Main Resource: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/
Writing issues discussed in class:
1. Remember to explain quoted material immediately and explicitly, giving as much detail as possible to ensure that your reader understands your point.
2. In a paragraph or essay, try to connect different points of discussion by stating their relationship to one another (contradictory, cause-and-effect, etc.) in order to go beyond stating points as separate and disconnected entities.
3. Avoid using absolute language in expository writing such as “always”, “prove”, etc. Instead, try “often”, “may”, “suggest”, and so on to acknowledge the potential gaps in your understanding and analysis.
In-class Essay Tips:
1. Keep introductions brief, avoid broad, sweeping statements and epic/flowery language. Last sentence of intro is the thesis consisting of two parts: both your topic of discussion and an explanation of why it is important – providing a road map for your reader.
e.g. Eating cheesecake is an important part of a healthy lifestyle because of X, Y and Z.
2. Body paragraphs – topic and concluding sentences are to derive from the thesis, there should be no surprises for the reader.
3. Conclusion – brief summary of main points
4. Compare/contrast essay – must reference both works and organize paragraphs thematically through side by side comparison/contrast i.e. each paragraph must address both passages under one thematic topic.