2. Tip #1
Do not write like you speak.
Spoken language violates many rules of
Standard English. It is usually
INFORMAL in nature, which invites problems
with clarity and precision because we know
our listeners
“know what we mean.”
3. Tip #2
Formal style is the baseline standard,
but it exists in a range.
Some writing can be less formal; other writing
must be extremely formal.
Use the modes of discourse and SAPI to
help determine the formality appropriate to the
writing situation.
4. Tip #3
Organizational patterns
are the writer’s friend!
• All writing should have a beginning, middle, end.
• Create coherencecoherence by effectively using transitions and
parallel structures; create unityunity by creating effective
thesis statements and topic sentences.
5. Basic 5 PP
I. Intro
II. Body 1
III. Body 2
IV. Body 3
V. Conclusion
Three reasons everyone needs a friend
I. Intro
II. Common interests
III. Support
IV. Reliable input
V. Conclusion
6. Classification/Division
I. Intro
II. Sub group 1
III. Sub group 2
IV. Sub group 3
V. Conclusion
Three types of friends
I. Intro
II. Acquaintances
III. Colleagues
IV. Companion
V. Conclusion
7. Process
(how something happens)
I. Introduction
II. Stage 1-beginning
III. Stage 2 – middle
IV. Stage 3- end
V. Conclusion
How friendship changes in time
I. Introduction
II. New friends
III. Friends for years
IV. Lifelong friends
V. Conclusion
8. Process
(how to do something)
I. Introduction
II. Preparation
III. Execution
IV. Follow-up
V. Conclusion
How to get/keep a friend
I. Introduction
II. Choose wisely
III. Be what you want
IV. Create clear
boundaries
V. Conclusion
9. Cause/Effect
I. Intro
II. Cause 1
III. Cause 2
IV. Cause 3
V. Conclusion
I. Intro
II. Effect 1
III. Effect 2
IV. Effect 3
V. Conclusion
Suddenly friends Suddenly enemies
10. Compare/Contrast
I. Intro
II. Trait 1
A. Subject A
B. Subject B
III. Trait 2
A. Subject A
B. Subject B
IV. Trait 3
A. Subject A
B. Subject B
V. Conclusion
I. Intro
II. Subject A
A. Trait 1
B. Trait 2
C. Trait 3
III. Subject B
A. Trait 1
B. Trait 2
C. Trait 3
IV. Conclusion
Friends vs Family
11. Definition
I. Intro
II. Identify the CLASS to which it belongs
A. Traits most commonly associated with the group
B. Traits all members of the class share
III. Demonstrate how it is DIFFERENT
from others like it in the class
A. How it is MORE than what is associated with the group
B. Unique traits that others in the group lack
IV. Conclusion
What IS a friend?
12. Problem/Solution
I. Intro
II. DEFINE/describe the problem
III. Isolate 2-3 CAUSES of the problem
IV. Formulate solution for EACH cause
A. Sound logic & reasoning (argumentation)
B. Credible EVIDENCE
V. Discuss implications
A. Acknowledge opposing viewpoint
B. Reiterate why this solution is best
VI. Conclusion
Dealing with conflict in relationships
13. Tip #4
Never quit writing too soon.
• Once you master the rules of style, you must remember the
most common complaints from writing evaluators are “lack
of development” and “imprecise.”
• This means you did not write enough, and what you did
write is too vague to demonstrate any real mastery of the
material.
14. Tip #5
All responses must be TEXT driven.
Writing reveals what knowledge, skills, and
understanding the student has secured
through assigned readings.
Strive to utilize Bloom
in creating your responses.
15. Tip #6
Beware time limits and deadlines.
You must generate, organize, and present
your ideas in the allotted time,
or risk losing points/credit.
College professors can be extremely rigid and
unforgiving. Remember- many, perhaps
most, professors love WHAT they teach
rather than TO TEACH
Notas del editor
Intro and conclusion are bound by the same rules we covered in “Basic Organization”…intro must arouse attention, set tone, lead to thesis; conclusion must provide a sense of completion and leave reader with something to think about.
Body paragraphs follow no pattern beyond the standard 2-3-1 arrangement; NO RULES about the sequence in a basic 5 pp essay about the relationships between and among the paragraphs
THESIS: one sentence summary of entire paper and MUST be the last sentence of the intro; it must NOT be a questions; it must be written according to the elements of FAS.
To classify, you group ideas or objects into categories: 3 types of dogs, cars, literature, presidents, good first dates, types of friends, family functions, etc…
To divide, you separate ideas or objects into parts: 3 traits that define life; three aspects of literary analysis; three functions of transportation; three branches of government; three epochs of Western history
These two patterns are really opposite sides of the same coin in that the result of the analysis is that you have three groups of something that share a connection of some sort.
Process is chronological. Each step is sequential and must be addressed in a prescribed order. It is similar, then, to NARRATION since narration relates things that happen in time. In expository writing, process tells how TO DO something or how something IS HAPPENS.
In a CAUSE paper, the intro identifies what happens as a result of the issue; what comes AFTER the topic. The BODY then discusses what happens BEFORE the topic occurs.
In an EFFECT paper, the intro identifies what happens that leads to the issue; what comes before the topic. The BODY discusses what happened AFTER the topic occurs.
This pattern is the most sophisticated…utilizes all aspects of organization and thinking. It moves beyond expository writing into persuasive writing.
