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## From Paragraph to Essay ### Chapter 4 To write academic texts, you need to master certain skills. In this chapter you will learn to: - Identify the parts of an essay - Analyze an essay's introduction and conclusion - Construct an appropriate thesis statement - Support the thesis statement wi...

## From Paragraph to Essay ### Chapter 4 To write academic texts, you need to master certain skills. In this chapter you will learn to: - Identify the parts of an essay - Analyze an essay's introduction and conclusion - Construct an appropriate thesis statement - Support the thesis statement with body paragraphs - Organize an essay, using transition signals as necessary - Write, revise, and edit an essay about education A classroom can be an exciting learning environment. ### Introduction In Chapters 1 through 3, you studied the key elements of a well-written academic paragraph. In this chapter, you'll do the same for an essay. An essay is a piece of writing several paragraphs long. It is about one topic, just as a paragraph is. However, because the topic is too complex to discuss in one paragraph, you need to divide it into several paragraphs, one for each major point. Then you need to tie the paragraphs together by adding an introduction and a conclusion. At the end of this chapter, you will write an essay on the topic of education. ### Analyzing the Model The writing model discusses the advantages of same-sex classes in middle school. Read the model. Then answer the questions. #### Writing Model **Separating the Sexes, Just for the Tough Years** 1. The middle school years (grades 6, 7, and 8) are known to be the "tough years." These are the years when the different rates of girls' and boys' physical, emotional, and cognitive¹ development are most noticeable. Girls develop ahead of boys in every area, and both suffer. Educators debate whether the separation of boys and girls into single-sex classes might improve students' academic performance. Single-sex classes were against the law in public schools until several years ago, but now they have become more common (Bonner and Hollingsworth). Although some parents, educators, and civil liberties groups continue to oppose single-sex classes, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school produces positive results. 2. First of all, it is difficult to say whether single-sex education leads to higher test scores, but it may make a difference in more important areas. Although some research shows no improvement in test scores, other research shows opposite results (Blum). More important, many psychologists believe that test scores are not a good measure of success. They suggest that self-confidence and self-esteem issues are more important. For example, in same-sex classes, girls report increased confidence and improved attitudes toward math and science ("Study"). New York University professor Carol Gilligan believes girls are more likely to be "creative thinkers and risk-takers as adults if educated apart from boys in middle school" (qtd. in Gross). Boys, too, gain confidence when they do not have to compete with girls. Boys can feel inferior when compared to girls, who literally "out-think" them. This feeling can cause them to become angry and fight back. In contrast, with no girls in the classroom, they are more relaxed and more open to learning (Gross). 3. In addition to these benefits, it is also necessary to examine how single-sex education will affect students' careers in the future. Opponents of the practice note that when students go into the workforce, they will have to work side-by-side with the opposite sex. They worry that attending all-girl or all-boy schools could deny children the chance to learn how to do so ("North"). However, this argument ignores the fact that children constantly interact with members of the opposite sex outside of school. This interaction can range from playing and arguing with siblings to negotiating allowances, chores, and privileges with their opposite-sex parent. Children learn and practice on a daily basis the skills they will need in their future workplaces. 4. Finally, opponents of same-sex education say that it is discriminatory². However, research supports the opposite conclusion: that discrimination is widespread in mixed classes. Several studies have shown that boys dominate discussions and receive more attention than girls. Studies also indicate that teachers call on boys more often than on girls, even when girls raise their hands ("North"). Clearly, this is discriminatory. 5. For all these reasons, the arguments against same-sex classes are not valid. On the contrary, many people say that same-sex classes provide a better learning environment. Boys and girls pay less attention to each other and more attention to their schoolwork (Marquez). Girls are less fearful of making mistakes and asking questions in math and science; boys are less shy about sharing their ideas in language and literature. Furthermore, schoolchildren do not lack contact with the opposite sex. Indeed, they have many opportunities outside school to interact with one another. Finally, discrimination occurs in mixed classes, so discrimination is not a valid argument. Therefore, in my opinion, the policy of allowing single-sex classes in public schools should be continued and encouraged. *** ¹ cognitive: related to the process of knowing, understanding, and learning something ² discriminatory: treating a person or a group of people differently from other people, in an unfair way ### Questions about the Model 1. How many paragraphs does this essay contain? 2. What are the topic sentences of paragraphs 2, 3, and 4? Underline each topic sentence. (Note: The topic sentence is not necessarily the first sentence.) 3. What key phrase appears three times in the introduction? Circle each repetition of this key phrase, or synonyms for this phrase, in the other paragraphs of the essay. 4. What is one fact or example that supports the opinion expressed in the concluding sentence? *** ### Parts of an Essay Writing an essay is no more difficult than writing a paragraph except that an essay is longer. The principles of organization are the same for both, so if you can write a good paragraph, you can write a good essay. An essay has three main parts: - an introduction (introductory paragraph), - a body (at least one, but usually two or more paragraphs), - and a conclusion (concluding paragraph). The chart below shows how the parts of a paragraph correspond to the parts of an essay. | PARAGRAPH | ESSAY | |---|---| | **Topic Sentence** | **I. Introduction** | | | *General statements* | | | *Thesis statement* | | **A. Support** | **II. Body** | | **B. Support** | *A. Topic Sentence* | | **C. Support** | 1. Support | | **Concluding sentence** | 2. Support | | | 3. Support | | | *(Concluding Sentence)* | | | *B. Topic Sentence* | | | 1. Support | | | 2. Support | | | 3. Support | | | *(Concluding Sentence)* | | | *C. Topic Sentence* | | | 1. Support | | | 2. Support | | | 3. Support | | | *(Concluding Sentence)* | | | **III. Conclusion** | | | *Restatement or summary of the main points* | | | *Final comment* | As the chart shows, an essay introduction consists of two parts: - a few general statements to attract your reader's attention - and a thesis statement to state the main idea of the essay. The thesis statement of an essay is like the topic sentence of a paragraph: - It names the specific topic - and gives the reader an idea of the contents of the essay. - It may also suggest the writer's point of view on the topic. ### The Body The body consists of one or more paragraphs. Each body paragraph develops a subdivision or subtopic of the topic, so the number of paragraphs in the body will vary with the number of subtopics. The conclusion, like the concluding sentence in a paragraph, is a summary or review of the main points discussed in the body. However, although every essay needs a concluding paragraph, a concluding sentence is often not necessary for each body paragraph, especially when the ideas in consecutive paragraphs are closely related. An essay has unity and coherence, just as a paragraph does. Transition signals and the repetition of key nouns help link the paragraphs and make the essay more coherent. ### The Introductory Paragraph The general statements and the thesis statement in an introductory paragraph each play a specific role in the essay. #### General Statements * introduce the general topic of the essay; * capture the reader's interest. #### The Thesis Statement * states the specific topic; * may list subtopics of the main topic; * may indicate the pattern of organization of the essay; * may indicate the writer's position or point of view; * is usually the last sentence in the introductory paragraph. Notice how the general statements in the introductory paragraph of the writing model (see below) introduce the topic. The first sentence is about the "tough" middle school years. The next two sentences point out that there are large differences between boys and girls of middle school age, and that these can cause a problem. The next sentence explains how the issue of single-sex classes has been changing. We don't, however, read about the author's position on the specific topic of single-sex classes until the introduction's final sentence. The final sentence is the essay's thesis statement. > The middle school years (grades 6, 7, and 8) are known to be the "tough years." These are the years when the different rates of girls' and boys' physical, emotional, and cognitive development are most noticeable. Girls develop ahead of boys in every area, and both suffer. Educators debate whether separating boys and girls into single-sex classes might improve students' academic performance. Single-sex classes were against the law in public schools until several years ago, but now they have become more common (Bonner and Hollingsworth). Although some parents, educators, and civil liberties groups continue to oppose single-sex classes, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school produces positive results. The thesis statement in the model is specific: - It explains the author's point of view about single-sex education (in favor of separating boys and girls in middle school) - and the reasoning that will be explored in the essay (positive results). There are several different styles of introductory paragraphs. In this chapter, you'll learn about two of them: the funnel introduction and the attention-getting introduction. #### Funnel Introduction A funnel introduction is so called because it is shaped like a funnel-wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. It begins with one or two very general sentences about the topic. Each subsequent sentence becomes increasingly focused on the topic until the last sentence, which states very specifically what the essay will be about. Writing a funnel introduction is like focusing a camera with a telephoto lens. You start with a wide picture and gradually