Writing Essentials

The active voice

is usually written in the form "A was B by C."

PIE

point, illustration, explanation

You should use active voice when

you want to make clear who did the action.

Which of the following is often included as part of a conclusion?

A call to action

Which of the following statements is true about the active voice?

An active voice sentence is usually written in the form "A does B." WRONG

A conclusion often contains which of the following?

An emotional appeal connected to the logic of the piece

Emotional Appeals (Pathos)

Authors using emotional appeal might support their claims with some of the same kinds of evidence listed above, but they try to invoke an emotional response in their readers. These include the following: personal anecdotes that readers may relate to compelling narratives emotional or stirring testimony of those involved first-hand on the issue

Logical Appeals (Logos)

Authors using logic to support their claims will include a combination of different types of evidence. These include the following: established facts case studies statistics experiments analogies and logical reasoning citation of recognized experts on the issue

Erlin is thinking about the structure of a body paragraph. She knows that her paragraph should have a topic sentence or key idea. And she knows that she should have evidence - in the form of examples, data, or quotations. Is there anything else that Erlin should be thinking about in terms of creating a complete and well-structured body paragraph?

Erlin needs to remember to include an explanation that tells the audience why the evidence provided furthers the point of the paragraph.

Lourdes is working on improving the transition sentences at the end of her paragraphs in order to guide her reader through her argument. Her essay focuses on the rise of white nationalism and political extremism. Her second paragraph discusses the ways in which extremist groups use the internet to target and recruit young men. The third paragraph in her essay discusses the ways in which extremist groups raise money to support their work. Which of the following transition sentences might be effective at the end of the 2nd paragraph?

Facebook, Twitter, and a range of less well-known social media platforms offer white nationalist and extremist organizations not just a way to target and recruit young men but also an opportunity to raise money for their organizations.

You are reading a newsletter distributed to members of your health club. The club is encouraging all members to bring their own BPA-free water bottles instead of using single-serving plastic bottles. As evidence, the newsletter includes information from the following: A Wikipedia article on BPA Personal testimony from the gym's founding members who stopped using single-serving plastic bottles A price list of BPA-free water bottles from the gym store How convinced of this claim do you think you and your fellow members will be? Responses

It is unlikely to be convincing. The newsletter should offer evidence and objective data on the dangers of BPA or an emotional appeal about the dangers of plastics. The gym's founding members are not experts on the benefits of BPA-free water bottles, so their testimony isn't particularly convincing.

Which of the following sentences is written in the active voice?

Jayden drank more sodas than anyone else at the party.*

Maria has written an essay on the dangers of multitasking. She has a paragraph that focuses on the dangers of multitasking while walking. Her working topic sentence is as follows: "Multitasking while walking is dangerous." How might Maria improve the topic sentence for this paragraph by focusing on transitions during her revision process?

Maria might use an additive transition: "In addition to the dangers of driving while texting, multitasking while walking is dangerous."

Which of the following sentences uses parallel construction effectively?

My grandfather texts, sends photos, and uses apps like a 20-year-old.

What's the best way to revise this sentence in order to put it into the active voice? Identification of the needs of the citizens will determine how the tax dollars are distributed.

The government will identify the needs of the citizens in order to determine how the tax dollars are distributed.

What is wrong with this sentence and why?My colleagues supported my proposal for two reasons: first, it is practical, and second, its simplicity. Responses

The sentence does not use parallel structure because "it is practical" and "its simplicity" are not parallel.

Chikamara is writing an essay on the rise of white nationalism and political extremism. She has the following sentence as the end of the 2nd paragraph of her essay: "Facebook, Twitter, and a range of less well-known social media platforms offer white nationalist and extremist organizations not just a way to target and recruit young men but also an opportunity to raise money for their organizations." Based on this sentence, we can anticipate that her third paragraph will discuss what topic?

The ways in which extremist groups raise money to support their work.

Analyze this paragraph from the body of a research paper. Using the PIE format for your analysis, does this paragraph seem effective? Why or why not? Daniel J. Pfeifer, the author of "Smoking Gun: The Moral and Legal Struggle for Medical Marijuana," says, "according to the American Medical Association, when a physician believes a law is unjust, he or she should work to change the law. If a patient is suffering from pain and medical marijuana is one option a physician may prescribe, then the physician should work to maintain the patient's wellbeing and health." Daniel J. Pfeifer further says, "Ultimately, the federal government's prohibition on access to and use of medical marijuana to alleviate pain in terminally ill patients infringes upon their autonomy, which includes their rights to live and avoid severe physical suffering, the right to receive medical treatment, and the right to die with the dignity that comes from one's own choices." (Daniel J. Pfeifer 341)

This paragraph needs to be strengthened with the inclusion of a stronger point and explanation.

Ethical Appeals (Ethos)

Writers use their own authority as thinkers and scholars to support their claims. They may draw from different sources as evidence for their claims. These may include the following: personal anecdotes based on substantial personal experience illustration of deep knowledge on the issue citation of recognized experts on the issue testimony of those involved first-hand on the issue

Kimberly wants to make an argument about how difficult it is for students who commute to (rather than dorm at) college. As part of her evidence, she plans to include analysis of the number of minutes she spends each day commuting to and from school. Is this an effective use of evidence for Kimberly's discussion?

Yes, because Kimberly is using ethos (the authority of her first-hand experience), logos (statistics about her commute), and pathos (expressing her frustration with her commute) to make her case.

Your English teacher says that she doesn't want students to use contractions (can't) in their essays. What is the best way to understand this requirement?

Your English teacher is indicating that your essays need to be written in formal, academic language.

Which of the following four sentences is most effective? A. Attendance and class participation are really critical to academic success. B. Attendance and class participation correlate with academic success. C. Attendance and class participation are critical to academic success. D. Attendance is critical to academic success; class participation is also vital. Responses

because it uses an active verb and is simple and clear.

Which of the following represents the best way to think about the difference between informal, conversational language and formal, academic language?

Formal language is precise, standard, and complex; informal language may be simpler and non-standard.

Sasha has drafted a piece of writing full of informal, non-standard language choices. What is the best way to determine whether her language choices are appropriate?

Sasha needs to consider the rhetorical context of the writing situation. Her use of informal, conversational language may be appropriate.

Nancy needs an effective way to begin her introduction about an essay on literacy habits of Generation Z. Which of the following approaches seems most effective?

"If you are a member of Generation Z, when would you estimate was the last time you held a hardcover book in your hand and read it for pleasure?"

Your classmate Xuan isn't sure how to write an effective conclusion. What should you tell her?

Here, include a re-statement of your essay's main idea.

Read this topic sentence: "If caffeine can be an impediment to healthy sleep, so too can too much screen time before bed." Based on this topic sentence, what would you expect the subject of the paragraph that follows to be?

How too much screen time before bed can be an impediment to healthy sleep.

Which of the following best identifies the function of a topic sentence?

To introduce the topic of the paragraph, connect to the previous paragraph, and connect to the overall thesis.

Maria has written the following sentence: "Any student wishing to earn an internship must turn in his application to career services by Friday." How could she revise her sentence to make it the most inclusive?

"Students wishing to earn internships must turn in their applications to career services by Friday."

Which of the following sentences is the most powerful? 1. If we accept the growth mindset, we embrace our failures as opportunities for future success. 2. If we accept the growth mindset, we embrace our failures as tremendously important opportunities for future success. 3. Accept the growth mindset! 4. If we acquire and secure the growth mindset, we embrace our failures as opportunities for future success and honor.

1, because it is simple and clear.

Evaluate these two versions of this thesis. Explain why one is more effective than the other.. A. Ants are important. B. Ants play a critical role in aerating our soil.

A is too general; B makes a specific claim about why ants are important: they aerate our soil.

Your reading for tonight is a chapter from your book on the history of economics, which opens with basic definitions of economic schools of thought, describes various systems, and ends with a comparison of eastern and western economic thought. Which thesis statement best prepares you as a reader for this chapter?

A look at the definition of economic theories, descriptions of their variations, and comparisons between Eastern and Western economic thought show us that there is more to economics than just buying and selling.

Identify the logical problem in this paragraph: The "prison industrial complex" is a term that describes a complex interlocking web of institutions that extends outward beyond any one jail or prison into the larger political economy and loops back to the thousands of jails and prisons that house men and women for crimes for which they have been convicted. In contrast, prisoners are alienated and forced to work to reduce the time for their crimes, and some are often not compensated at all. Major corporations like Wal-Mart, JC Penny, AT&T, and ExxonMobil are among a few notable companies that participate in the exploitation of the prison labor. The prison industrial complex is like a hungry lion that has to be fed and its growth has been substantial. This enterprise is governed by the principles of earning a profit for the private sector rather than fulfilling basic human needs.

The phrase "In contrast" is the wrong transitional word because it signals a contrast. A better suggestion would be "Prisoners, for example, are."

The tagline for Star Trek is as follows: "To boldly go where no man has gone before." If we analyze this sentence in terms of style and audience, which of the following conclusions might we draw?

The phrase is stylistically inappropriate because it is not inclusive.

