Writing

Essay Progress Overview

• Focus on practicing topic and linking sentences

• Importance of these elements in body paragraphs

Importance of Topic Sentences

• Definition: First sentence of a body paragraph; introduces the main idea.

• Purpose: To inform readers about the controlling idea of the paragraph.

• Structure: Should include both the overall theme of the essay and the specific focus of the paragraph.

Practice Topic Sentences

• Write three examples based on prompts:

  1. Causes of Stress: e.g. "Stress can come from a variety of sources."

  2. Adult Learners' Internal Motivation: e.g. "Adult learners benefit significantly from a strong sense of internal motivation."

  3. Time Management Strategies: e.g. "There are several effective strategies to enhance time management skills."

Linking Sentences

• Definition: Sentences that transition between paragraphs and connect ideas.

• Challenge: Finding a connection between distinct ideas in separate paragraphs.

Practice Linking Sentences

• Transitioning from causes of stress to symptoms:

  • e.g. "To fully understand stress, it is essential to recognize its symptoms."

• Transitioning from internal motivation to managing commitments:

  • e.g. "While internal motivation is crucial, adult learners often face various responsibilities that challenge their focus."

• Transitioning from discussing strategies to the importance of time management:

  • e.g. "Recognizing the significance of time management is vital before implementing effective strategies."

Referencing Information in Essays

• When to Reference:

  1. Copied Material: Any directly quoted text must be cited.

  2. General Knowledge: Commonly known facts may not require citation (e.g. "The sky is blue").

  3. Theoretical Ideas: Concepts from established theories should be referenced.

  4. Uncommon Knowledge: If unsure if something is general knowledge, better to reference.

  5. Expert Information: Information that requires specialized knowledge or research should be cited.

Activity on Referencing

• Task: Review statements and decide if they require referencing, with reasoning:

  • For example, "There is a link between stress and cancer" requires a reference due to uncommonly known information or claims.

  • A statement like "The sun rises in the east and sets in the west" does not require a reference.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to keep practicing topic and linking sentences, as well as understanding referencing guidelines.

• Availability for questions and feedback as they progress with their essays.