1、I. Expository EssayII. Comparison and ContrastIII. DescriptionIV. ArgumentV. Abstract An essay is a piece of writing several paragraphs long instead of just one or two paragraphs. It is written about one topic, just as a paragraph is. However, the topic of an essay is too complex to discuss in one p
2、aragraph. Therefore, you must divide the topic into several paragraphs, one for each major point. Then you must tie all of the separate paragraphs together by adding an introduction and a conclusion.I. Expository Essay The most common type of essay writing is expository essay or exposition. The purp
3、ose of this writing is to inform or explain. he writer appeals to the readers understanding with provable facts and well-based information, and explains the material so that the reader will accept his point of view. Exposition is used to explain anything difficult to understand, for example, the exp
4、lanation of a natural law, a scientific discovery, an invention, or a solution to a problem.I. Expository EssayAn expository essay has three main parts: (1)An introductory paragraph (2)A body (at least one, but usually two or more paragraphs) (3) A concluding paragraphI. Expository EssayThe introduc
5、tory paragraph consists of two parts: a few general statements about your subject to attract your readers attention and a thesis statement to state the specific subdivisions of your topic and/or the “plan” of your paper. A thesis statement for an essay is just like a topic sentence for a paragraph:
6、It names the specific topic and the controlling ideas or major subdivisions of the topic.I. Expository EssayThe body consists of one or more paragraphs. Each paragraph develops a subdivision of your topic, so the number of paragraphs in the body will vary with the number of subdivisions or subtopics
7、. The body is the longest part of the essay and can contain as many paragraphs as necessary to support the controlling ideas of your thesis statement. You can organize the paragraphs in an essay just as you organize the ideas in a paragraph, by chronological order, logical division of ideas, compari
8、son and contrast, etc.I. Expository EssayThe conclusion in an essay, like the concluding sentence in a paragraph, is a summary or review of the main points discussed in the body.I. Expository EssayThe only additional element in an essay is the linking expressions between the paragraphs of the body.
9、These are just like transitions within a paragraph. You use transitions within a paragraph to connect the ideas between two sentences. Similarly, you use transitions between paragraphs to connect the ideas between them.I. Expository EssayParagraphEssayI. Expository EssayTopic SentenceA. SupportB. Su
10、pportC. SupportConcluding SentenceI. IntroductionII. BodyIII. ConclusionGeneral StatementThesis StatementA. Topic Sentence 1. SupportB. Topic Sentence 1. SupportC. Topic Sentence 1. SupportRestatement or summary;final comment 1. The introductory paragraphAll writers (even professionals) complain tha
11、t the most difficult part of writing is getting started. Getting started, or writing an introductory paragraph, can be easy if you remember that an introduction has four purposes: * It introduces the topic of the essay * It gives a general background of the topic * It often indicates the overall “pl
12、an” of the essay * It should arouse the readers interest in the topicI. Expository EssayThe introduction has two parts: General Statements A Thesis StatementI. Expository EssayNotice the two parts of the introductory paragraph in the following model. Any person who has lived in the twentieth century
13、 has seen a lot of changes take place in almost all areas of human existence. Some people are excited by the challenges that these changes offer; others want to return to the simpler life-style of the past. The twentieth century has certain advantages such as higher standard of living for many, but
14、it also has some disadvantages such as a polluted environment, the depersonalization of human relationships, and the weakening of spiritual values.I. Expository Essay1-1 General StatementThe first sentence in an introductory paragraph should be a very general statement about the subject. Its purpose
15、 is to attract the readers attention and to give background information on the topic. Each subsequent sentence should become more specific than the previous one and finally lead into the thesis statement. Introduce the topic of the essay Give background information on the topicI. Expository Essay1-2
16、 Thesis StatementThe thesis statement is the most important sentence in the introduction. It states the specific topic and often lists the major subtopics that will be discussed in the body of the essay. Furthermore, it may indicate the method of organization such a chronological order or order of i
17、mportance.I. Expository Essay1.States the main topic 2.Often lists the subdivisions of the topic or subtopics3.May indicate the method of organization of the entire paper4.Is usually the last sentence in the introductory paragraphThe thesis statement:I. Expository EssayHere are three examples of the
