Essay : Leisure Time
Everyone has different ways of spending his or her free
time. Write about one or more ways that you like to spend
your leisure time. Do you exercise, read, play sports,
shop, sleep, or study? How often do you do this? Is this
an activity that you do alone or with a group? How does
the activity help you relax, clear your mind, or feel better?
(This essay incidentally, was written by a friend of mine,
who is an elementary school teacher from Penghu Island
Taiwan)
Everyone has different ways of spending his or her free time. As for me, I usually do
reading when I have free time. Most of the time, I read alone. I think because of through
reading, I can find out how beautiful this discover the beauty of the world. is.
When I was young, my parents were always busy working.; Therefore, they bought me a
lot of books to keep me company accompany me. Through reading, I have made friends with
the Three Little Pigs, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and so on. Since then, reading is has
become an important part of my life. Books, magazines, or newspaper are very handy to
carry around with. The smallness of sizes and the lightweights of reading materials made it
very convenient for me to put them into my handbag. so various that I can pick up any size of
them with me at anytime. Besides, Moreover, I can read whenever and wherever I choose to.
at anytime, Even just a shred during an interval of time, like waiting for a bus or at break time
at in school or at work.; Some people even use time to read while they are in the toilets. In
short, I can enjoy reading no matter when or where.
In addition to the convenience, reading also enriches my life, brings gives me a lot of fun,
and releases me from the my pressures of modern living. I live in Taiwan and I'm an
elementary school teacher. While reading books on of travel, like “Lonely Planet” for
example, I would got to know what about other countries are like and what their cultures and
customs too. ; also, I can also get to would know about other peoples' stories through reading
their biographies. Besides, while reading, When I am immersed in a novel for example, I
share can experience the same feelings, such as excitement, sadness and happiness, with
the characters in the books. I went to the Hogwarts with Harry Potter, fell in love with Romeo
and Juliet, and decoded secret ancient codes with The Da Vinci Code; all of which brought
me enormous pleasure. such a good time. With Through reading, I can forget all about this
material set aside all the cares of this material world and just dive into the world books
provide. Reading relieves me from the burdens of the life, and serves as an outlet for my
frustrations.
I usually do reading alone when I have free time. Reading alone doesn't make me
antisocial. mean that I don't like to read with others., It is just because most of time, I'm I
happen to be alone when I have free time. In short, doing reading when I'm free can broaden
my horizons, mind make me happy, and help me relax.
After Correction
Everyone has different ways of spending his or her free time. As for me, I usually do
reading when I have free time. Most of the time, I read alone. I think through reading, I can
discover the beauty of the world.
When I was young, my parents were always busy working. Therefore, they bought me a
lot of books to keep me company. Through reading, I have made friends with the Three Little
Pigs, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and so on. Since then, reading has become an
important part of my life. Books, magazines or newspaper are very handy to carry around
with. The smallness of size and the lightweight of reading materials made it very convenient
for me to put them into my handbag. Moreover, I can read whenever and wherever I choose
to. Even during an interval of time, like waiting for a bus or at break time in school or at work.
Some people even read while they are in the toilets. In short, I can enjoy reading no matter
when or where.
In addition to the convenience, reading also enriches my life, gives me a lot of fun, and
releases me from the pressures of modern living. I live in Taiwan and I'm an elementary
school teacher. While reading books on travel, like “Lonely Planet” for example, I got to know
about other countries and their cultures and customs too. I can also get to know about other
peoples' stories through their biographies. When I am immersed in a novel for example, I can
experience the same feelings, such as excitement, sadness and happiness, with the
characters in the books. I went to the Hogwarts with Harry Potter, fell in love with Romeo and
Juliet, and decoded secret ancient codes with The Da Vinci Code; all of which brought me
enormous pleasure. Through reading, I can set aside all the cares of this material world and
just dive into the world books provide. Reading relieves me from the burdens of life, and
serves as an outlet for my frustrations.
