SESSION 2:

Thesis Statement Pitfalls

- Thesis statement must be written with special though and care. Avoid these three common
problems:
o The thesis is too general

o The thesis makes a simple announcement

o The thesis states an obvious fact

- Practice: writing the hook

Hook 1: Imagine a world where every glance, every click is accompanied by a barrage of
advertisements. This reality has sparked concern among parents, who fear the profound influence
advertising may wield over impressionable young minds.
Co the neu kinh nghiem ban than de viet introduction.
Lay van de thuc te link voi chi tiet trong doan van.
Co the dua ra dinh nghia, sau do neu van de link voi keywords trong doan van.
Hook 2: Could advertising be both the architect of societal progress and the harbinger of its downfall?
Explore the intricate web of its influence on the fabric of society.
Is ad merely a reflection of society’s desires or does it hold the power to shape our collective
aspirations? Them mot cau link them: so luong no dang qua nhieu nen them cau hoi qua nhieu vi de
da co cum too much
Are we being exposed to too much advertising? Parents seem to think so. Many mothers and fathers
are worried about the impact that advertising.
Both coaches and business managers are leader. Although they have the differences in the natures of
work./ Both coaches and business managers prefer to professionals leaders.
Lieu hai nghe nay deu la leader thi ho co khac nhau hay khong?
Thesis thu hú t ngườ i đọ c nhấ t. vậ y nên khi muố n viết nghiên cứ u thì nên viết literature review trướ c
để tìm ra đượ c thô ng tin, minh chứ ng từ nhữ ng bà i kế thừ a để fix đượ c lỗ hổ ng trướ c củ a bà i nghiên
cứ u củ a mình rồ i mớ i chă m chú t introduction.
Viết essay thì viết introduction trướ c để nhữ ng cá i body có thể add thêm ideas.
TASK: TRANG 49, CHỌN CHỦ ĐỀ WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KNOWING A SECOND
LANGUAGE? Viết thành một bài essay, 250 words, phải có đủ intro, 3 đoạn body và 1 đoạn
concluding.
Introduction có 2 hướng:
Hook-connecting ideas-thesis statement
General statement-thesis statement
Xem sách GREAT WRITING 4 tự làm bài, tự học từ vựng.
Trang 48

SESSION 3

Unity and Coherence

 1. Unity

The paragraph is unified when it focuses on one main idea.

Another feature of unity is that every supporting sentence must directly or prove the main idea.

Exercise 1: Cross out any sentences that are off the topic

P1:

The cloning of genes' has made many medical advances possible. Human growth hormone (HGH)
is a good example. This hormone stimulates the growth of bones and muscles during childhood.
Cloning the gene for HGH has provided an increase in the availability of the hormone. However, the
availability of HGH and other products of biotechnology* raises an ethical question. The hormone is
used widely to treat children with dwarfism, a condition that results in an adult height of 4'10" or
shorter. There have been several interesting television shows recently about individuals with
dwarfism. Many of these shows are very popular. Should HGH be available to anyone who wants taller
children or only those who have children with dwarfism? Suppose parents want their average-size
son to be taller so he will have a better chance of making his high school varsity team? Doctors do not
have any evidence that exposure to HGH affects average-size children negatively, but many feel it is
unethical to provide it to children with no serious medical need.

P2:

Advances in medicine can come from surprising places, including water. Many scientists are
interested in the medical uses of small aquatic animals. They believe these animals are useful for new
medical products. Some ancient civilizations used berries and grasses for medical purposes. These
plant-based medicines were often quite effective. In the future, important drugs may be made from
aquatic organisms. In addition, these organisms may be used as models to understand human diseases.
Many years from now, sea creatures may help people lead healthier and longer lives.

Exercise 2: This paragraph not only has sentence that are off the topic but also discusses more
than one topic. Decide where the paragraph should be divided into two and cross out any
sentences that are off the topic.

