Knowledge – remember previously learned
information
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Define
Describe
Identify
Name
Outline
Relate
Select
state
Comprehension – demonstrate an
understanding of facts.
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Classify
Describe
Discuss
Distinguish
Explain
Give examples
Identify
Indicate
summarize
rewrite
Apply knowledge to actual situations.
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Apply
Choose
Demonstrate
Illustrate
Interpret
Predict
Write
Analysis – breakdown objects or ideas into
simpler parts and find evidence to support
generalizations.
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Analyze
Compare
Contrast
Critique
Distinguish
Examine
Point out
Relate
select
Synthesis – compile component ideas into a
new whole or propose alternative solutions.
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Arrange
Assemble
Compose
Develop
Explain
Prepare
Rewrite
Revise
summarize
Evaluation – make and defend judgements
based on internal evidence or external criteria.
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Argue
Compare
Defend
Describe
Explain
Summarize
Support
judge
The pioneers of the teaching of science imagined that its
introduction into education would remove the conventionality,
artificiality, and backward-lookingness which were characteristic;
of classical studies, but they were gravely disappointed. So, too, in
5 their time had the humanists thought that the study of the classical
authors in the original would banish at once the dull pedantry and
superstition of mediaeval scholasticism. The professional
schoolmaster was a match for both of them, and has almost
managed to make the understanding of chemical reactions as dull
10 and as dogmatic an affair as the reading of Virgil's Aeneid.
15
20
The chief claim for the use of science in education is
that it teaches a child something about the actual universe
in which he is living, in making him acquainted with the
results of scientific
discovery, and at the same time teaches him how to think
logically and inductively by studying scientific method. A
certain limited success has been reached in the first of these
aims, but practically none at all in the second. Those
privileged members of the community who have been
through a secondary or public school
education may be expected to know something about the
elementary physics and chemistry of a hundred years ago,
but they probably know hardly more than any bright boy can
pick up from an interest in wireless or scientific hobbies out
of school hours.
25
30
As to the learning of scientific method, the whole
thing is palpably
a farce. Actually, for the convenience of teachers and the
requirements of the examination system, it is necessary that
the pupils not only do not learn scientific method but learn
precisely the reverse, that is, to believe exactly what they
are told and to reproduce it when asked, whether it seems
nonsense to them or
not. The way in which educated people respond to such
quackeries as spiritualism or astrology, not to say more
dangerous ones such as racial theories or currency
myths, shows that fifty years of education in the method
of science in Britain or Germany has produced no visible
effect whatever.
The only way of learning the
35
method of science is the long and bitter way of personal
experience, and, until the educational or social systems are altered
to make this possible, the best we can expect is the production of a
minority of people who are able to acquire some of the techniques
of science and a still smaller minority who are able to use and
40
develop them.
Adapted from: The Social Function of Science, John D Bernal (1939)
1. The author implies that the 'professional
schoolmaster' (line 7) has
A. no interest in teaching science
B. thwarted attempts to enliven education
C. aided true learning
D. supported the humanists
E. been a pioneer in both science and
humanities.
2. The author’s attitude to secondary and
public school education in the sciences is
A. ambivalent
B. neutral
C. supportive
D. satirical
E. contemptuous
3. The word ‘palpably’ (line 24) most nearly
means
A. empirically
B. obviously
C. tentatively
D. markedly
E. ridiculously
4. The author blames all of the following for
the failure to impart scientific method through
the education system except
A. poor teaching
B. examination methods
C. lack of direct experience
D. the social and education systems
E. lack of interest on the part of students
5. If the author were to study current education in
science to see how things have changed since
he wrote the piece, he would probably be
most interested in the answer to which of the
following questions?
A. Do students know more about the world
about them?
B. Do students spend more time in
laboratories?
C. Can students apply their knowledge
logically?
D. Have textbooks improved?
E. Do they respect their teachers?
6. Astrology (line 31) is mentioned as an
example of
A. a science that needs to be better
understood
B. a belief which no educated people hold
C. something unsupportable to those who
have absorbed the methods of science
D. the gravest danger to society
E. an acknowledged failure of science
7. All of the following can be inferred from the text
except
A. at the time of writing, not all children
received a secondary school education
B. the author finds chemical reactions
interesting
C. science teaching has imparted some
knowledge of facts to some children
D. the author believes that many teachers are
authoritarian
E. it is relatively easy to learn scientific
method.

