Final Exam Material Writing

The Layout of an Essay

I. INTRODUCTION

 (Indent) Hook
Explaining sentences
Thesis statement

II. BODY Notice that

the body is
 (indent) A. Topic sentence
Support (reason with example)
the longest
Support (reason with example) part of the
Support (reason with example)
Concluding sentence
essay and can
contain as
 (indent) B. Topic sentence many
Support (reason with example) paragraphs as
Support (reason with example)
Support (reason with example) necessary to
Concluding sentence support the
controlling
 (indent) B. Topic sentence
Support (reason with example)
ideas of your
Support (reason with example) thesis
Support (reason with example)
Concluding sentence
statement.

III. CONCLUSION

 (Indent) Review the main idea of the thesis statement in different

words.
Review the 3 body paragraph topic sentences in different words.
Tell a result, consequence, or recommendation based on the thesis
statement
Section A: Parts of a Writing Piece
 Paragraph 1: Introduction
 Paragraph 2: Body
 Paragraph 3:Conclusion

Paragraph 1: Introduction
The introduction should include:
 Hook
 Sentence/s which tells what the essay will tell the reader about
 Thesis statement

 Hook
A hook grabs the reader’s attention and makes the reader wants to read more.
So, how do you write a sentence grabber that hooks your reader to keep on reading?
There are four ways to write your hook:
 Surprise the reader.
 Start with an unknown, interesting fact.
“Dogs are the pets of choice in the American household.”

 Start with something expected but give it an unexpected twist.

“Cats are loving, quiet creatures, but dogs make way better pets!”

 Say something that seems to contradict what people know.

“Each day, over 1000 US citizens require emergency treatment for serious dog
bite injuries.”

 Ask a question
 Ask something that makes the reader think.
“Isn’t it surprising; how many different modes of communication are available
to us today?”

 Ask something that needs an answer, so the reader wants to find out what it is.
“Why do citizens need to follow laws?”

 Use a quotation
 A quotation interests the reader because of what it says or because of who said
it. Or both!
 Use either a wise or funny quotation.
 Use a quotation that relates to your topic.

 Use descriptive words.

 Make the reader see the scene or feel part of it.
 Use words that relate to the five senses.
(sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell)
 Use words that show how something is happening or what its qualities are
(adverbs and adjectives)
(simile, metaphors or personification)
Section A: Parts of a Writing Piece
 Paragraph 1: Introduction
 Paragraph 2: Body
 Paragraph 3:Conclusion
Paragraph 1: Introduction
The introduction should include:
 Hook
 Sentence/s which tells what the essay will tell the reader about
 Thesis statement

 Thesis statement
It is a sentence that tells your reader your topic, what you think about it, and possibly how
you are going to prove it.

 What is the difference between a topic and a thesis statement?

 A topic is the general subject of your essay. It should be narrow, in other words,
specific.
“ Libraries are essential resources for communities.”

 A thesis statement is 1-2 sentences that tell the reader your topic and what you
will say about it.
“Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded more
generously by local municipalities.”

 Creating a thesis statement from a question.

 A thesis statement should be your answer to the question asked in your paper.
“Why do we need libraries in our communities?”

 Parts of a thesis statement

 Topic: the general subject of the essay.
“Libraries are essential resources for communities.”

 Controlling idea: Your opinion, belief, view, feeling about the topic.
“Libraries should be funded more generously by local municipalities.”

 Sub-topics: the areas you will focus on to support your idea.

“Libraries provide immigrants with helpful information about, and
opportunities to connect with, their new community.”

So, your final thesis statement should be like this:

“Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded generously
by local municipalities since they provide immigrants with helpful information about, and
opportunities to connect with, their new community.
 Common Mistakes:
Avoid the following in writing your thesis statement:
- using expressions such as:
• I am going to talk about…
• This essay will focus on…
• The subject of this essay is…
• I think this essay…
Section A: Parts of a Writing Piece
 Paragraph 1: Introduction
 Paragraph 2: Body
 Paragraph 3:Conclusion

Paragraph 2: Body
The body should include:
 Topic sentence
 Detailed sentences
 Conclusion sentence

 What is the body?

It consists of three parts; topic, details, and conclusion sentence.
Its goal is to fully develop the argument outlined in the introduction.
It will be directly related to one specific subtopic of the thesis statement.
 Topic Sentence: it contains one subtopic of the thesis statement.
 Detail Sentences: they explain the topic sentence with facts, examples, or reasons.
 Conclusion sentence: it reminds us of the topic sentence.

