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The writing process

Welcome

In the prewriting stage the follow must be considered: factual information pertaining to topic clear definition of the issue the impact this issue will have on

individual, society, environment, economy, etc

your proposed plan of action.

Stage 1: Pre-writing

Before you can develop your thesis, look at your pre-writing jottings and determine what type of paper you will write: The analytical paper identifies the components of

an issue and evaluates the issue. An expository paper explains something to the

audience. An argumentative paper makes a claim about a

topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

Stage 2: Developing a thesis

A sentence in an essay, report, research paper, or speech that identifies the main idea and/or central purpose of the text.

What is a thesis statement?

Thesis statement: Sugar consumptionIs the statement above a thesis statement?

This fragment is not a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject. Furthermore, your reader will not know what you want to say about sugar consumption

Discussion – thesis statement

Thesis statement: “Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.”

The fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses on one segment of the population: elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, because while most people might agree that children consume more sugar than they used to, not everyone would agree on what should be done or who should do it. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader does not know your conclusions on the topic.

Is this a thesis statement?

Thesis statement: “More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.”

This statement asserts your position, but the terms more attention and food and beverage choices are vague.

Is this a thesis statement?

Thesis statement: “Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.”

This statement is specific, but it is not a thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of making an assertion.

Is this a thesis statement?

Thesis statement: “Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.”

Is this a thesis statement? Yes it is!

Notice how the thesis statement above answers the question,

What should be done to reduce sugar consumption by children?

Who should do it?

1. A strong thesis statement takes a stand.2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.4. A strong thesis statement is specific

A strong thesis statement

Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.

Organize: Group related ideas together. Order: Arrange material in subsections

from general to specific or from abstract to concrete.

Label: Create main and sub headings.

Stage 3: Developing an outline

Clearly states the topic or issue that will be addressed in the essay

stimulates the reader's interest clearly states the writer's position on the

topic/issue.

Introductory paragraph

Apologize. Never suggest that you don't know what you're talking about or that you're not enough of an expert in this matter that your opinion would matter. Your reader will quickly turn to something else. Avoid phrases like the following:

In my [humble] opinion . . .I'm not sure about this, but . . .

Announce your intentions. Do not flatly announce what you are about to do in an essay.

In this paper I will . . . The purpose of this essay is to . .

Things NOT to do in an introductory paragraph

Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions enable logical progression of discourse. This will enable the reader to better understand the essay.

The essay

Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper.

However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations.

Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure that it's the right match for the logic in your paper.

What are transitions?

Furthermore, moreover, too, also, in the second place, again, in addition, even more, next, furtherlast, lastly, finally, besides, and, or, nor, firstsecond, secondly, etc.

Addition

to illustrate, to demonstrate, specifically,for instance, as an illustration, e.g., (for example)for example

 Exemplification

in the same way, by the same token, similarly, in like manner, likewise, in similar fashion

comparison

yet, and yet, nevertheless, nonetheless, after allbut, however, though, otherwise, on the contrary, in contrast, notwithstanding, on the other hand, at the same time

Contrast

Because, since, on account of, for that reason

Cause

thereforeconsequentlyaccordinglythushenceas a result

Effect

in conclusionto concludefinally

conclusion

Each paragraph must discuss ONE main idea. This main idea must be supported with relevant information.

Body of the essay

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but offer an assessment based on the evidence provided.

Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion

Conclusion