Essay writing 1 from theory to practice- Carmen Medina

1. Essay Writing 1:
From theory to practice
Carmen Medina Garríguez, PhD
B2.1. and B2.2. Tenured Lecturer
EOI Málaga
Twitter: @DrCarMedGar
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/eoimalaga1415/home
E-mail: carmedphd@gmail.com

2. Objectives of this writing series:
1. Distinguish the different types of writing assignment: letter, essay, description, comparison, cause and effect...
2. Distinguish between a formal and an informal assignment
3. Distinguish between interaction and expression writing
4. Learn a list of tips to improve writing skills
5. Learn to be more precise and accurate when writing
Contents:
Opinion essay Discursive essay
Newspaper article An informal article
Writing an instruction leaflet Writing a leaflet with a genius idea
Writing a report (comparisons)
A story Describing a favourite scene
Describing a family ritual A lucky escape story
A film review (a book review) A work of art critique
Writing an e-mail Writing a letter to yourself
Writing tips for a website Writing a forum comment

3. I. Previous knowledge quiz
What do you know about essay writing?

4. What is an essay?
A short piece of writing
on a particular subject.
Short 200 – 250 words, 1000, 3000,
5000…

5. II. A basic essay outline
I. Introduction. Thesis: _____________________
II. Body 1. Topic Sentence: _____________
- supporting idea
- supporting idea
2. Topic Sentence: ____________
- supporting idea
- supporting idea
3. Topic Sentence: ____________
- supporting idea
- supporting idea
III. Conclusion

6. STEPS TO TAKE
1. Read the exam question carefully until you are sure that you know
what the question is asking you to do.
2. Decide what your answer will be.
3. Brainstorm: jot down notes, ideas, a basic outline, or any other tool
that might help you plan and organize the content of your essay.
4. Check your notes/ideas. Scratch out anything that is off topic. To
be on topic, everything must answer, explain, or support your
answer to the exam question.
5. Now organize your notes and ideas: Introduction – Body –
Conclusion, is the very least your essay should contain; however, If
you can, you should organize your writing into a five-paragraph plan
at this level.

7. LET’S SEE AN EXAMPLE…
Find the sentence in the paragraph that is off topic and doesn’t
belong.
The disappearance of Amealia Earhart remains a mystery. Earhart,
who was the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, crashed
into the Pacific Ocean while attempting to fly around the world. She
was born in Atchison, Kansas, in 1897. Some researchers believe that
she survived the crash into the Pacific, because radio distress calls
were received. An intensive search for the source of the signals was
made. Searchers were not able to find her, however. Finally, the
distress signals ceased. In spite of continued searches by airplane and
ship, no clue about what became of Amelia Earhart has yet been found.
She was born in Atchison, Kansas in 1897. = Doesn’t relate directly to main idea.

8. 6. Once you like the look of your plan, expand it into an actual essay.
Expand it by using complete sentences and by adding complete
explanations that include specific details and examples. Be sure
that all the details and examples you provide in your essay are
directly relevant to your response to the essay topic. In other
words, stay on topic!
7. Once you have finished your essay, check for errors and make
corrections.

9. III. The thesis statement

10. What is a thesis statement?
• A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay.
• It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.
SO
• The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay,
and the writer’s opinion on that idea.

11. Basically, the Thesis Statement is…
A Road Map for Your Essay

12. Thesis statements avoid the following:
• the first person (I believe, In my opinion, in this essay I will tell
you… etc.)
• unclear language (It seems, etc.)
• attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related).
• Pick one and stick with it.
• just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an
argument about (describe, narrate…).

13. A thesis statement should (will depend on
exam question)
•contain a topic (main idea of what you are
writing about)
•contain an opinion about the topic (what
your attitude is toward the topic)

14. For most of my life I have lived with bad health, smelly clothes, and a
chronic cough. My children and husband begged me to stop the habit
that caused these conditions, but I couldn’t. The habit of smoking had
wrapped its addicting arms around me and was slowly strangling me
until one day I realized I had to stop. This realization came after three
terrifying events occurred in my family.
The thesis statement often comes at the end of the
introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that
he/she can expect to read about the events that caused the
author to stop smoking in the rest of the essay.

