The Third Step in Essay Writing:

Organize and Connect Specific Evidence

Langan, Ch. 4

Common Methods of Organization

O Time or Chronological Order– details are listed as they occur in time.O Example: First, Alister was late for

class. Then, he fell asleep at his desk. After that, he started snoring very loudly from his wide open mouth. Next, the teacher yelled, “wake up!”

Common Methods of Organization

O Emphatic Order– details are listed in importance usually the most important is last.O Words and Phrases: Lastly, Last of all,

Finally, Most important, etc.

TransitionsO Signal the direction of the writer’s

thought.

O What transitions do you remember?

O Look at page 83 for details.

Transitional SentencesO Used between paragraphs to tie supporting paragraphs

together.

Sample patterns:

While (restate topic sentence(s) in previous paragraph), (state topic sentence in current paragraph).

Although (restate topic sentence(s) in previous paragraph), (state topic sentence in current paragraph).

Along with (restate topic sentence(s) in previous paragraph), (state topic sentence in current paragraph).

Other Connecting Words

O Repeated WordsO Usually, we do not want to use the same word

over and over again, however key words remind the readers of the central idea.

One reason for studying at Surrey is the university will prepare students for classes at universities in the UK, Australia, the USA and other English speaking countries. All of Surrey’s classes in Dalian are in English. While attending Surrey, all student’s English abilities will improve greatly. Surrey has high academic standards.

Other Connecting Words

O PronounsO Helps connect ideasO Helps avoid needless repetition

Currently I am very happy with my students. They come to class on time and are usually in their seats ready for their lessons. Most of the time, they have all completed their homework.

Other Connecting Words

O SynonymsO Words alike in meaning.O Increases reader interests, adds variety and avoids

needless repetition.O A thesaurus is a good source for synonyms. (Some

versions of MS Word have a thesaurus function and www.thesaurus.com is a good on-line source.)

There are several factors that define a high quality teacher. One key element is how well the teacher relates to his or her students. Another component is the educator’s knowledge of the subject he or she teaches.

Introductory Paragraphs

O Attracts the readers interestO Supplies background informationO Presents the thesis statementO Presents a plan of development. A

POD is a preview. It is usually written as part of a thesis statement, but some writers choose not to use a POD.

Common Methods of Introduction

O Use one form of introduction or a combination to draw the readers’ interests into your essay.

O We often call these methods as “hooks” or “attention grabbers.”

Common Methods of Introduction

1. Begin with a board general statement of your topic and narrow down to your thesis.

Most countries around the world have exams that students must take to enter each country’s universities. In the US, the SAT and the GRE are common college entrance exams. In China, there is the Gao Kao. However, unlike the SAT and GRE, the Gao Kao can only be taken once a year and as such places a huge burden on students. Due to its high pressure, its limited access and its limited validity, the Gao Kao should no longer be used as the main method of admitting students into Chinese universities.

Common Methods of Introduction

2. Start with an idea or a situation that is opposite of the one you will develop.

The Gao Kao has had a long history in China. It started in the 1950s and has been around ever since. Many people often point out that the exam is a big boost to the economy. However, even with its advantages, there are many problems with this exam. Due to its high pressure, its limited access and its limited validity, the Gao Kao should no longer be used as the main method of admitting students into Chinese universities.

Common Methods of Introduction

3. Explain the importance of your topic to the reader.

As China has played a greater role in global politics and economics, the need for China to develop highly educated talent within its own borders has also increased. The days of family connections insuring a career within a business is starting to become an event of the past. Now, more businesses want individuals with talents and skills. However, many great potential talents are halted by the Gao Kao, the one exam that will admit a Chinese student in China’s universities. Due to its high pressure, its limited access and its limited validity, the Gao Kao should no longer be used as the main method of admitting students into Chinese universities.

