and Contrast Definition Description
Process
Gains the readers attention Identifies the focus, or thesis, that is developed in the main part (body) of the essay Open with a series of questions about the topic. Present startling or unusual facts or figures. Define an important, subject related term. Quote a well known person or literary work.
There are several ways to draw the readers attention to the subject:
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Body
Developmental paragraphs (body paragraphs) are the heart of an essay.
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They must clearly and logically support the thesis. They must be arranged in the best possible way, e.g. chronologically, order of importance, etc.
The paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next, e.g. the first sentence in each new paragraph serves as an effective link to the preceding paragraph. In addition, minor supporting ideas are linked together within the paragraphs in a smooth manner.
Conclusion
The conclusion is the summary paragraph. It should accomplish the following:
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Remind the reader of the paper's thesis by paraphrasing it Tie together all of the important points in the essay by way of a summary and draw a final conclusion for the reader.
Unity
All the sentences should relate to one topic.
Completeness
Supporting ideas should be developed enough to cover the topic.
Coherence
Coherence equals connection and consistency. All sentences in a paper should be related logically and grammatically to make a whole that allows the reader to follow the writers train of thought step by step. Body paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next, e.g. the first sentence in each new paragraph serves as an effective link to the preceding paragraph. In
addition, minor supporting ideas are linked together within the paragraphs in a smooth manner. Within a paragraph, there are three major ways to develop coherence through related sentences: 1. Repetition of important words and pronouns - Repetition of key words helps the reader follow from sentence to sentence as important terms are defined and the relationship between them is explained. 2. Synonyms and substitutions - Synonyms are two or more words that have nearly the same thing. Substitution is a word that describes the subject. 3. Transitional expressions - Transitional expressions are words and phrases that point out the exact relationship between one idea and another, one sentence and another, e.g. therefore, however, for example, finally, etc. Just as the sentences within a paragraph should flow smoothly, so the paragraphs within an essay should be clearly linked one to the next. The first sentence of each new paragraph is linked to the thesis statement or to the paragraph before. The following are four ways to link paragraphs: 1. 2. 3. 4. Repetition of key words or ideas from the thesis statement Reference to words or ideas from the preceding paragraph Use of transitional expressions Use of transitional sentences
Then all B:
This pattern is good for short compositions. The reader can easily remember what was said about A by the time he or she gets around to B. Point-by-point (topic by topic) This method moves back and forth between A and B, presenting one point about A and then going to the parallel point about B. Then, it moves to the next point and does the same. First A, Point 1 First A, Point 2 First A, Point 3 Then B, Point 1 Then B, Point 2 Then B, Point 3
This pattern is better for longer papers, where it might be hard for the reader to remember what the writer said about A by the time he or she gets to B a few paragraphs later. By going back and forth, the writer makes it easier for the reader to keep the contrasts or comparisons in mind.
Extended Definition
There are five basic methods to expand a definition: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Comparing it to something else Telling what it is not Describing it in detail Classifying it by explaining the different kinds Using exemplification
Process
There are two kinds of process essays: 1. The how-to essay gives readers directions on how they can do something, e.g. perform a chemistry experiment. This process is generally written in the passive voice. 2. The explanation essay tells readers how something develops, e.g., photosynthesis, plasmodium, the life cycle of the malarial parasite, etc. This process is generally written in the active voice and uses simple present tense.
Provide proof or credibility to ones writing Refer to work that leads up to the work the writer is doing now Give examples of two or more points of view on a subject Add depth or breadth to ones writing
Following the guidelines of such a style sheet is important for three reasons: 1. The reader can gain deeper knowledge of a subject matter. 2. The reader can check for the relevance of summaries, paraphrases, and quotations. 3. The reader can verify quoted, summarized, and paraphrased material.