They were not
dangerous criminals
they were detectives in
disguise.
Incorrect

They were not
dangerous criminals;
they were detectives in
disguise.

I have not decided on a
career I am too
confused to decide.
Incorrect

I have not chosen a
career since I am too
confused to decide
correct

He enjoys walking
through the country.
He often goes
backpacking on his
vacations.

He enjoys walking
through the country,
and he often goes
backpacking on his
vacations.
correct

Frank loves TV so
much that he would
watch all the reruns.
Joan would read
instead.


Frank loves TV so
much that he would
watch all the reruns;
Joan would read
instead.
Frank loves TV so
much that he would
watch all the reruns;
however, Joan would
read instead.
correct

Run-on sentences – two independent clauses
that are joined together with no connecting
word or punctuation to separate the clauses.

Then I attended Morris
Junior High. A junior

dependent clause
high that was a bad
experience.
Problem sentence
Problem identified

The scene was filled
with beauty. Such as
the sun sending its
brilliant rays to the
earth and the leaves of
various shades of red,
yellow, and brown
moving slowly in the
wind.
Problem sentence

dependent clause
Problem identified

He talked for fifty minutes without taking his
eyes off his notes. Like other teachers in that
department, he did not encourage students'
questions.

Within each group, a
wide range of features
to choose from. It was
difficult to distinguish
between them
Incorrect sentence

No main verb
Problem identified

A president is an appointed
leader. Someone who is a
decision maker in the
executive branch of our
government. This doesn't
necessarily mean that the
person the people elect is
capable. Just hopefully
assumes. Assumes through
his past record as a
politician, over the years'
buildup of experience and
handling situations.
Problem sentence

A president is an appointed
leader. Someone who is a
decision maker in the
executive branch of our
government. (no main verb)
This doesn't necessarily
mean that the person the
people elect is capable. Just
hopefully assumes. (no
subject) Assumes through
his past record as a
politician, over the years'
buildup of experience and
handling situations. (no
subject)
Problems identified

A president is an appointed leader, someone
who is a decision maker in the executive
branch of our government. This doesn't
necessarily mean that the person the people
elect is capable. This just hopefully assumes
so based on his past record as a politician,
over the years' buildup of experience and
handling situations.

For the past twenty years, the
Survey Research Center at the
University of Michigan has been
measuring the level of
Americans' trust and confidence
in their politicians and quasipolitical trust and confidence in
their political institutions and
their leaders. "Political" being all
levels of government, and
"quasi-political" churches, labor
unions, large
professional/business
associations, educational
institutions, and the like. The
result is that a very sharp decline
has taken place every year since
1964.
No main verb

For the past twenty years, the
Survey Research Center at the
University of Michigan has been
measuring the level of
Americans' trust and confidence
in their politicians and quasipolitical trust and confidence in
their political institutions and
their leaders. "Political" refers to
all levels of government, and
"quasi-political" includes
churches, labor unions, large
professional/business
associations, educational
institutions, and the like. The
result is that a very sharp decline
has taken place every year since
1964.
correct

my brother was always my best friend when I was a child
especially as we two were almost alone in the world we
lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a
shack, in the country whenever I think of him now I see a
solemn, responsible boy a boy too old for his years who
looked out for me no matter what once there was a bully
John Anson who looked enormous to me though he was
probably an average twelve-year-old John had it in for me
because he liked Littice Grant who liked me he decided to
beat me up right before her eyes I was lucky my brother
came by he didn't interfere any he just stood there
somehow though his presence gave me confidence I licked
the stuffing out of John Anson if my brother hadn't been
there I don't think I could have done it.

My brother was always my best friend when I was a child,
especially as we two were almost alone in the world. We
lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a
shack, in the country. Whenever I think of him now, I see a
solemn, responsible boy, a boy too old for his years, who
looked out for me no matter what. Once there was a bully,
John Anson, who looked enormous to me, though he was
probably an average twelve-year-old. John had it in for me
because he liked Littice Grant, who liked me. He decided
to beat me up right before her eyes. I was lucky my
brother came by. He didn't interfere any. He just stood
there. Somehow, though, his presence gave me
confidence. I licked the stuffing out of John Anson. If my
brother hadn't been there, I don't think I could have done
it.

http://englishinuse.yolasite.com
 Exemplification
- the topic
sentence is supported in
examples that illustrate, support,
and clarify the main point.
Vitamins and minerals can be added to enrich
(replace nutrients lost in processing) or
fortify (add nutrients not normally present)
foods to improve their nutritional quality.
Breads and cereals are usually enriched with
some B vitamins and iron. Common examples
of fortification include the addition of vitamin
D to milk, vitamin A to margarine, vitamin C
to fruit drinks, calcium to orange juice, and
iodide to table salt.
Time line is usually very easy to understand
Example
The carbon feasibility studies were completed
in October, 1978. Immediately thereafter, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
"Blue Magoo" was dispatched to the site to
provide on-site emergency treatment.

First, wastewater generated during
construction was collected, pH adjusted,
clarified, sand filtered, and carbon treated.
Next, treated effluent was analyzed and was
found to confirm Calgon's study findings.
After this process, the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation
granted a discharge permit on October 27,
1978.

Use process in paragraphs to develop
sequences that describe how an action is
carried out or how something works.

Ideally, an image should contain a region of
high-intensity pixels that form the target,
and a low-intensity background. To find the
target region, the algorithm first samples the
images in overlapping windows and sums the
pixel intensities contained in each window.
The window with the highest sum is assumed
to contain the target, and the average of the
remaining windows is assumed to be
indicative of the background level.

Thus, subtracting the average of the window
sums from the highest window sum provides
a measure of the target strength over the
background noise level. If an image does not
contain a target, then the different between
the highest sum and the average sum will be
very small. The difference will also be small
for images containing faint targets and high
levels of background noise.
 Use
descriptive prose to provide a
physical picture or a functional
view of the subject. Physical
description develops a picture by
identifying the shapes, materials,
position, and functions of its
subject.

The test section (0.86 m × 2.44 m) of the
boundary layer tunnel, as shown in Figure 2,
is situated between the nozzle and the
diffuser. It consists of a flat aluminum test
plate, a contoured wall, and two transparent
side walls. A bleed-scoop layer at the leading
edge of the test plate removes the inlet
boundary layer.

The contoured wall opposite the test plate
generates the required pressure distribution.
The two differently-contoured walls used in
this investigation generate either squared-off
pressure distribution or aft-loaded pressure
distribution.
Use comparison and contrast to
develop a topic by examining its
similarities or dissimilarities to
another thing, process, or state.
Comparison emphasizes the
similarities, contrast the
differences.

For a number of critical performance
characteristics, fiber-optic cable offers
considerable advantages over standard
coaxial cables. The most obvious distinction
between the two is the great bandwidthdistance capacity of fibers.
The high-frequency capacity of
coaxial cables decreases rapidly
with increased length, but the
bandwidth of a commercial fiberoptic system will remain constant
with length.

A commercial fiber-optic system like that of
Artel, as shown in Figure 3, remains constant
for a bandwidth over a distance of 4,000 ft,
while three different sizes of coaxial cable
rapidly drop in less than half the distance.
For RG-179 coax, a 1,024 × 1,024
signal is limited to 50 ft; RG-59
rolls off 3 dB at 170 ft. Larger,
bulkier cables such as RG-11 can
reach up to 250 ft, but are
impractical to install, since three
such cables are required for RGB
color.
Fiber-optic cable, on the other
hand, allows transmission of more
than 60 MHz video clock over a
mile, and 20 MHz over 2½ miles,
with no repeaters or equalizers.

Noise interference is another
important area in which performance
differs greatly. Coaxial cables are
susceptible to induced interference
(EMI/RFI) from such noise generators
as fluorescent lights, computers,
power cables, industrial equipment,
and even other communications
cables.
 Cable
frequency equalization
further aggravates this noise
problem. Fiber-optic cable is, in
contrast, immune to all forms of
EMI, RFI, and crosstalk.
 Use
analogy to explain one
object or process in terms of
another. The aptness of the
analogy is generally a point of
subtle judgment.

