Unit 5 Seminar
Expository refers to writing that explains andclarifies an idea.
You come across examples of expository writingevery day:
Magazine articles
Newspaper articles
Emails and memos
Instruction manuals
Academic assignments and essays often fallunder the category of expository writing.
Hallmarks of expository writing:
Precisely-worded
Focused around a central idea
Logically sound (uses adequate support)
What is “Business Speak?”
What is a thesis statement?
The thesis statement is a statement of
your topic and a comment about it.
The thesis sentence appears as the last sentence of theintroduction paragraph, the first paragraph of the essay.
The thesis sentence expresses the central idea of the essayand gives the specific points upon which the bodyparagraphs will be based.
These points are called key points and give specific directionto your general topic.
Topic + Key Points = Thesis sentence
Generally stated in a single sentence.
Expresses an point of view, not a topic.
Limits the topic.
Indicates the kind of support to follow.
Helps to organize the supporting material
Is precisely worded.
It does NOT announce by saying: I am going totell you about….or My essay will explain….
•Define what you want to do in this paper
•For example: Cause and effect
•Cause and Effect examines the relationships between what happens(the effect) and why it happens (the cause).
One cause may have several effects. For instance, if you decide tomove into the country from the city, you may have the benefit ofcleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and cheaper prices.
Or, several causes can contribute to a single effect. For example, wemake choices based on several criteria: The captain of the Titanicignored fog warnings, iceberg warnings, and even the announcementthat the ship was going to sink because he bought into the idea thatthe ship was unsinkable.
To incorporate this into a thesis statement, identify the topic, make anassertion about the topic, and decide if you want to focus on causes,effects, or both.
Example: Because of their mainly vegetarian diet, Malaysia hashealthier adults, less childhood obesity, and a booming farm economy.
It is your “what’s the point?”
It is your main perspective/focus of your paper.
Has two main parts: perspective + three main focusareas/directions.
It is what you want your readers to know, and what you haveto develop.
It is the main idea you are trying to get across.
Steps to constructing a draft thesis statement:
A. Identify your main topic: Love in the twenty-first century
B. Ask a specific research question regarding your topic (thisleads to a more personalized and specialized focus): Use thetrigger words “How,” “Why,” or “What about it?”
C. The second part of your thesis statement will be yourillustration (goals and direction of your paper).
Point 1, Point 2, and Point 3
How something works: 3 stages
Why something works: 3 reasons
The causes and effects of a phenomenon: 2 causes, 1effect
Putting it together: A + B + C!
Love in the twenty-first century (how does it work)? –functions primarily through technology, which 1. 2. and3.
The Problem Solution!
Problem solution writing begins by identifying and examining a problem. Afteranalyzing the problem, you then discuss possible solutions and their viability.For instance, if you wanted to focus on the problem of teenage pregnancy, youwould look at how others have tried to solve this problem. The availability ofcontraception, mandatory sex education courses, and the inclusion ofabstinence as a form of birth control would be possible solutions
For an essay, you could choose to examine:
a single solution and discuss how it works and whyit works, or
detail three proposed solutions and discuss andanalyze their viability.
What’s with our public schools? Identify thethesis of this article.
Now for the best part: you will have a very creativeformat for your assignment.
You will create a script of a conversation between twopeople—a dialogue. This will be like writing a scene for amovie or television show. Have fun! Use characters fromyour favorite movies, television shows, and books if youlike. You may also simply make up your characters.
In your script, you’ll be describing through your twocharacters a social problem. One of the characters ispart of the problem—the cause—and the other is part ofa solution, the “cure” that would help you and yourworld.
Some examples of social problems include world poverty and hunger,intolerance of differences among people, and a list that could go on and on.
You are encouraged to think carefully and creatively. Of course, not all socialproblems are created equal, but you are free to choose among them. Do notfeel you must choose in order of importance. Possible problems couldinclude ignorance, bad driving, unfairness, not recycling, gossiping, abuse ofchildren and the elderly, or illiteracy.
Brainstorm ideas until you have an idea that feels right to you: one withwhich you connect and that you have confidence exploring further.
Create a thesis that justifies why your “cure” is important. This is again akind of cause and effect writing called problem-solution writing. You identifythe problem and suggest the cure (solution).
What should you cover in your “script”?
What are at least three causes of this problem?
How does this problem affect your daily life or the life of others?Mention at least three effects.
The script should be 500 words or greater.
Submitting your Project
Put your project in a Word document. Save it in a location you'llremember and with a name that follows the rules for namingprojects for this course. See the course syllabus (“namingconventions”) for the required format.
Best of luck!