College Composition

The Essay

By the time students enter their freshman college English composition class, most of them have written a variety of essays for a variety of purposes, tailored to specific assignments by a plethora of teachers. College English teachers then expect their students to be developed writers. What then should their expectations be for their new students? Here, we will begin by writing the personal narrative essay, so first we will explore what exactly an essay is:

·      A short piece of non-fiction writing that can be read in about an hour. How short is short? Check out these two websites:
                        Howard Community Library: Ask a Librarian
                        Convert Word to Pages: a calculator that will figure out how many words to a page depending on fonts and other page attributes. For example, 250 words equal 1 page double-spaced for Times New Roman 12 pt
 
·      Focuses on making one point
·      Often directed to a specific audience or even a general audience (though college professors may one a more specific audience)
·      Has a controlling statement: Thesis sentence that states the purpose
·      Thesis can appear any where: first sentence of the essay; last sentence in the intro; anywhere in the essay; in the conclusion; even an implied thesis sometimes works
             For us: last sentence in the introduction
·      Has specific, purposeful organization
Hierarchy of ideas: presents ideas in a certain order--most to least; best to worst; largest to smallest
            Chronological order: time sequence of events
            Spatial order location: to my left I saw the group of girls who glared at me; on my right. . .  
            Cause-effect: x  (condition) happens resulting in (effect)
            Compare-contrast: shows how things are alike and/or different
            Definition: uses examples, imagery, and explanation to tell what something is outside of the dictionary definition or common acceptance--from your view           
            Analysis: gives a critical discussion of something from your point of view based on your experience
            Problem-solution: presents a condition or a problem then propose solutions
            Persuasive Attempts to change audience's mind using experience and evidence
 
·      Often expresses your opinion; with or without bias

 Adopt the proper tone and voice
 
            Tone: writer's attitude toward the subject (avoid sarcasm)
            Voice: The quality that gives a piece of writing the writer's personality through the use of word choice and syntax (the order in which words are put together in a sentence or sentence structure). Not the way you talk, which reflects your personality; now you have chose words and sentence structure to project that voice or maybe you want to customize your writer's voice depending on the subject and purpose.
            Style: the way you write: includes all of the above. What makes your writing uniquely you?
           
           

An essay is well planned and well thought out. While using an outline is somewhat foreign to many students, once they surrender themselves to the all important planning phase, they will be mildly surprised as how beneficial and efficient even a rudimentary out line can be.

I. Introduction

            A. Catchy, interesting opening

            B. Introduce the topic or build up to the topic to excite interest in the topic

                        Facts, statistics, quotations from experts or the famous, or someone of significance that relates to the topic and building interest; tell a story; relate a personal experience

            C. Lead-in to the thesis to prepare reader for the main point

            D. Thesis sentence/Essay Map: One sentence that states the purpose (main idea) of the essay and announces the main ideas or points

II. Body

            A. Main Point one stated in a topic sentence

                        1. Supporting point that develops the topic sentence

                        2. Supporting point providing evidence and proof or explanation

                        3.

                        4.

            B. Main Point two opening paragraph with a transition and stating next point

            C. Main Point three

            D. Main Point

III. Conclusion

            A. Restates/reminds the reader of the essay's purpose and main point

            B. Call to action: asks the reader to do something

            C. Leaves the reader thinking about what you have written not with a new point, rather with that last piece of evidence or that thought that make your essay memorable.

           

Writing with a Purpose: Essay may do more than just one

To Inform

To Explain, Describe, or Define

To Argue

To Problem Solve

To Investigate

To Entertain

Thesis: Makes a claim

Audience: Those who specifically need your message or can make the changes for which you advocate

Provide Proof and Evidence to back up your claim (does not always require research)

            Facts

            Statistics

            Quotations/testimony from the experts

            Charts, graphs

            Studies

            Your sound reasoning and sound logic

            Your personal experience

            Aristotle's Appeals

Reason and Logic

            Aristotle’s Appeals

                        Ethos: an appeal to one's sense of good judgment ethically and morally; advances an argument based on the writer's good ethics and credibility

                        Logos: an appeal using logic and reason; what sounds sound good and right

                        Pathos: an appeal to the emotions; most effective, limit use; combine with other two to develop a strong argument

An essay does not always need research; however, any claims that you make must be supported, so if you do need research make sure to properly cite borrowed material.

Sources:

            Books

            Magazines

            Newspapers

            TV news

            Internet

            Personal Experience

            Interviews with experts or others who can give credible witness

An essay is well thought out, planned, organized, makes a point, addresses a specific audience with a specific purpose.

Uses in Academia

Essay Exam

Responses

Summaries

Research

Argument

Explain

Inform

Explore

Observe

Simple outline

Scratch out a simple thesis: Never text while driving

List 1-5 reasons: ABCDE or 12345

Evaluate the reasons to reduce to 2-3 strongest points. Depending on length of essay, keep number of points manageable

Refine thesis: Parents must set the example for their children by not texting while driving.

            A. Reason 1: Parents are the first and most important role models

            B. Reason 2: Parents have the responsibility to set a good example

            C. Reason 3: Parents need to be safe, too

Writing a sound essay takes time.

            Brainstorm a strong idea; test the idea with friends or colleagues

            Develop a plan for how to develop the idea

            Identify an audience

            Write a working thesis

            Have a purpose for the essay

            Develop strong points

            Use a variety of strategies (supporting evidence) to develop your ideas

            Create Unity and coherence by using good transitional words and phrases

            Write a rough draft

            Seek others' opinions, but don't be too quick to follow everyone's advice

            Visit the Writing Center is you need extra assistance

            Edit and proofread

            Remember to show rather than tell: She screeched at me vs. Her loud, piercing voice pounded against my ear drum, making me . . .

Good writing takes time