The immune response of billions of
cellular defenders is carried out by
different kinds of white blood cells, all
of which are continuously being
produced in the bone marrow.
Neutrophils, one type of white blood
cell, travel in the blood stream to
areas of invasion, attacking and
ingesting pathogens.

Macrophages, or "big eaters," take up
stations in tissues and act as
scavengers, devouring pathogens and
worn-out cells. Natural killer cells
directly destroy virus-infected cells
and cells that have turned cancerous.
When lymph nodes are actively
involved in fighting an invasion of
microorganisms, they fill with
lymphocytes.
Attempts to show how events are
influenced by or caused by others-the linkage of causation.

Global climate change resulting from the
accumulation of greenhouse gases, for
example, is likely to have significant health
effects, both direct and indirect. An average
global temperature rise of 3-4°C, predicted
for the year 2100 by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, will greatly increase
the number of days in the United States with
temperatures over 38°C (100°F), with a
resulting sharp rise in heat-related mortality.

Deaths would occur primarily from heat
strokes, heart attacks, and cerebral strokes.
The very young, poor, and elderly, as well as
those with chronic cardiovascular and
respiratory diseases, are most at risk. During
the two-week heat wave of July 1993 in the
eastern United States, 84 people died in
Philadelphia alone as a result of the higher
temperatures.
 In
classification, you associate
similar things or processes by
grouping them into classes.

Glazed ceramic tile. Industrial glazed
ceramic tile units are made of fireclays
with an iron oxide content of less than
2%. The clays are processed and then
extruded into various shapes. The
shaped parts are coated on the
process side before firing with a
glass-forming glaze solution. Then
the tile is fired, the clay body . . .

Bimetals are components made up of two
separate metallic units, each occupying a
distinct position in the component. Bimetal
rods or wires (also called clad metal, duo- or
dual-metal) are made of dissimilar metals.
The rod core, a cylindrical body made of one
metal, is surrounded by a concentric,
cylindrical sleeve of another metal.

Some fibrous metals may also be regarded as
bimetallic; for example, rods made by
unidirectional solidification of some eutectic
compositions contain a metallic (or
nonmetallic) compound of fibrous filaments
embedded in an almost pure metallic matrix.
The structure of a present-day Nb-Sn
superconducting core can be even more
complex. It is multimetallic--containing more
than two dissimilar metals.
 Analysis
examines a subject by
evaluating one of its aspects-weighing evidence and possible
causal linkages. The object of
analysis, however, is to get to the
center of how something works.

One possible explanation for these statistics
on cancer can be found in the high levels of
stress associated with poverty. Studies have
found that stress can dampen the immune
system, the body's first line of defense
against cancer, and experiments with animals
have shown that a stressful environment can
enhance the growth of a variety of tumors.
 The
link between poverty, stress,
and cancer mortality in humans
has not been proven, but studies
have shown a link between stress
and other illnesses
Use enumeration in paragraphs when
you want to itemize or list a set of
topics or a series of some kind.
Enumeration is a powerful way to
establish a series of observations and
to emphasize each element.
Have your blood cholesterol measured if you've
never had it done. Finger-prick tests at health
fairs and other public places are generally fairly
accurate, especially if they're offered by a
hospital or other reputable health group. When
you know your "number," follow these
guidelines from the National Cholesterol
Education Program:
 If
your cholesterol is under 200
mg/dl, maintain a healthy
lifestyle--including eating a lowfat diet, getting regular exercise,
maintaining a health body weight,
and not smoking--and get
another test within five years.

If your cholesterol is between 200 and 239
mg/dl, have a second test performed and
average the results. If that number falls in the
same range, and if you do have any form of
cardiovascular disease, change your diet to
improve your cholesterol. In addition,
eliminate any other risk factors you have and
get tested again in about one year.