Even when you try to be polite, it is easy to do the wrong thing accidentally in a new culture. For
example, in the United States, when someone offers you food or a beverage, accept it the first time it is
offered if you want it. If you say, "No, thank you" because it is polite to decline the first one or two
offers in your culture, you could become very hungry and thirsty. In the United States, a host thinks
that "no" means "no" and will usually not offer again. Meals in the United States are usually more
informal than meals in other countries, and the times of meals may be different. [Although Americans
are usually very direct in social matters, there are a few occasions when they are not. If an American
says, "Please drop by sometime," he may or may not want you to visit him in his home. Your clue that
this may not be a real invitation is the word "sometime." In some areas of the United States, people do
not expect you to visit them unless you have an invitation for a specific day and time. In other areas of
the United States, however, "dropping by" is a friendly, neighborly gesture.] Idioms are often difficult
for newcomers to understand.

2. Coherence

Being coherent,

- the sentences in an essay must hold together

- the movement from one sentence to the next must be logical and smooth
- each sentence should flow smoothly into the next one
There are possible ways to achieve coherence in writing

- Repeat key nouns when necessary

- Use consistent pronouns

- Use transition signals to link ideas

- Arrange the ideas in logical order

Exercise 1: Find problems with the pronoun it in this paragraph. Replace it with the key noun
English as necessary to make the paragraph more coherent.

English

English has almost become an international language. Except for Chinese, more people speak it than
any other language. Spanish is the official language of more countries in the world, but more countries
have it English as their official or unofficial second language. More than 70 percent of the world's
mail is written in it English. It is the primary language on the Internet. In international business, it is
used more than any other language, and it is the language of airline pilots and air traffic controllers all
over the world. Moreover, although French used to be the language of diplomacy, it English has
displaced it throughout the world. Therefore, it English is a useful language to know.

3. The use of transition signals

Transition signals: first, finally, however, on the other hand, etc.

Coordinators: and, but, so

Subordinators: when, while, although, etc.

Adjectives: additional, further, another, etc.

Prepositions: because of, in spite of

Exercise 1: Use the transition words from the box to complete the paragraph. Add punctuation as
needed. In some cases, more than answer is possible.

Also

For example 3

In fact

Similarly 4

Final and most convincing

Indeed

Second

Third 6

One stereotype about Americans says that they are overly concerned with time. One of the first thing
you notice is that for Americans, time seems as valuable as money. they even have a saying. "Time is
…………have you noticed how many verbs can be followed - you can spend time, save time, lose by
both time and money? time, find time, make time, waste time, and run out of time. - you can spend,
save, lose, find, make, waste, and run out of money.. Americans seem to regard time as a "thing" that
one can own. You can have time, buy time, and take time. (One wonders how much it costs and where
it is taken.) Al piece of evidence that Americans are obsessed with time is their obsession with being
on time. - people who are habitually late risk punishment ranging from frowning disapproval to losing
their jobs. The - proof is that these poor people sometimes take courses in time management! That is
really overdoing it. Don't you agree?

Exercise 2: Delete extra, unhelpful transition signals from this paragraph. Thon rewrite the
paragraph on a separate shoot of paper. Change the capitalization and punctuation as needed.
Discuss your changes in a small group.

How to Grow an Avocado Tree

After you have enjoyed that delicious avocado, do not throw out the seed! You can grow a
beautiful houseplant by following these simple steps. First, wash the seed. Second and, dry it. Third
then, insert three toothpicks into its thickest part. Then fill a glass or empty jar with water. After and
that, suspend the seed in the water with the pointed end up and the broad end down. The water
should cover about an inch of the seed. Next, put the glass in a warm place, but not in direct sunlight.
Add water when necessary to keep the bottom of the seed under water at all times. In two to six
weeks, you should see roots begin to grow. Furthermore After that, the seed will crack open, and
then a stem will emerge from the top. However, wait until the stem is 6 to 7 inches long. Then cut it
back to about 3 inches. Now wait until the roots are thick and the stem has leafed out again. Then fill
an 8- to 10-inch diameter clay pot with enriched potting soil. Plant the seed, leaving the top half
exposed. Then water it well. After that, water frequently but lightly; also give the plant an occasional
deep soaking. Then place the potted plant in a sunny window and watch it grow. Then, when the stem
is 12 inches high, cut it back to 6 inches to encourage the growth of side branches. In just a few more
weeks, you will have a beautiful indoor plant. In conclusion, enjoy your new plant, but do not expect it
to bear fruit. Avocados grown from seed occasionally flower and bear fruit; however, first you will
have to plant it outside and then wait anywhere from five to thirteen years.

