How To Organize The Body Of An Essay
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Transcript of How To Organize The Body Of An Essay
Just the plain facts!Just the plain facts!
PRESENTATION SERIESPRESENTATION SERIES
How to organize the body of an How to organize the body of an essayessay
© © Nicholas G. Ashby 2004 Nicholas G. Ashby 2004
How to organize the body of an essayHow to organize the body of an essay
BackgroundBackground
So you have done the reading and research,So you have done the reading and research,
and you are now ready to start writing yourand you are now ready to start writing your
paper. paper. But there are so many ideas and factsBut there are so many ideas and facts
you want to include that you are not sure howyou want to include that you are not sure how
to organize them in the body of the essay!!to organize them in the body of the essay!!
Sound familiar?! If so, read on…Sound familiar?! If so, read on…
DiagramsDiagrams
Creating a diagram of the structure of yourCreating a diagram of the structure of your
essay before writing can be useful. essay before writing can be useful. DiagramsDiagrams
typically consist of key ideas, keytypically consist of key ideas, key
arguments, or key stages, arranged in thearguments, or key stages, arranged in the
order you want them to be discussed in theorder you want them to be discussed in the
essay.essay. When you organize your keyWhen you organize your key
components, the minor facts will fall into components, the minor facts will fall into place.place.
Example of a simple diagramExample of a simple diagram
EnvironmentHuman health
Longhalf-life
Malariacontrol
Saves millionsof lives
each year
Similarities Differences
Strengths Weaknesses
Argument fora ban on DDT
Argument againsta ban on DDT
Compare and contrast
Evaluate arguments
DiagramsDiagrams
The beauty of diagrams is that they allow The beauty of diagrams is that they allow youyou
to work out the organization of an essayto work out the organization of an essay
without the need to write a draft. without the need to write a draft.
But a drawback But a drawback of diagrams is of diagrams is that they are of that they are of limited use if limited use if your problem is your problem is that of working that of working out what the key out what the key components of components of the essay should the essay should be!be!
Key ideas, arguments and stagesKey ideas, arguments and stages
If your problem is that of working out what If your problem is that of working out what thethe
key components of your essay should be, key components of your essay should be, herehere
are some tips:are some tips:
key ideas, key arguments, and key key ideas, key arguments, and key stages are ideas, arguments or stages stages are ideas, arguments or stages that play a major role in the topic or that play a major role in the topic or issue you are writing about;issue you are writing about; minor ideas minor ideas or minor stages support or describe key or minor stages support or describe key ideas or key stagesideas or key stages
Key ideas, arguments and stages – Key ideas, arguments and stages – tipstips
A useful starting-point in working out A useful starting-point in working out the key components of your essay is to the key components of your essay is to decide whether the topic you are decide whether the topic you are writing about mostly involves key writing about mostly involves key ideas, key arguments, or key stages in ideas, key arguments, or key stages in a processa process
Key ideas, arguments and stages - Key ideas, arguments and stages - tipstips
pay attention to headings and sub-pay attention to headings and sub-headings in the material you will base headings in the material you will base your essay on;your essay on; headings and sub- headings and sub-headings can provide clues about what headings can provide clues about what the key ideas, arguments or stages arethe key ideas, arguments or stages are
Key ideas, arguments and stages – Key ideas, arguments and stages – tipstips
reflect on the themes and messages of reflect on the themes and messages of the course – these can sometimes help the course – these can sometimes help you select key components for your you select key components for your essay;essay; if your research material can be if your research material can be interpreted in different ways, choose interpreted in different ways, choose the interpretation that best connects the interpretation that best connects with issues emphasized in the course. with issues emphasized in the course. The way you interpret your research The way you interpret your research material will influence your choice of material will influence your choice of key ideaskey ideas
Organizational patternsOrganizational patterns
If your problem is that of deciding how toIf your problem is that of deciding how to
arrange key components in your essay,arrange key components in your essay, then itthen it
is useful to think about which of the is useful to think about which of the followingfollowing
three organizational patterns is three organizational patterns is appropriate:appropriate:
spatialspatial chronologicalchronological logicallogical
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
If your essay involves description or analysis ofIf your essay involves description or analysis of
an object or stretch of land, you can impose aan object or stretch of land, you can impose a
spatial pattern on your key ideas. spatial pattern on your key ideas. SpatialSpatial
patterns are particularly useful for essays thatpatterns are particularly useful for essays that
involve:involve:
describing/evaluating visual artdescribing/evaluating visual art describing/evaluating geographical featuresdescribing/evaluating geographical features environmental studies/analysesenvironmental studies/analyses describing/evaluating architecture.describing/evaluating architecture.
