Defining / Clarifying Terms and Generating Ideas
- Defining / Clarifying of Key Words in the essay question
- Generating / Brainstorming ideas
Sorting & Organising for Relevance
- Assess relevance of points which you have brainstormed vis a vis the question.
- Eliminate irrelevant points and group relevant ones under “For” and “Against”
Broadening Scope
- Examine the points which you have jotted
- Ask “Are there other perspectives which I may want to consider the issue? Are there points which I might have left out?”
Deepening Thought
- Carefully consider the points of argument which you have jotted down.
- Ask “Do I need to qualify some of the points? Do I need to further explain and illustrate using examples?”
Stand & Balance
- Now, consider to what extent you agree with the given statement
- Write down your stand in the thesis statement
Stand & Balance
- The Introductory Paragraph has three parts:
- Grabber – begin in an interesting manner that grabs the readers’ attention
- Transition Statement – brings the discussion back to the issue at hand
- Thesis Statement – sums up your stand and the main points of arguments to give shape and direction to your essay.
- Begin the subsequent “Body” paragraphs each with a topic sentence. (A topic sentence tells in a nut shell what the paragraph is about)
- Conclude the essay using one or more of the following ways:
- Give a final thought
- Ask a thought-provoking question