Common Methods of Introduction

4. Use an incident or a brief story.

Liu Yujia ranked first in her class, however she is repeating her last year of high school. Many people may wonder how a dedicated, smart and hardworking student like Yujia would be repeating her last year of high school. The answer is simple. She was very sick during the one time during the year when China’s college entrance exam, the Gao Kao, was given. After scoring lower than her actual abilities and looking at the possibility of only going to a lower-tier school, she decided to repeat her last year of high school. Such stories similar to Yujia’s are common throughout China. Due to its high pressure, its limited access and its limited validity, the Gao Kao should no longer be used as the main method of admitting students into Chinese universities.

Common Methods of Introduction

5. Ask one more questionsHow does the Gao Kao impact China? How does

this exam influence Chinese teenagers and their families? Does this exam actually help China or does it do more harm? The Gao Kao is China’s college entrance exam and it can be taken only for a few days during the year. There are many different opinions on this test. Some people will point to how the Gao Kao can stimulate the economy and also how they believe the exam is the most fair way of admitting students into universities. Others claim that it should be abolish as it makes students “test taking machines”. Due to its high pressure, its limited access and its limited validity, the Gao Kao should no longer be used as the main method of admitting students into Chinese universities.

Common Methods of Introduction

5. Use a quotation

Irish novelist Roddy Doyle once wrote, “When I was growing up the exam system didn’t allow you to write fiction, so you never did.” China faces a similar problem with the Gao Kao. This college entrance exam has been the focus of the country for so long, it has not allowed Chinese students to develop other talents aside from taking a test. Due to its high pressure, its limited access and its limited validity, the Gao Kao should no longer be used as the main method of admitting students into Chinese universities.

Common Introductory Paragraph Outline - ReviewI. Introduction

A. Hook/Attention GrabberB. Connecting

Information/Background Information

C. Thesis Statement with an optional Plan of Development

Common Methods of Conclusion

1. End with a summary and final thought.Restate thesis and main points, but try to

use different words.In conclusion, China should discontinue

using the Gao Kao as the main method of evaluating students for collage admittance. First, this exam causes too much stress for students and families. Second, since the test can only be taken once a year, it automatically punishes students who maybe sick during that time or experiencing family emergencies. Third, this assessment often times does not adequately assess the skills that it claims to be assessing. For these reasons, China should use other methods in evaluating students for acceptance in its universities.

Common Methods of Conclusion

2. Include a thought-provoking question or short series of questions

A question must deal with:a. Why your subject is importantb. What might happen in the futurec. What should be done about the subject.d. What choice should be made.

The question must be related to your thesis.

Common Methods of Conclusion

2. Include a thought-provoking question or short series of questions

Why should China discontinue to use the Gao Kao as the main method for admitting students into its universities? First, students and families should not be under the large amount of stress caused by this test. Second, since the test can only be taken once in a year, it unfairly punishes students who may be dealing with extenuating circumstances. Third, the test is not a true indication of a student’s talent and only assesses what a student can recall in a three day period. Considering these factors, China should consider alternative methods of assessing students.

Common Methods of Conclusion

3. End with a prediction or a recommendation

In closing, if China continues to use the Gao Kao as the main method for admitting students into its universities, students and families will continue to be under a large amount of stress caused by this test. Undoubtedly, more stories of students attempting suicides will abound. Additionally, more students will probably opt to go abroad or find alternative educational means instead of Chinese universities because, while these alternative means may be more expensive, they will not require another year of high school. Also, with the continuation of the Gao Kao, China will continue to fail to uncover the true talents of their youth. For these reasons, China should revise the Gao Kao.

Common Methods of Conclusion Outline

V. Concluding ParagraphA. Restate thesis as either a statement, question or a

prediction.B. Restate main points of the

essayC. Final Thought

TitlesO Very brief summaries about the

paper.O No more than several words.O Sometimes easier to write after

completing the essay.

Examples:The Gao Kao Must Be Changed.Do Not Bow Down to the Gao

Kao

HomeworkO Do the activity on page 100-101. The

textbook will provide some information about the transitions. We will talk about this next class.