From Paragraphs to Essays EEL 3008

Today’s Aims 1. Take up last week’s homework (lexical chaining and pronouns) 2. From paragraphs to essays 3. Examining essays (types and parts)

Young people today do not have enough respect for their elders Young people today do not have enough respect for their elders. In the past, young people were expected to listen and answer politely to people senior in age to them, and always give up their seats for older citizens. Young people also respected the wisdom and knowledge that elderly people had gained in their lives, and accepted the advice of their parents and grandparents. Nowadays, however, young people are much freer than in the past, they are more independent-minded, and in western society this type of individualism or originality is valued and encouraged. Young people do not hold their teachers in as high esteem as in the past, and feel comfortable questioning their knowledge. Senior citizens are often shocked by the behavior of young people, and complain that they looked up to people senior to them in age when they were young. It is not uncommon to hear these kinds of complaints in our society, but are they justified? Should our elders be revered solely for their accumulated years?

Lexical Chaining – a sequence of related words within a text 1. How many ways is the concept of ‘elders’ expressed in the text below? 2. How about the concept of respect? 3. Is there an expression that is overused? 4. How many alternatives can you find for ‘young people’?

Young people today do not have enough respect for their elders Young people today do not have enough respect for their elders. In the past, young people were expected to listen and answer politely to people senior in age to them, and always give up their seats for older citizens. Young people also respected the wisdom and knowledge that elderly people had gained in their lives, and accepted the advice of their parents and grandparents. Nowadays, however, young people are much freer than in the past, they are more independent-minded, and in western society this type of individualism or originality is valued and encouraged. Young people do not hold their teachers in as high esteem as in the past, and feel comfortable questioning their knowledge. Senior citizens are often shocked by the behavior of young people, and complain that they looked up to people senior to them in age when they were young. It is not uncommon to hear these kinds of complaints in our society, but are they justified? Should our elders be revered solely for their accumulated years?

Using Pronouns What can be replaced with a subject or object pronoun? (he/him/it) What can be replaced with a possessive form? (his/its) What can be replaced by an alternative word? (synonym) What can be omitted?

Bob visited Paris and wanted to see the Eiffel Tower Bob visited Paris and wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. When Bob’s flight descended into Paris, Bob was sitting on the wrong side of the airplane, and so Bob was unable to see the Eiffel Tower from the air. After Bob’s plane landed, Bob took the train to the area where Bob’s hotel was located. The train was an underground train, and so Bob could not catch sight of the Eiffel Tower from the train, only dark tunnels and metro tunnels. Bob’s hotel was not near the Eiffel Tower, and did not have a view of the Eiffel Tower, and by the time Bob arrived at Bob’s hotel it was late, so Bob just went to sleep. The next day Bob woke up early, and left Bob’s hotel, very excited about finally seeing the Eiffel Tower. After some confusing directions, and a few wrong trains, Bob finally arrived at the Eiffel Tower. Bob climbed the Eiffel Tower, and took photos from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Bob walked around the Eiffel Tower, and took many photos of the Eiffel Tower. For the rest of Bob’s life, Bob would never forget the day Bob visited the Eiffel Tower.

Bob visited Paris and wanted to see the Eiffel Tower Bob visited Paris and wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. When his flight descended, he was sitting on the wrong side of the airplane, and so was unable to see the tower from the air. After his plane landed, Bob took the train to his hotel. The train was an underground train, and so he could not see the Eiffel Tower, only dark tunnels and metro tunnels. Bob’s hotel was not near tower, and did not have a view of it, and by the time he arrived at his hotel it was late, so he just went to sleep. The next day Bob woke up early, and left his hotel, very excited about finally seeing the Eiffel Tower. After some confusing directions, and a few wrong trains, Bob finally arrived. Bob climbed it and took photos from the top. Bob walked around the base, too, and took many photos . For the rest of his life, Bob would never forget the day he visited the Eiffel Tower.

A Career in the Sky If you are looking for an interesting career, think about becoming a flight attendant. First of all, flight attendants receive a large amount of training for their job. They learn about interpersonal skills, customer service, and safety. Second, every time flight attendants go to work, their scenery changes. They could be in Bali one day and Hawaii the next. Sometimes they even get to stay one or two days in a city before flying home. In addition, flight attendants get bargain prices on airline tickets for vacation. Imagine spending no more than a small percentage of the regular price for any flight! Finally, flight attendants get to meet a wide variety of people from all over the world. For a truly exciting career, consider becoming a flight attendant because the benefits are worth it.

