Lecture No: 7

Course Title: English II: English Grammar and Composition

Course Code: EN-221
Semester: Spring 2024

Resource Person: Wardah Ahmad

 Essay Writing
Techniques and Types
What is an Essay?

An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no
matter what. You may be writing an essay to argue for a particular point of
view or to explain the steps necessary to complete a task. Either way, your
essay will have the same basic format. If you follow a few simple steps, you
will find that the essay almost writes itself. You will be responsible only for
supplying ideas, which are the important part of the essay anyway.
Essay Format
These simple steps will guide you through the essay writing process:
• Decide on your topic.
• Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas.
• Write your thesis statement.
• Write the body.
• Write the main points.
• Write the subpoints.
• Elaborate on the subpoints.
• Write the introduction.
• Write the conclusion.
• Add the finishing touches.
Choosing a Topic

You may have no choice as to your topic. If this is the case, you still may not be
ready to jump to the next step. Think about the type of paper you are
expected to produce. Should it be a general overview, or a specific analysis of
the topic? If it should be an overview, then you are probably ready to move to
the next step. If it should be a specific analysis, make sure your topic is
specific. If it is too general, you must choose a narrower subtopic to discuss.
Organize Your Ideas

The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your ideas about the topic on
paper, in a moderately organized format. The structure you create here may
still change before the essay is complete, so don't agonize over this. Decide
whether you prefer the cut-and-dried structure of an outline or a more
flowing structure. If you start one or the other and decide it isn't working for
you, you can always switch later.
Organizing Your Ideas

Grooming

Breeds Behavior

Dogs

Health Nutrition
Writing Your Outline
• Begin your outline by writing your topic at the top of the page.
• Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down the left side of the page.
• Next to each Roman numeral, write the main ideas that you have about your topic, or
the main points that you want to make.
• If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best arguments.
• If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps that should
be followed. You will probably need to group these into categories. If you have
trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using Beginning, Middle, and
End.
• If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories into which
your information can be divided.
• Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down the left side of the page.
• Next to each letter, write the facts or information that support that main idea.
• When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready to
continue.
 Essay
An essay is a "short formal piece of writing. Dealing with a single
subject" It is typically written to try to persuade the reader using
selected research evidence ("Essay," 1997).

Introduct
Thesis ion
Statement

Bod
y

Conclus
ion
Introduction
Global Warming
In a world where the consequences of human activities extend far beyond the immediate scope of our
actions, one looming crisis demands our urgent attention—the phenomenon of global warming. Picture
this: ice caps melting, sea levels rising, and extreme weather events becoming increasingly frequent and
severe. This is not a distant dystopian future; it is our present reality. The problem at hand is not merely
an environmental concern; it is a complex web of interconnected issues that span ecosystems,
economies, and societies. As we grapple with the ramifications of climate change, it becomes evident
that the time for complacency has long passed. In order to navigate the turbulent waters ahead, it is
imperative that we confront the roots of this crisis head-on. This essay will delve into the multifaceted
dimensions of global warming, exploring its origins, impacts, and the pressing need for collective action.
Only through a comprehensive understanding and a united global effort can we hope to address the
challenges posed by this existential threat and pave the way for a sustainable future.

•1. Attention getter

•2. State your problem.
•3. Bridge or transition sentences
•4. Thesis statement
•**NOTE: This doesn’t mean your introduction is 4 sentences long. It just has 4 parts.
Thesis Statements
• Your thesis statement will have two parts.
• The first part states the topic.
• Exploration of Global warming
• Impacts
• Pressing needs
• The second part states the point of the essay.
• Comprehensive understanding
• Addressing the challenges
• Once you have formulated a thesis statement that fits this pattern and with
which you are comfortable, you are ready to continue.
 Introduction
Make a bridge to connect the attention getting sentence(s) to
your thesis statement
▪ Common way to make a bridge is to explain why the topic
is important.
▪ This bridge is often a few sentences long.
Conclude introductory paragraph with the most important idea of
the essay-THE THESIS STATEMENT

Topic Opinion 3 Reasons

 Introduction
The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus. Begin with
an attention grabber. The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here are some ideas:
• Startling information. This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to your
readers. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make. If you use a piece
of startling information, follow it with a sentence or two of elaboration.

• Anecdote. An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant
to your topic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, but use it carefully.

• Dialogue. An appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the speakers, but the reader must understand the
point you are trying to convey. Use only two or three exchanges between speakers to make your point. Follow
dialogue with a sentence or two of elaboration.

• Summary Information. A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead the reader gently to your
thesis. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.

• If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, add one or two more sentences that will lead the reader from your
opening to your thesis statement.
• Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.
 The Body
The body is a set of paragraphs that develop the idea
expressed in the thesis statement.

▪ Make a list of main ideas that support the thesis statement. Each main idea
becomes the main idea sentence for a body paragraph.
▪ Arrange the main ideas in logical order (time, place, importance)
▪ Plan out each body paragraph by listing major details that support each main
idea
Topic
▪ Order the details within each paragraph in a logical way. Each body
paragraph may end with a concluding sentence.
 The Body
Thesis Statement
This essay will delve into the multifaceted dimensions of global warming,
exploring its origins, impacts, and the pressing need for collective action.
Only through a comprehensive understanding and a united global effort
can we hope to address the challenges posed by this existential threat and
pave the way for a sustainable future.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: This section will focus on unraveling the complex factors contributing to global
warming, examining the root causes and human activities that have led to the acceleration of this
environmental crisis..
Main Points: 1.
2.
Topic
3.

Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence: The essay will delve into the far-reaching consequences of global warming, analyzing
its effects on ecosystems, economies, and societies.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.
Conclusion
The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points or
providing a final perspective on your topic. All the conclusion needs is
three or four strong sentences which do not need to follow any set
formula. Simply review the main points (being careful not to restate
them exactly) or briefly describe your feelings about the topic. Even an
anecdote can end your essay in a useful way. The introduction and
conclusion complete the paragraphs of your essay.
 ▪Leave the reader thinking about your topic.
Conclusion Leave an impression on them!
▪No new information in conclusion
▪Be sure to recap your ideas
▪Should follow logically from the body of the
essay
▪Restate your thesis
Topic statement in different
words
▪You might want to have your reader do
something after reading
(“call to action” – Example: Go write your
Senator about this problem.)
 • You have now completed all of the
paragraphs of your essay. Before you can
Add the consider this a finished product, however,
Finishing you must give some thought to the
formatting of your paper.
Touches • Check the order of your paragraphs.
• Check the instructions for the assignment.
• Check your writing.
Class Activity
• Write an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion on any
of the following topic:
⮚ Drugs and its impacts on students
⮚ The impact of social media

• Follow all of the details mentioned above.

• Highlight the thesis statement after writing the introduction.
• Work in groups of four for this assignment.