Overview of Writing By Maram Alabdulaaly

From: Mosaic Writing 1, Gold edition, by Meredith Pike-Baky and Laurie Blass.

Interactions Writing 2, Gold edition, by Cheryl Pavlik and Margaret Keenan Segal.

Outline Introduction • Topic sentence in a paragraph.

• Thesis statement.

• Types of introductions Body paragraph • Paragraph Unity.

• Organizing your thoughts.

• Connecting ideas.

Conclusion • The conclusion • One type of conclusion.

Components of an Essay

The Introduction

Topic Sentence and Thesis Statement

The Topic Sentence

•

A paragraph usually begins with a sentence that expresses the main idea. This is the topic sentence.

•

The topic sentence contains one main idea and it tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

•

The topic sentence can also appear in the middle or at the end of a paragraph.

Examples of Topic Sentences

There are a few things that I've had trouble with since I arrived to Japan.

• It introduces one main idea: difficulties since David arrived to Japan.

• It tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

Thesis statement

•

A thesis statement expresses the main idea of an essay.

•

A thesis statement announces the topics and suggests the ways in which the writer will support her or his point of view.

Types of Introductions:

Note that sometimes types of introductions overlap. That is, an introduction might have the characteristics of more than one of the types described in this chapter.

Types of Introductions

General-to-Specific General statement(s) More specific statement(s) Thesis statement (the most specific statement)

Types of Introductions

Definition/ Explanation

An example: technical articles.

This type of introduction prepares the reader for an informative essay that uses new terms or concepts. The writer defines or explains the new terms or concepts in the introduction so that the reader will understand the rest of the material in the essay.

Types of Introductions

An example: long articles, stories.

Set the Scene

This type of an introduction describes a scenario or incident to engage the reader in the topic of the essay and lead to the main idea.

Types of Introductions

An example: essay about any problem.

Problem-Solution

This kind of introduction begins with a short explanation of a problem, one that the essay will attempt to solve. The introduction ends with a solution to the problem.

The body paragraph

Paragraph Unity & Coherence

Paragraph Unity & Coherence

•

A paragraph has unity when all of the sentences relate to and develop the topic sentence.

•

A paragraph is organized when all of the sentences follow a logical order. Related information should be together.

Remove unrelated ideas. Order by importance, time..etc

•

Writer achieve coherence by connecting sentences through linking ideas and the use of pronouns, repetition of key words, and paraphrases.

Connect your sentences

Organizing Your Thoughts

The Graphic Organizer P.29

The graphic organizer below is called a mind map. In the mind map, the topic sentence is in the center. The main supporting details are connected directly to the topic sentence. The secondary details are connected to the main details.

The Graphic Organizer P.89

Beginning Who What When Where Why Event1 Event2 Event3 Middle Resolution Lesson End

Connecting ideas

Using Demonstratives to unify a paragraph P 77

A good writer uses phrases with

this

,

that

,

these

, or

those

-demonstratives- to refer to ideas in previous sentences.

Coordinating Conjunctions P200

• When they separate two independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction.

And So Or But

• Don't use a comma before a conjunction that separates two phrases that aren't complete sentences.

Subordinating Conjunctions P204 & P132 connect an independent and a dependent clause. They show a relationship of:

• When, whenever.

Time

:

• because, since

Reason

:

• although, even though, though

Purpose

:

• so that

Contrast :

Transitions P204

They are words or phrases that show the relationship between two ideas.

• for example, for instance.

Give Example: Add emphasis:

• in fact, of course

Add information:

• in addition, furthermore, moreover, besides • similarly, likewise

Make comparison:

Transitions P204

They are words or phrases that show the relationship between two ideas.

Show contrast:

• However, nevertheless, in contrast, on the contrary, on one/on the other hand

Give reasons or

• therefore, as a result, as a

results:

consequence, for this/that reason

Show sequence:

• now, then, first (second, etc), earlier, later, meanwhile, finally

Using Relative Clauses/ Adjective clauses P109

• A relative clause answers the question Who? or Which one.

Which Where

• Who refers to people.

• That refers to people and things.

Who

• Which refers to things.

• Where refers to places.

That

Using Relative Clauses/ Adjective clauses P111 Restrictive Relative Clause:

• A restrictive relative clause tells you which person, place or things the writer is referring to. The information in the restrictive relative clause is necessary to complete the sentence. Don't use commas.

Nonrestrictive Relative Clause:

• A nonrestrictive relative clause gives additional information. Use commas to separate a nonrestrictive clause from the rest of the sentence.

Children

who

are bilingual have an advantage over their monolingual playmates.

My brother's children, who are bilingual, are seven and ten years old.

The Conclusion

The conclusion

•

A conclusion prepares the reader for the end of your essay, giving a feeling of completion.

•

A conclusion restates the main idea and the supporting points of the essay.

One Type of Conclusion Specific-to-General Restatement of the thesis More general statement(s) More general statement

The Writing Process

Q& A

.