Name: _____________________________
Beach Park
Essays 2
Objective:
In this lesson, you will learn the extended order in essays: chronological and spatial
importance and transitional expressions.
A Prewriting Activity:
This lesson will let you practice showing instead of telling your reader what you want him or her
to see. For example, if someone says, "It was an ugly place," this is telling. From this sentence,
can you get an idea of what this house looks like?
Probably not. On the other hand, suppose someone says, "The old house sits on the corner of
the abandoned lot. Its gray, weathered boards are loose, and when the wind blows, their
clattering creates a weird sound. The windows are mostly all broken. Some are boarded up."
Describe in your own words what a scary old house would look like.
Begin writing here:
Name: _____________________________
Beach Park
Essays 2
Extending the Order in an Essay
In the last lesson, you learned the basic structure of an essay. In this lesson, you will review
essay structure and extend that structure into a longer essay. You will review chronological
order and spatial importance learned in earlier lessons. You will add to your ability to create a
smooth, even flow in your writing by learning some additional transitional techniques.
Here is a basic model for the essay you wrote in the last lesson.
I. Introduction
A. Thesis statement
B. Main idea
II. Body
A. Specific support 1
B. Specific support 2
C. Specific support 3
III. Conclusion
By using this model, you can write a basic five-sentence paragraph.
1. The introduction gets the reader's attention and interest and makes the person want to read
further.
2. The body of the essay is the middle part. It states the main points to be made and gives
support for each of those points.
3. The conclusion of the essay reinforces the main idea. The conclusion is your final opportunity
to impress your reader.
Extending the Order In an Essay
The formula you have just learned is useful in writing any kind of essay. The essay format you
have learned can be adapted and expanded to fit your purpose.
Chronological Order
Remember, in chronological order, begin with your first point and end with your last. It works
like a timeline. The paragraphs in your essay will be like the dates in a timeline.
Spatial Importance in an Essay
You have already learned that spatial order describes objects in relation to each other, left to
right, right to left, front to back, back to front, near to far, far to near, etc.
Spatial order also refers to grouping ideas and facts within your essay. As you sort and group
information for your essay, ask yourself these questions:
Name: _____________________________
Beach Park
Essays 2
1. Which details or bits of information belong together?
2. What do the details or bits of information have in common?
3. Which details or bits of information do not fit in any group? Delete these details.
You must perform two ordering procedures in your essay:
1. You must order details within each group.
2. Groups must be ordered within the essay.
In both instances, put your information in an order that will make sense to your reader.
Transitional Expressions
Transitional words and phrases help link or show the relationship between ideas, sentences, and
paragraphs. Here are some common transitional expressions:
To compare, classify, and define ideas, use words such as: also, and, another, besides, in
addition, other, similarly, and too.
To contrast, classify, and define ideas, use words such as: although, but, however, in spite of,
instead, nevertheless, on the other hand, otherwise, still, and yet.
To show cause and effect in a narration, use words and phrases such as: as a result, because,
consequently, for, since, so, therefore, and thus.
To show time in a narration, use words and phrases like: after, at last, at once, before,
eventually, finally, first, for a time, meanwhile, then, and when.
To show place in a spatial order description, use these words: above, across, around, before,
beyond, from, here, in, nearby, next, on, over, there, to, or under.
In an evaluation, use these words or phrases to show importance: first, last, mainly, more
important, then, to begin with.
In addition to the use of these common transitional words and phrases, ideas and paragraphs
may be connected by using direct reference. You learned in the last lesson that direct reference
can be achieved in one of these three ways:
1. By use of a noun or pronoun that refers to a noun or pronoun used earlier.
2. By repetition of a word used earlier.
3. By using a word or phrase that means the same or nearly the same as one used earlier.
Name: _____________________________
Beach Park
Essays 2
Assignment
List five direct reference transitions in the essay about the importance of the computer to a
writer.
Begin them here:
Here are some of the transitions you could have listed:
1. Between the first and second paragraphs: computers, computers (repetition of a word)
2. Between second and third paragraph: writers, their (refer back with a pronoun)
3. Fourth paragraph: they (additional use of pronoun)
4. Between fourth and fifth paragraph: a yellow light comes on, a yellow light comes on
(repetition of a phrase)
5. Between fifth and sixth paragraphs: computer, computer (repetition of a word)
6. Between sixth, seventh, and eighth paragraphs: writer, writer, writer (repetition of a word)
7. Between seventh and eighth paragraphs: keys, keys (repetition of a word)
8. Last paragraph: computers, computers (repetition of a word)
You may have found different and/or additional transitions.
An Assignment for Your Student Writing Portfolio:
Compare your life today to the life of a child in the Old West. (You may need to do some
research before you begin.) Write an introduction that includes a thesis statement and the main
idea of your essay. Remember, the introduction should spark the reader's interest and make
him or her want to read further. In the body of your essay, develop good supporting sentences
for the main idea. Be sure to include transition words to link your ideas and make your writing
flow. Finally, write a conclusion that reinforces the main idea and sums up your essay. When you
have finished your draft, revise, edit, and proofread. Check with your teacher for specific
instructions about publishing your essay.
Begin writing here: