Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
By Rosemary Jones
What is it?
What does it do?
What does it resemble?
How does it work?
How does it come about?
Why is it important?
There are several ways to draw the readers attention to the subject:
Body
Developmental paragraphs (body paragraphs) are the heart of an essay.
They must be arranged in the best possible way, e.g. chronologically, order of
importance, etc.
The paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next, e.g. the first sentence in each new
paragraph serves as an effective link to the preceding paragraph. In addition, minor supporting
ideas are linked together within the paragraphs in a smooth manner.
Conclusion
The conclusion is the summary paragraph. It should accomplish the following:
Tie together all of the important points in the essay by way of a summary and
draw a final conclusion for the reader.
Development
General-to-specific sequence
The topic sentence should be the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence is a general
statement introducing the paragraph and is followed by specific details that expand, explain,
or illustrate the topic sentence.
Unity
All the sentences should relate to one topic.
Completeness
Supporting ideas should be developed enough to cover the topic.
Coherence
Coherence equals connection and consistency. All sentences in a paper should be related
logically and grammatically to make a whole that allows the reader to follow the writers train
of thought step by step. Body paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next, e.g. the
first sentence in each new paragraph serves as an effective link to the preceding paragraph. In
addition, minor supporting ideas are linked together within the paragraphs in a smooth
manner. Within a paragraph, there are three major ways to develop coherence through related
sentences:
1
2
3
Just as the sentences within a paragraph should flow smoothly, so the paragraphs within an
essay should be clearly linked one to the next. The first sentence of each new paragraph is
linked to the thesis statement or to the paragraph before. The following are four ways to link
paragraphs:
1
2
3
4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Then all B:
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
This pattern is good for short compositions. The reader can easily remember what was said
about A by the time he or she gets around to B.
Point-by-point (topic by topic)
This method moves back and forth between A and B, presenting one point about A and then
going to the parallel point about B. Then, it moves to the next point and does the same.
First A, Point 1
First A, Point 2
First A, Point 3
Then B, Point 1
Then B, Point 2
Then B, Point 3
This pattern is better for longer papers, where it might be hard for the reader to remember
what the writer said about A by the time he or she gets to B a few paragraphs later. By going
back and forth, the writer makes it easier for the reader to keep the contrasts or comparisons
in mind.
Extended Definition
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Process
There are two kinds of process essays:
1
2
1. The how-to essay gives readers directions on how they can do something, e.g.
perform a chemistry experiment. This process is generally written in the passive voice.
2. The explanation essay tells readers how something develops, e.g., photosynthesis,
plasmodium, the life cycle of the malarial parasite, etc. This process is generally
written in the active voice and uses simple present tense.
Citing sources
Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?
Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes: