WEEK 2 EXPLANATORY ESSAY

An explanatory essay explains or analyzes sth that the reader wishes to inform a reader about. You can talk about REASONS/CAUSESEFFECTS

BRAINSTORMING

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS CAUSES family problems can't afford school fees need to make money EFFECTS  uneducated society  negative impact on the economy  can't cope with new technology

GLOBAL WARMING CAUSES  overpopulation deforestation modern/changing lifestyle EFFECTS  climate change  sea level rise  acid rain

DIVORCE CAUSES communication problems lack of money cheating EFFECTS  broken hearts and broken homes  children may become violent or depressed  difficult to remarry

OBESITY CAUSES hereditary factors lack of exercise poor eating habit EFFECTS  poor health  lower self-esteem  limited employment

AGAIN YOU HAVE THREE PARTS HOOK BACKGROUND INFORMATION THESIS STATEMENT A good thesis statement both names the topic and reveals the writer’s opinion about the topic. FOR EXAMPLE; India has a lot of interesting festivals. India has a lot of interesting festivals. (The statement is too broad. Even though it does state the writer’s opinion, the statement is not clear: It doesn’t explain why the festivals are interesting. Diwali is an important festival for Indians because they celebrate, remember traditional legends, and enjoy time with their families. Diwali is an important festival for Indians because they celebrate, remember traditional legends, and enjoy time with their families. o (The topic is specific enough, and clearly gives the writer’s opinion. In addition, it lists the supporting ideas.) INTRODUCTION

SPECIFIC VOCABULARY IN THESIS STATEMENT; For causes; use words or phrases like: Cause, reason, because, due to, another is, since, for For effects; use words or phrases like: Effect, affect(v), outcome (n), result, lead to, resulted in

Body paragraphs  In each body paragraph, tell a reason or effect. Try to make a connection among the paragraphs by reminding the previous one.  Start with a transition and topic sentence,  Support with explanations, examples, details, or other information

BODY PARAGRAPHS 1 st CAUSE/EFFECT TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING SENTENCES 1 st CAUSE/EFFECT TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING SENTENCES 2nd CAUSE/EFFECT TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING SENTENCES 2nd CAUSE/EFFECT TRANSITION+TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING SENTENCES

TRANSITIONS The first reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. The first reason(cause)/effect of ….. Is that… (S+V) First,… First of all, … The first reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. The first reason(cause)/effect of ….. Is that… (S+V) First,… First of all, … The second reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. The second reason(cause)/effect of …. is that… (S+V) Another reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. Another reason(cause)/effect of …. is that… (S+V) In addition to ….(1 st cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V Besides ….(1 st cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V The second reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. The second reason(cause)/effect of …. is that… (S+V) Another reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. Another reason(cause)/effect of …. is that… (S+V) In addition to ….(1 st cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V Besides ….(1 st cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V The last/third reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. The last/third reason(cause)/effect of... is that… (S+V) In addition to ….(1 st &2 nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V Besides ….(1 st&2nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V The last but not the least, …S+V The last but not cause(reason)/effect of … is …(NOUN PHRASE) the least cause(reason)/effect of … is (that …. S+V The last/third reason(cause)/effect of ….. is …. The last/third reason(cause)/effect of... is that… (S+V) In addition to ….(1 st &2 nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V Besides ….(1 st&2nd cause/effect) NOUN PHRASE), S+V The last but not the least, …S+V The last but not cause(reason)/effect of … is …(NOUN PHRASE) the least cause(reason)/effect of … is (that …. S+V 1 st BODY 2 nd BODY 3rd BODY

ORDER IDEAS EMPHATIC ORDER The main parts in an essay are often organized according to their importance. Often, less important points are given first More important points are given later, with the most important point coning last. This is called EMPHATIC ORDER. It draws attention to the last, most important one. 1st Body Paragraph: LESS IMPORTANT POINT 2nd Body Paragraph: MORE IMPORTANT POINT 3 rd Body Paragraph: MOST IPORTANT POINT

