A Study Guide on Writing

This Study Guide gives you information about the units and assignments in this course. It is meant to help you through the course and show you how to use the course most effectively.

The section How to Work Through Each Unit gives you the steps to follow when you are studying each unit.

The Study Guide will show you:

 how to work through each unit.  how to use the Reference Tools.  the general course schedule.  unit objectives.  lists of assignments for each unit.  how your assignments are evaluated.  writing course descriptions.

STUDY GUIDE How to Work Through Each Unit

This section provides the steps you need to follow in order to complete each unit. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your tutor.

1. Read your Course Schedule and check the due dates.

2. Choose the unit link from the top menu to go to the unit contents page. Follow the "Introduction" link. This takes you to the introduction to the unit.

3. Read the objectives of the unit.

4. At the top and bottom of each page you will see navigation arrows. 2

Use the arrows to move through each page in the unit. The box between the arrows takes you back to the unit contents page.

5. Use the arrows to continue through the following sections of the unit.

Lesson 1 — Read Lesson 1, and then do the Comprehension Questions and Practice Exercises. The Comprehension Questions will help you understand the concepts in the unit. They have explanations for each answer. The Practice Exercises will help you practise the concepts in the unit. Continue to Lesson 1 Writing Practice in the postings site. Complete the writing practice and send your work to your tutor.

Lesson 2 — Read the lessons and then do the Comprehension Questions and Practice Exercises. Continue to Lesson 2 Writing Practice in the postings site. Complete the writing practice and send your work to your tutor.

Lesson 3 — Read the lesson, then do the Comprehension Questions, the Practice Exercises, and the Writing Practice. Send your Lesson 3 Writing Practice to your tutor.

Assignments — Complete each assignment according to the Course Schedule.

STUDY GUIDE Course Overview

The Course Overview is an explanation of the contents of the course. It describes the focus, objectives, and assignments for each unit.

Unit 1 — Illustrative Essay In this unit you are going to learn about the Unit 1 Objectives basic structure and parts of an essay. Lesson Each lesson in the unit has self-testing and 1 focuses on the essay introduction, Lesson writing practices. The assignments at the 2 explains the essay body, and Lesson 3 end of the unit include: provides information about the conclusion.  An outline for an illustrative essay  A first draft for an illustrative essay

 The final draft for an illustrative essay Unit 2 — Process Essay 3

This unit introduces you to process essays. Unit 2 Objectives Process essays describe the steps to do or Each lesson in the unit has self-testing and make something. In Lesson 1 you will learn writing practices. The assignments at the about the two types of process essay; end of the unit include: Lesson 2 shows you verb forms, language, and sentence structures that are used in  An outline for a process essay process essays, and Lesson 3 introduces you  A first draft for a process essay to paraphrasing.  The final draft for a process essay Unit 3 — Compare and Contrast Essay In this unit you will learn about the main Unit 3 Objectives principles of a Compare and Contrast Each lesson in the unit has self-testing and Essay. Lesson 1 focuses on essential ideas writing practices. The assignments at the for writing a thesis statement and end of the unit include: developing the most common essay formats. In Lesson 2 you will review  An outline for a compare and common sentence patterns, similes, contrast essay metaphors, and persuasive language.  A first draft for a compare and Lesson 3 shows you linking words, contrast essay expressions of equality and inequality.  The final draft for a compare and contrast essay Unit 4 — Classification Essay In this unit, you will consciously focus on Unit 4 Objectives classification as a tool to organize your Each lesson in the unit has self-testing and thinking and writing. In Lesson 1, you will writing practices. The assignments at the learn about introducing the topic, dividing end of the unit include: items into categories, and determining how to organize your essay. Lesson 2 focuses on  An outline for a classification essay subject and verb agreement, commonly  A first draft for a classification essay misused words, and specific phrasal verbs. Lesson 3 focuses on important aspects of  The final draft for a classification punctuation: the apostrophe, the comma, essay and the semicolon. Unit 5 — Persuasive Essay Lesson 1 focuses on the outline of a Unit 5 Objectives persuasive essay, key points of persuasion, Each lesson in the unit has self-testing and types of logic, types of logical fallacies, and writing practices. The assignments at the supporting evidence. Lesson 2 highlights end of the unit include: the use of conciseness, common words and phrases, adverbs, and modals. Finally, in  An outline of a persuasive essay 4

Lesson 3 the focus is on using quotations,  A first draft of a persuasive essay summaries, and creating references. These lessons will help you write a successful  The final draft of a persuasive essay persuasive essay. Course Examination There are two parts to the course Part A: Multiple Choice Questions based on examination: a multiple-choice review test the lessons and a writing test. The writing test involves writing an essay about a selected topic. The Part B: Essay Writing essay is then sent to the tutor for grading and feedback.

STUDY GUIDE Reference Tools

Three Reference Tools are included in the course to help you with your learning. You can click on these sections at any time during the course. The Reference Tools include:

Glossary Certain words that may be new or difficult are highlighted with a dashed underline when they are used in the unit. You can click on the highlighted words and you will see the definition for the word and an example sentence. You can also use the Glossary Reference Tool to search for individual words by alphabet, unit, or part of speech.