4. Logical order

There are 3 common kinds of logical order in English

- Chronological order

- In a logical division of idea

- Comparision/similarity

PARAGRAPH 1 The process of machine translation of languages is complex. To translate a document

from English into Japanese, for example, the computer first analyzes an English sentence, determining
its grammatical structure and identifying the subject, verb, objects, and' modifiers. Next, the words
are translated by an English-Japanese dictionary. After that, another part of the computer program
analyzes the resulting awkward jumble of words and meanings and produces an intelligible sentence
based on the rules of Japanese syntax' and the machine's understanding of what the original English
sentence meant. Finally, a human bilingual editor polishes the computer-produced translation.

Kind of logical order: Chronological order

PARAGRAPH 2 Although there has been some success in decreasing the spread of polio, this
campaign has not been as successful as the smallpox campaign. The slower progress against polio is
due to differences between the viruses. These differences can cause difficulty for polio eradication.
The main difference involves visibility of the disease, Unlike smallpox, polio does not always show
symptoms. Smallpox symptoms were immediately visible to health professionals. For some cases of
polio, on the other hand, the disease is difficult to identify. Doctors may have to do a lengthy
examination to find it. Thus, some cases may go unnoticed. Compared to smallpox, then, it is easier for
poliovirus to circulate.
Kind of logical order: Comparision/similarity

PARAGRAPH 3 The many different calendars used throughout the world are all based on the phases
of the moon, on the revolution of Earth around the sun, or on a combination of the two. The first kind
of calendar is the lunar calendar, based on the phases of the moon. A month is calculated as the time
between two full moons, 29.5 days, and a year has 354 days. The Islamic calendar used in Muslim
countries is a lunar calendar. It has 12 months and a cycle of 30 years in which the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th,
13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th, and 29th years have 355 days, and the others 354 days. A second
kind of calendar is the solar calendar, which is based on the revolution of Earth around the sun. The
ancient Egyptians used a solar calendar divided into 12 months of 30 days each, which left five
uncounted days at the end of each year. A very accurate calendar developed by the Mayan Indians in
North America was also a solar calendar. It had 365 days, 364 of which were divided into 28 weeks of
13 days each. The new year began on the 365th day. Because the solar year is exactly 365 days, 5
hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds long, however, a solar calendar is not totally accurate, so many
cultures developed a third kind of calendar, the lunisolar calendar. In a lunisolar calendar, extra days
are added every so often to reconcile the lunar months with the solar year. The Chinese, Hebrew, and
Gregorian calendars used today are lunisolar calendars.

Kind of logical order: logical

5. Outside sources

Outside sources are materials you refer to other than your own knowledge and experience. Outside
sources can include information you gain from reliable online websiles, books, other print materials
such as newspapers, or interviews.

There are 3 ways to insert outside information into your own writing.

- Quote it

- Paraphrase it

- Summarize it

Plagiarism

When you use information from an outside source without acknowledging that source, you are guily f
plagiarism. Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas as if they were your own, and it is
serious ofense. Students who plagiarize may fail class or even be expelled from school.

To avoid plagiarism, you should always put quote marks around words that you copy exactly, You do
not need to use quotation marks if you change the words. However, whether you copy the words
exactly or state an idea in your own words, you must cite the source. To cite a source means to tell
where you got the information.