18、sis statements with no subtopics mentioned:Being the oldest son has more disadvantages than advantages.Young people in my culture have less freedom than young people in the United States.The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major effects on cities.I. Expository EssayIn the foll
19、owing thesis statement, the subtopics are named:The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major effects on a citys ability to provide housing, employment, and adequate sanitation services.I. Expository EssayWhen listing two or more subtopics in a thesis statement, a colon (:) is oft
20、en useful: Prejudice arises from three basic causes: childhood conditioning, ignorance, and fear.I. Expository EssayCorrelative conjunctions (bothand, not onlybut also, neithernor, eitheror) are also useful in thesis statements listing two subtopics: Young people in my culture have less freedom than
21、 young people in the United States not only in their choice of life-style but also in their choice of careers.Children need both love and discipline to become responsible citizens.I. Expository EssayTo sum up, an introductory paragraph is like a funnel: very wide at the top; increasingly narrow in t
22、he middle, and very small at the neck or bottom.General StatementThese StatementI. Expository Essay2. The Essay Body Because an essay is longer and more complex than a paragraph, it is even more important to organize your thoughts and to plan the body of your essay before you begin to write. The bes
23、t way to do this is to make an outline. The principles and techniques that you have learned for paragraph outlining can be applied to essays. The number/letter system for a formal outline is illustrated in the model outline that follows.I. Expository Essay Notice that subtopics that form the body of
24、 the essay are indented to the right. As you move to the right, the ideas become more and more specific. Study the following model outline for an essay on modern technology. In this outline, the introduction contains only the thesis statement, and the conclusion is abbreviated. The body of the essay
25、, however, is developed in detail.I. Expository Essay3. The Concluding ParagraphStudy the following concluding paragraph for the previous introductory paragraph: Is the concluding paragraph a summary of the main points of the essay? Is it a paraphrase of the thesis statement? Is there a final messag
26、e for the reader?I. Expository EssayThe Concluding Paragraph:In short, although the twentieth century had indeed given some of us a lot of advantages by making us richer, healthier, and freer to enjoy our lives, it has, in my opinion, not made us wiser. The twentieth century has also made our earth
27、dirtier, our people less humane, and our spiritual lives poorer. We wish to continue to enjoy the benefits of technological advancement because they free us to pursue our other interests and goals. However, we must make a concerted(joint) effort to preserve our natural environment for future generat
28、ions. Moreover, we should take the time now to make our lives more meaningful in our increasingly impersonal, mechanized world.I. Expository Essay3-2 Elements of the Concluding ParagraphThe final paragraph in an essay is the conclusion, which tells the reader that you have completed an essay. First,
29、 you write a summary of the main points discussed in the the body of the essay or rewrite the thesis statement in different words. Then you add your final comments on the subjectfood for thought (something to think about). Take this opportunity to make a strong, effective message that the reader wil
30、l remember.I. Expository EssayThe concluding paragraph consists of 1. A summary of the main points, or a restatement of your thesis in different words.2. Your final comment on the subject, based on the information you have provided.(Be sure to introduce the concluding paragraph with a conclusion tra
31、nsition signal.)I. Expository Essay4. Transition Signals between ParagraphsTransition signals are important not only within paragraphs but also between paragraphs. If you write two or more paragraphs, you need to show the relationship between your first and second paragraph, between your second and
32、third paragraph, and so on. Think of transitions between paragraphs as the links of a chain. The links of a chain connect the chain; they hold it together. Similarly, a transition signal between two paragraphs links your ideas together.I. Expository Essay Two paragraphs are linked by adding a transi
33、tion signal to the topic sentence of the second paragraph. This transition signal may be a single word, a phrase, or a dependent clause that repeats or summarizes the main idea in the first paragraph. Study the following model, and notice how the paragraphs are linked by a single word, a phrase, or