Writing Tips This section tells you the steps in the writing process: pre-writing, planning and organizing, creating an outline, drafting and revising, and fine tuning your language. You will also find samples of outlines for the various essay types. If you have problems coming up with ideas, or need help getting started in writing, this section will give you some helpful suggestions.

Grammar and Structure This section explains the grammar that will help you complete the assignments in each unit. You can click on highlighted grammar references throughout each unit and before the unit assignments. When you go to the Grammar and Structure section, you will see an explanation of the grammar concept and some grammar exercises that you can do if you need 5

more practice. Lesson 1 — Read Lesson 1, and then do the Comprehension Questions and Practice Exercises. The Comprehension Questions will help you understand the concepts in the unit. They have explanations for each answer. The Practice Exercises will help you practise the concepts in the unit. Continue to Lesson 1 Writing Practice in the postings site. Complete the writing practice and send your work to your tutor.

Lesson 3 — Read the lesson, then do the Comprehension Questions, the Practice Exercises, and the Writing Practice. Send your Lesson 3 Writing Practice to your tutor.

Assignments — Complete each assignment according to the Course Schedule.

UNIT 1 — CONTENTS Illustrative Essay

Welcome Introduction Model of an Illustrative Essay

Lesson 1 Introductory Paragraphs (Introduction) A Parts of the Introduction B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction Writing Practice

Lesson 2 Supporting Paragraphs (Body) A Order of Supporting Paragraphs B Transitions Between Paragraphs Writing Practice

Lesson 3 Concluding Paragraphs (Conclusion) Writing Practice

Assignments 1 Outline 2 First Draft 3 Final Draft

UNIT 1 — ILLUSTRATIVE ESSAY Introduction

In this unit you are going to learn about the basic structure and parts of an essay. Lesson 1 focuses on the introduction, Lesson 2 explains the body of the essay, and Lesson 3 provides information about the conclusion.

Each unit in this course focuses on one particular type of essay. The focus of Unit 1 is an illustrative essay, which is a common essay style used in academic writing. The purpose of an illustrative essay is to explain an idea, a situation, or a concept using examples. The illustrative essay is also called an explanation or expository essay.

Unit Objectives

By the end of this unit you will be able to:

 Identify the parts of an essay  Write strong and effective thesis statements  Identify different types of introductory paragraphs  Identify different supporting paragraph formats  Identify different types of concluding paragraphs  Write an illustrative essay

Monkey Talk

Hugh Lofting’s character, Dr. Doolittle, could talk to animals and they talked back. Many people fantasize about having such a skill. Imagine being able to talk to your household pets and getting a response back. Could it ever be possible? Language acquisition studies among primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobo chimpanzees suggest that the answer is yes, and no.

There has been some success with teaching gorillas to communicate with humans. The most famous example of this is Koko, a gorilla who learned American Sign Language (ASL). Koko was born in 1971 and became part of a language acquisition study when she was one year old. Her trainers claim that she knows over 1000 ASL signs and can understand about 2000 words of spoken English. She can make statements averaging three to six words. Koko is considered one of the most successful attempts at teaching sign language to primates.

Teaching sign language to chimpanzees has been less successful. Nim Chimpsky was the 7 most famous example of a chimp who could sign. Like Koko, he was raised like a human infant and taught American Sign Language. He was the first chimp to be taught ASL. He learned about 125 signs over four years, but he seldom signed spontaneously. Most of his communications were in response to his trainers’ signs. It was eventually determined that he would never be able to master the human language but by observing him, scientists were able to gain a better understanding of how chimpanzees communicate with each other.

Bonobo chimpanzees have proven to be quite good at acquiring some form of language. A case in point is Kanzi. He was born in 1980 and stayed with his adoptive mother while she was being taught a language system made up of picture symbols on a keyboard. His mother was not very successful, having started to learn as an adult. When Kanzi was two and half years old, the researchers discovered that Kanzi not only knew the picture symbols, but he understood the spoken words they represented. Just like a human infant, Kanzi had learned the system by being exposed to it, rather than having it taught to him. Eventually he could produce 200 words using the picture symbols and understood about 500 spoken words. His understanding of spoken human language is considered to be the same as a two and a half year old human child’s.

None of these primates can communicate fluently with humans. However, we have learned from Koko, Nim Chimpsky and Kanzi that while primates may not be capable of mastering human language, they are capable of using a communication system. Perhaps it is up to us to learn their communication systems before we, like Dr. Doolittle, can talk to the animals.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1A Parts of the Introduction

The introduction is the beginning of an essay. It does the same job for an essay as the topic sentence does for a paragraph. In a paragraph, the topic sentence tells the reader what the subject of the paragraph will be and how it will be developed. In an essay, the introduction, which can be one or two paragraphs, introduces the topic.

There are three parts to an introduction: the opening statement, the supporting sentences, and the introductory topic sentence. There are many ways to write an introduction, but it is necessary to include each of the three parts:

 an opening statement or question that attracts the reader's attention — this is often called "the hook",  supporting sentences which link "the hook" to the thesis, and 8

 a thesis statement that states the purpose and plan of the whole essay.

In the example introductory paragraphs below, the opening statement, supporting statements, or thesis statement is highlighted.

Opening Statement

Hugh Lofting's character, Dr. Doolittle, could talk to animals and they could talk back. Many people fantasize about having such a skill. Imagine being able to talk to your household pets and getting a response back. Could it ever be possible? Language acquisition studies among primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobo chimpanzees suggest that the answer is yes, and no.

Supporting Statements

Thesis Statement

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1A Parts of the Introduction

The Opening Statement

The purpose of the opening statement is to make the reader want to read the essay. The opening statement is often called the "hook" because it acts like a fishing hook:

 it catches the reader's attention  it pulls the reader into the essay 9

There are many different ways to write a hook. Here are a few of the types of hooks that you can use:

Question: Can you remember the fear and excitement you felt the first time you went to a foreign country?

Statistic: The majority of American visitors to Canada in 2001 arrived by automobile.

Quotation: "Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive." Robert M. Pirsig — Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

The Supporting Sentences

In an introduction you begin with the hook. Then you guide or lead the reader from that opening sentence to the topic and the thesis statement. The supporting sentences help your reader understand how the hook is linked to the topic. They help the reader focus on your specific topic.

The sample paragraph above is only one example of how to link the hook to the topic. Although there are many ways to write an introduction, the important point is that you lead the reader to your main idea and topic. You will learn more about other ways to write an introduction in Lesson 1B. Before that, let's look at thesis statements.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1A Parts of the Introduction

The Thesis Statement

The thesis statement in an essay is similar to the topic sentence in a paragraph. Both must have a narrow topic with a clear focus or controlling idea and supporting main points. But the essay's thesis statement also has a much broader purpose.

Whereas the topic sentence in an illustrative paragraph introduces the main idea of just that paragraph, the thesis statement in the introductory paragraph introduces the topic and the main points of a whole essay. 10

A thesis statement:

 tells the reader the topic of the essay.

For example: The new fitness centre is an asset to our school because it provides opportunity to swim, weight train, and play squash.

 lists the points the writer is going to make in the essay.

For example: The new fitness centre is an asset to our school because it provides opportunity to swim, weight train, and play squash.

 sets the tone of the essay.

For example: The new fitness centre is an asset to our school because it provides opportunity to swim, weight train, and play squash.

 is a narrow topic rather than a broad, general topic.

Poor example: Fitness Centres are assets.

 does not use clichéd, over-used, phrases.

Poor example: This essay will explain the benefits of having our new fitness centre.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1A Parts of the Introduction

Here are some example pairs of thesis statements. The first statement is a weak example and the second statement is a strong example.

Broad Topic: Reasons to dislike going to the dentist

Thesis Example Statement Weak Going to the dentist can be painful. Strong Going to the dentist can be painful if you have a tooth pulled, a cavity filled, or a root canal. 11

Explanation: There is no direction in the first statement. It does not tell the reader what will be discussed in the essay. The second statement outlines three reasons why going to the dentist can be painful.

Broad Topic: Differences between growing up in rural and urban areas

Thesis Example Statement Weak Growing up on a farm was safe, I learned a lot and I enjoyed it. Strong Growing up on a farm was a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience.

Explanation: The first statement lists the three points in the essay, but they are not in parallel form. The second statement lists the three points, and all three points are parallel, in adjective form. Parallel structure is an important writing technique. It is easy to read; it reinforces the similarity between ideas by using similar grammatical forms; and, it has a strong tradition in English writing that adds significance to the ideas being expressed.

Broad Topic: School uniforms

Thesis Example Statement Weak School uniforms are bad. Strong Wearing school uniforms inhibits individuality because students are not given an opportunity to express themselves.

Explanation: The first statement does not have a controlling idea, and it is not clear why school uniforms are bad. The second statement gives a clear explanation of what the writer is going to talk about.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1A — Comprehension Questions Parts of the Introduction

Answer the following questions to check your understanding of opening statements, supporting sentences, and thesis statements. Select the best answers and read the explanations in the pop-up windows.

1. Which part of the introduction "hooks" the reader? a The opening statement b The supporting sentences c The thesis statement

2. Which of the following are qualities of a good thesis statement? Click on all the correct answers. a Presents the main points in order b Gives information about the topic c States the direction of the paper d Introduces the points of the essay e Sets the tone of the essay f Starts with "This essay will..."

3. Which part of the introduction clearly shows what the writer is going to explain in the essay? a The supporting sentences b The thesis statement c The opening statement

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction

There are several ways to write the introduction to an essay. Writers will choose one or a combination of two or more ways depending on the type of essay they are writing. Certain styles work best with certain essay types as will be pointed out in subsequent units. This lesson explains seven ways to write an introduction.

1. Funnel UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B 2. Anecdote Seven Ways to Write an 3. Survey Introduction 4. Quotation 5. Question 6. Setting the Scene 7. Definition 13

1. Funnel

In this style of introduction, a wide, general, opening statement gradually becomes more narrow, just like a funnel, which has a wide opening that narrows to a small spout. In a way, the information is funnelled to the thesis statement.

In a funnel introduction, the opening statement is general, then supporting statements make less general points and lead to the specific topic that is stated in the thesis statement. It is important to note that the following example introduction is two paragraphs long, which is common in introductions where it is necessary to develop the setting.

Example

I have absolutely no luck with apartments. No, that's not exactly true. The apartment in which I live is lovely, and I like it a lot. The problem rests with the apartment building itself. OK, let's narrow that down further. I have no complaint with the actual combination of concrete, bricks and mortar that makes up the apartment building. If I am completely honest, I must say that I have no luck with neighbours.

I seem to be cursed with noisy neighbours. They are perfectly nice people, but seem to have a different concept of noise pollution than I do. I can divide these noisy neighbours into three main categories: the Music Lovers, the Decorators, and the Building Inspectors. Although very different, they are bound together by a common goal — to drive me slowly but surely insane.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction

2. Anecdote

An anecdote is a short story about something that happened, which illustrates the point you want to make in your essay. Using a story at the beginning of an essay is an effective way to interest the reader.

Example

I remember my dad grumbling about water going everywhere as he put the hose back in place. He had had the hose in just the right position, and if we hadn't been playing with it, the rink would have been flooded by now. To us kids, the thought of having our own ice rink to skate on was too exciting to make us stop and think about the hose. If it was a really cold night, then maybe by tomorrow morning we could start skating!

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction

3. Survey

In a survey introduction, the writer gives readers an overview of the information contained in the essay. A survey arouses the reader's interest by giving the reader a chance to agree or disagree with an opinion stated by the writer, and this entices the reader to continue with the essay.

Example

An increasingly popular area of research in the field of education revolves around individual learning styles. It is generally acknowledged that not every student will learn in the same way, as they all have their individual strengths, weaknesses and interests. In order to provide effective instruction, teachers must be aware of the different ways in which their students learn, and plan lessons that will enhance the learning experience in their classrooms.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction

4. Quotation

Quotations are used when someone has clearly and succinctly stated an opinion you agree with and that will give the reader a clear idea of your point. For this, the quotation needs to be relevant to the topic and familiar to the reader. Quotations can be used independently or combined with other types of introductions such as anecdotes or questions. A well-chosen quotation adds credibility to an essay because it is familiar to the reader and its truth has been recognized for many years.

Example

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Absence also makes the eyes see more clearly. At least, it makes your eyes see once-familiar things in a new light. If you have lived in a city all your life, it becomes so familiar to you that you don't really see it, certainly not in the same way that a visitor would. I spent five years living in Asia, and when I returned to Canada, I saw my native country with the eyes of a visitor. Things that once were very familiar to me looked strange, even foreign. Changes had, quite naturally, occurred, but so gradually that the average resident perhaps did not even notice. But I, with my tourist's eyes, was struck by the marked differences in day-to-day Canadian life. While I had been away, Canada had discovered coffee.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introducti on

5. Question

Asking a question at the beginning of an essay is a useful tool for drawing the reader in. The question can be used to intrigue the reader, or it can set the tone for the essay. The writer can ask a question in the introduction and then wrap the essay around the answer. It is best to use Information Questions rather than Yes/No Questions. Questions, when written correctly, are great for hooking the reader.

Example

Who would willingly plunge into water that never gets warmer than ten degrees Celsius? Surprisingly, many British Columbian scuba 16

divers jump at this opportunity twelve months a year. This may surprise many divers who only consider the sport in the context of the white sand beaches, cloudless skies, and tepid azure waters of the Caribbean or Southeast Asia; when one thinks "diving", one naturally thinks "tropics". Thus, British Columbia may well be the last place one would associate with this exciting water sport. Although serious scuba divers might assume that the cold, dark, West Coast waters would not have much to offer them, they should consider Vancouver Island as a diving destination because it offers peace of mind, a wide variety of dive sites, and a plethora of animal life.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction

6. Setting the Scene

Creating a mental picture for the reader helps introduce essays. Using words that describe how things smell, look, feel, sound, and taste raises the reader's curiosity and draws the reader to read more.

Example

It's everywhere you look. Dispensed on almost every street corner and found in almost every home. Cups of it are held in the hands of workers, students, homemakers and movie stars. North Americans love their coffee. What is it about this brew that makes it so popular? In North America today, coffee is not only a physical stimulant; it is also a fashion accessory and the focal point of many social functions.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B Seven Ways to Write an Introduction

7. Definition

When a difficult or unknown term is going to be used throughout the essay, defining that term can serve as an introduction to the essay. The following example explains the two acronyms, TOEFL and TOEIC, as well as giving more information about the tests. Definition paragraphs define difficult terms or ideas, which are used throughout the essay.

Example

TOEFL and TOEIC are acronyms frequently heard in the field of English language study, but what are they? TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is an academic test of a student's level of listening, reading and writing. Although TOEIC is a test of English as well, it is more specifically a Test of English for International Communication. Both these tests evaluate students' English proficiency, but they are completely different in nature, content and focus.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1B — Comprehension Questions Introductory Paragraphs Answer the following questions to check your understanding of introductory paragraphs. Select the best answers and read the explanations in the pop-up windows. 18

1. The purpose of an introduction is ______. a to explain the points in the essay b to introduce the topic c to introduce the writer

2. What are the three elements of an introduction? Click all the correct answers. a Opening statement b Supporting paragraph c Thesis statement d Supporting sentence e Title

3. Which of the following ways to write an introductory paragraph can be used in the introduction of an illustrative essay? Click all the correct answers. a Funnel b Anecdote c Survey d Question e Setting the scene f Quotation g Definition

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1 — Exercise 2 of 3 Sentence Order in Introductory Paragraphs

Select the sentences in the order that they should appear in an introductory paragraph. If you want to change your answer, select the Reset Answers button. 19

That is not necessarily true.

There is something exhilarating yet terrifying about the prospect of seeing new sights, meeting new people, speaking a new language and learning about another culture.

Most travel fanatics imagine a career connected to travel as the perfect job.

Although they can travel extensively, travel writers face many challenges in their jobs.

Do you remember the fear and excitement you felt the first time you travelled to another countr

UNIT 1 — Lesson 1 — Exercise 3 of 3 Thesis Statements

Choose the best thesis statement for each of the following illustrative essay topics.

1. Topic: Successful business people A successful business person is always very busy. These days, to be successful in business you need to work hard, establish clear goals, and have good timing. Having your picture on the front page of the newspaper is an indication of success.

2. Topic: Changes in the weather patterns around the world Sub-zero temperatures in tropical regions, fierce winters, and disastrous flooding are key examples of global warming. This essay explains the reasons for an increase in the number of melting icebergs in the Arctic. The weather in our region has changed a lot in the last couple of years.

3. Topic: Modern Barbie dolls The Barbie doll my daughter plays with is exactly like the one I used to play with 20

as a child. Like all toys, Barbie dolls have changed to encompass all members of society, including African Americans, female military officers and lesbians. Children are less likely to play with Barbie dolls these days because most would rather interact with technology.

4. Topic: Reality Television Reality Television is believed to be the "wave of the future," but I believe it will soon be waving good-bye. It is possible to watch a Reality Television program every night of the week if you have cable. The onslaught of Reality Television feeds some base human instincts: curiosity, competitiveness, and jealousy.

5. Topic: Playing computer "catch up" Our lives are being inundated with computers, so it is necessary to stay informed, buy the latest programs, and upgrade your equipment annually. Computer technology is much more advanced than society can ever imagine. Purchasing the most up-to-date computer equipment is the only way to maintain a satisfactory level of computer literacy.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2 Supporting Paragraphs (Body)

Once the writer has attracted the reader's attention and stated the direction of the essay in the introduction, it is necessary to provide more information. This is done in the body of the essay. The body of the essay is the part of the essay where writers expand on all the points made in the introduction. Generally there are three supporting paragraphs, but there can also be more, depending on the number of points the writer is making.

While this lesson describes the body of an illustrative essay, it is important to remember that the form of the body changes according to the essay type. Other forms will be presented in the following units. 21

This lesson will focus on two important components of the essay's body: the order of supporting paragraphs and the transitions between paragraphs.

Part A: Order of Supporting Paragraphs Part B: Transitions Between Paragraphs

NIT 1 — Lesson 2A Order of Supporting Paragraphs

The order of the supporting paragraphs depends chiefly on which points you wish to emphasize in your essay. There are different ways to order paragraphs in the body of an essay:

 Chronological or time order  Order of importance  Level of familiarity  Space order  Numerical order

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2A Order of Supporting Paragraphs

Chronological or Time Order

When points are presented in the order in which they happen, they are in chronological order. This type of ordering is used when the topic can be divided into steps or stages. It is commonly used in narrative and process essays. The following excerpts are from a process essay about making an ice rink. The paragraphs are ordered from first to last step.

The example essay opens in a new window.

Example

 First Supporting Paragraph

 Second Supporting Paragraph

 Third Supporting Paragraph

The Neighbourhood Ice Rink

Introductory Paragraph

Making an ice rink certainly doesn't happen in every neighbourhood in North America, but in many communities with sub-zero winter temperatures, ice rinks are something to look forward to. These days, ice rinks can be quite sophisticated, with thick plastic liners that can be bought and laid down on the ground and flooded with water. In my day, however, ice rinks were much simpler. Making an ice rink does not have to be a complicated procedure if you remember three important things: make a good base, flood at the right time, and check for problems daily.

First Supporting Paragraph

Site preparation is an important first step for making an ice rink. The area doesn't have to be large. At our house, this meant parking the cars on the road for the winter so that our driveway could be reserved for skating. Some years we also had a larger neighbourhood skating rink down at the local park. In both instances, the procedures were the same. First, the area was dug out with shovels so that only six to eight centimeters of snow remained. As soon as that was done, it was cleared of any larger rocks and sticks that we could see. Next came the tricky part. We had to make slush, which is snow mixed with water so that the consistency is like those ice drinks that the kids now call "slurpees". My dad would run the hose over the snow, and all of the kids would jump about in it until we had slush above our ankles. Then came the most tiring part — which is when most of the kids disappeared — shovelling the slush into piles that would go all around the edges of the rink and act as a frozen barrier. If we didn't do this, then any water that was poured into the rink wouldn't stay but would usually seep off into the snow. Dad used to say that 23

this was the most important part, and the most back-breaking!

Second Supporting Paragraph

Next came the flooding. I remember as a child how difficult it was to stay off the rink until enough layers of ice had been built up. My dad would go out just before dark on a really cold night and hold the hose over the rink for about 20 minutes. One layer is not enough, he would say, and so it would take several days, or sometimes even a couple of weeks, before there were enough layers of ice to hold a mob of eager youngsters. Before he gave the final okay, I remember that Dad always did something a little strange: he would pick a very clear, cold night, and then he would go out and pour several buckets of warm water on the rink! This usually meant forming an assembly line from the house to the driveway so that the warm water could be passed along from one person to the next. Dad explained that by morning the rink would have a crystal clear coat on it — perfect for that first skate!

Third Supporting Paragraph

Whizzing around on that driveway the next morning at the crack of dawn is one of my best childhood memories. Of course, I never had any of the headaches of having to make the rink and then of having to maintain it. Ice rinks are not problem-free. I remember my friends and myself grumbling about having to stay off the rink for a day or two as Dad added a couple of layers of ice. Warm spells meant nothing to us at that age! Later, when the ice was again scuffed and marked by the criss-cross of skate blades, Dad would be out there again, this time checking for rocks or sticks that might have made their way onto the ice to present a potential hazard. During that time, he would also be checking for breaks in the perimeter ice barrier and any cracks that could be forming. Maintaining our ice rink was part of a daily routine.

Concluding Paragraph

Meanwhile, we skated at every opportunity. Spring would come soon and that would mean the demise of our ice rink. The ice would melt, the hose would be put away, and Dad would finally move the cars back into the driveway. When I think back now to all of his work — the site preparation, the freezing and flooding, and the rink maintenance — I feel an amazing gratitude. I'm sure, too, that he was the happiest person on the block to see the flowers come out!

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2A Order of Supporting Paragraphs 24

Order of Importance

Writers can also organize the paragraphs according to the level of importance they feel each point warrants. A writer may want to order the paragraphs so the most convincing or important point is last. On the other hand, the writer may want to place the convincing or important paragraph first. The following excerpts are from an essay about regulating the speed of cars. In this case, the order of paragraphs places the most convincing paragraph last.

The example essay opens in a new window.

Example

 First Supporting Paragraph

 Second Supporting Paragraph

 Third Supporting Paragraph

First Supporting Paragraph

Legislating maximum speeds for automobiles would help to make the roads a much less dangerous place. There is an urgent need for this, especially among younger drivers. In British Columbia, many young people have serious, often fatal, accidents when racing on city streets. According to the CBC online news, in February 2002, four young people died in the Vancouver area in such senseless accidents. Another danger on our roads occurs when police chase criminals or suspects who refuse to stop their cars. These high- speed pursuits can reach speeds of over 100 kilometres an hour, and often end in tragic crashes with innocent bystanders. If cars were governor equipped, criminals would be less tempted to attempt to outrun the faster police cars, which would not have governors.

Second Supporting Paragraph

If we were to decide that cars and trucks should not go faster than a certain speed, we would take a large step towards making the world a cleaner and safer place. The faster a car goes, the more fuel it consumes; thus, slower speeds would help to reduce fuel consumption, which in turn would have several beneficial effects. The first of these is a reduction in air pollution and the rate of global warming, both of which are heavily contributed to automobile emissions. Second, if less fuel is used, there is less need to drill 25 for oil in such areas as the Alaskan wilderness or in wildlife-rich coastal waters. This means less destruction of the environment, as there will be less drilling for exploration and extraction, and a reduction in the corresponding risk of oil spills in sensitive marine habitats.

Third Supporting Paragraph

Because many, if not most, people enjoy the powerful sensation of speeding in an automobile, it could be argued that the public would not support such a strong response to speeding. John Vavrik is manager of human factors research at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. In a study in which he surveyed British Columbians about their attitudes towards speeding, he found that "pro-speed concepts are deeply entrenched in our culture, and high speed typically symbolizes high efficiency and high performance in business and people, as well as in automobiles." But in the same survey Vavrik discovered that not only do "about 75% agree that speed on the roadway is a big problem," but also that "84% believe that speeding is a burden on our health-care system, and 77% feel that speeding causes auto insurance premiums to rise." This clearly demonstrates to our politicians that the public actually feels the need for slower speeds.

Concluding Paragraph

Saving lives, protecting the environment, and responding to the public will: all are strong reasons for governments to legislate maximum speeds for automobiles. A final, additional reason to cut the maximum speed is philosophical: such a decision would benefit our spirits. Instead of rushing from point A to point B, people could actually enjoy the trip and see what lies between.

Sources: CBC News online March 5, 2002 (http://www.cbc.ca) Recovery, Volume 7, Number 2, Summer 1996.

NIT 1 — Lesson 2A Order of Supporting Paragraphs

Level of Familiarity

Ordering points according to how familiar they are is another way for the writer to organize the paragraphs, similar to putting points in order of importance. Points are ordered from most to least familiar or vice versa. The example paragraphs below are from an essay about noisy neighbours. This essay orders the points from the most common type of noisy neighbour to the least common type. 26

The example essay opens in a new window.

Example

 First Supporting Paragraph

 Second Supporting Paragraph

 Third Supporting Paragraph

First Supporting Paragraph

Let us examine the first category of noisy neighbours, the Music Lover. These are the people who love music so much that they feel world. One may even think of them as musical their favourite composers to the unenlightened masses...at a less than that of a taxiing jet plane. Music Lovers come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Their tastes range from hiphop to jazz, rock to opera, classics to folk. It is a mistake to stereotype a Music Lover as a young person blasting Pearl Jam at midnight. A Music Lover could just as easily be a sweet little old lady blasting Puccini at noon. In my present apartment, I am sandwiched between two varieties of the species: beside me, a guitar-strumming, folk-playing, middle-aged man, and above me, a hard rock-playing, dancing-in-high-heels-till-dawn young woman. Sigh.

Second Supporting Paragraph

Moving along to the next example of the species, let us look at the Decorator. Now, this is a creative character. Decorators are frequently to improve their surroundings. This is an admirable overwhelming desires usually do not hit before 11 p.m. Long after the sun has set, and most of the building's tenants are in their beds, attempting to sleep, the Decorator will get out the vacuum cleaner. This is especially effective on hardwood floors, creating a lovely echoing effect in the apartment below. Decorators also enjoy rearranging their furniture at least once a week, also late at night. And, by the sound of the banging that often occurs, sometimes the furniture fights back.

Third Supporting Paragraph

Finally, we come to the last category of noisy neighbour, the people have a mission in life. Their mission is to continuously test the structural integrity of the apartment building. This is the only explanation I can come up with for their daily assaults on doors, stairs, and cupboards. The doors especially seem to suffer. Despite the presence of hinges which will guarantee that the doors will close on their own, the Building Inspectors do not trust the hinges, and must feel they were put upon this earth to push the doors to their breaking points. A well-slammed door will cause the dishes in my 27

kitchen cupboards to rattle, or pictures to shift on the wall. The same effect may be felt when a Building Inspector hurtles down the stairs at breakneck speed, either driven to set a new land record for taking out the garbage, or pursued by a herd of rabid wildebeests. Odd though this may seem, I prefer these explanations to the alternative — out-of- control, furious neighbours taking out their aggressions on the apartment fittings. While I feel sorry for the doors, better them than me.

Concluding Paragraph

I have lived in several apartment buildings, in several cities. I am convinced that these three general categories of noisy neighbours are universal. They exist everywhere. At least I hope they do. The only other explanation for my bad luck with apartments is that when I move, my noisy neighbours pack up their belongings and follow me!

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2B Transitions Between Paragraphs

Capturing the reader's interest is key in the introductory paragraph. Maintaining the interest happens in the body of the essay, and the most effective way to maintain reader interest and to ensure that the reader is able to follow the essay is to use transitions. Using transition words or phrases shows the reader the connection between paragraphs. There are three common ways to connect paragraphs:

 Repeat key words.  Refer to ideas from the paragraph before.  Use transitional expressions and sentences.

When a word from one paragraph is repeated in the following paragraph, the reader is able to follow the essay more easily.

Example

Topic: The Causes of Traffic Accidents

End of Paragraph 1: Even the most careful drivers cannot always avoid the dangers of bad weather; therefore, the most sensible drivers try to avoid the bad weather.

Start of Paragraph 2: Weather is not the only hazard on the road.

The word "weather" is a key word. Also, "not the only" is a transitional phrase that links one idea with another idea. 28

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2B Transitions Between Paragraphs

Referring to ideas from previous paragraphs shows a clear connection between the paragraphs keep the reader on track.

Example

Topic: Teaching Animals to Talk

End of Paragraph 1: It was eventually determined that the chimpanzee would never be able to master the human language but by observing him, scientists were able to gain a better understanding of how chimpanzees communicate with each other.

Start of Paragraph 2: Bonobo chimpanzees, on the other hand, have proven to be quite good at acquiring some form of language.

The idea of how well different kinds of chimpanzees can acquire language is clearly compared in these two sentences. This repetition of ideas, and use of a contrasting transitional phrase, helps the reader follow the writer's discussion.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2B Transitions Between Paragraphs

Transitional expressions and sentences are commonly used to connect paragraphs.

Example

Topic: Effects of Television on Modern Life

End of Paragraph 1: It seems we no longer know how to enjoy each other's company; we need strangers inside a television screen to entertain us and bring us together.

Start of Paragraph 2: However, not all the effects of television are negative. 29

This sentence uses a contrasting transition, "however", to tell the reader that there is a change from a negative effect to a positive effect. Here is the first sentence again and the sentence that follows it:

However, not all the effects of television are negative. Without television we would not know as much about events around the world as we do.

In subsequent units, you will learn specific transitions that are used in the various essay types.

UNIT 1 — Lesson 2 — Comprehension Questions Supporting Paragraphs (Body)

Answer the following questions to check your understanding of supporting paragraphs. Select the best answers and read the explanations in the pop-up windows.

1. What are the main purposes of the supporting30 paragraphs in an essay? Click on all correct answers. UNITa 1 —To Lesson catch the2 — reader's Exercise attention 2 of 2 b To describe and explain the main points of the essay c To conclude an essay

2. Which of the following are examples of ways to make a transition from one paragraph to another? Click on all correct answers. a Repeating words or expressions from the previous paragraph b Repeating the thesis statement c Referring to ideas from the previous paragraph d Using transitional words or expressions

3. Below are two paragraphs. Paragraph 2 is missing the first sentence. Select the best linking sentence to begin Paragraph 2.

Topic: The challenges of owning a puppy

Paragraph 1:

Unlike fish, who only wish to be fed and left alone, puppies require you to spend a lot of time caring for them. They need to be fed, walked, entertained and, in general, kept company. If they get hungry, bored, or lonely, they will bark or howl all day and upset your neighbours. Not only will you spend time caring for them, but you will spend even more time cleaning up after the puppy, arguing with family members over who will walk it and apologizing to the neighbours after it sneaks into their yard and digs up their garden. You had better have a lot of free time, because the puppy will use all of it.

Paragraph 2:

______. Puppies, like new babies, sleep a lot, but not always during the night. When a puppy wakes up at one, three and five o'clock in the morning, it wants the same attention from you that it would get during the day. It doesn't understand that the people in the house need sleep, nor does it care. Hiding your head under your pillow doesn't make it go back to sleep; it just gets louder until it wakes up your neighbours. Some people think this is just a phase that the puppy will outgrow, but not all dogs do. My dog, for example, still likes to go outside and look at the stars at two o'clock in the morning. She is thirteen years old. Get used to those bags under your eyes because you are going to have them for a while.

a Puppies have irregular sleep times. b Not only will they use up most of your day, but they will also cut into your nighttime. c You had better have a lot of free time at night too, because the puppy will keep you awake through the night. 31

Read the following paragraphs. Are they introductory or supporting paragraphs?

1. Coffee, or rather the caffeine in it, satisfies a physical need in many people. North Americans seem to live by the philosophy of "work hard and play harder", which leaves little time for sleep. They depend on coffee to get them started in the morning 32 and keep them going during the day. A glance around any college or university campus will illustrate this point. Even before the Starbucks invasion, students could be seen scurrying off to morning classes with a mug of their favourite brew in hand. Many of them would have been up half the night studying or partying, and they needed their coffee to stay awake in class. The students aren't the only ones operating UNITon caffeine. 1 — Lesson Waiting 3 in line with them at the coffee bar are many of their instructors. We areConcluding a society that Paragraphs likes to burn (Conclusion) its candle at both ends, and we need the stimulation of caffeine to keep going. introductory paragraph supporting paragraph

2. Making an ice rink certainly doesn't happen in every neighbourhood in North America, but in many communities with sub-zero winter temperatures, ice rinks are something to look forward to. These days, ice rinks can be quite sophisticated, with thick plastic liners that can be bought and laid down on the ground and flooded with water. In my day, however, ice rinks were much simpler. Making an ice rink does not have to be a complicated procedure if you remember three important things: make a good base, flood at the right time, and check for problems daily. introductory paragraph supporting paragraph

3. Moving along to the next example of the species, let us look at the Decorator. Now, this is a creative character. Decorators are frequently seized by sudden, overwhelming desires to improve their surroundings. This is an admirable quality. Unfortunately, these overwhelming desires usually do not hit before 11 p.m. Long after the sun has set, and most of the building's tenants are in their beds, attempting to sleep, the Decorator will get out the vacuum cleaner. This is especially effective on hardwood floors, creating a lovely echoing effect in the apartment below. Decorators also enjoy rearranging their furniture at least once a week, also late at night. And, by the sound of the thunderous crashing and banging that often occurs, sometimes the furniture fights back. introductory paragraph supporting paragraph

4. I have absolutely no luck with apartments. No, that's not exactly true. The apartment in which I live is lovely, and I like it a lot. The problem rests with the apartment building itself. OK, let's narrow that down further. I have no complaint with the actual combination of concrete, bricks and mortar that makes up the apartment building. If I am completely honest, I must say that I have no luck with neighbours. introductory 33

The conclusion of an essay plays an important role in the effectiveness of the essay as a whole. Regardless of how well written the introductory and supporting paragraphs are, the essay is ineffective if the reader does not recognize the end of the essay. It is important that the conclusion does not add major new ideas to the essay; rather, it should summarize or refer to the main points already given. Its job is to conclude, not continue, the discussion.

The purpose of a concluding paragraph is:

 To bring the essay to a close  To reinforce the thesis statement  To leave the reader with a strong impression

There are six ways to conclude an essay:

1. With a call for action 2. With a question 3. With a final decisive point 4. With an overview of key points

5. With a quotation 6. With a statistic