Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

6 Formats of Essay Writing1 Process Essay

Tip When you organize the steps in a process, you should arrange them according to time order.

The Language of Process:Useful Phrases and Sentence Patterns

Transition signals that indicate the order of steps in a processfirstthe first stepfrom then onnext

the next stepbeforeafterafter that

soon afterwardthe third stepthenat this point

as soon aswhenwhileevery time

whenevermeanwhileduringthe last stepfinally

The following sentence patterns are useful in writing thesis statements for process essays:

1. It is

easy tools.

simple to ……………………………….. if you have the right

equipment.

not difficult materials.ingredients.

It is easy to change a flat tire if you have the right equipment.

2. ………………………………..

is easy when you follow

these steps.these directions.these instructions.this procedure.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

Making a delicious omelet is easy when you follow these steps.

3. There arethreefour major steps involved in ………………………………..several

There are three major steps involved in studying for an exam.

Essay Plan: ProcessThe guidelines will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a process essay.

Introduction1. State what the process is and why it is important.2. Define the process.3. State the purpose for explaining the process4. List any equipment, ingredients, or supplies needed to

perform the process.5. Write a thesis statement that states the focus of your essay.

Supporting Paragraphs1. Describe the steps in the process, using time order.2. If there are a lot of steps, group them into several main

categories.

Conclusion1. Review why the process is important.2. Summarize the main steps in the process.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

2 Division & Classification Essay

Tip

It is helpful to find at least three divisions to use. In other words, try to think of at least three separate groups. For examples, if you were writing an essay on types of energy, you could divide them into three groups: wind, hydraulic, and solar. Make sure the groups do not overlap.

The Language of Classification: Useful Sentence PatternsThe following sentence patterns are useful in writing thesis statements for process essays:

1.There are

three kindstwo types of ………………………………..four classesseveral

There are three kinds of energy: wind, hydraulic, and solar.

2. I candivide parts:classify …………………….. into three groups: ………………………..group types:categorize kinds:

I can divide my computer games into three groups: action, stimulation, and strategy.

3. …………………… can bedivided three parts:Classified into two groups: ………………………………..grouped three types:categorized several kinds:

News can be divided into three types: local, national, and international.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

Essay Plan: ClassificationThe guidelines will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a classification essay.

Introduction1. Provide background information about the topic to be classified.2. Explain the purpose for the classification.3. Describe how you are going to divide the topic into groups.4. State the number and names of the groups.5. Provide a clear thesis statement.

Supporting Paragraphs1. Identify and describe one group in each supporting paragraph.2. Explain the common characteristics of the members of each

group.3. Give examples of items in each group.

Conclusion1. Restate the method of classification.2. Summarize the groups.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

3 Causes & Effects EssayThe Language of Causes and Effects:

Useful Phrases and Sentence Patterns

Transition signals that indicate a cause or effect relationshipand that is why It was raining, and that is why we canceled the soccer game.

as a consequence of As a consequence of the rain, we canceled the soccer game.

as a result of As a result of the rain, we canceled the soccer game.

because Because it was raining, we canceled the soccer game.

because of Because of the rain, we canceled the soccer game.

consequently It was raining. Consequently, we canceled the soccer game.

due to Due to the rain, we canceled the soccer game.

for this reason It was raining. For this reason, we canceled the soccer game.

since Since it was raining, we canceled the soccer game.

so It was raining, so we canceled the soccer game.

therefore It was raining; therefore, we canceled the soccer game.

thus It was raining; thus, we canceled the soccer game.

1. There are severalcauses ofreasons for ……………………………….. .effects of

There are several causes of jet lag.

2. There arethreefour main reasons why ……………………………….. .several

There are three main reasons why I want to get my own

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

apartment.

3. ……………………………….. has hadseveralmany important effects on ……………….. .few

My parents’ divorce has had several important effects on my life.

Essay Plan: Cause or EffectThe guidelines will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a classification essay.

Introduction1. Provide background information about the situation

you are analyzing.2. Describe the situation.3. State whether you plan to discuss its causes or its

effects.4. Identify the main causes or effects.5. Write a thesis statement that states the focus of your

essay.

Supporting Paragraphs1. State the first (second, third) cause or effect in the first

(second, third) paragraph.2. Support the first (second, third) cause or effect with

facts, examples, statistics, or quotations.

Conclusion1. Summarize the main causes or effects.2. Draw a conclusion or make a prediction.

Tip

When you write an essay you must think about how you are going to order the supporting paragraphs. Which paragraph should come first, second, and third? One common way is to organize the paragraphs according to order of importance. For example, in an essay about causes, you can begin with the most important cause and end with the least important cause.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

4 Comparison & Contrast EssayThe Language of Comparison & Contrast:

Useful Phrases & Sentence PatternsComparison

and . . . too Tokyo has an efficient subway system, and London does too.

as . . . as Tokyo’s subway system is as efficient as London’s.