If your cholesterol is 240 mg/dl or
more, your physician should order a
more detailed cholesterol analysis and
recommend therapy based on the
results. You should begin a
cholesterol-improving diet
immediately.
Last spring, employees of the
Hartville Corporation organized a
weeklong strike to protest poor
working conditions and
unreasonable company policies.
The strike resulted in huge
financial losses for the company
and the threat of a national boycott
on Hartville products.
The situation resulted in the
formation of an employee task
force, supported by Hartville
management, to review
circumstances that led to the
strike. The task-force findings
follow:
■ Hartville’s overtime pay schedule
is well below the national level, and
overtime is mandatory at least once
a week.
Employees working in the
manufacturing department have an
alarmingly high rate of repetitive stress
injury. The equipment they are working
with is extremely old and dangerous
and does not meet current health and
safety standards. The task force
recommended that equipment be
evaluated and brought up to- date
immediately.
■
Sick and personal day policies are
unclear. Employees report
conflicting and/or confusing
policies relating to sick and
personal days, which have resulted
in numerous is understandings
about procedures and allowances
as well as unfair disciplinary action.
■
In the past four years, five
pregnant women with clean work
records were terminated soon after
their pregnancies were public. In all
five cases, the grounds for firing
were not specifically cited, although
one of the employees
was told by her immediate
supervisor that new mothers make
very unreliable employees.
■
■ Hartville’s upper management is
largely unaware of the dissatisfaction of
employees. There is evidence that
middle management withholds vital
information leading to upper
management’s underestimation of the
severity of employee discontent.
1)Which of the following is the main
organizational pattern used in the passage?
a. chronological order
b. hierarchical order
c. order by topic
d. cause and effect
1)
2)
3)
4)
Paraphrase the main points in all the
paragraphs.
What literary device is used in the first
paragraph? Comment on the effectiveness
of this device.
Explain the role that public opinion plays in
a person’s choice of sports. Give reasons to
support your answer.
Explain the meaning of the phrase
“propagating an absolute myth.”
5)
6)
7)
What are the fundamental differences that
characterise male and female approach to
sports?
Explain in your own words one of the
deciding factors in women’s choice of
sports. Give reasons for your answer.
In one paragraph, discuss how sports can
impact the lives of young males or females.
1)
2)
3)
According to the passage, what role does
music play in our lives? Explain in your
own words.
What literary device is used in the following
quote, “Music is always walking right next
to me…” Is it effective?
What literary device is used in the following
quote, “music is a world of emotions …” Is
it effective. Support your answer.
4)
5)
6)
7)
Explain the following phrase in your own
words, “It can move you in time and space
…”
Paraphrase the main points in all the
paragraphs.
In your own words, explain the following
sentence as used in the passage, “With
music, there are no borders and no limits.”
In one paragraph, discuss how music
impacts on our lives.




generating ideas, including reading and
research
establishing purpose
identifying audience
ordering ideas


creating body paragraphs following the prewriting order
creating introductory and concluding
paragraphs





rewriting from the reader's point of view
analyzing and changing paragraph and
sentence organization
assessing content and clarity for effective
communication
editing to improve word choice, grammar,
usage, and punctuation
proofreading for typos and surface errors



Clearly states the topic or issue that will be
addressed in the essay
stimulates the reader's interest
clearly states the writer's position on the
topic/issue.




Apologize. Never suggest that you don't know
what you're talking about or that you're not
enough of an expert in this matter that your
opinion would matter. Your reader will quickly
turn to something else. Avoid phrases like the
following:
In my [humble] opinion . . .
I'm not sure about this, but . . .
Announce your intentions. Do not flatly announce
what you are about to do in an essay.
In this paper I will . . .
The purpose of this essay is to . . .




Get into the topic and let your reader perceive
your purpose in the topic sentence of your
beginning paragraph.
Use a dictionary or encyclopedia definition.
According to Merriam-Webster's WWWebster
Dictionary,
education is . . .
Although definitions are extremely useful and it
might serve your purpose to devise your own
definition(s) later in the essay, you want to avoid
using this hackneyed beginning to an essay.


The Rhetoric of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
by Mike Rios

U2 have always produced rhetorically
powerful songs. From the spiritually
driven "I Still Haven’t Found What I’m
Looking For" to the blatantly sexual "If
You Wear That Velvet Dress," audiences
have been persuaded to examine their
religious doubts as well as to give in to
their emotions. Never a band content in
sticking to one style, their music has
evolved and taken many forms.

