How to structure your whole essay. How to structure your paragraphs.

Each box represents a paragraph THE WHOLE STRUCTURE Introduction State your topic. Tell us why you chose it. Define key terms. State your overall approach to the topic. Be fairly generalised. Hint at the points you will make. S E X Y You can have more SEXY paragraphs if you have more points to make. Conclusion Summarise your points and make a final statement to emphasise your pov

PARAGRAPH WRITING A paragraph is a block of text about one idea. A paragraph usually has more than one sentence. There are no lines left as “space” within a paragraph. A paragraph usually develops an idea.

HOW TO BUILD A PARAGRAPH Each letter here represents one sentence. S Statement Establishes the main idea. Makes a statement to attack the topic. E Explanation Expands/elaborates/develops/unpacks/clarifies the idea. X eXample Gives examples/facts/ quotations/proof/evidence/details Y You add… Give your opinion, explain the significance of the idea, explain the example, state why your point is relevant…

S E X Y PRACTISE SEXY READING Dogs are generally regarded as man’s best friend. E They are intelligent and faithful, as well as being easily trained to obey, unlike other pets such as cats or goldfish. X Guide dogs, sheep dogs, show dogs or just ordinary mutts: they all have a place in someone’s home and heart. Y They will be your friends for life and repay over and over the attention you give them.

MORE PRACTICE Look at the whole paragraph without the SEXY chart to reveal the structure Dogs are generally regarded as man’s best friend. They are intelligent and faithful, as well as being easily trained to obey, unlike other pets such as cats or goldfish. Guide dogs, sheep dogs, show dogs or just ordinary mutts: they all have a place in someone’s home and heart. They will be your friends for life and repay over and over the attention you give them.

EVEN MORE PRACTICE Now YOU write a paragraph which shows dogs in a more negative way.

WHICH ORDER DO THESE SENTENCES GO IN? Soil was beginning to dry out. Although spring crops are 4-6 weeks ahead of those of last winter, rain was needed to maintain the growth and to top up reservoirs. Recent rain has been welcomed in Otago by many farmers. Ultimately, famers expect the better quality grass to fatten this seasons’ lambs. Six millilitres of rain fell in Central Otago last week, while South Otago enjoyed 10 ml. Coastal areas, however, gained very little.

ANSWER 1 E Soil was beginning to dry out. Although spring crops are 4-6 weeks ahead of those of last winter, rain was needed to maintain the growth and to top up reservoirs. S Recent rain has been welcomed in Otago by many farmers. Y Ultimately, famers expect the better quality grass to fatten this seasons’ lambs. X Six millilitres of rain fell in Central Otago last week, while South Otago enjoyed 10 ml. Coastal areas, however, gained very little.

WHAT ABOUT THESE? The Ministry of Health may find that within the next decade, if funding is not increased, health services have to be cut. Although an increase in weight may not seem so serious at a younger age, it will not only cause many problems for adults but also stretch the services of hospitals and GPs. The rapid rise in childhood obesity will have serious consequences for New Zealand’s health system. Type 2 diabetes, asthma, strokes and kidney failure are some of the potentially fatal diseases.

ANSWER 2 Y The Ministry of Health may find that within the next decade, if funding is not increased, health services have to be cut. E Although an increase in weight may not seem so serious at a younger age, it will not only cause many problems for adults but also stretch the services of hospitals and GPs. S The rapid rise in childhood obesity will have serious consequences for New Zealand’s health system. X Type 2 diabetes, asthma, strokes and kidney failure are some of the potentially fatal diseases.

USING SEXY PARAGRAPHS I can write an essay by making a sequence of paragraphs. I can plan an essay quickly in a test or exam by writing down only the Ss in a planning box. I can fill in the EXY as I write each paragraph. I can speed read a text to gain an overview by reading only the introductory paragraph, the topic sentences (usually the first sentence in every paragraph) and the conclusion. I can take notes from paragraphs in by using SEXY reading.