15. IV. Which is the best thesis statement?
A thesis statement should not be too broad or general.
Too Broad
The world is a magnificent place to live.
Better
Good weather, wonderful beaches and the airport make Málaga a
magnificent place to live in.

16. Which sentence is too broad (general) to be a
good thesis statement?
1. One reason to live in Málaga is access to
many wonderful beaches where you
can relax, taste lovely food and even
practice sports.
2. Málaga is a great place to live.

17. A thesis statement should not be too wordy.
Wordy
Some problems with American schools are that they need a
playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms
connected to each classroom, and a number of other physical
changes to their buildings.
Better
Some Middle Schools in the U.S. need several changes in their facilities
in order to improve them.

18. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis
statement?
1. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States
has ever known.
2. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the
United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and
South at the end of the American Civil War.

19. A thesis statement should not be a title.
A title
Cost of Living
Better
The cost of living in New York is higher than in most other cities in the
United States.

20. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement
because it is a title?
1. Good teaching has led to an increase in the
number of students at our school.
2. Increased registration at our school.

22. V. THE FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY
First paragraph (Introduction):
This introductory paragraph must include your ANSWER to the question.
It’s a great idea to include the essay topic/question in your answer
(=thesis statement).
For example, if the essay question asks you if you prefer to live in the city
or the country, you could start your essay by writing the following:
If I had to choose between living in the city or the country, I would choose
the country……….
Now add three supporting ideas. Again, just list them briefly. This
paragraph does not have to be too lengthy. Three to four sentences
would be fine.

23. THE FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY (cont’d)
Second paragraph (body):
This paragraph is all about the first supporting detail that you
mentioned in paragraph one. It should be, at least 4-5 sentences in
length.
Third paragraph (body): This paragraph is all about the second
supporting detail that you mentioned in paragraph one. Again, it
should be, at least, 4-5 sentences in length.
Fourth paragraph (body): This paragraph is all about the third
supporting detail that you mentioned in paragraph one. Try to write
4-5 sentences.

24. THE FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY (cont’d)
Fifth paragraph (conclusion): Your concluding paragraph will be
very similar to your introductory paragraph. Include your answer to
the question and your 3 supporting ideas (paraphrase DO NOT
COPY). This paragraph can be very short.

25. Types of paragraphs
1. Expository a. used to tell a story or a sequence of
events
2. Narrative b. used to describe a scene or an object
3. Persuasive c. used to provide information, including
facts, instructions, and definitions
4. Descriptive d. used to share opinions and convince
others to agree or take action

26. Types of paragraphs
1. Expository - C a. used to tell a story or a sequence of
events
2. Narrative - A b. used to describe a scene or an object
3. Persuasive - D c. used to provide information, including
facts, instructions, and definitions
4. Descriptive - B d. used to share opinions and convince
others to agree or take action

27. VI. AN ESSAY EXAMPLE
Essay Topic:
Write about a hobby that you have and why it is important to you.
**Use your personal observations, experience, and knowledge to
support your essay.
** I CAN write in the first person!

28. Blue =
thesis statement
Pink = 1st subtopic
Green = 2nd subtopic
Purple = 3rd subtopic
Orange = conclusion
Pink = 1st subtopic
Black = supporting
details
I started collecting teddy bears when I was a little girl. My
grandfather bought my first bear for me. Each one reminds me
of a different part of my life. I have passed my collection on to
my daughter. Collecting teddy bears has definitely brought a
lot of joy to my life.
My grandfather started my teddy bear collection. He had just
returned from Italy with a big red box for me. Inside was a
beautiful Mohair bear with a pink bow around its neck. Since
that day, I have added many bears to my collection.