Their more recent songs show a level of complexity so far
unsurpassed in music, drawing heavily on the ambiguity of
paradox in songs like "So Cruel" while evoking sensory
overload with the aid of the list structure in "Numb." But
one of the most powerful songs dates back to their early
years, when their style was Senecan-like, seemingly
simpler and more direct. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" stands
out as one of U2’s finest songs. Its rhetoric is successful
because of its simplicity, not despite it.


has a summary statement that restates the
thesis without repeating the words and
phrases used in the thesis statement.
It is a clincher - a final thought which creates
a lasting impression on the reader.
◦
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" remains as
powerful today as it was when U2 first
performed it. The irony of its longevity is that it
is still relevant. U2 would no doubt rather they
did not have to sing it anymore. As it stands,
they will probably have to continue singing it.
A sentence in an essay, report,
research paper, or speech that
identifies the main idea and/or
central purpose of the text.
Sugar consumption
 This fragment isn’t a thesis statement.
Instead, it simply indicates a general subject.
Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what
you want to say about sugar consumption.



Narrow the topic.
Your readings about the topic, however, have
led you to the conclusion that elementary
school children are consuming far more sugar
than is healthy.
You change your thesis to look like this:
Reducing sugar consumption by elementary
school children.

This fragment not only announces your subject,
but it focuses on one segment of the population:
elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises
a subject upon which reasonable people could
disagree, because while most people might agree
that children consume more sugar than they
used to, not everyone would agree on what
should be done or who should do it. You should
note that this fragment is not a thesis statement
because your reader does not know your
conclusions on the topic.

Take a position on the topic.
After reflecting on the topic a little while longer,
you decide that what you really want to say about
this topic is that something should be done to
reduce the amount of sugar these children
consume.
You revise your thesis statement to look like this:
 More attention should be paid to the food and
beverage choices available to elementary school
children.
This statement asserts your position, but the terms
more attention and food and beverage choices are
vague.



Use specific language.
You decide to explain what you mean about
food and beverage choices, so you write:
Experts estimate that half of elementary
school children consume nine times the
recommended daily allowance of sugar.
This statement is specific, but it is not a
thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of
making an assertion.

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Make an assertion based on clearly stated
support.
You finally revise your thesis statement one
more time to look like this:
Because half of all American elementary
school children consume nine times the
recommended daily allowance of sugar,
schools should be required to replace the
beverages in soda machines with healthy
alternatives.

Notice how the thesis answers the question,
“What should be done to reduce sugar
consumption by children, and who should do
it?” When you started thinking about the
paper, you may not have had a specific
question in mind, but as you became more
involved in the topic, your ideas became more
specific. Your thesis changed to reflect your
new insights.
1. A strong thesis statement takes a stand.
2. A strong thesis statement justifies
discussion.
3. A strong thesis statement expresses one
main idea.
4. A strong thesis statement is specific


There are some negative and positive aspects
to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.
Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement
promotes rapid weight loss that results in the
loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a
potential danger to customers.


My family is an extended family.
While most American families would view
consanguineal marriage as a threat to the
nuclear family structure, many Iranian
families, like my own, believe that these
marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an
extended family.


Companies need to exploit the marketing
potential of the Internet, and Web pages can
provide both advertising and customer
support.
This is a weak thesis statement because the
reader can’t decide whether the paper is
about marketing on the Internet or Web
pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship
between the two ideas needs to become more
clear. One way to revise the thesis would be
to write:


Because the Internet is filled with tremendous
marketing potential, companies should
exploit this potential by using Web pages that
offer both advertising and customer support.
This is a strong thesis because it shows that
the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many
clear and engaging thesis statements contain
words like because, since, so, although,
unless, and however.