34、a clause.I. Expository EssayModel Paragraph Transitions Aggressive DriversIntroductory Paragraph The number of vehicles on freeways and streets is increasing at an alarming rate. This influx of motor vehicles is creating hazardous conditions. Moreover, drivers are in such a rush to get to their dest
35、inations that many become angry or impatient with other motorists who are too slow or who are in their way. Aggressive drivers react foolishly toward others in several dangerous ways. I. Expository EssayTransition Words One way an angry driver may react is to cut off another motorist. ( + supporting
36、 sentences) -Transition WordsAnother way is to tailgate(drive closely behind) the other car. (+supporting sentences) -Body Paragraph 1Body Paragraph 2I. Expository EssayBody Paragraph 3Body Paragraph 4Transition Phrase In addition to cutting off and tailgating other cars, aggressive drivers often us
37、e rude language or gestures to show their anger. (+ supporting sentences)-Transition ClauseAlthough law enforcement authorities warn motorists against aggressive driving, the number who act out their angry impulses has not declined. (supporting sentences)-I. Expository EssayConcluding Paragraph To c
38、onclude, aggressive drivers are endangering everyone because they create hazardous conditions by acting and driving foolishly. They should control their anger and learn to drive safely. After all, the lives they save could be their own.I. Expository Essay1. Basic Sentence Patterns for Comparison and
39、 ContrastSentence Patterns for Comparison: (1) the same.as/the same as. A has the same weight as B. A weighs the same as B. (2) as.as A is as large as B. (3) to be similar to.in. A is similar to B in size. (4) in common A and B have the height in common.II. Comparison and ContrastSentence Patterns f
40、or Contrast: (1) comparative + than A is more/less expensive than B. (2) to be different from/to differ from B is different from A in price. B differs from A in volume.Sentence Pattern for Comparison of More Than Two Things: the + superlative + range of comparison C is the lightest of the three. She
41、 is the best student in the class.II. Comparison and Contrast2. Qualification of Comparison In comparison, certain adverbs and adverbial phrases can be added to the above patterns for the degree of comparison.II. Comparison and ContrastExamples1) A is considerably/much/a lot/somewhat/a bit/a little/
42、slightly/ hardly/ only just smaller than B.(2) A is exactly/precisely/just/practically/more or less/almost/nearly/approximately/about the same as B.(3) A is not exactly/entirely/quite the same as B.(4) A is not quite as/so big as B.(5) A is totally/completely/entirely/quite different from B.(6) A an
43、d B are different in every way/in every respect.(7) A and B are totally/completely/entirely/quite different.II. Comparison and ContrastOrganization for Comparison and Contrast Order Make a sentence-by-sentence comparison of the features in any order that seems appropriate for the topic. Discuss all
44、of the similarities in one block( which can be one or more paragraphs), and all of the differences in another block (which can be one or more paragraphs). Point-by-point Point-by-point OrganizationOrganizationII. Comparison and ContrastModel Outline (Block Organization) Thesis Statement One way to d
45、ecide between two job offers is to evaluate what the similarities and differences are before making a decision. I. The salary and fringe benefits of Job X and Job Y are almost the same. A. Salary (Job X and Job Y)B. Fringe benefits (Job X and Job Y)II. Comparison and ContrastII. Although the salary
46、and fringe benefits are equal, there are big differences in the areas of workplace atmosphere and opportunity for advancement.A. Workplace atmosphere 1. Job X 2. Job Y B. Opportunity for advancement 1. Job X 2.Job YConclusionII. Comparison and Contrast Model Outline (Point-by-point Organization) The
47、sis StatementOne way to decide between two job offers is to make a point-by-point comparison of their features.I. The salaries of Job X and Job Y are approximately equal. A. Job Xs salaryB. Job Ys salary II. Job X offers the same fringe benefits as Job Y.A. Job Xs fringe benefitsB. Job Ys fringe ben
48、efits II. Comparison and ContrastIII. In contrast to Job Y, Job X offers good opportunities for advancement.A. Job Xs opportunities for advancementB. Job Ys opportunities for advancementIV. Unlike the high-pressure and competitive atmosphere at Company X, the atmosphere at Company Y seems congenial
49、and supportive. A. Atmosphere at Company XB. Atmosphere at Company YConclusion II. Comparison and Contrast1. You could discuss the differences first and the similarities last. It is more usual, however, to discuss similarities first.2. With both types of organization, as you discuss each feature of
50、Job Y, refer back to the same feature of Job X and use comparison and contrast structure vocabulary to show whether they are the same or different. In other words, it is not sufficient simply to describe each job or each feature; you must constantly refer back and forth to make the similarities and