Citation

In-text citation

According to the National Geographic "Enduring Voices project, a language dies every two weeks
('Disappearing Languages ). no author

If you include a quotation in your writing that you found in someone else's work, indicate the source
of that quotation. Your in-text citation will say qtd. in, which is an abbreviation for quoted in:

(qtd. in Bryson 117) with an author and page number quoted

Works-cited lists
Writing references

ENCYCLOPEDIA ARTICLE

Use the author's name if it is given. If there is no author, put the title of the article first. Enclose the title
in quotation marks. Underline or italicize the title of the encyclopedia. Put the edition number if there is
one; if there is none, use the year. "Intelligence Test." New Encyclopedia Britannica: Micropedia. 15th
ed. Print.

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Put the title of the article inside quotation marks. Underline or italicize the name of the magazine.
Include the day, month, and year for weekly magazines followed by a colon and the page number or
numbers on which the article appears. Abbreviate the names of months except May, June, and July.
Rapoport, Abby. "School for Success. Mother Jones. July/Aug. 2012: 44-49. Print.

Reference verbs

Summaries and quotations are usually introduced by a reference verb:

Smith (2009) argues that ...

Janovic (1972) claimed that ..

Nên trích nguồn trong câu dùng thì hiện tại cho các nhận định

These are some of the principal systems:

a) Harvard, generally used in the UK for Social Sciences and Business, illustrated in Section 2 on page
56.

b) MLA is similar to Harvard but more common in the US for the Arts and Humanities. In this, the year
of publication is at the end of the reference.

c) APA is widely used in the US in the Social Sciences.

d) Vancouver is commonly employed in Medicine and Science.

Numbers in brackets are inserted after the citation and these link to a numbered list of references:

Jasanoff (5) makes the point that the risk of cross-infection is growing

SESSION 3: CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS

- A cause-effect essays explains the relationship between an event and its consequences, or
between actions and results
- Cause-effect essays can be informative, analytical, and insightful
- Two kinds of cause-effect essays:
- In one method, the focus is on the causes of something. This is called the focus-on-
causes method. Essays that focus on causes answer the question Why does something
happen?
 - In the second method, the focus is on the effects answer the question What happens
when or if..?
- Block Organization

- Chain Organization
- Transition Signals for Cause/Effect Relationships
When you write the thesis statement, remember to draw the subtopics that appeared in your essay.

GENERATE IDEAS STRUCTURE IDEAS

Causes: TITLE: The Causes and Effects of Overweight

1. Poor Diet: Consuming excessive amounts 1qa

of unhealthy foods high in calories,
sugar, and fat can contribute to weight
gain.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical
activity and prolonged periods of sitting
or inactivity can lead to weight gain.
3. Environmental Factors: Access to
unhealthy food options, limited
availability of nutritious foods, and food
marketing can influence eating
behaviors and contribute to weight gain.
4. Psychological Factors: Emotional eating,
stress, depression, and other mental
health issues can lead to overeating and
weight gain.
 Effects:

1. Health Risks: Being overweight or obese

increases the risk of developing various
health conditions, including type 2
diabetes, heart disease, high blood
pressure, stroke, and certain types of
cancer.
2. Reduced Mobility: Excess weight can
strain joints and muscles, leading to
reduced mobility and increased risk of
musculoskeletal problems.
3. Quality of Life: Being overweight can
affect overall quality of life by limiting
physical activity, causing discomfort, and
reducing enjoyment of daily activities.
4. Psychological Disease: Overweight
individuals may experience lower self-
esteem, body image issues, and
increased risk of depression or anxiety.
Social Stigma: Overweight individuals
may face discrimination, bias, and social
stigma, leading to isolation, bullying, or
negative stereotyping.

Title: The Causes and Effects of Overweight: A Comprehensive Analysis

II. Outline
Introduction
Hook: In a world where social media often takes the blame for distracting students, what if
we flipped the script? Imagine harnessing the power of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
not as distractions, but as dynamic tools for learning and engagement within the classroom.

Thesis statement: Social media, when leveraged thoughtfully, offers a powerful set of tools
to enhance student engagement, communication, access to resources, and creative
expression.

