Unit 1: The Research Essay

I. The Introduction:
- An academic essay's introduction must have: a Hook, Background information, Thesis
statement.

Hook
- It includes one or two intersesting sentences:
 engage the reader's attention
 stimulate their curiosity

Background information
- Contains:
 a general statement
 extra information  understand the content of essay

Thesis statement
- Comes at the end of the introduction.
- Summarizes what the entire essay is about.
- Contains the topic and the controlling idea.

II. Body:
- Topic sentence, supporting ideas, concluding sentences:
 link to the statement
 link to the next paragraph
III. Conclusion:
- Usually two to four sentences in length.
- Restate + Insight.

Unity and Coherence

I. Unity:
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- Effective writing must have Unity.

Unity within an Essay

- An essay has unity when all the body paragraphs contain:
 a topic sentence
 supporting sentences

 reinforce the thesis of the essay

II. Coherence:
- Coherence in a paragraph means that all the ideas fit together in a logical flow.
- It can be achieved by using transitions, logical order, pronouns, and parallel forms.

Using Transitions
- Transitions show how one idea relates to another.
Use Transition
Example for instance, to demonstrate, for example, in some cases.
Additional idea moreover, futhermore, in addition.
Contrast however, in contrast, on the contrary, nevertheless, nonetheless,
whereas, even though, although, unlike.
Similarities similarly, likewise.
Cause as a result, therefore, thus, consequently
Emphasis indeed, infact, obviously
Result therefore, consequently:
Conclusion in conclusion, in summary

Ordering ideas
- To arrange ideas in a logical order, such as chronological order or order of importance.
Chronological order use language such as in the beginning, first, second, next,
then, or finally.
Order of importance use language such as the most/least important thing, the next
priority, or the third/final priority/goal.

Using pronoun reference

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- A pronoun can replace a noun: I, you, he, it, this, that, these and those.

Using parallel forms

- Another strategy to achieve coherence is to use parallel forms.
- This means that all items in a list have the same grammatical form.

Edit your writing

I. Clause:
- Every clause in English must have a subject and a verb.
- There are two types of clause:
 main clause
 dependent clauses

Main clauses
- A main clause contains a complete idea and can stand alone as a sentence.

Dependent clauses
- Does not contain a complete idea and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
- Often starts with a subordinating conjuction such as after, before, although, because,
since, when, or while.
- Can be attached to a main clause to form a complex sentence:
 When the dependent clause begins the sentence, place a comma after it.
 When the independent clause comes at the end of the sentence, omit the comma.
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II. Run-on Sentences:
- Run-on sentences are incorrect.
 two main clauses occur together with no connector.
 incorrect punctuation between them.
- A run-on sentence can be corrected in several ways:
 change one of the main clauses to a dependent clause by adding a subordinating
conjuction such as because, when, before, or subordinating.
 use a coordinating conjuction such as and, but, yet, or, so, or for to connect two
clauses ( use a comma before the coordinating conjuction ).
 use punctuation ( a period, a semicolon ).

III. Sentences Fragments:

- Only dependent clause.
- It is an errol because it cannot stand by itself, it is a dependent clause.
- It needs a main clause to complete a thought.

IV. Verb Tense Consistency:

- It is important to be consistent in the use of verbs:
 When describing facts and habits, use the simple
present.
 When telling a story, use the simple past.

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 Unit 2: Comparison – Contrast Essay
I. Comparision and Contrast Signal Words:
- Sometimes an assignment will not directly state the rhetorical mode.
- You will have determine type of writing from the words in the assigment.

Compare Similarities, both, comparable, alike, common, share, similar.

Contrast Differences, dissimilar, diverge, unlike, unalike, differ, contrasting.

II. Comparision – Contrast Organization:

Block method Point-by-point mehthod
- With the block method, you - With the Point-by-point
present one subject and all its method, you include both
point of comparison; then subjects in one point of
you do the same for the comparison before moving
second subject. on the next point of
comparision.
- With the organization, you
discuss each subject
completely without
interruption.

Introduction - Hook: gives an interseting fact, quotation, or statis to get the

readers attention.

- Background information: gives information

- Thesis statement: tells what is being compared. It also introduces

the point of comparision.

Body Supporting information

Paragraph 1 Subject 1 Point 1
- Point 1 - Subject 1
- Point 2 - Subject 2
- Point 3
Paragraph 2 Subject 2 Point 2
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 - Point 1 - Subject 1
- Point 2 - Subject 2
- Point 3
Paragraph 3 Point 3
- Subject 1
- Subject 2
Conclusion - Emphasizes the strongest similarities or strongest differences
between the two subjects.

- Provide an evaluatio of the subjects.

- Provide an insight drawn from the comparison.

Unit 2: Cause and Effect Essays

I. Cause and Effect Signal Words:
Affect (n) To have an effect on; to make difference to.
Consequence (n) A result or effect of an action or condition.
Grounds (n) Factors forming a basis for action or the
justification for a belief.
Impact ( v) , ( n ) Have a strong effect on someone or something.
Implication (n) A likely consequence of something.

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Intention (n) A thing intended; an aim or plan.
Motive (n) A reason for doing something.
Outcome (n) The way a thing turns out; a consequence.
Promote (n) To further the progress of ( something ).
Reason (n) A cause, explanation, or justification for an action
or event.
Result (n) A consequence, effect, or outcome of something.

II. Collocations with Cause and Effect Signal Words:

Nouns Prepositiom Examples
Outcome Of A positive outlook can change the outcomes of
your life.
Impact On Discuss the storys’s impact on your ideas.
Reason For There are many reasons for laughing and thinking
positively.
Grounds For You have many grounds for being angry.
Verbs Preposition Examples
Lead To Recognizing what makes you happy can lead to a
more productive life.
Result In A wrong decision may result in a waste of time and
money.

III. Cause and Effect Organization:

Introduction
- Hook: grabs the reader’s attention.

- Background information: helps the reader understand the cause(s) or effect(s). It can
give historical information.

- Thesis statement: shows the relationship between the cause(s) and effect(s).

Body Paragraphs
- Topic sentence: in each paragraph defines a specific cause or effect to support the
thesis statement.

- Supporting details: must relate to the topic sentence. These details can include
explanations, examples, or facts.

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 - Body paragraphs: are organized in order of importance, chronologically, or according
to short-term or long-term effects.

- Each paragraph must use clear logic.

Conclusion
- Restates the thesis.
- Evaluate or reflect on the ideas presented.
- Give advice or a warning.

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