29. Green = 2nd subtopic
Black = supporting details
Purple = 3rd subtopic
Black = supporting details
Orange = conclusion
Black = supporting details
Each time I look at one, it reminds me of different times in my life. I
remember a time that my dad spent forty dollars at the fair trying to win
me a bear worth about two dollars. Every Christmas there was always a
teddy bear sitting under the tree. Collecting bears has also helped to
collect memories.
I have passed my teddy bear collection on to my daughter. I have also
added a few since she was born. I hope they bring her the same happiness
they have brought me. When she gets older, collecting could be
something we can share.
My grandfather had no idea what he started when he brought that first
bear home. Anytime I am feeling down, I can just pick up a bear and I
can be reminded of a happier time. I hope that someday my daughter will
pass them on to her own daughter as I have passed them to her.

30. DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESSAY QUESTIONS AND
HOW TO ANSWER THEM
1. WHY: explain with 3 reasons
2. HOW: explain 3 ways how something can be done
3. WHY and HOW: Make sure you include both reasons why and ways
it can be done. You may want to just include 2 longer paragraphs in
the body of this essay. That would make this one a 4 paragraph
essay (introduction, why paragraph, how paragraph, conclusion).

31. 4. COMPARE AND CONTRAST: You are comparing and contrasting two
things. It is better to answer in 4 paragraphs (introduction, paragraph
explaining the similarities, paragraph explaining the differences,
conclusion).
5. CAUSES: Explain three things that might cause something to happen.
6. EFFECT: Explain three results of something that has happened.
7. LIST AND GIVE EXAMPLES: Provide three items in your explanation.
Then in the body of the essay list the three items again, and give several
examples of each of these items.

32. Essay types
Argument Evaluation
Cause and Effect Illustration
Classification Narration
Comparison/Contrast Persuasion
Critical Analysis Description

33. Checklist:
• Is the entire essay on topic?
• Did you write in complete sentences? Every sentence should
have a subject and verb.
• Make sure your essay contains the right number of words.
There is a mandatory length, too short or way too long is not a
good thing.
• Check for errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization,...

34. Formal
Writing
Rules
• Do not use the first or second person (I, my, we, us), unless the
instructions specifically ask you to write your opinion or about
yourself).
• Do not use contractions (can’t, won’t, doesn’t).
• Avoid saying: “The essay will discuss/will be about...”
• Avoid redundancy and repetition.
• Be specific. Do not use words such as “things” or “many
examples”.
• Do not be vague.
• EDIT, EDIT, EDIT! Practice makes perfect! YOU DO NOT WANT TO
PRACTICE ON THE EXAM!

35. TRANSITIONS
Transitions are signals that help readers follow the direction of the
writer’s thoughts. They are like signposts on the road that guide
travelers.
Some common transitional words or phrases. They are grouped
according to the kind of signal they give to the readers.
- ADDITION SIGNALS: first of all, for one thing, second, the third reason,
also, next, another, and, in addition, moreover, furthermore, finally, last
of all
- TIME SIGNALS: first, then, next, after, as before, while, meanwhile,
now, during, finally
- SPACE SIGNALS: next to, across, on the opposite side, to the left, to
the right, in front, in back, above, below, behind, nearby

36. TRANSITIONS (Cont’d)
- CHANGE OF DIRECTION SIGNALS: but, however, yet, in contrast,
otherwise, still, on the contrary, on the other hand
- ILLUSTRATION SIGNALS: for example, for instance, specifically, as an
illustration, once, such as
- CONCLUSION SIGNALS: therefore, consequently, thus, then, as a result,
in summary, to conclude, last of all, finally

37. For your time and attention 
I look forward to seeing you again
in my next session.

38. Sources
https://eventalyare.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2-1.jpg
http://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4071843763319077/LisaTHESIS_0001.jpg
https://s3.amazonaws.com/newcharter-thumbnails/
contents/4f2d7dd4a0b8290001002305/original/Types%20of%20Paragraphs.pdf?13283813
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https://sites.google.com/site/drcmedinagarriguez/intensive-writing-101