Body
1. Increased Engagement:
● Interactive quizzes and polls:
- Create interactive quizzes and polls on social media platforms for course content
engagement.
- Foster active student participation and provide instant feedback.
- Enhance learning by utilizing real-time assessment features on social media.
● Collaborative projects:
- Encourage student collaboration on group projects or assignments using social
media platforms.
- Utilize platforms like Google Docs or Padlet for real-time collaboration, fostering
 teamwork.
- Enhance collaboration skills by providing opportunities for students to work
together effectively on social media platforms.
● Virtual discussions:
- Organize virtual discussions or debates on social media platforms for student
engagement.
- Provide a platform for students to share perspectives, engage in critical thinking,
and learn from each other's viewpoints.
2. Enhanced Communication:
● Class Groups:
- Establish private social media groups for class discussions, homework help, and
project collaboration.
- Provide a dedicated space for students to interact, ask questions, share resources,
and support each other's learning.
- Foster collaboration and engagement outside of the classroom environment
through these groups.
● Real-time Q&A and Discussion:
- Utilize live chats, polls, or discussion boards on social media platforms for real-
time Q&A sessions and discussions.
- Enable students to ask questions, seek clarification, and engage in meaningful
conversations with peers and teachers.
- Facilitate interactive and dynamic learning experiences through real-time
engagement features on social media.
1. Access to Resources:
● Curated Content:
- Share relevant educational resources, articles, videos, or podcasts on social media
platforms to supplement course material.
● Multimedia Presentations:
- Encourage students to create multimedia presentations or projects using social media
tools like PowerPoint, Prezi, or Canva.
- Allows students to explore course concepts in creative ways and share their
knowledge with their peers.
Conclusion
- Recap of the benefits of leveraging social media platforms in education
- Reinforcement of the importance of increased engagement, enhanced
communication, and access to resources
- Call to action for educators to integrate social media effectively into teaching
practices for improved student learning outcomes.

Cause-Effect Essay Correcting Note:

- Do not write the essay by listing the pros and cons
 SESSION 4: Comparison Essays
1. Overview
In a comparison essay, you can compare ideas, people, and different times in history - any two items
that are related in some way. You can focus on the similarities between the two items, on the
differences, or on both the similarities and the differences.
Your goal is to show how these items are similar or different, what their strengths and weaknesses
are, or what their advantages and disadvantages are.
2. Patterns of Organization
There are two basic ways to organize a comparison essay: the block method and the point-by-point
method

BLOCK METHOD POINT-BY-POINT METHOD

● Present one subject and all its points of Include both subjects in the one point of
comparison. Then do the same for the comparison before moving on to the next point
second subject. Discuss each subject of comparison
completely without interruption
● In block organization, you can discuss
similarities first or differences first.
● The number of paragraphs in each block
depends on the topic.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph 1: Introduction

Thesis: There are two solid options for data Thesis: There are two solid options for data
storage, each with pros and cons storage, each with pros and cons
Paragraph 2: Cloud data storage Paragraph 2: Cost
cost cloud data storage
ease of use traditional data storage
reliability Paragraph 3: Ease of use
Paragraph 3: Traditional data storage cloud data storage
cost traditional data storage
ease of use Paragraph 4: Reliability
reliability cloud data storage
Paragraph 4: Conclusion traditional data storage
Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Writing tips:
● Point-by-point is often the best choice when the two things you are comparing have both
similarities and differences in all of the areas you are discussing.
● Block is better if there are only similarities in one area or only differences in another area.

3. Signal Words
3.1. Comparison Signal Words
Notice:
In block organization, you often insert a transition sentence or short transition paragraph between
the two blocks. Its purpose is to conclude one section and introduce another section. You do not
always have to write a transition paragraph, but it is helpful when your topic is long and complex.
—> có thể khô ng cầ n viết mộ t đoạ n transition riêng, mình có thể chỉ cầ n viết mộ t câ u transition trướ c
câ u topic sentence củ a đoạ n tiếp theo vớ i điều kiện phả i có liên kết logic vớ i nhau.