Key Points Large amount of training Change of scenery Bargain prices Meet a wide variety of people

Large amount of training Safety – crash landing; CPR; swim skills, etc. Interpersonal skills – dealing with all kinds of demanding people and personalities Customer service – how to keep customers happy, serve them quickly

Change of scenery Less monotony – not going to the same office every day Different co-workers – new pilots and flight attendants all the time Destinations – new cities, towns, weather, environment, etc.

Bargain prices Vacations – go anywhere you want for cheap Peak season is as cheap as slow season With rising fuel prices there’s no need to worry about rising prices of tickets

Meet a wide variety of people Customers (and coworkers) from all over the world. Good way to network Meeting famous people who fly

Using your notes from the previous page we can now construct an essay. Some of your general sentences from your original paragraph will now become topic sentences. These ideas are expanded and support is given.

The Four Types Narrative Expository Descriptive Persuasive

Narrative Essays Entertain me Writer tells a true story or real life experience using descriptive words Makes the reader feel they are a part of their experience Has a definitive beginning, middle, and end

Expository Essays Inform me Writer presents a balanced analysis of a single topic using facts, statistics, and specific examples Makes the reader compare and contrast, and also think critically Shows cause and effect

Descriptive Essays Let me see Writer paints a picture with words describing a person, place, object or event of special significance Uses interesting, and unique words to help the reader grasp the meaning Makes the reader emotional

Persuasive Essays Convince me Writer tries to convince the reader to accept their point of view or position on an issue using facts, logic, and opinions Makes the reader think critically about the topic Presents both sides of the argument

Persuasive Essays Convince me 1 – narrative essay 2 – argumentative / persuasive essay 3 – descriptive essay 4 – comparative and contrast essay

We often think that human beings are destroying the environment We often think that human beings are destroying the environment. However, it is also true that sometimes the Earth and the environment become the destroyers. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and droughts cause huge damage to vast areas of the Earth. However, on a far less extreme scale, nature is always demonstrating to us that it is stronger than we are. Trees are one such form of nature that is undeniably strong. For example, we cut down trees and construct houses, office and apartment buildings, roads and sidewalks. Then, we plant other trees just where we want them so that our landscaping will be perfect. Over the years, the trees slowly – almost unnoticeably – grow taller, and their roots grow deeper, and, suddenly, our nice roads and sidewalks get cracks in them. We think that we are strong, but those trees are stronger. Another example of nature demonstrating its power is when the small creatures of the world come into our nicely constructed environments and either destroy them or make them very unpleasant to live in. These small creatures are, of course insects, which are far stronger than any human being. Termites can totally destroy a house, and an invasion of ants in our food can make life miserable. Indeed, the cockroaches in our cupboard have ancestors that go back millions and millions of years. How can we possibly expect to control them? In short, it’s clear that insects are stronger than humans. Even on a microscopic level, we are at the mercy of the environment. Our bodies and our scientists have developed ways of fighting the many bacteria and viruses that cause serious diseases and death. Nevertheless, there is still no cure for the common cold. We may develop vaccines and antibiotics to protect us from many viruses and bacteria, but they can change and become resistant to our attempts to destroy them. In other words, they are stronger than we are. All in all, nature is strong. In fact, it demonstrates this to us every day with its plants, insects, microscopic life, and weather. Isn’t it time we pay attention to this fact and stop trying to control it?

Introduction – typically the first paragraph to the essay. Body / Content Paragraphs – the main part or “meat” of the essay, where the finer points of the writing are discussed. 3. Topic Sentences – usually (but not always) the first sentence of a body paragraph. The topic sentence is somewhat general in content. 4. Conclusion – the final paragraph, which wraps up the essay. It often re-emphasizes points made earlier in the essay. 5. Thesis Statement – one sentence, typically near the end of the introduction, which tells the reader what the essay is about. 6. Supporting Sentences – These sentences follow the topic sentences. They include much more detail, such as examples, statistics and facts, reasons, cause and effect, etc. 7. Discourse Markers / Transition Signals – Single words, or short phrases, which give the reader an idea of what type of information is coming next. These words or phrases ensure a good connection of ideas, and also make the essay flow better.

1. How do you think the writer organized this essay? For example, what are some different ways the writer could have brainstormed, outlined, and organized the essay? 2. With your partner, verbally summarize each paragraph in one sentence (there are 5 paragraphs, so each partner will speak 2-3 times). 3. Can you summarize the main idea of the essay in one sentence? 4. What do you like about the essay? 5. What do you dislike about the essay? 6. Which sentence or paragraph do you like the best? Why? 7. Do you feel the essay is easy or difficult to read? 8. Can you think of another good title for the essay? 9. Which parts of the essay show opinion, emotion, or feelings? 10. How is the style of this essay different from that of a Korean essay?