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
For geographical descriptions andFor geographical descriptions and
environmental studies, you can impose aenvironmental studies, you can impose a
North-South-East-West pattern on the land youNorth-South-East-West pattern on the land you
are writing about.are writing about. Point out that you will begin Point out that you will begin
by discussing a particular area, the North, say,by discussing a particular area, the North, say,
followed by another area, the South, say, andfollowed by another area, the South, say, and
so on. In this way, so on. In this way, your key ideas fall intoyour key ideas fall into
easily arranged groups (northern, southern,easily arranged groups (northern, southern,
eastern and western).eastern and western).
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
For description and evaluation of visual art orFor description and evaluation of visual art or
architecture, you can impose a top-to-bottom,architecture, you can impose a top-to-bottom,
bottom-to-top, or side-to-side pattern on thebottom-to-top, or side-to-side pattern on the
object or feature you’re writing about.object or feature you’re writing about. Point outPoint out
that you will discuss a particular aspect, thethat you will discuss a particular aspect, the
top, say, followed by another aspect, thetop, say, followed by another aspect, the
middle, say, and so on. In this way, middle, say, and so on. In this way, your keyyour key
ideas fall into easily arranged groups (top,ideas fall into easily arranged groups (top,
middle, bottom, or left, right).middle, bottom, or left, right).
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
Some geographical/environmental Some geographical/environmental featuresfeatures
come with their own spatial patterns.come with their own spatial patterns. If If your your
essay is about a river, you can order key essay is about a river, you can order key ideasideas
according to upstream-downstream andaccording to upstream-downstream and
river-riverbank patterns. river-riverbank patterns.
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
If your essay is about a mountain, you If your essay is about a mountain, you cancan
order key ideas according to a order key ideas according to a
summit-middle-base pattern. summit-middle-base pattern.
If you are writing about a If you are writing about a
forest, you can order keyforest, you can order key
ideas according to an upper-middle-ideas according to an upper-middle-lower-lower-
canopy-forest-floor canopy-forest-floor pattern!pattern!
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
Visual art and architecture also often Visual art and architecture also often come withcome with
their own spatial patterns.their own spatial patterns.
If you are writing about a If you are writing about a
famous statue, you can famous statue, you can
order key ideas according order key ideas according
to a head-torso-legs pattern. to a head-torso-legs pattern.
Spatial patternsSpatial patterns
EASY!
If you are writing If you are writing about the about the architecture of aarchitecture of achurch, you can church, you can order key ideas order key ideas according to a according to a steeple-roof-walls steeple-roof-walls pattern.pattern.
Chronological patternsChronological patterns
If your essay involves describing or analyzingIf your essay involves describing or analyzing
events or stages, you can impose aevents or stages, you can impose a
chronological pattern on your key ideas orchronological pattern on your key ideas or
arguments. arguments. Chronological patterns areChronological patterns are
particularly useful for essays involving:particularly useful for essays involving:
description/analysis of historical eventsdescription/analysis of historical events description/analysis of geological processesdescription/analysis of geological processes description/analysis of chemical processesdescription/analysis of chemical processes description/analysis of biological processes. description/analysis of biological processes.
Chronological patternsChronological patterns
For description and evaluation of historicalFor description and evaluation of historical
events, impose an earlier-later pattern on theevents, impose an earlier-later pattern on the
stages that lead up to or constitute the stages that lead up to or constitute the event.event.
Your key ideas then fall into easily orderedYour key ideas then fall into easily ordered
earlier-later groups. Point out in your essayearlier-later groups. Point out in your essay
that you will discuss the most important that you will discuss the most important stagesstages
leading up to or constituting the event. leading up to or constituting the event.
