Teaching speaking through discussion
writing too soon, it may be because you have not
explained yourself completely, or backed up your assertions with
examples. Do not simply state that something is true, prove it. There
may be several ideas which must be supported. Not every supporting
point will have details, though, some will have several details.
Those make your essay stand out. You should include, however, only
information that pertains to your topic. Qualify your answers for
accuracy. If you cannot remember an exact date, approximate-“late
eighteenth century" is better than 1988 if 1988 is incorrect.
When you feel that you expressed everything you wanted, your thoughts
are backed up by evidences and examples, you may proceed with
concluding part of your essay.
The concluding paragraph must
summarize the entire essay and reiterate the thesis statement
presented in the introduction. It must be remembered that new facts
and data cannot be presented here. A strong concluding statement at
the end helps to convince the reader. You can effectively reinforce
the points, made in the body but remember to reword them and keep the
conclusion fresh. It's not enough just to restate your main ideas -
if you only did that and then ended your essay, this part would be
flat and boring. You should not use phrases such as “I wrote
about" or “This essay was about. ” Drawing a
conclusion often involves summarizing of the main points already
made. A common mistake is to write the end that does not follow
logically from what has been written before. This is sometimes called
a ‘non-sequitur’. If you have the time, end with
something more interesting giving a thought-provoking quotation,
talking about consequences or implications, stating what action needs
to be done. A speculative conclusion refers to a future possibility
or prediction, such as “perhaps years from now. ” If you
write about a problem, try to offer a solution. If you have a fitting
quotation, use it to finish your essay. The person quoted does not
have to be famous, but the quote should help you to make your point.
Although be aware that you cannot overcome a weak essay with a clever
conclusion. Your conclusion is the final impression left with your
reader. Author need to say something that will continue to simmer in
the readers’ minds long after they have put down this essay.
2. Chapter 2
2.1 Types of essays. Essay samples
The information to use and the tips
for writing depend on the essay type. Essays consist mainly of
assignments set by instructors for the students to test their
understanding and knowledge levels on a particular topic, abilities
to present the balanced comprehension of it. There are many different
types of essays a professor may choose from. The teacher may ask
students to write a discursive essay to check their analytical skills
or may instruct them to write a descriptive essay to simply test the
power of expression and logical thinking of his students. Choice of
essays also to some extent depends on the subject studied. Different
purposes and types of writing aim at various members of the discourse
community.
It is easier to teach at first
descriptive essays and then discursive ones. The former are
personally relevant to the students. They may focus on people, places
and buildings, objects and events. It is not so simple to describe
what you observe. The best way to create a
vivid experience for your readers is to make use of senses: sight,
sound, smell, touch, taste. They
enable readers to imagine or experience something by themselves.
Sensory details appeal to their emotional,
physical or intellectual sensibilities. Description uses tools such
as denotative and connotative language, metaphors and similes to
arrive at a dominant impression.
| People |
Places/Buildings |
Events |
| Introduction |
|
Paragraph
1
Brief
information about who the person is, where/how you met
|
Paragraph
1
Name/location/population/state
the reason for choosing this or that
|
Paragraph
1
Set
the scene, name/type, time/ date, place, reasons for.
|
| Main
body |
|
Paragraph
2
Physical
appearance: height, age, facial features, hair, clothing etc.
Paragraph
3
Personality/behavior
with justifications and examples
Paragraph
4
Life/lifestyle,
hobbies, beliefs, interests, everyday activities
Paragraphs
5-6
Explanations
and examples
|
Paragraphs
2-3
General
features and particular details: surroundings, facilities,
exterior/interior, places to go, free-time activities
Paragraphs
4-5
Explanations
and examples
|
Paragraph
2
Preparations
Paragraph
3
Description
of event itself: food, atmosphere, activities
Paragraphs
4-5
Explanations
and reasons: its significance
|
| Conclusion |
|
Final
paragraph
Comments,
feelings and opinion about the person
|
Final
paragraph
Feelings,
opinion and give a recommendation
|
Final
paragraph
Comments,
feelings and opinion
|
Consider the topic carefully
and describe things relevant to it, some points may be unnecessary.
