1. COMMUNICATION STUDIES ONE
Lecturer: Roxanne C. Bloomfield

2. Principles of Academic Writing
The Process of Writing an Essay

3. Essay
An essay is a group of paragraphs about one subject, that is supported with details, facts and examples.
It contains an introduction, a body and a conclusion

4. Parts of an Essay Essay Outline
The essay follows a basic structure or outline, which includes the following:
The Introductory Paragraph: This paragraph opens the essay and tries to catch the reader's interest. It contains the thesis statement. A thesis statement is one sentence that states the main idea of the entire essay.

5. Parts of an Essay Essay Outline
The Body: This consists of three or more paragraphs, each one making a different point about the main idea. A topic sentence should be included in all paragraphs.
The Conclusion: This brings the essay to a close. It may be a sentence or a paragraph long.

6. The Process of Writing an Essay Part 1
Choose a topic
Select audience, purpose
Narrow your topic
Write a clear thesis statement
Generate facts, details and examples to support your thesis statement

7. The Process of Writing an Essay Part 2
Plan your essay outline, choosing 3-4 main ideas to support the thesis statement
Write a topic statement that expresses each main idea/paragraph
Decide on a logical order to present the paragraphs

8. The Process of Writing an Essay Part 3
Plan the body of your paragraph
Write the first draft of your essay
Revise as necessary. Proofread for grammar and mechanics, punctuation, spelling and any other errors
Present your final copy of the finished essay

9. Let's Write

10. The Process of Writing an Essay Part 1
Choose a topic: This should be something that you are interested in writing about and can get information on.
1. Volunteerism
2. Mental Health
3. Addiction
4. Corruption
5. Stress

11. Choose your purpose: This is why you are writing the essay To inform
Select Audience
These are the persons whom your essay is intended for/ or whom you want to read it.
Lecturer, classmates,
Choose your purpose: This is why you are writing the essay
To inform
To explain
To give information about

12. Narrow your topic: This is focusing on one aspect of a topic that you are going to write about.
Volunteerism
The benefits of volunteering

13. Write a clear thesis statement:
This states the main idea/point/angle that the rest of the essay will support and discuss. The thesis statement should be specific so it gives your readers a clear idea of what will follow.
Person in giving of their time and talents to the local community, not only enrich the lives of others, but they receive many surprising benefits for themselves

14. Generate facts, details and examples to support your thesis statement
Bringing a sense of empowerment: knowing we can make a difference
Gain a deeper understanding of others
Can be used to gain experience of a work environment
Can gain useful contacts that may help them in their field of study
Can become mentors for at risk persons

15. The Introductory Paragraph
The Introductory Paragraph can begin in any one of the following ways:
Using statistics
Using a rhetorical question
Using a proverb
Using an anecdote

16. The Introductory Paragraph
Using an example
Using an illustration
Using a surprising fact or idea
Using a contradiction
Using a direct quotation

17. The Introductory Paragraph
An old proverb says “He who brings sunlight into the lives of others cannot keep it from himself ” and persons who volunteer their time often experience this wisdom firsthand. Persons in giving of their time and talents to the local community, not only enrich the lives of others, but they receive many surprising benefits for themselves.