 What is a Topic Sentence?

 It is the first subtopic you have written in your thesis statement.
 It can be the first or second sentence in your body paragraph.
 The purpose of a topic sentence is the perspective that you are giving
to the topic of the essay.
 It should answer how and why the topic is significant.

 Detail Sentences
Detail or supporting sentences should be facts, statistics, examples,
quotes, transitions, and other sentences which support the topic sentence.
Writers should:
 Explain the first supporting detail.
 Give an example of this detail.
 Unpack this example in a sentence or two.

 Conclusion Sentence
 It reminds us of the topic sentence.
 It summarizes the subject you elaborated on in that paragraph.
Do not forget to think about the main point that you want to get across
and be sure it is included.
Section A: Parts of a Writing Piece
 Paragraph 1: Introduction
 Paragraph 2: Body
 Paragraph 3:Conclusion
Paragraph 3: Conclusion
The conclusion should include:
 First sentence
 Middle sentences
 Last sentence
 First Sentence: review the main idea of the thesis statement in different words.
 Middle Sentences: review the 3 body paragraph topic sentences in different words.
 Last sentence: tells a result, consequence, or recommendation based on the thesis
statement.

The Best Exercise

People need exercise to stay healthy. Adults should exercise 20 minutes
Introduction daily, but most people do not. Activities like swimming, lifting weights, Main idea-your
paragraph message of the
and playing sports are often inconvenient or too expensive. The best
type of exercise is walking because it is easy , convenient and usually topic
done outside. Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3

Walking is easy. When exercise is too difficult, people stop doing it.
Body However, when exercise is simple, people often enjoy it and continue to
paragraph #1 do it. Also, easy activities cause fewer injuries and less pain than
strenuous activities. Walking is a great exercise because it is simple and
pleasant to do.

Walking is convenient. A person can walk anywhere- in the city, country,

Body or mountains. Many other forms of exercise require special equipment
paragraph #2 or locations. For example, swimming requires a pool. Lifting weights
requires barbells and benches. Walking can be done anytime and
anywhere without special preparation.

Walking is often done outside. During exercise, the body produces

Body chemicals called endorphins and serotonin, which calm stress and make
paragraph #3 people feel happy. Scientists found that people who spend time
outdoors in nature feel happier than people who do not. Walking
outside helps mental and physical health.
1 2 3
Conclusion Walking is an ideal exercise. It is easier than many other sports. It is also 1,2,3 remind us
paragraph more convenient than many other activities, as a person can do it at of the reasons
almost any time or place. Finally, walking is usually done outside, which used in bodies
Review the helps people feel happy and less stressed. Everyone who wants regular 1,2,3
thesis
exercise should try walking.
statement’s
main idea. Tells a result, consequence, or recommendation based on the thesis statement.
Paragraph and Sentence Connectors
How to use connectors/linker in English
What are connectors in English used for? Connectors or linkers can help you join two or
more ideas (sentences), giving you a more structured and harmonious delivery. Instead of
using single sentences, you can connect them in a logical way.
1. Contrast  
This connector type is used to create continuity in the text between two clauses that
present contradictory ideas.

Connector Example

Despite Mary arrived home despite the bad weather.

In spite of Mary arrived home in spite of the bad weather.

Although / even Although the rain persisted, Mary decided to drive

though home.
however, We told Mary to stay at the office; however, she
decided to go home.

Nevertheless / still / The rain was very heavy, yet Mary was able to get
yet home.
Even so Mary was sick; even so, she went to work.

On the contrary. The Caribbean Sea, on the contrary, is very clean.

In contrast The water in the Pacific Ocean, in contrast, is very

clean.
On the one hand/ On On the one hand, my wife wants me to spend time
the other hand with the kids, but on the other hand, I could get a
raise at work.
whereas All my family went to college, whereas I decided to
travel around the world.
Paragraph and Sentence Connectors
2. Cause
Also known as causative connectors, these are used to explain the reason behind
something.

Connector Example
Because I did it because it was very easy.

Since Saeed has been tired since he got his new job.

Seeing that Seeing that they enjoyed the dinner, I asked them
to visit us more often.
Due to Sara has got a nice body due to regular exercise.

3. Effect
Everything we do has a consequence. In the previous category, we discussed what causes
something to happen, in this case, we’re talking about the effect or result of an action.

