Logical Academic Writing

transcript

Tonight1. Why is writing important?

2. Where are we going?3. How are we going to achieve that?

4. Let’s make a start ...

With your partner quickly decide why writing is important.Why did it develop? What was the need for writing?In the modern world why is writing important?-------------------------------------------------------------------As an ESL student why should you and your students learn writing?1.2.3.

Paragraphing ..

Point 1 + supportFirstly, ... ............... + for example

+ .................Point 2 + support

Point 3 + support

ESL students should be encouraged to write more in English.

Therefore writing in English is important for ESL students.

Topic sentence

Body sentences

Conclusion

A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step

We are going from here to ...

Typical Paragraph Broken Down

Topic Sentence:- first sentence of the paragraph- states the subject of the paragraphSupporting Sentences:- there should be at least three main supporting ideas.- all supporting sentences should refer back to the topic sentence; if it does not connect to thetopic sentence, it belongs in a separate paragraph-These three main supporting sentences should have supporting evidence or examples.

Concluding Sentence:- last sentence in the paragraph- It signals the end of the paragraph, gives a logical conclusion or in larger essays provides a thesis statement.

"A dog is man's best friend." Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house pets. In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household. Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as house pets is their ease of care. In many ways, cats are the ideal house pet.

NB* This is still not perfect … Can you tell why?

Here .... How are we going to achieve that?

Back to Paragraphs.

As an Essay

We are going to break it down...• Into its composite pieces.• So, over the next few weeks we will look at

introductory, body and concluding paragraphs.• We’ll discover evidence and argument

techniques.• We’ll understand the principles of citing and

referencing.• We’ll do mini-skeleton-essays to achieve these

ends.Back to Paragraphing.

What should a paragraph do?Keep one idea to a paragraph.• Clarity -> clear, unambiguous.• Unity -> same goal, aim or focus. Order• Coherence -> sticks together.• Transitions and sign posts.• Adequate development.• Structured (T.S, Body, Conclusion)

NB ** You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing

An ordinary paragraph.

• Needs a topic sentence• A body (2-3 supporting sentences with details

and examples)• A conclusion.

The easiest way to illustrate this quickly is to talk about your weekend / chuseok plans.

On the weekend, firstly I will .... Then I will ... After that I will ... So, my weekend should be ...

Topic Sentences• Is the most general sentence about the P.• Contains a topic and a controlling idea.Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important

characteristics.• Subject, verb and usually a complement.• Usually the first sentence of a paragraph.• Does not give specific details. But is not too

general either.

Topic Sentences – Topic and Controlling Idea

• Convenience foods are easy to prepare.

• The native foods of America’s immigrant population are reflected in American Cooking.

• The average American teenager consumes enormous quantities of junk food.

Exercise

Answers

Body• Usually made up of 3 supporting points and details.• Use transitions to slide (link) from one point to the

next.Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a

paragraph which is arranged chronologically:• first... second... third...

generally... furthermore... finallyin the first place... also... lastlyin the first place... pursuing this further... finallyto be sure... additionally... lastlyin the first place... just in the same way... finallybasically... similarly... as well

• There are three reasons why Australia is one of the best countries in the world. First, Australia has an excellent health care system. All Australian’s have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Australia has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Australian cities are clean and efficiently managed. Australian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Australia is a desirable place to live.

Write topic sentences for theseA paragraph about:-• The possible reasons why people are wanting to own

buildings rather than have a good job.

• The decline in morals (or manners) of the younger generation.

• Why people travel.

• Why chuseok is dis/liked

Discuss using transitional chains...

Conclusions

• A concluding sentence serves 2 main purposes:1. It signals the end of the paragraph.2. Logical conclusion by:a. It summarises the main points of the paragraph or

restating the main idea.b. Offering a suggestion, opinion or prediction.End of paragraph signals:

Comma No commaFinally, As a result, In conclusion, Indeed, In summary, In brief, Therefore, In short, Thus,

We can see that ... It is clear that ... These examples show that ... There can be no doubt that ... The evidence suggests that ...

The Writing Process...

Brainstorming and narrowing the topic. (write topic sentence)

Develop an outline.Rough draft.Editing (Peer review)Second draft.Final Copy.

Process (B’storm)– someone or something you love ...

Orangesconvenient

nutritious

Delicious

No mess

Vit C nutrient

Sweet snack

Easy to

Feel good V other

Oranges

I love oranges (as they are convenient, nutritious & delicious) OR (for a number of reasons). One reason I love oranges is because they are so convenient. They are quick to peel and you don’t need a bowl or a spoon so there is no mess to clean up. I also like oranges because they are nutritious. Oranges are high in vitamin C, which can keep you from being sick. They are also a good source of nutrients shown to prevent skin cancer and even wrinkles. But the best reason for eating oranges is because they are so delicious. The sweet, fresh taste of ripe orange makes it a perfect snack. And unlike a candy bar or potato chips, an orange makes you feel good when you eat it. I think that oranges are quite possibly the perfect food.

Assignment time.

Due next class, but if you need my help you can email me a rough draft next week.

Topics:

Remember ... Don’t make it like this ;-)

Ref.• Sentence Construction• http://www.towson.edu/ows/sentelmt.htm • http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/imsc.htm • http://mahara.ln.edu.hk/artefact/file/download.

php?file=2793&view=1035

• http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/sntstrct.html

• http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/careers/ld/resources/writing/grammar/grammar-guides/sentence

• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/01/

Logical Academic Writing

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