3.2. Contrast Signal Words

Concession (Unexpected Result)
Concession signal words indicate that the information in one clause is not the result you expect from
the information given in the other clause
E.g: I studied all night, I failed the exam (unexpected result)
 Direct Opposition
The second group of contrast signal words show that two things are direct opposites. With direct
opposites, the signal word can introduce either piece of information
1. Traditions and Rituals:

Similarity:
- Both American and Japanese weddings emphasize the ceremonial aspect, marking the union
of the couple in the presence of their loved ones.
- They both incorporate symbolic rituals that hold cultural and emotional significance for the
couple and their families.

Difference:
- American weddings tend to focus on personalization and individual expression, with couples
often customizing their ceremonies and receptions to reflect their unique preferences and
cultural backgrounds.
- Japanese weddings, on the other hand, adhere more closely to traditional customs and rituals,
with an emphasis on maintaining cultural continuity and honoring familial traditions.
- American weddings often feature vows, ring exchanges, and a reception with speeches and
dances, while Japanese weddings include the "san-san-kudo" ceremony and the
"hochzeitsessen" reception.
- The choice of venue and officiant differs, with American weddings commonly held in churches
or chosen venues and officiated by religious leaders or civil officiants, while Japanese
weddings are often held in Shinto shrines or wedding halls and officiated by Shinto priests or
masters of ceremonies.

2. Attire:
Similarity:
- In both cultures, wedding attire plays a crucial role in symbolizing the formality and
significance of the occasion.
- Both American and Japanese wedding attire is chosen with care and attention to cultural
symbolism and aesthetic appeal.

Difference:
In the US, brides typically wear white wedding gowns and grooms wear suits or tuxedos, while in
Japan, brides wear a "shiro-muku" or "iro-uchikake" kimono and grooms wear a "montsuki" kimono.
The attire may change between the ceremony and the reception, with American brides often staying
in the same gown throughout, while Japanese brides may change into a different kimono for the
reception.
American wedding attire often reflects contemporary fashion trends and personal style preferences,
with brides typically opting for white gowns and grooms wearing formal suits or tuxedos.
Japanese wedding attire, however, follows a more traditional aesthetic, with brides donning elaborate
kimonos symbolizing purity and marital fidelity, and grooms wearing formal montsuki kimono or
suits. The attire may also vary between the ceremony and reception, with multiple wardrobe changes
for the bride in Japan.

3. Symbolism and Superstitions:

Similarity:
Both American and Japanese weddings incorporate symbolism and superstitions to invoke blessings
for the couple's future together.
Symbolic rituals and gestures are deeply ingrained in both cultures and serve to unite the couple in a
spiritual and emotional sense.

Difference:
American weddings may vary in symbolism based on the couple's cultural or religious background,
while Japanese weddings have specific rituals like the "san-san-kudo" ceremony and use symbolic
items like "nuptial cups" and "wedding stones."
Superstitions like avoiding the number four are prevalent in Japanese weddings but may not have as
much significance in American weddings.

American wedding symbolism often varies based on individual beliefs and cultural backgrounds, with
couples choosing rituals and symbols that resonate with them personally.
Japanese weddings adhere more rigidly to traditional symbolism and superstitions, with rituals like
the "san-san-kudo" ceremony and the use of specific items such as sake cups and wedding stones
believed to bring luck and prosperity to the couple.

4. Family and Community Involvement:

Similarity:
Both American and Japanese weddings are seen as communal celebrations that involve the
participation and support of family and friends.
Family ties are emphasized, and the wedding is viewed as a significant milestone not just for the
couple but for their families as well.

Difference:
In both cultures, family and friends play a significant role in the wedding process, but the level of
involvement and specific customs may differ.
American weddings may involve support with planning, hosting, and financing, while Japanese
weddings often have decisions influenced by family members, and guests are expected to give
monetary gifts known as "goshugi."

In American weddings, there is often a greater emphasis on individual autonomy and personal choice,
with couples making decisions about their wedding with less influence from family members.
Japanese weddings place a strong emphasis on familial harmony and respect for tradition, with family
members often playing a more active role in the planning and execution of the wedding. Additionally,
guests are expected to adhere to certain customs, such as giving monetary gifts in specific amounts.