Matakuliah
Tahun
Versi
: G1222, Writing IV
: 2006
: v 1.0 rev 1
Module 1
Introduction
1
"A writer keeps surprising himself... he
doesn't know what his is saying until he
sees it on the page."
-- Thomas Williams
2
What’s Inside G1222?
1. Composing simple essay (final outcome)
2. Proofreading
3. Rules and regulations
4. Planning and inventing an essay
3
Writing Map
http://www.csuohio.edu/writingcenter/writproc.html
4
Length
• Essay length is expressed either in the number of pages, or the
number of words. Once you're out of grade school, length will almost
always be spoken of in number of words, so it's a good idea to get
used to thinking about essays that way. Generally, a page of doublespaced text equals around 250 words, but it depends on the font
used.
• Some students get the idea that assigned essay length is a
minimum (and in the early years of essay-writing, it sometimes is).
Longer is better, they may assume. Maybe, but a teacher who has
assigned a 500-word essay probably doesn't want half the students
handing in 1000-word works. In post-secondary schools (that is,
universities and colleges), teachers will either give you a range (for
example 2000-2500 words) or they'll expect you to stick very close
to the assigned length.
• It's a good idea to keep close to the assigned length. Not only will it
make your teachers happy, but it's good practice for editing your
writing down to only what is essential.
5
Cause and effect essay
Cause and effect essays are concerned with why things
happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects).
Cause and effect is a common method of organizing and
discussing ideas.
To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?" To
identify effects, ask, "What happened because of this?"
The following is an example of one cause producing one
effect:
• Cause
– You are out of gas.
• Effect
– Your car won't start.
6
Cause and Effect Essay
• State clearly whether you are discussing causes, effects,
or both. Introduce your main idea, using the terms
"cause" and/or "effect."
• Find and organize supporting details. Back up your
thesis with relevant and sufficient details that are
organized. You can organize details in the following
ways:
1. Chronological. Details are arranged in the order in
which the events occurred.
2. Order of importance. Details are arranged from
least to most important or vice versa.
3. Categorical. Details are arranged by dividing the
topic into parts or categories.
7
Cause and Effect Essay
• Use appropriate transitions. To blend details smoothly in cause and
effect essays, use the transitional words and phrases listed below.
For causes:
because, due to, on cause is, another is, since, for, first,
second
For Effects:
consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is,
another is, therefore
• Qualify or limit your statements about cause and effect. Unless there
is clear evidence that one event is related to another, qualify your
statements with phrases such as "It appears that the cause was" or
"It seems likely" or "The evidence may indicate" or "Available
evidence suggests."
8
Classification Essays
A classification essay is organizing or sorting things into
different categories. Three steps are used in creating a
classification essay:
•
First, sort things into useful categories.
•
Next, make sure all the categories are
following an organizing principle.
•
Provide examples for each of the categories.
The thesis statement should state the topic and the
categories. Basically, the classification essay organizes
supporting details into three or more groups with each
having their own identifying characteristics.
9
Analogy Essay
• An analogy is a kind of comparison that attempts to
illuminate a subject by comparing it to something else
that is in many ways unlike the subject. For example, an
analogy might explain the workings of the human brain
and nervous system by comparing it to the electrical
wiring of a car. Although a person and a car are very
different, there are specific similarities that can help
someone picture the way a human nervous system
works by reference to the more familiar car electrical
system.
• The best way to use analogy is to explain something
abstract or complicated by comparing it to something
familiar, concrete, or simple to understand.
10
Analogy
E. Make an analogy
Choose an activity from
column A to explain it by
describing it in terms of
an activity from column B
(or vice-versa).
A ----------
B ------------
• playing cards
• changing a tire
• selling
• walking
• sailing
• skiing
• plowing
• launching
rockets
• running for
office
• hunting
• Russian roulette
• brushing teeth
• writing essays
• growing up
• growing old
• rising in the
world
• studying
• meditating
• swindling
• teaching
• learning
• failing
• quarreling
• making peace
11
Compare-contrast essay
• In a comparison essay, the object is to compare the
similarities of otherwise different things, and/or to
contrast the differences of otherwise similar things.
Sometimes, you may be expected to look at the
similarities and differences, though usually the
similarities of similar things and the differences of
different things are already obvious.
• In writing this kind of essay, you'll likely need to use
methods from many of the other kinds of essays. You
might need to explain similarities by analogy or highlight
differences by process analysis
12
Definition Essay
Definitions can, of course, be useful in nearly any kind of
writing. Definitions can also make an essay all on their
own, depending on the topic and the purpose of defining
it. For many terms that need defining, especially simple
physical things, a sentence or a paragraph is often
enough.
For more abstract concepts, though, a whole essay may
just be the beginning. Consider the abstract notion love.
You could, if need be, come up with a fairly short
definition that would serve well enough in some contexts,
but an abstract like love can also provide the topic for an
essay. Suppose your topic was "What is Joy"--could you
write an essay simply attempting to define this word?
That is a definition essay.
13
Description Essay
• Some essays do nothing but describe. To describe
something in an essay, it's a good idea to use some of the
same techniques as you would use in creative writing.
• Make use of all five senses: how does a thing look, feel,
taste, smell, and sound? Note those small, unique details
that really enable a reader to see what it is about the thing
you are describing that makes it different from other things
like it. Descriptive essays can easily slip over the dividing
line between something you have to write for school and a
true piece of creative non-fiction.
• In this essay, clarity and accuracy are important, so stay
away from abstraction as much as possible. And
remember that the techniques of the descriptive essay are
useful in other essay types, as well.
• How can you analyze something without a quick
description of it, at least?
14
Argumentative Essay
• An argumentative, or persuasive essay is meant to
convince the reader of something. You might, for
example, write about why smoking is bad for your health,
or why you should always look both ways before
crossing the street.
• You don't necessarily have to agree with the position you
are arguing for, as long as you write your essay as if you
agree.
15