Is it an academic essay? Does it have any features of academic writing? If so, which ones? (see below)
Bring your answers to these questions to the next class.
Next week, we will discuss the answers to these questions, and write two timed essays.
Next week’s timed essays will be under test conditions: strict time limit, no dictionaries, no electronic or internet devices. Just pencil and paper and your awesome human brain!
Today’s class
Review of key features of academic writing (see also the annotated handout “Majority Rule Equals Tyranny”; download it here: Majority Rule Equals Tyranny_annotated
Introduce the topic (plus any necessary background information). If necessary, state your position about the topic.
Define your terms. E.g.
in an essay about the Electoral College, you will need to define what that is.
in an essay about the division of labour, you will need to define what you mean by that.
in an essay about homework or uniforms, you will need to define “homework” or “uniform”.
By the way, a definition does not have to be the dictionary definition. In an exam situation, you cannot use a dictionary obviously. You must make it clear what your understanding of the term is, that is all.
Use objective facts to support your essay.
“objective” means other people can check if they are true or not.
“facts” means names, dates, numbers, places.
Conclusion – summarize your arguments and, if you are trying to persuade the reader, give a final appeal.
bring it to the last class, next Friday, July 24th.
I shall not be returning to KPU until next semester, so if you are absent next week or you forget your essay, please email it to me by Sunday July 26th.
Today’s class
Look again at the first paragraph of the essay “Friends.com” in the textbook.
Where is the thesis statement?
What is the purpose of the last sentence in the first paragraph?
Look at your outline
Do you have a thesis statement that clearly states your position?
Do you have a clear “scope” sentence in the first paragraph that gives the reader a map of your essay?
Read a classmate’s outline and comment on it.
After showing your outline to the instructor, start writing your essay.
Don’t forget:
you need evidence for any claims you make in your essay.
You need a list of references if you quote outside sources to support your claims.
We have 2 more classes this semester. To pass this course, you MUST attend the last class, January 23rd, and do the timed essay.
Homework
None. Next week will be the last class and you will write your third essay, a timed essay, under test conditions in class. Anyone absent on Jan. 23rd, and any student who has not written three final essays this semester must attend the makeup class on Friday Jan. 30th.
Today’s class
Textbook p. 152, Practice 16, proofreading.
Exchange timed essays with classmates and read.
Write a title for your essay. It should be not too broad (“Japan”, “Life”, “Sports”) and not too detailed (“A discussion of whether or not the drinking age in Japan should be lowered from 20 to 18”), but should tell the reader what to expect. E.g. “Drinking age in Japan should be lowered”. This tells the topic (drinking age in Japan) and the author’s opinion (should be lowered). The reader now knows this essay will be arguing for lowering the drinking age in Japan.
Most Western countries use the adversarial system in law. This concept is extended to the British parliamentary system, and most people believe it is a good way to learn the truth. Hence, freedom of speech is important because it is only by hearing different (including opposing) points of view that people can develop their own, accurate opinion.
Exchange your “for and against” arguments (last week’s homework) and read your classmates’.
Choose a topic from the list on page 154 “Your Turn” and write a 30-minute timed essay.
