Essay Revision Techniques: Chapter 6

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Questions and Answers

Which sentence in the paragraph is grammatically correct and uses clear and concise language?

1. Revenge is one of those things that many people enjoys.

2. People don’t like to talk about it, though.

3. Just the same, there is nothing more tempting, more satisfying, or with the reward of a bit of revenge.

4. The purpose is not to harm the victims. (correct)

What is the main point the paragraph is trying to convey about revenge?

Revenge is a powerful motivator that can be used to feel better about oneself.

Revenge should be used as a tool to harm those who have done wrong.

Revenge can be used to get back at people who have wronged you, but it doesn't have to be harmful. (correct)

Revenge is a natural human emotion that everyone enjoys.

Which sentence in the paragraph best illustrates the idea that revenge can be used for personal relief rather than punishment?

6. Careful plotting can provide relief from bothersome coworkers, gossiping friends, or nagging family members. (correct)

1. Revenge is one of those things that many people enjoys.

5. But to let them know that they have been doing something that is upsetting.

2. People don’t like to talk about it, though.

What does the phrase “academic writing” suggest about the type of writing required in this context?

Writing that is formal, objective, and supported with evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of information is essential for supporting ideas and opinions in academic writing?

Facts, statistics, quotations, and similar information Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern raised about fashion models' appearance?

Fashion models' appearance sets unrealistic beauty standards for young women. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence is provided to support the claim about fashion models' weight?

The average model weighs 25 percent less than the average woman of the same height. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, what can you infer is the author's overall stance on the issue of fashion models' appearance?

Fashion models' appearance contributes to unrealistic beauty standards and can negatively affect young women. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in deciding the nature and length of an essay assignment?

The instructor's expectations and guidelines Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a college essay?

To demonstrate the writer's understanding of a topic Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of knowing your subject in essay development?

It allows you to develop a strong argument and provide supporting evidence Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider your audience when writing a college essay?

To communicate your ideas effectively and meet their expectations Signup and view all the answers

In what way does research aid in essay development?

It strengthens arguments and supports claims with credible information Signup and view all the answers

Why is defining your subject accurately crucial in essay development?

It allows you to create a clear and concise thesis statement for your essay Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a current audience for college essays?

Fellow classmates Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of an educated audience?

An expectation of factual accuracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the base for unity in an essay?

Advancing a single point and ensuring all details support it Signup and view all the answers

What key question should a writer ask to create unity in their essay?

Does this evidence directly relate to and support my thesis? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies a lack of unity in an essay paragraph?

A paragraph that mentions both personal struggles and unrelated statistics Signup and view all the answers

What aspect should every detail in a paragraph support to achieve unity?

The thesis statement and topic sentence Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a writer's confidence when they face challenges like acne, as described in the example?

Their confidence is shattered, affecting their self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

How can a writer ensure that all elements of a paragraph contribute to unity?

By linking every sentence back to the central theme or thesis Signup and view all the answers

In the context of revising an essay, what does the base of unity prioritize?

The coherence of the paragraph's details with the main point Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for writers to stick to a single point in their essays?

It helps maintain clarity and focus for the reader Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary requirement of academic writing?

To support ideas with facts, statistics, and quotations Signup and view all the answers

What negative effect do photographs of ultrathin fashion models have on young women?

They send a misleading message about body standards Signup and view all the answers

How much less do the average fashion models weigh compared to the average woman of the same height?

25 percent less Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the lack of coherence in a written piece?

Disconnected supporting ideas and paragraphs Signup and view all the answers

What primary argument does the paragraph about Television's harmful effects present?

Television creates passivity and presents a distorted view of reality Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents a misconception regarding fashion models?

They often have unrealistic body proportions Signup and view all the answers

What is one method to achieve coherence in academic writing?

Organizing supporting ideas and reflecting the thesis Signup and view all the answers

What impact does television have on family communication?

It leads to minimal communication during viewing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common concern regarding the representation of fashion models?

They can send negative messages to young girls. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is typically NOT associated with television characters as discussed?

They commonly reflect the average person's lifestyle Signup and view all the answers

What percentage less does the average model weigh compared to the average woman of the same height?

25 percent less Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for improving sentence skills according to the provided content?

Setting aside the text for a period before rereading. Signup and view all the answers

How often do families engage in communication during television viewing, according to the content?

Only during commercials Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common misconception about fashion models?

They are typically unnaturally thin. Signup and view all the answers

What is recommended for achieving varied sentence construction?

Analyzing texts for clarity and errors Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of supporting ideas with factual information in academic writing?

It helps to validate opinions and provide credibility. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three pillars of purpose in writing?

To Inform, To Persuade, To Entertain Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a keyword that reveals the purpose of informing?

argue Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a second-person and third-person point of view?

Second-person directly addresses the reader while third-person doesn't. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of informative writing?

To provide factual information about a subject. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key question to consider when determining your audience?

How much does the audience already know about the subject? Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a key consideration when determining the appropriate language for your writing?

The writer's personal preferences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of persuasive writing?

To convince the reader to agree with a particular viewpoint. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the three pillars of purpose in writing?

To make sure that the reader understands the writer's intention. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 6: Four Bases for Revising Essays, Developing an Essay

This chapter focuses on revising essays and developing essay writing skills.

Base 1: Unity

Advance a single point: Focus on one main idea per paragraph.
Paragraph details relate: Every detail in a paragraph should support the topic sentence.
Details relate to thesis: All paragraph details should align with the overall thesis statement of the essay.
Key question for unity: Does this evidence, example, or experience relate to and support my thesis?

Base 2: Support

Support your single point: Provide evidence to support claims within your paragraphs.
Details should be: Use vivid, specific, and authoritative details.

Base 3: Coherence

Organize and connect: Arrange supporting ideas and sentences to create a logical flow within and between paragraphs.
Reflect the thesis: Paragraphs should directly support the thesis statement.

Developing an Essay: Important Considerations (1)

Understanding the assignment: Understand the topic, the type of question(s) to be answered, and the expected essay genre.
Topic choice: Is the topic assigned, or can you choose?
Essay type: What kind of essay is requested (e.g., argumentative, persuasive, explanatory)?

Developing an Essay: Important Considerations (2)

Know the subject: Understand the topic. Research the subject thoroughly to build background knowledge.
Definition of subject: Define the subject accurately.

Developing an Essay: Important Considerations (3)

Knowing your purpose and audience: Understand the purpose of the essay (to inform, persuade, or entertain) and identify the audience (e.g., peers, instructor, future readers).
Current audiences: Students, teachers evaluating others' work.
Future audiences: A broad audience after graduation.

The Three Pillars of Purpose

Inform: Provide factual information to teach the reader about a subject.
Persuade: Lead the reader to agree with a specific point made by the writer.
Entertain: Engage the reader's senses and imagination.

Keys Words that Reveal Purpose

Inform: Define, illustrate, contrast, explain, describe
Persuade: Argue, contend, agree/disagree, why
Entertain: What I wanted, to amuse and delight

Some Key Questions When Considering Audience

Knowledge level: How much does the audience already know about the topic?
Reader need: Why might the reader need or want to read this material?
Purpose: Is the purpose to inform or convince?
Language: What type of language should be used?

The Three Points of View

First person: I, me, mine, we, are us. Used in personal narratives.
Second person: You. Directly addresses the reader.
Third person: He, she, their, them. Does not directly refer to the reader or writer.

Defining Peer Review

Meaningful feedback: The overt practice of getting feedback on writing.
Any stage: Occurs any stage throughout writing.

Making Peer Review Work

Open to process: Be receptive to comments.
Follow guidelines: Adhere to any rules for peer review.
Prepared draft: Prepare a complete version for review.
Read aloud: Read the work out loud to detect inconsistent grammar and errors.

The Art of Commenting

Avoid generalizations: Avoid vague comments such as "It's good" or "I liked it".
Note specific improvements: Suggest actionable ways to improve the work.
Focus on clarity and structure: Pay attention to the thesis, organization, and unity.

Conducting a Personal Review

Self-critique: Critically evaluate your own work.
Peer review insights: Consider peer reviews, but don't feel forced to incorporate each point.
Read aloud: Detect any inconsistencies read aloud to the essay to identify possible typos.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the essential bases for revising essays, as outlined in Chapter 6. You will learn about unity, support, and coherence in essay writing, along with strategies to develop your essay effectively. Test your understanding of these key concepts to enhance your essay writing skills.