I usually do reading alone when I have free time. Reading alone doesn't make me antisocial. It is just because most of time, I happen to be alone when I have free time. In short,
doing reading when I'm free can broaden my horizons, make me happy, and help me relax.
Corrected and explained
Everyone has different ways of spending his or her free time. As for me, I usually do
reading when I have free time. Most of the time,(“the” is necessary here) I read alone. I think
because of (You are not wrong, but I just thought “through” is a better word) through reading,
I can find out how beautiful this (“discover” is a much more emotional word than “find out”.
“Beauty of the world” sounds better) discover the beauty of the world. is.
When I was young, my parents were always (emphasize “always” to give it a stronger feel)
busy working.; Therefore, they bought me a lot of (“a lot of” gives tells the reader more than
just buying “books”) books to keep me company (You are not wrong, but try “keeping me
company” as a variation) accompany me. Through reading, I have (“have made”, “have
eaten”, “have taken”) made friends with the Three Little Pigs, Snow White, Red Riding (Don't
forget the “Riding”) Hood, and so on. Since then, reading is has become (“Has become”
stresses the fact that it was never before) an important part of my life. Books, magazines, (No
“,” when you have the “or”) or newspaper are very handy to carry around with. (emphasize
that you want to “carry them around”) The smallness of sizes and the lightweights (“sizes and
weights” is not wrong, but sounds like an expression used in your science books) of reading
materials made it very convenient for me to put them into my handbag. (Make your
description more graphic, like “putting in your handbag” so the reader will try to picture or
imagine what you are doing) so various that I can pick up any size of them with me at
anytime. Besides, Moreover, (meaning besides) I can read whenever and wherever (meaning
anytime and anywhere) I choose to. at anytime, Even just a shred during an interval (Not
“shred of time” but “interval of time”) of time, like waiting for a bus or at break time at in
school or at work.; Some people even use time to read while they are in the toilets. In short, I
can enjoy reading no matter when or where.
In addition to the convenience, reading also (“also” because it is an additional point you
are making) enriches my life, brings gives (“bring” is not wrong.) me a lot of fun, and releases
me from the my pressures of modern living.(Pressure from what? Why not tell the reader it is
from modern living) I live in Taiwan and I'm an elementary school teacher. While reading
books on of travel, like “Lonely Planet” for example (“Lonely Planet” is a popular book about
travel), I would got to know what about other countries are like and what their cultures and
customs too. ; also, I can also get to (“get to know” as in trying or attempting to find out about
something) would know about other peoples' stories through reading their biographies.
Besides, while reading, When I am immersed (“immersed” as in very indulged or very
focused in doing something) in a novel (Novel, why not tell what you are reading) for
example, I share can experience (“share's is alright, but experience is a feeling of been into
something physically. A more powerful way to describe your feelings) the same feelings, such
as excitement, sadness and happiness, with the characters in the books. I went to the
Hogwarts with Harry Potter, fell in love with Romeo and Juliet, and decoded secret ancient
codes with The Da Vinci Code; all of which brought me enormous pleasure.(“enormous”
means “big or huge”) such a good time. With Through reading, I can forget all about this
material set aside all the cares of this material (or all the woes of this world. Meaning the
worries or concerns) world and just dive into the world books provide. Reading relieves me
from the burdens of the life, and serves as an outlet for my frustrations.(An “outlet” is a
“channel” and in this context, it means to vent your anger, or frustrations)
I usually do reading alone when I have free time. Reading alone doesn't make me
antisocial.(“Antisocial” means not wanting to be around people or doing things that others
disapprove of, socially) mean that I don't like to read with others., It is just because most of
time, I'm I happen to be (“Happen to be” means “by chance” like “I happened to see him at
the department store) alone when I have free time. In short, doing reading when I'm free can
broaden my horizons, (Your “horizons” are the things you know, or your knowledge base, so
to speak) mind make me happy, and help me relax.
What is an Essay?
One of the most common written assignments you will be asked to prepare at university is an
essay.
An academic essay is a document or text written in order to:
1. Analyze a topic closely
2. Develop a point of view in relation to that topic through research and thought
3. Persuade your reader that the point of view you have developed is well supported by the
ideas and
information you present
Essays have three main parts or stages:
The initial statement of the point of view that you have developed in response to the topic
(sometimes called the thesis statement). This part of the essay is the introduction.
The argument or arguments which are presented to support this point of view. This part is
the body of the essay.
The summary of the arguments and the restatement of the overall point of view that has
been
developed. This part of the essay is the conclusion.
Writing the Essay
When preparing an essay you undertake a number of different activities:
1. Choosing a question
2. Analyzing the question
3. Making an initial plan
4. Locating resources
5. Reading and noting
6. Writing the first draft
7. Revising and redrafting.
You may find that you move backwards and forwards among these activities. For example,
when you are writing your first draft you may constantly refer back to your analysis of the
question to make sure you are answering the question. Sometimes as you read you discover
ideas that you hadn’t thought of or come across previously, and so you may need to locate
further resources.
Choosing a question
If you have a choice of essay questions you might consider the following factors when
deciding which essay to do:
1. Which topics interest you most?
2. Which topics have good resource materials available?
3. Which topics are most relevant to you personally or professionally?
4. Which topics might be easiest for you to write about?
Analyzing the question
Analyzing the question enables you to keep your essay on the topic by identifying the
important parts of the essay question. There are three main parts to an essay question which
you need to identify:
Task or directive words such as ‘analyze’, ‘discuss’, ‘compare’. A list of commonly
used task words and an interpretation of what they mean has been included at the end of this
topic.
Information words. This part of the question describes what content you will focus on in the
essay
Limits words. There are two kinds of limits in essay questions. There are limits to the
information part of the question confining it, for example, to a particular place, time or group.
There are also limits set on the length and time for the essay and sometimes limits on the
resources you are to use.
Commonly Used Task Words
Task word
analyse
argue
assess
compare
contrast
criticise
define
describe
discuss
enumerate
evaluate
examine
explain
illustrate
interpret
justify
outline
prove
review
summarise
trace
Meaning
examine closely; examine something in terms of its parts and how they are related to
each other
present a case for and/or against …
decide the value of …
discuss two or more things in terms of their similarities and differences
discuss two or more things, emphasizing their differences
give a judgment about the value of … and support that judgment with evidence
make clear what is meant by …; use a definition or definitions to explore the concept
of …
present a detailed account of …
consider and offer some interpretation or evaluation of …; present and give a
judgment on the value of arguments for and against …
give an item by item account
attempt to form a judgment about …
inspect … in detail and investigate the implications
make clear the details of …; show the reason for, or underlying cause of, or the means
by which … occurs
offer an example or examples to show how or that, or make concrete the concept of
…
make clear the meaning of … and its implications
give reasons why certain decisions should be made, or certain conclusions reached
go through and identify briefly the main features of …
show by logical argument
report the chief facts about …;offer a criticism of …
describe … concisely
identify and describe the development or history of … from some point, or from its
origin
Ex 1 Identify the topics below as to what type of essay they could be
a. critical b. argumentative c. process d. cause/effect e. compare/contrast f. definition
g. descriptive
1. _____ public transportation is better for the environment than driving
2. _____ what happened to a town after a volcano erupted
3. _____ what honesty means
4. _____ what a skier has to do to become a champion skier
5. _____ two ways of celebrating birthdays
6. _____ how to be successful at math
7. _____ every college should offer free basic courses to the public
8. _____ similes in the work of poet Langston Hughes
How to Write a Good Essay
So much goes into writing a good paper. You need to know a lot, and that means read a lot;
you must sort through plenty of evidence, decide what you make of it, decide what material
will help you make your case, and how to organize it. You must decide on your purpose,
which means you must decide what you’re trying to say, why it is worth saying, and whom
you’re speaking to. And once you’ve got the basic shape, you must make decisions about
how to introduce your paper, conclude it, polish the sentences, integrate quotes, and so on.