LikewiseTokyo has an efficient subway system. Likewise, London has an efficient

subway system.

similarlyTokyo has an efficient subway system. Similarly, London has an efficient

subway system.

alike New York and Tokyo are alike in several ways.

both . . . and Both Japan and Korean are in Asia.

like The weather in Philadelphia is like the weather in Istanbul.

similar to The population in Vienna is similar to the population of Frankfurt.

the same Philadelphia has the same kind of weather as Istanbul.

the same as The altitude of Calcutta is the same as the altitude of Copenhagen.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

Contrastbut

The Sahara desert has a dry climate, but the Amazon rain forest has a

wet climate.

different fromThe climate in the Sahara desert is very different from the climate in

the Amazon rain forest.

howeverThe Sahara desert has a dry climate. However, the Amazon rain forest

has a wet climate.

in contrastThe Sahara desert has a dry climate. In contrast, the Amazon rain

forest has a wet climate.

on the other

hand

The Sahara desert has a dry climate. On the other hand, the Amazon

rain forest has a wet climate.

while While the Sahara desert is dry, the Amazon rain forest is wet.

whereas Whereas the Sahara desert is dry, the Amazon rain forest is wet.

unlike Unlike rain forests, deserts get very little rain.

althoughAlthough the Sahara desert has a dry climate, some crops can be

grown there.

even thoughEven though the Sahara desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there.

The following sentence patterns are useful in writing topic sentences and thesis statements for comparison/contrast essays and paragraphs:

1.There are several differences between ……………… and ……………… .

similarities

There are several differences between high school and college.There are several similarities between high school and college.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

2.……………… and ……………… are similar in many ways.

different

Thai food and Vietnamese food are similar in many ways.Thai food and Vietnamese food are different in many ways.

3.……………… is different from ……………… in many ways.

similar to

My father is different from his older brother in many ways.My father is similar from his older brother in many ways.

4.……………… and ……………… have

several things in common.

many

My best friend and I have many things in common.

5.reveals

A comparison between ……………… and ……………… shows ……………… .demonstrates

A comparison between jazz and rock ‘n’ roll reveals some surprising similarities.A comparison between jazz and rock ‘n’ roll reveals some surprising differences.

Tip

When you use the point-by-point method to write about similarities or differences, you need to decide how you are going to order the points. Again, one common way is to organize the points according to order of importance. For example, you can begin with the most important point and end with the least important point.

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

Essay Plans: Comparison/ContrastBlock MethodIntroduction

1. Provide background information about your topic.

2. Identify the two things being compared and contrasted.

3. State the purpose for making the comparison/or contrast.

4. Write a thesis statement that states the focus of your essay.

Supporting Paragraphs1. In the first paragraph(s), discuss the

similarities.2. In the next paragraph(s), discuss the

differences.

Conclusion1. Restate the purpose for comparison

and/or contrast in different words.2. Summarize the main similarities and

differences.3. Draw a conclusion.

Point-by-Point MethodIntroduction

1. Provide background information about your topic.

2. Identify the two things being compared and contrasted.

3. State the purpose for making the comparison/or contrast.

4. Identify the points to be compared and contrasted.

5. Write a thesis statement that states the focus of your essay.

Supporting Paragraphs1. In the first paragraph, compare and/or

contrasts the two things according to the first point you identified.

2. In the second paragraph, compare and/or contrasts the two things according to the second point you identified.

3. Do the same thing in the third and subsequent paragraphs.

Conclusion1. Restate the purpose for comparison

and/or contrast in different words.2. Summarize the main similarities and

differences.3. Draw a conclusion.

5 Problem/Solution Essay10

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

Essay Plan: Problem/SolutionThe guidelines will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a problem/solution essay.

Introduction1. Describe the problem and state why it is serious2. Write a thesis statement that identifies possible

solutions.

Supporting Paragraphs1. Discuss one solution in each supporting paragraph.2. Provide details to explain each solution.3. Organize the paragraphs according to order of

importance.

Conclusion1. Summarize the solutions.2. Draw a conclusion or make a prediction based on your

suggestions.

6 Writing Summaries11

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Research Writing Kit WB023 English Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang Dec 2011Essay Formats

A good summary should present a clear, concise idea of the main points of an article to someone who has not read it. To do this, you must have true understanding of the original text. Determine the author’s purpose, main idea, and supporting points.

1. Read the article once to determine the author’s thesis.2. Reread the article and take notes on the main points.3. Using your notes as a guide, write the first draft of your summary. It should include:

a. A topic sentence that states the name of the article, (including the author, if available) and the main point.

b. Supporting sentences that explain, in your own words, the main ideas presented in the article. An effective way to do this is by answering the questions what, where, when, who, and why.

c. A final statement that summarizes any conclusions the author made in the article.4. Revise the draft of your summary. Check to see that you have accurately summarized

the author’s main ideas. If you included any of the author’s minor points, eliminate them. In addition, be sure that you did not include any of your own thoughts or opinions about the topic.

5. Edit your summary to make sure that the grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are correct.

ReferenceBlanchard, K. & Root. C (2004) Ready to Write More: From Paragraph to Essay (2nd Ed.).

New York: Longman-Pearson Education

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