World hunger has many causes and effects.
This is a weak thesis statement for two major
reasons. First, world hunger can’t be
discussed thoroughly in seven to ten pages.
Second, many causes and effects is vague.
You should be able to identify specific causes
and effects. A revised thesis might look like
this:


Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs
are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is
rarely profitable.
This is a strong thesis statement because it
narrows the subject to a more specific and
manageable topic, and it also identifies the
specific causes for the existence of hunger
India has a lot of interesting festivals.
Is this a strong or weak thesis statement?
The statement is too broad--the writer cannot
discuss all Indian festivals. Even though it does
state the writer's opinion, the statement is not
clear: it doesn't explain why the festivals are
interesting.
Diwali is an important festival for Indians
because they celebrate, remember traditional
legends, and enjoy time with their families.
Is this a strong or a weak thesis statement?

The topic is specific enough, and it clearly
gives the writer's opinion. In addition, it lists
the supporting ideas."

An expository essay attempts to explain the subject to the
audience. This may be accomplished by explaining a
process, comparing or contrasting two items, identifying a
cause-effect relationship, explaining with examples,
dividing and classifying, or defining. Depending upon the
particular type of expository essay being written, the order
of presentation of supporting details may vary. The
process essay will employ chronological (time) order; the
essay which compares or contrasts, explains with
examples, or divides and classifies may use an order of
importance (most-to-least important or least-to-most
important); the essay which employs causal analysis may
identify a cause and then predict its effect or start with the
effect and seek to identify its cause.

An argumentative paper makes a claim about
a topic and justifies this claim with specific
evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a
policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-andeffect statement, or an interpretation. The
goal of the argumentative paper is to
convince the audience that the claim is true
based on the evidence provided.
The life of the typical college student is
characterized by time spent studying,
attending class, and socializing with peers.
The paper that follows should:
 Explain how students spend their time
studying, attending class, and socializing
with peers
High school graduates should be required to
take a year off to pursue community service
projects before entering college in order to
increase their maturity and global awareness.
The paper that follows should:
 Present an argument and give evidence to
support the claim that students should
pursue community projects before entering
college



Your thesis statement should be specific—it
should cover only what you will discuss in
your paper and should be supported with
specific evidence.
The thesis statement usually appears at the
end of the first paragraph of a paper.
Your topic may change as you write, so you
may need to revise your thesis statement to
reflect exactly what you have discussed in the
paper

The expository essay is a genre of essay that
requires the student to investigate an idea,
evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and
set forth an argument concerning that idea in
a clear and concise manner. This can be
accomplished through comparison and
contrast, definition, example, the analysis of
cause and effect, etc.
A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement
that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
 It is essential that this thesis statement be
appropriately narrowed to follow the
guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the
student does not master this portion of the
essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an
effective or persuasive essay.
Clear and logical transitions between the
introduction, body, and conclusion.
 Transitions are the mortar that holds the
foundation of the essay together. Without
logical progression of thought, the reader is
unable to follow the essay’s argument, and
the structure will collapse.
Body paragraphs that include evidential
support.
 Each paragraph should be limited to the
exposition of one general idea. This will allow
for clarity and direction throughout the essay.
What is more, such conciseness creates an
ease of readability for one’s audience. It is
important to note that each paragraph in the
body of the essay must have some logical
connection to the thesis statement in the
opening paragraph.
Evidential support (whether factual, logical,
statistical, or anecdotal).
A bit of creativity!
 Though creativity and artfulness are not
always associated with essay writing, it is an
art form nonetheless. Try not to get stuck on
the formulaic nature of expository writing at
the expense of writing something interesting.
Remember, though you may not be crafting
the next great novel, you are attempting to
leave a lasting impression on the people
evaluating your essay.
A conclusion that does not simply restate the
thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence
provided.
 It is at this point of the essay that students will
inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of
the essay that will leave the most immediate
impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore,
it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce
any new information into the conclusion; rather,
synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning
the information presented in the body of the
essay.
The argumentative essay is a genre of writing
that requires the student to investigate a topic;
collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and
establish a position on the topic in a concise
manner

Expository
The function of "expository" essays is to
describe, analyse or explain something. You
are expected to demonstrate understanding
of a topic, or at least that you have covered it
adequately. You may find it useful to use
illustrations or examples to answer a
question.

Argument here consists loosely of
•debating differences of interpretation, or
•evaluating both sides of an argument.
So, it is more likely that you will be set tasks which
test your ability to summarise and evaluate
positions or assertions rather than merely
reproduce them.