The Keys to Writing an Effectively Organized Paper

1. The Keys to Writing an Effectively Organized Paper Lyla Nabulsi

2. What does expository mean? • Expository writing is writing that explains • It can be personal • It can be through research

3. Types of expository themes • Process • Classification (division) • Cause and effect • Extended definition • Comparison/contrast • Analysis

4. What do all sentences, paragraphs and compositions need? • UNITY – a single purpose • EMPHASIS - repetition of the single purpose • COHERENCE – logical arrangement of details

5. How are unity, emphasis, and coherence achieved? • Strong thesis statement • A controlling purpose • Logical points of development • Transitional devices • Concise topic sentences with keywords • Vivid details

6. What is a thesis statement? • A clear, concise sentence stating the main idea in a theme or composition clearly stating the writer’s attitude toward the subject of the theme • What does it contain? • Topic • Controlling Purpose • Points of development • Where does it go? • The end of the introduction is best • In a statement, not a question • How many sentences? • One is best • The topic and the cp must be in the sentence with the mentioning of the POD’s as optional.

7. What is the controlling purpose? • Often known by governing principle, central idea, controlling idea. • It is the idea that the authors wants to prove about the topic. • It is decided after the topic and before the points of development. • It determines the points of development • It is emphasized in every paragraph • It unifies the entire paper.

8. Examples of controlling purposes • Process: How to organize a book fair to make the most profit • Classify: Classify fuels to determinewhich gives the best gas mileage • Comparison/contrast: Compare/contrast fossil fuel to hydrogen fuel to determine which is the safest to use • Position: Americans need to vote in this election in order (not) to bring about change

9. Determining the Points of Development • Once the topic and controlling purpose has evolved, the author determines the points that prove the controlling purpose. • How to organize a book fair in order to make a profit by • 1. Finding sponsors • 2. Determining a location • 3. Using volunteers • That’s all of the example

10. It must be a statement. Should NOT contain “I think.” Should not refer to the paper. Should not be a blanket statement Should not contain elements that are not related Should not be expressed in vague language Should not be too narrow. Should not contain obscure or garbled language Composing a thesis statement

11. Use the thesis statement as the foundation of the composition • It should appear as the last sentence in the introductory paragraph • Its points of development should be the basis of the outline before writing the rough draft • It should serve as the focal point for each sentence written in the composition

12. Outline the Introduction • I. Introduction A. Method – to gain the attention of the audience B. Transition – move from the specific to the thesis statement C. Thesis Statement – keywords for topic, cp, and POD’s (POD’s are optional).

13. Methods of introduction • Question • Definition • Startling statement • Newspaper headline • Incident • Personal experience • Analogy • Description are examples • Give background material (Position paper)

14. Outline the Development • II. Development or Body A. POD One 1. Topic sentence 2. Details to prove cp 3. Clincher B. POD Two C. POD Three

15. Definition Description Spatial Chronological Analytical Comparing/contrasting Cause and effect Restatement Statistics Listing Single example Multiple examples Methods of Developmental Paragraphs

16. Structure the development by Arranging the Details As Follows: • Climactic – least important to most important • Semi-climactic – second, least and most important • Cause and effect – C to E, E to C, P to S, Q to A • Chronological order – time sequence

17. Outline of Conclusion • Conclusion • A. Use a method • B. Emphasize the CP

18. Methods of Conclusion • Warning • Call for Action • Analogy • Summary – avoid • Show significance of topic • Solution • No new information in a conclusion

19. Write the first draft • Write down the ideas • Use key words in the topic sentences • Use key words and synonyms for the CP • Type the word • Use Shift F7 for thesaurus on computer • Emphasize the CP in each paragraph • Write effective sentences • Write effective paragraphs • Use transitional words to connect within and between paragraphs

20. Composing Effective Sentences • Use subordination • Use parallelism • Correct pronoun reference • No split constructions • No awkward sentences • Maintaining one point of view and tense • Use of active voice • Use of repetition • Logical details

21. Composing Effective Paragraphs • Limit the topic idea to a single idea • Write a clear, concise topic sentence with keywords • Select the best method to develop details • Place details in a logical order • Use necessary transitions • Restate at the end if necessary (Clincher sentence)

22. Transitional words • Chronological – First, next, after • Cause and effect – In effect, as a result, consequently • Comparison – likewise, in comparison, similarly • Contrasting – on the other hand, conversely, in contrast • Restatement – in other words, in effect, to put another way

23. Write a final draft • Edit – Make changes in the following • Placement of thesis • Placement of topic sentences • Arrangement and completeness of details • Sentence structure • Mechanics • Grammar • Proofread – Print a copy and have someone else proof • Typos • Punctuation • Capitalization • Grammar • Publish – Post in Write Only and MAIN