Chronological patternsChronological patterns
For description and analysis of a For description and analysis of a geological,geological,
chemical, or biological process, impose chemical, or biological process, impose anan
earlier-later pattern on the stages thatearlier-later pattern on the stages that
constitute the process.constitute the process. Your key ideas Your key ideas then fallthen fall
into easily ordered earlier-later groups. into easily ordered earlier-later groups. IndicateIndicate
the order of the stages discussed.the order of the stages discussed.
Logical patternsLogical patterns
If your essay involves explaining or analyzing If your essay involves explaining or analyzing aa
concept, you can impose a logical pattern onconcept, you can impose a logical pattern on
your key ideas and arguments. your key ideas and arguments. Logical Logical patternspatterns
are particularly useful for essays primarilyare particularly useful for essays primarily
involving:involving:
explanation of an ideaexplanation of an idea description and critique of an argumentdescription and critique of an argument explanation and critique of a social, literary, explanation and critique of a social, literary,
or philosophical topicor philosophical topic
Logical patternsLogical patterns
The explanation of an idea involves The explanation of an idea involves translatingtranslating
it into other ideas that elucidate its meaning.it into other ideas that elucidate its meaning.
Suppose that you had to write an essay on Suppose that you had to write an essay on thethe
topic of global warming. The following slidetopic of global warming. The following slide
shows this idea translated into ideas that go shows this idea translated into ideas that go toto
make up the idea of global warming.make up the idea of global warming.
Logical patternsLogical patterns
Global warming
Greenhouseeffect
Increasedcarbon
dioxide in atmosphere
Kyotoprotocol
Alternatives to fossil fuel
Caused byhuman activity?
Causednaturally?
Drought
FloodingSpread of
insect-carrieddiseases
Climatechange
Risingsea-level
Logical patternsLogical patterns
A logical pattern has not yet been A logical pattern has not yet been imposed onimposed on
the ideas that make up the idea of globalthe ideas that make up the idea of global
warming. warming. First, ideas that are particularlyFirst, ideas that are particularly
relevant to each other must be groupedrelevant to each other must be grouped
together. together. This has been done on the next This has been done on the next slide.slide.
Logical patternsLogical patterns
Greenhouse effect.
Increased carbondioxide in atmosphere.
Climate change.
Rising sea-levels.
Flooding.
Drought.
Spread ofinsect-carried
diseases.
Caused naturally?
Caused by human activity?
Kyoto protocol.
Alternatives tofossil fuel.
Logical patternsLogical patterns
Next, the ideas within each group must be putNext, the ideas within each group must be put
into a sequence that makes sense.into a sequence that makes sense. It makes It makes
better sense to discuss drought and floodingbetter sense to discuss drought and flooding
after introducing climate change. It makesafter introducing climate change. It makes
better sense to discuss flooding afterbetter sense to discuss flooding after
discussing rising sea-levels. And it makesdiscussing rising sea-levels. And it makes
better sense to discuss the spread of better sense to discuss the spread of
insect-carried diseases after discussing insect-carried diseases after discussing climateclimate
change. change. You will notice that the ideas in eachYou will notice that the ideas in each
group have already been sequenced!group have already been sequenced!
Logical patternsFinally, the groups of sequenced ideas
mustthemselves be sequenced in a way that
makesthe most sense. This has been done on
thenext two slides.Easy!
Logical patterns It makes little sense to discuss climate change
without first setting it within the context of the greenhouse effect.
Unless the possible effects are explained first, the reader cannot know the importance of whether
the greenhouse effect is caused by human activity.
If the possible causes of the greenhouse effect are not explained first, how can the reader know why alternatives to fossil fuels are important?
Greenhouse effect.Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere.
Climate change.Rising sea-levels.
Flooding.Drought.
Spread of insect-carried diseases.
Caused naturally?Caused by human activity?
Kyoto protocol.
Alternatives to fossil fuel.
Logical patternsThe description and critique of an
argumentinvolves explaining and evaluating ideas,
andexplaining and evaluating the inferentialconnections between them. Argument
structureprovides a logical pattern you can follow
duringyour description and critique of an
argument.