narrow the focus so that just one object appears in the camera's viewfinder: your thesis statement. The writing model has a funnel introduction. #### Attention-Getting Introduction Another kind of introduction is one that captures your reader's attention. Three of the most common attention-getting techniques are telling a dramatic or funny story, using surprising facts or statistics, and offering historical background. ### Recognizing Introductory Techniques Work with a partner. Underline the thesis statement in each introductory paragraph. Then decide what kind of introduction each one is, funnel or attention-getting (dramatic story, surprising fact, or historical). Discuss which introduction captures the reader's interest the best and give reasons. #### Introductory Paragraph 1 One day, a few miles off the southern coast of Iceland, the crew of a fishing boat noticed smoke on the horizon. Thinking that another fishing boat was on fire, they went to investigate. When they got closer, they discovered that the smoke was not from a boat on fire; rather, it was from an undersea volcano about to erupt. The next day, ash, cinders, and pumice were blown 1,000 feet into the air. The fishermen had witnessed a rare event-the violent birth of an island. The volcano continued to erupt for about four years, eventually creating an island about 1 square mile in area and 560 feet in height. The birth of Surtsey, as the island is named, offered scientists an extraordinary opportunity to learn how life takes hold on a sterile landmass. #### Introductory Paragraph 2 Moving to a new country can be an exciting, even exhilarating experience. In a new environment, you somehow feel more alive. Seeing new sights, eating new food, hearing the foreign sounds of a new language, and feeling a different climate against your skin stimulate your senses as never before. Soon, however, this sensory bombardment becomes sensory overload. Suddenly, new experiences seem stressful rather than stimulating, and delight turns into discomfort. This is the phenomenon known as culture shock. Culture shock is more than jet lag or homesickness, and it affects nearly everyone who enters a new culture-tourists, business travelers, diplomats, and students alike. Although not everyone experiences culture shock in exactly the same way, many experts agree that it has roughly five stages. #### Introductory Paragraph 3 The Pilgrims who arrived in Massachusetts in 1620 came to find religious freedom. In the 17th and 18th centuries, large numbers of African men and women were brought as slaves to work on large plantations in the South. Immigrants from northern and southern Europe came in the early 19th century to escape poor economic conditions at home. Later in the 19th century, the first immigrants from China came as contract laborers to build the railroads connecting East and West. In the 20th century, political and economic refugees arrived from Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Indeed, the United States has seen immigrants come from many different parts of the world, and they have come for many different reasons. Their ability to adjust to life in their adopted land has depended on several factors. #### Introductory Paragraph 4 Got high blood pressure? Try a truffle. Worried about heart disease? Buy a bon-bon. It's the best news in years! Studies in two prestigious scientific journals say dark chocolate is good for you. It seems that eating a small piece of dark chocolate regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease because dark chocolate-but not milk chocolate or white chocolate contains high amounts of flavenoids, powerful cholesterol-fighting compounds. What is the next health food going to be? Ice cream? Sugar cookies? There are so many conflicting news stories about which foods are good for you that it is often difficult to make the right choices at the supermarket. *** ### Constructing Introductory Paragraphs The sentences in each group are in the wrong order. On a separate sheet of paper, write the sentences in the correct order to form an introductory paragraph. Write the thesis statement last. Identify the type of introduction: funnel or attention-getting. #### Group 1 1. If done properly, a handshake gives the impression of strength and honesty, and if done improperly, it conveys weakness and dishonesty. 2. In some cultures, people bow, and in others, they shake hands. 3. In English-speaking countries, shaking hands is the custom. 4. A proper handshake has four ingredients: pressure, pumps¹, eye contact, and verbal message. 5. The way people greet each other when they meet for the first time varies from culture to culture. 6. How one shakes hands sends an important message about one's character. **Type of introduction: ** --- ¹pumps: movements up and down #### Group 2 1. To celebrate the occasion, Mr. X decided to throw a big party at the plant. 2. Mr. X went from his native land to a new country to manage a milk pasteurization plant. 3. Then one day an impressive new pasteurization unit arrived and was installed. 4. The employees did most of the planning and draped the new unit with garlands. 5. During the party one of Mr. X's supervisors took him aside and said, "Now we see what a good man you are; from now on I am sure everyone will really try to do their best for you." 6. And so it was neither punctuality nor quality checks were any longer needed. 7. This story illustrates the need to understand that doing business in a different culture demands an understanding of the culture. 8. The party was a great success, and everybody had a good time. 9. For eight months, he tried every way possible to convince his workers of the importance of punctuality and of checking every detail of their work. 10. The response was always, "Yes, yes, we will do our best," but nothing ever changed. **Type of introduction: ** --- #### Group 3 **Note:** The order of sentences 2, 3, and 4 can vary. 1. Currently under study are four main methods for predicting when and where the next Big One will occur. 2. In 1976, an earthquake in Tangshan, China, killed over 250,000 people. 3. In an average year, earthquakes kill 10,000 people worldwide and cause millions of dollars worth of property damage. 4. Iran suffered more than 80,000 deaths in two massive quakes in 1990 and 2003. 5. Scientists keep trying to find ways to predict earthquakes-so far without much success. **Type of introduction: ** --- ### The Thesis Statement The thesis statement is the most important sentence in the introduction. It states the specific topic of the essay and often gives the writer's point of view. >Although some parents and educators oppose same-sex classes, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school yields positive results. >Young people in my culture have less freedom than young people in the United States. >The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major effects on cities. Sometimes a thesis statement lists the subtopics that will be discussed in the body. >Although some parents and educators oppose same-sex classes, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school yields positive results, particularly in improved learner self-confidence and decreased classroom discrimination. >Young people in my culture have less freedom than young people in the United States in their choice of where they live, whom they marry, and what their job is. ### Analyzing Thesis Statements Read each thesis statement. Draw a box around the topic. Underline the subtopics. Circle the words or punctuation marks that introduce the subtopics. 1. Capital punishment should be abolished not only because it deprives another person of life but also because it does not stop crime. 2. Women generally live longer than men for two main reasons: They tend to take better care of their health, and they have better resistance to stress. 3. Teenagers declare their separateness from their parents by the way they dress and talk. 4. In choosing a major, a student has to consider various factors, such as personal interests, job opportunities, and the availability of training institutions. 5. An architect should be both an artist and an engineer. 6. A healthy lifestyle involves eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. ### Adding Subtopics Complete the thesis statements by adding subtopics. 1. A computer is necessary for college students for three reasons: 2. Students have a difficult time taking notes in class due to: 3. Successful politicians have the following qualities: 4. A generation gap¹ exists in my home because of: 5. To survive a major disaster such as an earthquake requires: 6. My two sisters are as different as day and night not only in: but also in: 7. Living in a large city has certain advantages over living in a small town: 8. Latino culture has enriched North American culture in several areas: *** ¹ generation gap: differences in attitudes and values between generations, especially between parents and children ### Thesis Statement Pitfalls Because the thesis statement is so important, it must be written with special thought and care. Avoid these three common problems: - The thesis is too general; - the thesis makes a simple announcement; - the thesis states an obvious fact. #### Problem 1: The thesis is too general. **Too General:** A College education is a good investment. **Improved:** A college education is a good investment for four reasons. **Too General:** Lasers are very useful. **Improved:** Lasers have several applications in industry and medicine. #### Problem 2: The thesis makes a simple announcement. **Announcement:** I am going to write about sports injuries. **Improved:** You can avoid sports injuries by taking a few simple precautions. #### Problem 3: The thesis states an obvious fact. **Obvious Fact:** The Internet is a communication superhighway. **Improved:** The growth of the Internet has had both positive and negative consequences. ### Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs in an essay are like the supporting sentences in a paragraph. They are the place to develop your topic and prove your points. You can use facts, examples, and other details to support your points. Quotations and paraphrases can also help to develop the subtopics that you explore in the body paragraphs. ### Controlling Stress in Student Life The busy schedules that most adults face every day have created a growing health problem in the modern world. Although we often think of stress affecting only highly pressured executives, in fact, it is one of the biggest health issues facing college students today. It can cause a variety of physical disorders ranging from headaches to stomach ulcers and even alcoholism. Stress, like the common cold, is a problem that cannot be cured; however, it can be controlled. Students can learn to control stress in four ways. * **Set realistic goals.** * **Take up a hobby.** * **Exercise regularly.** * **Maintain close relationships with family and friends.** ### Studying in Great Britain People come to Great Britain from all over the world to pursue an education. Some come for a year, while others may stay four years or longer to complete a program or earn a degree. Of course, the first few weeks in a new country are always a little stressful, but knowledge of a few British characteristics and customs can smooth the path for new arrivals. If you take into account these characteristics, students can understand how to adapt and what to do to have a positive experience studying in Great Britain. * **British people are usually reserved¹.** * **The British are quite punctual.** * **In Great Britain, students are expected to speak up in class.** * **The British are generally friendly and interested in talking to newcomers.** *** ¹ reserved: quiet, restrained, undemonstrative in words and actions ### The Concluding Paragraph The conclusion is the final paragraph in an essay. It has three purposes. * It signals the end of the essay. To do so, begin your conclusion with a transition signal. * It reminds your reader of your main points, which you can do by summarizing your subtopics and/or paraphrasing your thesis. * It leaves your reader with your final thoughts on the topic. This is your opportunity to convey a strong, effective message that your reader will remember. **See Appendix B, pages 296-298, for more information about transition signals.** ### Techniques for Memorable Conclusions Some techniques you can use to write a memorable conclusion include making a prediction, suggesting results or consequences, recommending a solution or call to action, or quoting an authority. #### Make a prediction. We have seen how the costs of attending college have been rising while, at the same time, sources of financial aid for students have been disappearing. If this trend continues, fewer and fewer families will be able to send their children through four years of college. #### Suggest results or consequences. To sum up, the costs of attending college are up and financial aid for students is down. Fewer and fewer future members of the workforce are able to educate themselves beyond high school. As a result, the nation will waste the intelligence, imagination, and energy of a large segment of the present college-age generation. #### Recommend a solution or a call for action. It is clear that the U.S. system of higher education is in trouble. For many students, completing four years of college is no longer possible because of increasing costs and decreasing financial aid. To reverse this trend, we must demand that government increase its financial support of colleges and universities and restore financial aid programs. Our future depends on it. #### Quote an authority on the topic. In conclusion, costs are rising and financial aid is declining, with the result that many can no longer afford to go to college. If our nation is to prosper, increased government funding for education is essential, even if it requires higher taxes. As Horace Mann¹ argued in his Fifth Annual Report, a nation's economic wealth will increase through an educated public. It is therefore in the self-interest of business to pay the taxation for public education. *** ¹ Horace Mann: public figure (1796-1859) considered the father of public education in the United States ### Analyzing Concluding Paragraphs Work with a partner. Read the essay and the two possible concluding paragraphs. Then answer the questions. #### Student-Centered Teaching For generations, students have complained that school is boring. A teaching approach called student-centered teaching aims to get learners more involved. With this approach, students do not simply listen to the teacher. Instead, they learn through group tasks or independent activities created by a teacher. These activities often require students to solve a problem, which exposes them to new information. As a result, students gain new understanding. Although there are many different ways to make a class student-centered, three approaches have become the most common: inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, and project-based learning. Inquiry learning is based on the writings of John Dewey. Inquiry learning starts with a question and then engages students in problem-solving activities. Students learn as they explore, gather data, and analyze their data. The teacher's role in inquiry learning is one of a facilitator¹ and provider of information (Savery). Ill-structured problems-ones with many different solutions and many paths to a solution (Jonassen)-are favored over well-structured problems. These are ones with a single correct answer. Problem-based learning (PBL) was first used in medical education (Barrows) and then adopted by K-12ª educators. Like inquiry learning, PBL encourages learning through exploration and experiments. Ill-structured problems are also typical of problem-based learning instruction. These problems provide the learner with a broad area of exploration³. However, the teacher's role in PBL differs from the role in inquiry learning. In PBL, the teacher acts as a facilitator, but does not provide information to the learner. Instead, the learners are expected to find the necessary information they need to solve the problem (Savery). Project-based learning is also an active learning strategy. Similarly, it often focuses on a problem. However, the problem in project-based learning is well structured, and learners are told the goal of their project (Savery). Goals could be as diverse as determining the percentage of voters in a district or creating a bird-friendly