You can’t do that in one draft. Forget it. – But how, then, do you break down the task? It
helps to write an intermediate draft: one in which you lay out the goals of the paper, your
thesis (or at least, the question you are trying to answer), the audience you imagine yourself
addressing, and above all, the evidence you’ve come up with. We will call this the
“research draft.”
It’s all tentative! Please note: the research draft doesn’t set your paper in stone. Your
thesis may well change, and you may have to do more research, or leave out some of the
material you planned to include. However, the research draft helps you make these
decisions.
Content and Format
Your research draft should present the following:
Thesis and outline. Write the point you plan to make as a single, declarative sentence.
Then, in a
series of single, declarative sentences, lay out your main supporting points. You can do this
in
classic outline format, or simply as a list of sentences.
Evidence. Lay out the evidence you plan to use in your paper. This should be organized in a
bulleted list, or in paragraphs. Distinguish between facts (actual information) and opinions
(people’s views on it) and identify the name of the source (writer or publication).
Audience and purpose. In a few single, declarative sentences, clarify who you are talking to.
This
is not the same as asking who will read your paper. I will read your paper, and your
classmates;
but you are not really writing to us. You are writing to a figure of your imagination, and the
more clearly you can envisage this person, the more easily you can clarify your purpose. Are
you trying to persuade someone of your thesis? Are you explaining a complex issue to an
outsider?
Problems. Here, explore some of the difficulties you might have. (As you work through the
composition modules on using introductions, integrating quotes and so on, you can consider
those decisions here.) Do you think you might struggle with organization? Are you still not
sure of your thesis? Do you need more information? Clarify here.
Sources. List your sources, giving full names of writer and publication, date of publication,
editor, or any other evidence that you will need to include.
What is in Each Part of an Essay?
What are the main parts of an
essay?
Introduction, body, conclusion.
Why is an essay divided into
these parts?
This Arrangement makes the reader’s job easier. The
information is presented in an order that is clear and logical.
What are the parts of an
introduction?
(1) General topic,
(2) narrowing the focus,
(3) thesis
Why does an introduction have
these parts?
Organized in this way, an introduction gives background to
the topic and then focuses more and more on the specific
topic. This enables the reader to understand the thesis
more easily and completely. The reader can then read the
body of the essay while making predictions about the kinds
of information that will be given in the body.
What kinds of information can be
put into each part?
The general topic contains background information, locating
the topic of the essay in a broader context. The next part
narrows the focus by providing more specific information
that the reader may need in order to understand the thesis.
The thesis then appears, giving the main argument of the
essay that follows.
What are the main parts of a
body paragraph?
(1) Topic sentence and (2) support.
Why does a body paragraph
have these parts?
Beginning with a topic sentence gives the reader a clear
idea of what kind of information is to follow. The support
gives detailed information relating to the topic sentence.
What kinds of information can be
put into
the parts of a body paragraph?
Essays are open to all kinds of academic information and
topics.
What are the parts of a
conclusion?
(1) Commitment to the thesis,
(2) followed by expansion.
What kinds of information can be
put into
the parts of a conclusion?
If the writer feels that he/she has proved the thesis, the
thesis can simply be restated here, usually in a different
way. In the expansion, the writer links the thesis with more
general related ideas that are not contained in the thesis.
One common expansion is to make predictions about the
future. Another is to generalize to a larger domain.
What are some common patterns
of information in essays?
Many longer essays (and letters to the editor, business
documents, case studies, etc.) use the pattern: situation,
problem, solution, evaluation. Other common patterns also
occur.
What kinds of restrictions on
vocabulary might occur in an
essay? How might these
restrictions vary from one part of
an essay
to another?
Vocabulary is topic related and academic (fairly formal).
The main variation in language use in an essay is between
general and specific, depending on what part of the essay
contains it.
The general topic at the beginning of the introduction is very
general. So is expansion at the end of the conclusion. The
support in the body paragraphs uses different degrees of
specific information, however.