Connector Example

Consequently Her recipe did not go well; consequently, she threw it away.

As a consequence He gained weight as a consequence of his unhealthy eating

habits.
As a result of The company took out too many loans and as a result of
that, they went bankrupt.
Therefore Ahmad was the employee of the month; therefore, he got
the promotion.

4. Purpose
You can use the purpose connectors when you want to express the intention behind an
action or decision.

Connector Example

In order to
I will study math in order to improve my career.
So as to I will study math so as to improve my career.

So that You must submit your CV so that you can eventually get a
job.
In order that You must submit your CV in order that you can eventually
get a job.
Paragraph and Sentence Connectors
5. Addition
These are used when you want to expand an idea by adding arguments.

Connector Example

Moreover You must finish your homework by tomorrow;

moreover, you have to study for the final exam.
Furthermore /In This mask will protect you from any virus;
addition/ Besides furthermore, it will block any bacteria from the
environment.
On top of that And on top of that, I will get a bonus. I am very
lucky!

6. Connectors to give examples  

We use illustration connectors to clarify an idea by using examples.

Connector Example

For example I can play a few musical instruments, for example,

the piano, the violin, and the guitar.

For instance You might, for instance, see a dog in the street…

7. Opinion connectors  
You can start the sentence with these connectors when you want to express your point of
view.

Connector Example

I agree I agree that we should buy a new car.

A disagree I disagree with the increase in rates.

In my opinion In my opinion, the player must be disqualified.

I think that I think that we ought to respect each other’s

opinions.
Personally, Personally, I noticed he wasn’t involved in the new
project.
Paragraph and Sentence Connectors
8. Explanatory connectors  
These connectors can be used to give more details about the idea being developed.

Connector Example
The problem, in other words, is to rebuild the
In other words
relationship.
The meeting, in short, didn’t produce the results I
In short
expected.
Basically The sun is basically made up of hydrogen
None if is can sleep, especially if you play the music
Especially
that loud.
In general People, in general, eat too many calories.
All of us, women, in particular, are facing a lot of
In particular
conflicts.
There were 20 people in line at the bank, more or
More of less
less.

9. To establish a sequence
These connectors allow us to describe ideas in a sequential and organized manner.

Connector Example

First First, I watched the weather forecast on TV.

First of all, I want to say I also care about the

First of all,
feelings of others.
To start with To start with, I asked her to help me.

Second / secondly Secondly, I asked is she had joined a project group.

Finally, I asked for her email address so that we

Finally
could discuss the project.
Lastly, we agreed to meet at the library to gather
Lastly
information.
And finally, And finally, I returned home feeling happy.

In conclusion In conclusion, I hope the final project goes well.

Complex sentence structure
Complex sentences make use of sophisticated devices to join subordinate (dependent)
clauses with a main (or independent) clause.

There are three main ways to construct complex sentences by joining the clauses:

 By using relative pronouns – that, which, who, whose.

 For example, I bought a pen the color of which is black

 By using conjunctions (subordinating) – while, as, where, when, until, before, because,
although, unless, since, whenever, if, through, etc.
 For example, You will excel in your task only if you work hard

 By using verb structures, verb forms like gerunds (-ing verb form) or an infinitive verb
form such as to go, to become, or to see.
 For example, It is very risky to drive on the road during the rainy season

The following activity will help you get a stronghold of the topic in concern, i.e., complex
sentences:
 Start by identifying the sentence structure and its components, like the
subordinate clause and the independent clause.
 Take two simple sentences and convert them into a compound sentence.
 Do the above exercise by taking several sentences in question and constructing a
single complex sentence.
 Make your sentence an interesting one by adding adjectival clauses to describe
the nouns. 
 Modify the verb using adverbial clauses to make the sentence more appealing.

Example:

Simple sentences Complex sentences

 He finished his work.
 He went home
 She was sick.
 She didn’t go to school.
 Ahmad is a student.
 He is eight years old.
 He goes to school in Abu
Dhabi.
 He worked hard.
 He failed in the exam.
 I like that dress.
 It only comes in one color.
 I don’t like the color of the
dress.
He went home after he had finished his
work.
She didn’t go to school because she was
sick.
She was sick, so she didn’t go to school.
Ahmad is an eight-year-old student who
goes to a school in Abu Dhabi.
He failed in the exam, although he worked
hard.
I like the dress. However, it only comes in
one color, which I don’t like.