Samantha is writing an advertisement analysis paper in her composition class. Her ad is for De Beers diamonds, and in her introduction she notes the company's slogan: "A Diamond is Forever." As she writes her conclusion, Samantha emphasizes her thesis statement with fresh language and considers ending with another reference to the slogan. Is this a good strategy for a conclusion?

Yes. Samantha should refer back to an idea she brought up in the introduction if she thinks it fits her work.

Leah is struggling to write her introduction to a paper about the morality of government wire-tapping. Which of the following tactics should she try, and why?

She might try writing the introduction after she's drafted the body of her essay, so that she has a better sense of what she's introducing. This will also give her an idea about relevant historical anecdotes she could open with that relate to the subject.

Identify the logical problems in this paragraph: Financial strain, work and family conflict, and marital dissatisfaction may be byproducts of the emotional and time commitments dual income families generate. For the majority of dual income families, women feel more of the gender inequality with regards to parental responsibilities and thus are linked to greater distress and anger. This anger stems in part from the good mother model, which is inflexible and maintains that mothers are to be involved, always available and committed to the family. Furthermore, the father role appears to be more flexible as they are seen as both breadwinners and caregivers. With this flexibility come social expectations that foster more time for enjoyment. Given these circumstances, fathers may not experience the stress and role strain that working mothers feel. Responses

"Furthermore" is the wrong transitional word to indicate contrast between the inflexible mother role and the flexible father role.

Amanda is writing a letter to her professor to ask for a recommendation for a graduate program. In this situation, Amanda's professor is the audience for her letter asking for a recommendation. Which of the following reflects effective consideration of audience by Amanda for this scenario?

Amanda should research her professor's biases and opinions about graduate school before she asks her for a recommendation. Her professor might already have a strong opinion on the subject of graduate school. WRONG

Which is the stronger thesis statement? People should start saving for retirement before thirty. By saving for retirement early, before thirty, people will get greater peace of mind, more stability, and more opportunity for growth.

B is the better choice because it states the topic and the claim and tells the reader what to expect.

Imagine that you read the following topic sentence in a paragraph of an essay: "Students who try to multitask during class do significantly worse on exams." Based on this topic sentence, what would you expect to see as the thesis statement for the essay?

Exam performance can be impeded by poor study skills, low attendance, and distracting attempts to multitask during class.

Emiliano cannot seem to get over his writer's block. He's trying to write an introduction to his paper about the paparazzi and privacy laws. Which of the following tactics should he try, and why?

He might try writing the introduction after he's drafted the body of his essay, so that he has a better sense of what he's introducing.

Read this topic sentence: "If caffeine can be an impediment to healthy sleep, so too can too much screen time before bed." Based on this topic sentence, what would you expect the subject of the previous paragraph to be?

How caffeine is an impediment to healthy sleep.

Shantel has written an essay about why voter suppression was the key to understanding the 2016 election. Which of the following sentences might be an effective way for Shantel to drive home the "So, what?" of her essay?

If the United States intends to continue to function as a democracy, then we can no longer afford to ignore the insidious disenfranchisement of voters throughout our country.

Lisa is a first-year student who is working on a campus project to increase recycling in the fraternity and sorority houses. She has been invited to address the student government about her ideas. The government is very supportive of Greek life on campus and has in the past been very reluctant to pass measures in the past that add rules to Greek houses. What is Lisa's best rhetorical approach in addressing the group?

Lisa should emphasize that an increase in recycling at fraternities and sororities need not involve adding rules and might add to the overall credibility and visibility of Greek life on campus.

Michelle is speaking to the Board of Trustees about the cost of parking on campus in the hope of convincing them to reduce fees. There are many ways for her to approach this task, but she is thinking in particular about understanding her audience and using that to make her address most effective. What kind of audience research might Michelle conduct in preparation for her address to the Board?

Michelle might survey fellow college students to see what they think about the cost of parking and whether they have any recommendations to make to the Board.

Selena has written the following sentence: "College success depends on hard work, working hard, and work." Which of the following peer advice sums up what she needs to do to improve her sentence?

Selena should revise her sentence as follows: "College success depends on hard work."

Bobby is writing an argument paper with a main claim that Major League Baseball needs to implement some rule changes to get younger fans interested in watching the sport. Which of the following is the best option for the first sentence of his introduction?

The game of baseball is called "America's Pastime" and has been played professionally in the United States for about a century-and-half, but the sport's originators could have never anticipated keeping modern fans glued to televisions sets day after day for more than six months each year.

Which sentence is the topic, or key, sentence in this paragraph?

The phenomenon of red-eye can be lessened by using the red-eye reduction feature found on many SLR cameras.