Redacción en Inglés

Académico
Unit 5. Joining paragraphs to
write longer texts (Essays)
Grado en Estudios Ingleses
Curso 2018/2019
5. Joining paragraphs to write longer
texts (Essays)
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Essays: definition and structure
2. Introductions
2.1. Thesis Statement (ThS)
2.2. More elements
3. Main body
4. Conclusions
5. Types of essays
 Introduction
• Structure must be achieved at 2 levels:
- Pragraph
- Essay
• Often essays fail because they end up being
just a list of isolated points each dependent
upon itself → avoid this!
• Let the readers see that, as they move from
one paragraph to another, they’re moving
from one section within the structure to
another
 1. Essays: definition and structure
• Essay → group of paragraphs written about a
single topic and a central main idea
• Parts of an essay:
– Introduction → Brief intro. + Thesis Statement (ThS)

– Main body → 3/4 or more -Topic sentence

paragraphs - Supporting sentences
- Concluding sentence

– Conclusion → Summary + Thesis Statement

(using different words)
 2. Introductions
• The first question examiners are going to ask
themselves:
‘Has the writer seen the point of the question?’

Introductions → need to outline the main issues

raised by the question + aspects that you are going to
cover + Thesis Statement

show the examiners that you have the ability to see

the implications of the question and point them in
the direction you intend to take them
 2. Introductions
• By identifying the major issues in the first few
sentences you establish the relevance of
these, and the relevance of your essay in
tackling them
• This is what writers describe as the ‘hot spot’:
make it clear that you’ve seen the problem
the question is getting at, and you’re aware of
its importance
 2. Introductions
• “A good introduction is successful because it allows
readers to prepare themselves mentally for the
journey they will undergo as they follow your
argument through the paper. Like a travel guide, it
enables them to recognize and understand the
major points of interest in your argument as they
go by”.
• “Remember, lose the examiners and you lose
marks, it’s as simple as that. Your introduction
should point them in the right direction, giving
them a clear idea of what is to follow”.
(Greetham, 2001)
 2. Introductions
• They explain the purpose and scope of the essay
to the reader
• No more than about 10-15% of the total length of
your work
• Main functions of an introduction (=points that
must be covered):
– contextualise the topic (= provide background)
– provide a clear indication of what will be
discussed in the body of the essay (=more specific
info.)
– provide the focus of the essay or main idea: Thesis
Statement (last sentence of the introduction)
In
introductions:
Always go
from generl to Thesis
specific info.
Statement (ThS)
 2.1. Introductions: Thesis Statement
• Thesis statement (ThS) → in introductory
paragraphs:
– It tells the main idea of the whole essay
– End of the introductory paragraph
– It is NOT a question, it is a STATEMENT

You will have to restate it in the

conclusion of your essay
(but using different words)
 2.1. Introductions: Thesis Statement
• Thesis statement (ThS) → You will try to prove
and defend it throughout your essay
– It must provoke an academic discussion
E.g.: Langston Hughes was a great poet from
Harlem

Langston Hughes used a controversial vernacular

language that paved the way for later artists, even
today’s rap musicians
 2.1. Introductions: Thesis Statement
• How can you write your ThS?
– Explicit:
This essay takes a critical look at ...
This essay will consider ...
This essay seeks to shed light on the question of ...
Therefore, the aim of this essay is to…
– Implicit:
The following discussion sets out to ...
The discussion that follows analyses the question of
...and provides an account of why ...
Example:
 2.2. Introductions: More elements
• What is normally found in an essay introduction?
2.2. Introductions: More elements
• Not every introduction will include all these
elements → type of research
• Which elements are essential and which are
optional?
A) Definition of key terms
B) Relevant background info.
C) Mention of sources
D) Purpose or aim of the paper
E) Research methods
F) Limitations
G) Outline
 Tip
• Opening sentences → general but not vague!
• Pattern:

E.g.: Compare these two opening sentences:

- Nowadays, there is a lot of competition among different
news providers
- Newspapers are currently facing strong competition
from rival news providers such as Internet and television
 3. Main body
[See PPT Unit 4 = paragraph structure]
• Main part → main ideas are presented and
developed
• The introduction plays an important framing role in
your writing, and the conclusion similarly serves a
clear and necessary function… but it’s in the body
that the great bulk of your discussion takes place
• Length: 70-80%
• Remember! Each new idea requires you to begin a
new paragraph
 4. Conclusions
• Easiest part!
• No more than about 10-15% of the total length of
your work (= introductions)
• Points that must be covered:
– Summary of the main points (tip → Topic
sentences)
– A clear answer to any question asked in the title.
– Restate the THESIS STATEMENT (using different
words).
– Final sentence of your own
 4. Conclusions
• Some tips:
– Do not include new information
– Avoid entering into long and complex
discussions that would be more
appropriately located in the body of your
essay
– Try to link your conclusion back to the
introduction of your essay (= restate the ThS)
 4. Conclusions
• Some phrases to introduce summaries and
conclusions:
- In summary, ... To sum up, ... In conclusion, … To
conclude…
- The main points of the above discussion may be
summed up as follows :...
- This essay has discussed a number of issues. First, ...
-

- In arguing for …, a number of issues have been

highlighted/analysed ...
- It has been argued that ...
 4. Conclusions
• What is normally found in an essay conclusion?
Example: which three sections can you identify?
To conclude, it can be assured by the evidence presented in the
previous discussion that those measures proposed by Donald
Trump may have both advantages and disadvantages to America.
On the one hand, the aforementioned measures may lead to
social and economic benefits such as the protection of the
country from outlawed activities from immigrants, the
prevention of terrorist attacks and the increase of manufacturing
jobs. However, it is fact that these programmes will cost a
significant and pointless amount of money and will violate the
law and the human rights of immigrants and American citizens.
Consequently, new measures must be analysed, since they may
bring positive as well as negative aspects to the USA and its
citizens. It should not be forgotten that politicians must ensure a
wealthy future for their nation at the same time that they
reinforce and promote human rights; which –at the end- is the
most important aspect of politics.
 5. Types of essays
Problem/Solution
Comparison/Contrast
Process
Argument and Discussion
Cause and effect

• Each type of essay will be used for a different

purpose...
→ indicate it in the THESIS STATEMENT
 Redacción en Inglés
Académico
Unit 5. Joining paragraphs to
write longer texts (Essays)
Grado en Estudios Ingleses
Curso 2018/2019