When writing on the topic “Describe a person who has done a
great deal for others, and explain how he or she has managed to
achieve so much”, it will be irrelevant to describe appearance.
The description must be supported with examples; use a variety of
adjectives to make a composition more interesting. The adjectives
must be ordered in the following way: opinion, size/weight, age,
shape, colour, pattern, origin, material. It is advisable not to use
them one after another; it will sound unnatural.mild language should
be used when the learner wants to describe some negative qualities
(e. g. tend to, seem to, can occasionally etc. - Peter tends to be
impolite). To avoid simple sentences and same structures, different
linking words are to be introduced.
There are various descriptive
types of essays. Three main of them are presented below and suggested
by Virginia Evans.
| Essay
samples |
| People |
My
next-door neighbour |
|
Mavis
has been my neighbour for six years. I first met her when she
knocked on my door and asked for a spade because she hadn't yet
unpacked hers. She had only moved in two days before.
Physically,
Mavis looks younger than most other women in their late sixties.
She is of average height, neither fat nor thin. Her plump round
face is framed by a mass of wavy white hair and her sparkling
blue eyes show her humour and friendliness. She prefers wearing
casual, comfortable clothes. I don't think I have ever seen her
in a perfectly ironed suit.
As
for her personality, Mavis's most striking characteristic is her
generosity. My house, as well as most of our neighbours', nearly
always has a vase of flowers from her garden in the living room.
Mavis is very good - natured and always has time for a chat. She
is also patient. She hardly ever gets annoyed about anything,
except when children pick her favourite roses and lilies.
However, she tends to be quite stubborn - once she has made a
decision, nothing can change her mind.
Mavis
always seems to be busy doing something. She spends a lot of her
time looking after her garden and often participates in local
flower shows. When she is not in her garden she is usually off
somewhere raising money for one charity or another.
All
in all, Mavis is the perfect next-door neighbour. Since the day
she moved in, we have grown very close and I am very fond of her,
even if I am woken up by the noise of her lawnmower early in the
morning!
|
| Places |
London
and its curiosities |
|
Set
in the heart of southern England, London is one of the biggest
and busiest cities in Europe. A truly international city, London
attracts millions of visitors every year from all over the world,
yet never loses its own unique charm.
London
has many impressive sights to see, ranging from the historical
beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben to Buckingham
Palace and the Houses of Parliament. In this city of contrasts,
you can be walking along one of the busiest streets, yet still be
less than a mile from one of the many huge, peaceful parks.
London is a great cultural center, too; the National Gallery
contains one of the finest collections of>
London
is also well-known for other things apart from its monuments and
art galleries. Shoppers will enjoy visiting the department stores
on Oxford Street or they could try Harrods, the most exclusive
shop in London. For evening entertainment, the choice of theaters
is enormous. From the famous Southbank Theater complex to the
smaller theaters on Covent Garden, there is no end of plays to
see. Soho and its pavement cafes are also worth visiting.
London
is an exceptional place, a truly modern city that has managed to
keep its traditional style and sense of history. You may get
exhausted in London, but one thing is certain; you will never get
bored, as Dr. Johnson once said, “When a man is tired of
London, he is tired of life. ”
|
| Events |
Describe
an annual event that you attended and explain why you enjoyed it |
|
About
four years ago I was invited to a Halloween party at the home of
a friend. I was reluctant at first but I decided to go to help
out with the arrangements.
On
the afternoon of the party, I drove to my friend's house with a
huge box of materials which I thought might be useful for the
preparations. The children were full of enthusiasm as they worked
on their masks and costumes. But the best part of all was making
the lanterns. I was amazed at the imagination that the children
showed when cutting grotesque faces out of the hollowed-out
pumpkins. The mood of anticipation was so intense that, by the
time the last costume had been made, I was as excited as the
children.