CONCLUSION The conclusion is the last paragraph in your essay. A conclusion completes the essay and reemphasizes your thesis statement or main ideas. Look at the example thesis statement and conclusion below. The conclusion is the last paragraph in your essay. A conclusion completes the essay and reemphasizes your thesis statement or main ideas. Look at the example thesis statement and conclusion below.  TRANSITION,  RESTATEMENT,  SUMMARY,  CLOSURE

A Conclusion Useful Transitions It is sometimes helpful to have a transition at the beginning of your conclusion to signal the end of your essay. Some common transitions used in conclusions are listed below. Remember to use a comma after your transitions.  In conclusion,  In summary,  Thus,  Therefore,  To conclude,  In short,

RESTATEMENT First Sentence of Conclusion Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting the disease… Thesis Statement When I first found out that I was diagnosed with cancer, I took two important steps to fight the disease. First sentence in conclusion reemphasizes ideas in thesis statement.

SUMMARY So What? In addition to referring back to your main idea, your conclusion needs to show your reader the significance of your thesis. When discussing the importance of your thesis, try to address questions such as…  How and why is this topic important?  How might this topic affect me or other people?  What can be learned from this topic?

Look at the example below of a conclusion that shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay. Example #1 So What?

Conclusion Paragraph Draft Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting the disease. I was able to become healthy enough to attend my daughter’s wedding, and I no longer worried about dying. Others suffering with cancer can learn an important lesson from my experience: Don’t give up no matter how hopeless things may seem and always get a second opinion from another doctor! Example #1 The writer points out how the steps she took to fight cancer affected her and other people. The writer discusses the importance of her topic by writing about the lessons that can be learned.

Look at the example below of a conclusion that refers back to the thesis statement and shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay. Example #2 Conclusion

Conclusion Paragraph The decision to move to the United States was a difficult one for my parents to make. Though I was angry with their decision at the time, I understand now that the poor economy and political instability of my country forced them to immigrate. Through this experience I learned that one simply cannot control all of life’s circumstances. One must learn to deal with tough situations as they come and work to be successful regardless of one’s location. Example #2 The first two sentences reemphasize the thesis statement. The writer concludes by discussing the lessons learned from his experience. Thesis Statement There were several factors that caused my family to make the difficult decision to immigrate to the United States.

Concluding an Essay Techniques Some ways to enhance a conclusion are to include a… Prediction Recommendation Quotation

Concluding an Essay A Prediction A prediction talks about what might happen in the future. A prediction can be a good way to finish your essay. It can make your reader think about the possible results of your thesis statement.

Prediction Example Finally, the importance of beginning a program to re forest parts of Haiti will be an important step in making this country more economically self-sufficient. Without such a program in place, the people of this country will continue to destroy their natural resources for fuel in order to salvage their present state of survival. A program to reforest parts of Haiti is urgently needed. Thesis Statement A prediction is used to make the reader think about possible results of the thesis.

Concluding an Essay A Recommendation A recommendation is often used by a writer after he/she has discussed a problem in an essay. A recommendation can be used to suggest a solution or call the readers to do something about the problem in the essay.

Recommendation Example As we have seen, international students face a number of difficulties when coming to a new country to study. However, problems such as culture-shock and the language barrier can be lessened before a student comes to the new country through preparation. If you are considering going to school in another country, you should begin learning about the culture, customs, and history of your host nation. Also, you should be sure that you are proficient in the national language or be sure to sign up for language classes once you are there. A recommendation is used to suggest a solution to a problem.

Concluding an Essay “ A Quotation ” A relevant quotation can bring good closure to your essay, especially if the quotation is from an expert on the topic in your composition.

Quotation Example David Werner, author of, Where There Is No Doctor, notes that, “ Only when the people themselves become actively responsible for their own and their community ’ s health, can important changes take place. ” This should be the mantra of every public health agency when looking at making improvements in common health problems. Unless a community understands the importance of the intervention and takes responsibility for transformation, no long-lasting changes will be made. A quotation from an expert can be used to add credibility to a writer ’ s position.