Research Writing Steps

// January 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Research papers

There is always more than one way of accomplishing any task, and writing research paper is no exception. After much trial and error, the experienced researcher usually arrives at some system that has proved itself to be the best for him or her. However the individual systems may vary, there are ten basic steps that provide a logical method for research. They result in an ease of procedure for the researcher, the ultimate economy of time and effort, the assurance that comes from following a time-tested procedure, accuracy in the result, and the most universal acceptance by examining scholars. As you proceed, you may think that you can eliminate a step or two in the process, only to find later that you have created some extra ones to make up for the detour. So watch your step! (more…)

Narrative Essay Writing

// January 17th, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Essay types

Narrative Essay Writing

For a narrative essay, you might tell a story about the library; for a persuasive essay, you might convince your readers to support the library bond issue or visit the library more often. For a descriptive essay, give sensory details about the library’s atmosphere; for an expository essay, you could explain how the online card catalog system works. (more…)

Application essay

// January 17th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Essay types

How to write a college application essay

Even at colleges where the competition isn’t quite as intense, admissions people take pains to assemble a varied and qualified student body. A few colleges, struggling to stay in business, admit virtually anyone who applies, and others, bound by law, employ open admissions. Such schools are the exception. As a general rule, the selectivity is practiced everywhere, and the selection of candidates is never done at random. (more…)

Scholarship Essay

// January 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

Write in third person:

Be sure to write your scholarship essay in third person. This means not using words such as “I” “we” or even “you”. Rather, you want to write your essay as if it is a newspaper article or a press release. For instance, suppose the essay question is “What do you think about abortions?” Don’t start off saying “I think abortions are…”or “I believe that abortions can…” Instead, just say “Abortions are…” or “Abortions can…” (more…)

Cause and Effect Essay

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

In a cause and effect essay, you examine the relationships between how certain events bring about or lead to other events. For instance, if you’re looking at the causes of U.S. involvement in World War II, you’d write about the immediate cause (the bombing of Pearl Harbor) as well as causes that had been building up for some time (growing hostilities between the United States and Germany and the United States and Japan, increasing bonds between the United States and the Allies, and so on).

Be sure that there is actually a relationship between your suggested cause and effect. For instance, suppose you buy a new car and then two days later the dealership lowers the price on the model you bought. The dealership’s sale had nothing to do with your previous purchase of the car, so there was no cause and effect relationship.

The following transition words and phrases can come in handy when writing a cause and effect essay: accordingly, as a consequence, as a result, because, for this purpose, consequently,  for that reason, hence, in order that, so, so that, then, therefore, thereupon, to do this, thus, with this in mind, to this end, and with this objective.

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The comparison contrast essay

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

The comparison essay reveals similarities, and the contrast essay shows differences, but the word comparison is often used to describe essays that discuss both similarities and differences.

Whenever a writer lines up two things for discussion, he will almost always be comparing and contrasting them. Never forget however, that for this essay type to be really meaningful, all the subjects must be members of the same group. A writer might profitably compare and contrast a vocational major with an academic major because both are courses of study. Another writer might effectively compare and contrast a vocational course with an industrial training program because both lead to a job. However, it is not likely that any writer could meaningfully compare and contrast an academic major with an industrial training program. When you employ the comparison/contrast mode of writing, be sure the subjects are plainly related.

There are two ways the details in a comparison paragraph may be arranged: the point-by-point pattern or the block pattern. We will examine the block pattern first because it really is quite simple. To begin, you describe the pertinent points of the first subject: then you describe the pertinent points of the other. You should always try to conclude the essay with a brief statement that brings the two into focus and restates your reason for comparing them. The block pattern is appropriate to use and easy to organize when the subjects are brief and not too complicated. The point-by-point method helps to keep the reader’s attention when the material becomes detailed or full of refinements or exceptions.

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Argumentative essay

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

The term argumentative essay refers to a written attempt to present a coherent discussion of a subject with a view to defending a specific thesis. The thesis of an argumentative essay is its main conclusion: it is usually a position or point of view, but may consist of a simple statement. The key phrase in the definition is defending a specific thesis. This is what makes an essay argumentative in nature, for any attempt to defend a conclusion requires premises. An argumentative essay can thus be regarded as an extended argument.

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Admission essay

// January 15th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Essay types

The role of the essay in the admission process

How important is my essay in the admission decision?

It depends. Except at the most selective schools, if your GPA and SAT scores are both remarkably high, then as long as you don’t write something patently stupid or offensive in your essays, your GPA and SAT scores will probably convince the admission committee at the school to admit you. On the other hand, if a particular school is a long-shot for you then even a great admission essay will probably not in itself persuade the admission committee to admit you. The fact is this: The closer you are to the borderline, the more significant a role your essay will play in the admission decision. (more…)

Book report

// January 14th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Book reports

Students familiar with writing the various types of expository essays and persuasive essays are ready to compose book reports. Instruction for writing book reports follows the same process used for writing essays.

The Book report requires students to state a reaction to, or opinion of, a book they have read, and support it with particulars and details. We use a traditional essay form starting with an introductory (information) paragraph, supporting paragraphs (the body), and a concluding (opinion) paragraph. The four main parts of a book are identified and discussed: the story plot, the characters, the setting, and the theme.

Basic Book Report Outline

Title:

Introductory Paragraph (Information)

A. Book Title and Author:

1. Genre: What type of story is this? Fiction (not true) or nonaction (true)

2. Setting: Where does the story take place? When?

3. Main Characters: Who are they? Does anyone change (from bad to good, etc.) In the story? Who does the “right” thing?

a. Character 1: Who/what it the most Important character?

b. Character 2: What is this character’s role in the story?

c. Character 3: What is this character’s role in the story?

B. Subject: What is the story about? General statement.

Body Paragraph (Story Plot)

A. Problem: Element/problem around which action is centered.

1. Characters Involved: Who is involved In the problem? How/why?

2. Main Conflict: What problem needs to be solved?

3. Difficulty: What/who gets In the way of solving the problem?

B. Solution: How is the conflict solved? Concluding Paragraph (Opinion)

A. Your Opinion of the Book: Did you like/dislike the story. Why/why not?

1. Interesting Characters? Did you like/dislike the characters?

2. Believable? Any surprises?

3. Your Taste? Like this genre?

B. Recommend to a Friend? Clincher sentence. Who else might like this story?

Persuasive essay

// January 14th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Essay types

Expository essays require beginning writers to come up with a main idea that announces the paper’s theme. Persuasive essays, on the other hand, require authors to develop a thesis assertion on a meaningful subject. The writers must take a risk and develop an opinion about a topic based on their own research. Once students have successfully practiced writing the various expository essays, they are ready to compose persuasive essays.

The purpose of the persuasive essay is to present a definite opinion about a controversial issue and persuade the reader to feel likewise about the subject. Writers must clearly explain their opinions in positive terms and include compelling facts and reasons to support that point of view. The persuasive essay speaks with confidence, clarity, and sincerity. It addresses reasonable opposing arguments and points out their weaknesses. The strongest point is often saved for last in a persuasive essay to prove to skeptical readers they have something to benefit by assuming the same stance.

The persuasive essay contains an introductory paragraph that includes a thesis/focus sentence, three or more supporting body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Students use the introductory paragraph to gain the reader’s attention and identify the controversy. Each of the body paragraphs begins with the writer’s position, followed by facts, reasons, and examples to support it. Rather than simply announcing (he subject of the essay, students develop an opinion about the topic based on some research they have done. Opposing sides of the issue and their weaknesses are cited, solutions proposed, and the writer’s outlook is confirmed in the conclusion.

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