Logical patternsLogical patterns
Basic argument structures:Basic argument structures:
Simple Serial LinkedSimple Serial Linked
Reason Reason Reason + Reason Reason Reason + ReasonReason
Conclusion Reason Conclusion Reason ConclusionConclusion
Conclusion Conclusion
Logical patternsLogical patterns
Basic argument structures:Basic argument structures:
Convergent DivergentConvergent Divergent
Reason Reason ReasonReason Reason Reason
Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion ConclusionConclusion
Logical patternsLogical patternsMany argument structures are Many argument structures are
combinations ofcombinations ofbasic patterns:basic patterns: Reason + Reason + ReasonReason + Reason + Reason
ReasonReason
Reason Reason
Reason Reason Reason Reason
ConclusionConclusion
Logical patternsAn argument consists of a conclusionand of reasons (evidence) that are supposedto support the conclusion. Your key ideas willbe your descriptions and evaluation of thesereasons, together with your evaluation of theirinferential connections with each other andwith the conclusion. Hence, the organization ofyour essay can mirror the structure of theargument you are writing about.
Logical patternsExplanation and critique of a social, literary orphilosophical topic will combine explanation ofideas and evaluation of arguments. Hence, thebody of the essay is organized by sequencingkey ideas according to relevance and clarity (aswe did with global warming), and by mirroringthe structure of arguments at places whereyou discuss concepts, reasons, conclusions,and their inferential connections.
Combined organizational patternsCombined organizational patterns
Often, the body of an essay is best organizedOften, the body of an essay is best organized
by using a combination of organizationalby using a combination of organizational
patterns.patterns. If you are required to write a critical If you are required to write a critical
essay on the effects of urban developmentessay on the effects of urban development
close to the Oak Ridges Moraine, you may useclose to the Oak Ridges Moraine, you may use
a combination of spatial patterns (to describea combination of spatial patterns (to describe
key features of the area), chronologicalkey features of the area), chronological
patterns (to describe chemical and biologicalpatterns (to describe chemical and biological
processes), and logical patterns (to explain processes), and logical patterns (to explain keykey
ideas and evaluate arguments). ideas and evaluate arguments).
Impact!Impact!
Organize your groups of key ideas to create theOrganize your groups of key ideas to create the
greatest impact on the reader.greatest impact on the reader. Suppose you have to Suppose you have to
write an essay on urban development near thewrite an essay on urban development near the
Oak Ridges Moraine, and that you haveOak Ridges Moraine, and that you have
discovered three negative chemical/biologicaldiscovered three negative chemical/biological
effects, one minor, the other not so minor, andeffects, one minor, the other not so minor, and
the last one devastating! You have organized your the last one devastating! You have organized your keykey
ideas concerning each of these effects according to ideas concerning each of these effects according to aa
chronological pattern. chronological pattern. But you still have a choiceBut you still have a choice
about which effect to discuss first, second, and so about which effect to discuss first, second, and so on.on.
Impact!Impact!
EFFECTSEFFECTS
SEQUENCEDSEQUENCED
FORFOR
IMPACTIMPACT
MINOR EFFECT Key ideas organized
chronologically
LESS MINOR EFFECTKey ideas organized
chronologically
DEVASTATING EFFECTKey ideas organized
chronologically
Impact!Impact!
If you began by discussing the If you began by discussing the devastatingdevastating
effect and finished with a discussion of effect and finished with a discussion of thethe
minor effect, the body of your essay minor effect, the body of your essay would endwould end
on an anticlimax. This must be avoided. on an anticlimax. This must be avoided. AlwaysAlways
sequence components so that they give sequence components so that they give thethe
impression of a build up to a climax. impression of a build up to a climax.
Impact!Impact!
Key ideas and arguments can be Key ideas and arguments can be sequencedsequenced
for impact using these scales:for impact using these scales:
Least importantLeast important Most Most importantimportant
Less recent Less recent More recentMore recent
Least persuasive Least persuasive Most Most persuasivepersuasive
Simplest Simplest Most Most complexcomplex
Impact!Impact!
It is not always easy to see how componentsIt is not always easy to see how components
can be arranged to have an impact.can be arranged to have an impact. If no key If no key
idea or argument seems to be moreidea or argument seems to be more
important, recent, persuasive, or simpler important, recent, persuasive, or simpler thanthan
any other, then…any other, then…
pretend otherwise, for thepretend otherwise, for the
sake of rhetorical effect!!sake of rhetorical effect!!
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
1. It seems like a jumble of unrelated1. It seems like a jumble of unrelated
facts – help!facts – help!
