Writings that focus on explaining concepts usually share the following characteristics:
1 the concept is well-focused
2 the main point is clearly stated
3 the organization is logical
4 it appeals to reader’s interest
5 it uses accurate, reliable, and authoritative sources
Five basic organization patterns
1 general-to-specific/ abstract-to-concrete (explanatory)
2 specific-to-general/ concrete-to-abstract (introduction)
3 order of importance (least-to-most or most-to-least) (persuasive or argumentative)
4 chronological order (narrative)
5 spatial order (descriptive writings or explanatory)
Others:
Whole-to-parts, familiar-to-unfamiliar, old-to-new, easy-to-difficult, simple-to-complex
Introduction: (types)
1 narrative 2 descriptive 3 preparatory 4 inquisitive 5 corrective 6 stating a problem
7 giving a surprising fact or statistics 8 using a striking quote
Conclusion:
1 restating the main parts
2 referring back to the thesis (and the introduction)
3 suggesting a solution, further study, or predicting an outcome
4 giving a humorous comment or unexpected twist
5 using a striking or memorable quote
Strategies for development:
1 definition 2 classification 3 example 4 comparison and contrast 5 cause and effect
6 generalization 7 visual elements
The three steps involved in classification:1 choosing the principles to classify 2 testing the effectiveness 3 explaining each subgroup
Three simple rules of example or illustration:1 relevant examples 2 specific examples 3 sufficient examples
Comparison & contrast: to compare is to bring out the similarities between two or three things for examination; to contrast, which is a form of comparison, is to emphasize the differences between them.
Two basic steps:
1 identifying the points for comparison and contrast
2 choosing an effective way to organize the similarities and difference
Two ways for organizing comparison and contrast:
1 subject-by-subject
2 point-by-point
Transitional words and phrases:
For comparison (similarities)
Both…and…, also, too, in the same way, likewise, similarly, just as…so…
For contrast (differences)
On the other hand, in contrast, on the contrary, unlike, different, however, the opposite of
Causes & effect:
Three steps: distinguish, access, organize
Transitional words and phrases:
Causes:
Because, the reason…, the cause…, one of the reasons, one of the causes, due to…, thanks to…, since…
Effects:
As a result, consequently, one result is…, one of the results is…, thus, therefore…
Good writings:
1 unity: all parts or elements of the writing constituting an organic and harmonious whole
2 coherence: all parts or elements well connected to show clear logical relations
(causal, contrastive, hierarchical, parallel etc.)
3 emphasis: special and significant stress given to important ideas by means of position, repetition, or other indication
4 development: adequate elaboration and sufficient expansion
5 clarity: precise, concise, and lucid in style.
What is your purpose in writing?
1 to form 2 to explain 3 to impact the reader’s behavior
4 to change their mind about something controversial
How to write a summary:
One way of writing an effective summary is to give a one-sentence summary of each of the paragraphs of the reading, then, integrate the sentence-long summaries into a coherent whole by filling in connections between ideas so that the summary flows.
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