Essays: vs. 

Formatting Reminder Size 12, Times New Roman Not bold, italics, or underlined

Language Do not use “I” – Use strong statements. Compare: In my opinion, both “Rocks and Trees” and “Canada’s Really Big” are satire because they use humor to show that it is foolish to only focus on Canada’s nature. Both “Rocks and Trees” and “Canada’s Really Big” are satire because they use humor to show that it is foolish to only focus on Canada’s nature. Use specific language – Stay away from “something”, “the main idea”, “different ways”, “some methods”, etc. – Say what you mean! Compare: In “The Vancouver Song”, Treelines uses some different ways to show their ideas about Vancouver. In “The Vancouver Song”, Treelines uses personification to show how much they love Vancouver.

Language Do not make huge generalizations – Never say “it is obvious to see”. If it’s obvious, then I’ll know. You don’t have to say it. – If you can’t prove it, don’t say it. Compare: “The Vancouver Song” is one of the most popular Canadian songs. “The Vancouver Song” expresses many common themes and motifs in Canadian literature. Don’t use clichés and IELTS phrases – Many of the “stock sentences” you learn for IELTS are things that no English speaker would ever say. Others are overused clichés. – Bad phrases: “Just as every coin has its two sides…”  cliché (and awkward grammar) “Improves your life”  meaningless unless you talk about how “Nowadays…”  overused and unnecessary “Everyone has their own idea”  who cares? Tell me your idea – Also, “when asked about ___, different people will offer different answers” “___ is a hot topic”  extremely un-academic “In this information explosion society”  ridiculous “Makes your life more colorful”  ridiculous, and not academic. What does it mean?

“Makes Your Life Colorful” What does it actually mean?

What is a topic sentence? First sentence of a paragraph Introduces the topic of that paragraph

What should a topic sentence include? A specific topic for the paragraph – Must match the three topics in your outline A full sentence – Don’t just say the topic as if it is a title Transition words – Second, … – Another reason that …

What shouldn’t a topic sentence include? Detailed reasons for your opinion – These belong in the body paragraph More than one topic Quotations IELTS language (stock phrases, generalizations) – “it is obvious to see…” – “___ is undoubtedly a controversial issue” – “There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes…”

Which is Correct? Why? Imagine that this is the 2 nd body paragraph. Which option shows the best use of a topic sentence? 2. Cancer. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. Smoking is dangerous because 90% of lung cancer deaths in men are caused by smoking. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. Another reason that smoking is dangerous is that it can cause diseases. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. In this information explosion society, the dangers of smoking are obvious to see. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. Smoking should be illegal because it is bad. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body.

Which is Correct? Why? Imagine that this is the 2 nd body paragraph. Which option shows the best use of a topic sentence? 2. Cancer. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. Smoking is dangerous because 90% of lung cancer deaths in men are caused by smoking. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. Another reason that smoking is dangerous is that it can cause diseases. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. In this information explosion society, the dangers of smoking are obvious to see. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body. Smoking should be illegal because it is bad. Cigarettes contain many dangerous chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Even being close to a person who is smoking can allow these chemicals to enter your body.

Your Topics 1)Historical Context Example: In “Long Gone to the Yukon”, Tom Connors discusses the history of the Klondike gold rush. 2)Relationship between poetic devices and theme Example: Treelines uses personification and other poetic devices to show their love for Vancouver. 3)Comparison with another song Example: Both “The Northwest Passage” and “Long Gone to the Yukon” show the theme of exploration.

Quotations Ways to Show a Quotation At the end of a sentence -The band Treelines uses personification to show that Vancouver is a great place to live. For example, they write, “You may complain about the rain / But those are just tears from the clouds out here” (Treelines). In the middle of a sentence -Treelines describes “tears from the clouds” to show that rain represents the clouds being sad that they have to leave Vancouver (Treelines).

Citations A way of showing where your quotation comes from Structure: Author’s family name, page number – Example: “Blah blah blah” (Smith 15). – Doesn’t work for a song!  no page numbers! After your quotation, put the name of the singer or band in parentheses. Citation goes after quotation and before period at the end of the sentence – For example, they write, “You may complain about the rain / But those are just tears from the clouds out here” (Treelines).

Start Writing Read instructions carefully (front page of assignment sheet) Remember P.E.E. – Point: what idea do you want to share? – Example: give a sentence from the poem, in “quotation marks” – Explanation: explain the relationship between your point and your example

Homework Rough copy due Monday, September 30 – Essay finished – Typed (does not need to be printed yet; bring it on your computer)