area in the school yard. Project-based learning is focused on following a process described by the teacher. This process may involve arriving at a calculation or reading specific materials. In contrast to the first two methods, the teacher's role in project-based learning is more likely to be as a coach who provides feedback and guidance (Savery). *** ¹facilitator: someone who helps a group of people discuss things with each other or do something effectively ²K-12: from kindergarten to grade 12, the primary and secondary levels of education in the United States ³exploration: discovering more about something by discussing it, thinking about it, etc. *coach: someone who helps a person or team improve, usually in a sport #### Concluding Paragraph A To sum up, student-centered teaching is very important to learning. Three kinds of student-centered approaches are inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, and project-based learning. Of course, each individual teacher might use these approaches in different ways. In the end, however, student-centered methods will develop stronger critical thinking skills and better prepare students for future success. #### Concluding Paragraph B In conclusion, it is easy to see why these approaches are often used together. After all, each one focuses on problem solving, and the teacher's role in each approach is not limited to traditional lecturing. There are many approaches to making the learning environment more student-centered. Teachers must choose an approach that makes new information necessary and exciting. ### Questions about the Essay 1. Which concluding paragraph provides a summary of the subtopics? 2. Which one paraphrases the thesis statement? 3. Which one presents a call to action? 4. Which one makes a prediction? ### Reread the two Try It Out! essays on page 86 along with the two body paragraphs you wrote. Then write a concluding paragraph for each. ### Patterns of Organization Like paragraphs, essays must be carefully organized. Remember that an essay has three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. However, the method that you choose for organizing the information and ideas in an essay can vary. In Chapter 2, you learned about three different patterns of order or organization: comparison/contrast, chronological order, and logical division of ideas. These and other organization patterns can be used to write an essay. ### Organization and Thesis Statements A thesis statement can indicate the pattern of organization that an essay will follow. Which of these thesis statements indicates chronological order? Logical division of ideas? Comparison / contrast? * When buying a used car, use these four strategies to get the best price. * There are several differences between a nurse practitioner and a physician's assistant. * My best friend and I spent an entire summer constructing a tree house in my grandmother's old apple tree. ### Signaling Organization with Thesis Statements #### Study the thesis statements. Write the organization pattern used: comparison / contrast or time sequence (chronological order). 1. Beginning in World War II and continuing through the period of economic boom, the structure of education in Xanadu has changed remarkably. **Pattern of organization:** 2. Although higher education in Xanadu has improved remarkably in recent years, elementary and secondary schools lag far behind. **Pattern of organization:** #### Find the topic and subtopics of each paragraph. Then decide how many paragraphs will probably be in the body of each essay. 1. Beginning in World War II and continuing through the period of economic boom, the structure of education in Xanadu has changed remarkably due to an improved economy and efforts by the government to provide education in rural areas. **Probable number of body paragraphs:** 2. Education in Xanadu has improved remarkably in recent years in many areas of schooling, including liberal arts, medicine, law, and business. **Probable number of body paragraphs:** ### Organization and Body Paragraphs As you have learned, body paragraphs develop subtopics of an essay's main topic. The pattern of organization you choose will help determine the focus and order of your body paragraphs. Will the body paragraphs follow events in time order? Will they emphasize similarities and/or differences? Will they each discuss an important point related to the main topic? Sometimes, depending on your topic, you will need to use a combination of these patterns. #### Logical Division of Ideas As you read previously, a basic pattern for essays, like paragraphs, is the logical division of ideas. In this pattern, you divide your topic into subtopics, and each subtopic develops one important idea, category, or point related to the main topic. Each subtopic is discussed in a separate paragraph, and paragraphs are presented in an order that will make sense to your readers. Logical division is an appropriate pattern for explaining causes, reasons, types, kinds, qualities, methods, advantages, and disadvantages, as these typical college exam prompts ask you to do. ### Typical Prompts for College Exams | Subject | Prompt | |---|---| | Economics | Explain the three causes of inflation. | | Agriculture / Landscape Design | Describe the basic types of soils and what additives are needed to prepare each type for planting. | | U.S. History | Discuss the causes of the U.S. Civil War. | | Business | Explain the three main forms of business organization. | | Health sciences | Describe the various classes of drugs used to treat depression. | The writing model "Separating the Sexes" on page 75 and the essay "Student-Centered Teaching" on page 88 are both organized in a logical division of ideas pattern. There are three things to remember when you write a logical division essay. * Divide your topic into subtopics and make sure your thesis statement indicates logical division. * Discuss each subtopic in a separate paragraph. * Use transitions between paragraphs to guide your reader from one subtopic to the next. ### Thesis Statements for Logical Division of Ideas As you learned on page 83, a thesis statement often indicates subtopics that will be discussed in the essay. 