By
six o’clock, the party was well under way and the house was
full of screaming children, with me running around in a mask
trying to scare them. At one point during the evening, prizes
were awarded to the children who made the best costumes. Games
were organized, including one where the children had their hands
tied behind their backs while they tried to pick apples out of a
barrel of water using only their teeth. When the party finally
ended, the children left in a noisy group, running ahead of their
parents and doing their best to scare any unfortunate passers-by.
Rediscovering
what it is like to have fun without feeling embarrassed was a
fantastic experience. My initial hesitation disappeared once I
had decided to get involved. Helping with the children’s
games enabled me to enter into the party spirit. I saw it as an
opportunity to experience the sheer joy that comes so naturally
to children.
Another
thing that made it particularly enjoyable occasion was that it
bought back memories of my childhood experiences. I remembered my
own excitement when we were dressing up in scary costumes, and
the thrill of going from house to house, bags held open for
whatever goodies would be put in when we shouted, 'Trick or
treat! ' I also remembered the time we had been chased by a
stingy neighbour after spraying his windows with shaving foam.
Since
those days I had nearly forgotten about Halloween, but this party
gave me so much pleasure that now it is a regular fixture in my
diary. I think everyone should have the chance to feel like a
child at least once a year.
|
Discursive writing is a good way
to learn how to logically structure an argument and how to anticipate
and counter the arguments of the other side. There exist various
types of discursive essays:
For and
against essay is a formal piece of writing where the writer should
consider the topic from various perspectives. Arguments are to be
presented in a fair and objective way with as many justifications,
examples and reasons as possible.
Opinion
essay requires the author’s opinion on a topic stated clearly
from various viewpoints, supported by reasons and/or examples. An
opposite point of view should also be presented. It comprises a
combination of personal and argumentative approaches. The writer’s
main task is to persuade the reader of author’s rightness and
to make readers take the same position.
Essay
suggesting solution to problems makes a thorough analysis of the
problem, states its causes clearly, giving possible ways of solving
it at the same time. The consequences and the results of the
suggested actions are also specified.
| For
and Against |
Opinion |
Solution
to Problems |
| Introduction |
|
Paragraph
1
State
topic (without giving your opinion)
|
Paragraph
1
State
the topic and your opinion
|
Paragraph
1
State
the problem and its causes/effects
|
| Main
body |
|
Paragraphs
2-3
Arguments
for and justifications, examples or reasons
Paragraphs
4-5
Arguments
against and justifications, examples or reasons
|
Paragraphs
2-4
View
points and reasons/examples
Paragraph
5
Opposing
viewpoint and reason/example
|
Paragraphs
2-5
Suggestions
and results
|
| Conclusion |
|
Final
paragraph
Balanced
consideration or opinion
|
Final
paragraph
Summarize/restate
your opinion
|
Final
paragraph
Summarize
your opinion
|
Virginia
Evans gives the following samples of these types:
| Essay
samples |
| For
and against essay |
Censorship
is necessary in modern society |
|
Censorship
is an issue which frequently generates a great deal of heated
debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital in order to
protect society, whilst opponents claim that it is an
unjustifiable restriction of public access to information.
Firstly,
all countries have secrets which must be safeguarded for reasons
of national security. For instance, if an enemy country were to
acquire such highly sensitive information, the effects could be
catastrophic. Consequently, governments have to have the power to
restrict access to information concerning areas such as the armed
forces or particular aspects of foreign policy.
Secondly,
it is often argued that censorship is necessary to prevent the
broadcast and publication of obscene material which is considered
offensive or harmful to public morals. Many people feel that,
without censorship the public would be constantly subjected to
material that the majority would find offensive. For this reason,
the government has a duty to impose certain restrictions on the
mass
|