You may be trying to sequence facts beforeYou may be trying to sequence facts before
having sorted them into groups. having sorted them into groups. Think aboutThink about
what the main ideas are first. Next, try towhat the main ideas are first. Next, try to
group the minor facts according to the maingroup the minor facts according to the main
ideas they belong to. Now you can think ideas they belong to. Now you can think aboutabout
sequencing the minor facts within each sequencing the minor facts within each group.group.
Finally, you can sequence the main ideasFinally, you can sequence the main ideas
themselves.themselves.
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
2. All the facts seem like main ideas to2. All the facts seem like main ideas to
me – help!me – help!You may need to impose an organizational patternYou may need to impose an organizational pattern
(see earlier slides) on the topic you are writing about,(see earlier slides) on the topic you are writing about,
in order to create groups of related facts. in order to create groups of related facts. Once youOnce you
have worked out groups of related facts, you shouldhave worked out groups of related facts, you should
find it easier to identify main ideas. You should alsofind it easier to identify main ideas. You should also
note any headings, sub-headings, pictures ornote any headings, sub-headings, pictures or
diagrams in your reading material, as these may givediagrams in your reading material, as these may give
clues about main ideas that you can use to group theclues about main ideas that you can use to group the
minor facts.minor facts.
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
3. I’ve worked out the main ideas, but I3. I’ve worked out the main ideas, but I
am not sure how to organize themam not sure how to organize them
Well done for accomplishing the hard part!Well done for accomplishing the hard part!
Organizing your main ideas is not difficult.Organizing your main ideas is not difficult.
Simply organize them according to spatial,Simply organize them according to spatial,
chronological, or logical patterns (see earlierchronological, or logical patterns (see earlier
slides), or use combinations of these slides), or use combinations of these patterns.patterns.
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
4. I have to write about an argument –4. I have to write about an argument –
where do I start?!where do I start?!
Any argument has a structure (see earlierAny argument has a structure (see earlier
slides) that you can exploit in order toslides) that you can exploit in order to
organize your key ideas. organize your key ideas. Begin by discussingBegin by discussing
the conclusion, and work your way up the conclusion, and work your way up throughthrough
the reasons. Or start with the reasons andthe reasons. Or start with the reasons and
work your way down to the conclusion.work your way down to the conclusion.
Simple!Simple! For more on arguments, see the BWC For more on arguments, see the BWC
presentation on how to argue for a thesis.presentation on how to argue for a thesis.
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions5. Should I compare and contrast two5. Should I compare and contrast twothings in the same paragraph or inthings in the same paragraph or indifferent paragraphs?different paragraphs?There is really no advantage to doing it oneThere is really no advantage to doing it oneway or the other. way or the other. But if the two things beingBut if the two things beingcompared are easy to deal with, it makescompared are easy to deal with, it makessense to compare and contrast them in thesense to compare and contrast them in thesame paragraph. If the two things beingsame paragraph. If the two things beingcompared are complex, then it might becompared are complex, then it might beeasier to give them separate paragraphs.easier to give them separate paragraphs.
Other sources and resourcesOther sources and resources Make an appointment for the Bethune Writing CentreMake an appointment for the Bethune Writing Centre (go to Master’s office at 205 Bethune to book a slot(go to Master’s office at 205 Bethune to book a slot or call 416 736 2100 ext. 22035) or call 416 736 2100 ext. 22035)
Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online resources Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online resources at:at:
http://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.htmlhttp://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.html
The following books may be useful:The following books may be useful:
Stewart, K. L., Kowler, M. E., & Bullock, C. (1985). Stewart, K. L., Kowler, M. E., & Bullock, C. (1985). EssayEssayWriting For Canadian StudentsWriting For Canadian Students (2 (2ndnd ed.). Scarborough, ed.). Scarborough,
Ont.:Ont.:Prentice-Hall. Prentice-Hall. Call number: LB 2369 S74Call number: LB 2369 S74
Troyka, Lynn Quitman (2002). Troyka, Lynn Quitman (2002). Simon & Schuster handbookSimon & Schuster handbookfor writersfor writers (3 (3rdrd ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice-Hall. ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice-Hall.Call number: PE 1408 T697Call number: PE 1408 T697