1. When the organization pattern is the logical division of ideas, the statement may list each subtopic: > Native Americans have made many valuable contributions to U.S. culture, particularly in the areas of language, art, food, and government. 2. Sometimes the thesis statement of a logical division essay may simply indicate the number of subtopics: > Native Americans have made valuable contributions to U.S. culture in four main areas. 3. When an essay has only two subtopics, paired conjunctions (both... and, not only… but also) may be an effective way to list them: > Young people in my culture have very little freedom not only in their choice of lifestyle but also in their choice of careers. 4. A colon (:) is often useful before lists of two, three, or more subtopics in a thesis statement: > The Father of Psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, believed that the human mind had three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego. Notice that the subtopics of a logical division of ideas essay are in parallel form, which means that they have the same grammatical form: In the examples in a and d, all the words are nouns; in c, two prepositional phrases are linked by the paired conjunctions not only… but also. **See Parallel Structure in Sentences, pages 191-192, for information about parallel form.** ### Recognizing Thesis Statements for Logical Division Check (✓) the thesis statements that suggest logical division as a method of organization. 1. ✓ Teenagers demonstrate their independence in several ways. 2. My 18th birthday was the most memorable day in my life so far. 3. ✓ On their 18th birthdays, U.S. citizens receive two important rights / responsibilities: They can vote, and they can sign legal contracts. 4. ✓ In most occupations, women are still unequal to men when careers are compared. 5. ✓ Living in a dormitory offers several advantages to first-year students. 6. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants manufacture their own food. 7. ✓ A college degree in international business requires (1) a knowledge of business procedures and (2) a knowledge of cultural differences. 8. ✓ A computer is usually faster and sometimes more accurate than a human. 9. ✓ Giving a surprise birthday party requires careful planning. 10. Being an only child is very different from having siblings. ### On a separate sheet of paper, write a thesis statement for a logical division essay on each topic. Use the suggested subtopics in parentheses or your own ideas. #### TOPICS * Strategies for succeeding in school (three strategies) * Characteristics of effective classroom environments (three characteristics) * Kinds of appeals television advertisers use to sell automobiles / cosmetics / any product or service (three kinds of appeals) * Approaches to teaching young children, teenagers, and adults (three groups of learners) * The advantages (or the disadvantages) of going to university in a large city / a small town / a rural area (three advantages or disadvantages) ### Transition Signals for the Logical Division of Ideas Transition signals are important to guide the reader through your essay. The ones you might use for a logical division essay include many that you already know. Review the chart for a list of common transition signals. | Words and Phrases | Examples | |---|---| | first, first of all, second, third, etc. | First, choose a destination for your camping trip. | | also, in addition, moreover, furthermore | Meanwhile, have a supply of clean rags ready. | | next, last, finally | Gradually increase your child's allowance. | | **Coordinators** | | | and | Both an increase in the supply of paper money and unrestrained consumer borrowing can cause inflationary tendencies. | | both...and | To lose weight, one must not only exercise regularly but also eat wisely. | | not only... but also | | | **Others** | | | the first cause, reason, factor, etc. | A second cause is an increase in the supply of paper money. | | the / a second problem, result, advantage, etc. | Regular exercise is one way to get fit and lose weight. | | one problem, reason, important factor, etc. | | | another way, reason, disadvantage, etc. | | | an additional problem, result, etc. | | | in addition to math and science,... | In addition to government spending, unrestrained consumer borrowing can cause inflationary tendencies. | ### Transition Signals between Paragraphs Linking paragraphs with transition signals helps your reader see how the subtopics are related. Link one paragraph to the next by adding a transition to the topic sentence of the second paragraph. This transition may be a single word, a phrase, or a dependent clause that repeats or summarizes the main idea in the preceding paragraph. ### Study the essay "skeleton," and notice how the paragraphs are linked. #### Aggressive Drivers