1. The Academic Essay

2. fictional or personal writing=
academic essay

3. Formal structure with 5 to 10 paragraphs
Overall structure and organization is important:
makes content clear and easy to read (showing your argument and research).
shows development of a thesis, supported by evidence.
effectively anticipates and overcomes objections and counterarguments.

4. Use the writing process (Y’allah Ch.2):
Brainstorm
Outline
Draft
Revise
Final draft
Edit

5. The academic essay almost always has an argument or claim.
address an issue or raise a question
use appropriate data or evidence in a logical manner
make reference to appropriate sources (use 3 to 5 references)

6. The Planning Stage – Part 1
consider several issues with conflicting points of view
strong interest not enough
consider what position you can back up with reasoning and evidence
when shaping an argument you have to explain why your belief is reasonable and logical

7. The Planning Stage – Part 2
brainstorm (take this seriously, but do not spend hours on this – consider working with one or more people)
put your brainstorming on paper
list, draw webs – how you do it is not as important as using an effective method of putting your ideas on paper
make two lists: pros and cons (consider strong counter arguments – then counter them)

8. Write a thesis statement: topic + what you want to say about the topic
is an ineffective and inhumane method of punishment.
Capital punishment
should have the right to make decisions on
things that affect them.
Women
should raise the standards for graduation
so that employers can be certain that their new hires
have the necessary skills.
Universities
should be developed
as a multi-use site with 10% green spaces enhanced with public transport systems.
The south side of Dubai Creek
Make a plan for how you can prove your thesis.

9. Introductory paragraph (something to catch the reader’s attention)
A clear strong thesis statement: topic + what you will say about the topic (A, B, C,…)
Main Idea 1
Support
Main Idea 2
Main Idea 3
Body Paragraphs
Support: statistics, anecdotes, specific names of people and places, specific dates and times, specific examples
Counter argument and refutation
Conclusion (may include a recommendation or suggestion for action, a prediction of what will or will not happen if something is done or not done, and a final thought – but not a new idea that will require explanation)

10. Can your ideas be supported?
Now research
Can your ideas be supported?
If not, you may need to change your essay.
90% of your essay should be your ideas
If you find a sentence you want to use as a direct quotation, write it exactly as you see it and make a note of the reference information.
Common knowledge vs. Specific information
many male students at AUS smoke
a lot of politicians are corrupt
Write down all of the information that you will need for APA references (title, author, publisher, date, page numbers) before you put the book away or leave a webpage.
Photocopy book pages or print website pages. (for help, go to
vs 53% of men at AUS smoke
vs 36.4% of all politicians are corrupt

11. go back to your outline
Do you need to change your thesis statement or your topic?
Do you need to change your outline?
Do you need to do more research?

12. Now write. Try to write from beginning to end without too many long pauses. Let your ideas flow. Make quick notes where you think there might be a problem but continue writing (come back to deal with problems later).
Do not worry about your introductory paragraph hook at this point. Start with your thesis statement.
Once your rough draft is done, think about where you can use expert support (this is where your use of cited research can comes in).
Leave your work for several days. Then come back and read it out loud. Make notes of problem areas and then work to fix them.

13. Tips for Your Essay:
Avoid overly emotional language.
Don’t use all or nothing language (i.e. all, every, everyone, none, never). These are unlikely to be true.
Don’t make up evidence.
Cite your sources.

14. Persuasive Appeals:
ethos: attempt to persuade the reader that you are believable – use experts to support your opinion; provide information that shows that you know about something from personal experience (e.g. I have taught writing for more than 25 years in four countries.)
pathos: appeal to the reader’s emotions; try to make them feel sympathy (e.g. Every teacher who has ever had to read poorly organized, poorly thought-out essays would love to read your carefully crafted, thoughtful work.)
logos: convince the reader with facts and evidence that your opinion is the most reasonable (e.g. Sixty-five percent of all university professors say that they regularly mark down assignments if the student’s handwriting is poor.)
N.B. – DO NOT USE THE TERMS “ethos,” “pathos,” and “logos” in your writing. Use “ethical,” “emotional,” or “logical” or some other synonyms.

15. Introductory Paragraphs
The introductory paragraph begins with a sentence or two that engages the reader’s attention. This is the hook.
In general, your hook should be one or two sentences.
Between the hook and the thesis statement, add any background information that is needed (often one or two sentences).
Your thesis statement should be near the end of the introductory paragraph.
Remember – start your rough draft with your thesis statement. Write the body and then come back to the beginning. Often as you do your research, you may find an interesting fact or powerful quotation that you can use.

16. Body Paragraphs should have clear topic sentences with transition signals.
Don’t always use “First” or “Second.
Use “One of the major considerations…” or “Something else that needs to be considered…”
Transitions make your writing easier to read.

17. Concluding Paragraphs
Conclusions are often the most difficult part of an essay to write because you that you have nothing left to say after having written the paper. You need to keep in mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best. Your conclusion should be the best part of your paper.
A conclusion should
stress the importance of the thesis statement,
give the essay a sense of completeness, and
leave a final impression on the reader.

18. Suggestions for your conclusion
Answer the question "So What?"
Show your readers why this paper was important. Show them that your paper was meaningful and useful.
Synthesize, don't summarize.
Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show them how the points your made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together.
Redirect your readers.
Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world. If your introduction went from general to specific, make your conclusion go from specific to general. Think globally.
Create a new meaning.
You don't have to give new information to create a new meaning. By demonstrating how your ideas work together, you can create a new picture. Often the sum of the paper is worth more than its parts.