Basics of Writing

Sources Used:
1. MIT Writing and Humanistic Studies. “Citing Sources.”
http://libguides.mit.edu/content.php?pid=80743&sid=598619

2. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). “General Writing Resources.”

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/
 Most Common Formats
• APA Format (American Psychological Association)
– Social Sciences
– Communication
– Business
– Education

• MLA Format (Modern Languages Association)

– Arts and Languages
– Literature
– Philosophy

• CMS Format (Chicago Manual of Style)

– Professional publications
– Newspapers, Magazines
 Basics

Your essay should:

• be typed, double-spaced, with two spaces after punctuation between sentences

• on standard-sized paper (A4, 8.5”x11”)

• with 1”(2.5cm) margins on all sides

• in 10-12 pt. Times New Roman or a similar font

 Basics
Point of view and voice
Use:
• the third person point of view rather than using the first person point of view

I found out that . . . ,

NO!

• the active voice rather than passive voice

The participants have been asked . . . ,

NO!
 Title Page

Page header:
title (flush left/ right)

Page number
(flush right)

Title: (one third down the page, centered)

Name: (centered)
Institutional affiliation:
(bottom of the page, centered)
 What is a Writing Prompt?
• What is a writing prompt?
- It is basically the assignment that you are asked to write about.

a. What do you think about 3D TV?

b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying at

Pannasastra University of Cambodia?

c. Which do you think is more important to a company’s success?

Profit or business ethics?
 What is a Sentence?
• What is a sentence?
- It is a collection of words which make a complete thought.

- It composes a subject/ verb and object.

Sopheak teaches Advanced Writing.

- It starts with a capital letter.

- It comes to a complete stop.

. ? !
 What is a Paragraph?
• What is a paragraph?

- It is a group of sentences that work together to form one idea.

- It consists of 3 to 5 sentences altogether.

- Many paragraphs together make an essay.

 The Paragraph
• Each sentence has a function.

1. Topic Sentence - Main idea

2. Supporting Sentence - An example, information or reason to support the main idea.

3. Supporting Sentence - Another example, information or reason to support the main idea.

4. Restatement - Reminder of your main idea.

 The Paragraph
There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada
has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a
reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by
well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's
cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for
people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live. (actden.com)

1. Topic Sentence There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world.

2. Supporting Sentence Excellent heath care system

3. Supporting Sentence High standard of education

4. Supporting Sentence Clean cities

5. Restatement As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

 The Paragraph
Exercise I:

The way we use banks is currently changing. This is partly because of the introduction
of new technology in the last ten years. The personal computer and the internet, for
instance, allow customers to view their accounts at home and perform operations such as
moving money between accounts. At the same time banks are being reorganized in ways
that affect both customers and staff. In the past five years over 3,000 bank branches have
closed in Britain. The banks have discovered that staffing call centers is cheaper than
running a branch network.
 The Paragraph
The way we use banks is currently changing. This is partly because of the introduction of
new technology in the last ten years. The personal computer and the internet, for instance,
allow customers to view their accounts at home and perform operations such as moving money
between accounts. At the same time banks are being reorganized in ways that affect both
customers and staff. In the past five years over 3,000 bank branches have closed in Britain.
The banks have discovered that staffing call centers is cheaper than running a branch network.
 What is a Thesis Statement?

• What is a thesis statement?

- It is the main argument.

- It is the most important sentence in an essay.

 What is a Key Point?

• What is a key point?

- It is the topic sentence in each paragraph.

- It will not always be the first sentence.

 Evaluating Texts for Key Points
• Is this sentence a Fact or Opinion?
- Fact:
A statement that can be proven or validated by data or observation.

The U.S. has 50 states.

PUC offers Advanced Writing during the summer term.

- Opinion
A writer’s belief, view, or way of thinking about something which can have varying
degrees of truth.

It is important to take Advanced Writing early at PUC.

 Evaluating Texts for Key Points
Is this sentence a Fact or Opinion?

Opinion or Fact? Agree or Disagree? True or False?

The US and the EU have the biggest

economies in the world.

a) Shakespeare was a great writer.

b) Shakespeare wrote textbooks.

c) Poor education is the major cause of all

crime.

d) 95% of criminals in Korea cannot read.

 Evaluating Texts for Key Points
Exercise II: Read the following sentences and label them fact or opinion.

Britain has one of the highest crime rates in the world. A robbery takes place every five
seconds. Clearly, criminals are not afraid of the police. Even if they are caught, few criminals
ever appear in court. Most of those who are found guilty are let off with a small fine. To reduce
crime, we need more police and tougher punishments.

Global warming affects most people in the world, especially those living in low-lying areas
near the sea. It has been predicted that the melting of polar ice may cause the sea to rise by as
much as twelve meters by 2050. This would cause flooding in major coastal cities, such as
Tokyo. It has been suggested that the best solution to this problem may be for mankind to
become amphibious, like frogs. Life was originally found in the sea, and so it would merely be
a return to our original habitat. The human body is composed of approximately 60-80% water,
thus adapting to life underwater would be relatively a simple evolution. Top scientists in
Britain and Japan are working to develop a drug which suppresses the gene differentiates gills
to lungs in utero, making this metamorphosis a possibility for future generations.
 Outline
• What does a 3 paragraph essay look like?

a. State your thesis

Introduction

Body b. Example to support your thesis

c. Remind reader of your thesis

Conclusion d. Why is it so important?
 Parable of the Boiled Frog

• Write the purpose (key point) of each paragraph.

• Draw this idea.

 Outline
• What does a 5 paragraph essay look like?
General Statement
Introduction Thesis Statement

A. Topic Sentence
a. Supporting Sentence
b. Supporting Sentence
c. Supporting Sentence
(Concluding Sentence)

B. Topic Sentence
a. Supporting Sentence
Body b. Supporting Sentence
c. Supporting Sentence
(Concluding Sentence)

C. Topic Sentence
a. Supporting Sentence
b. Supporting Sentence
c. Supporting Sentence
(Concluding Sentence)

Conclusion Restatement or summary of the main points

Generalize
Conclude the essay
 Introduction Paragraphs

• An introduction paragraph is like an upside down triangle where you start with
broad statements and then narrow your focus into your main point.

- Introduction goes from “general  specific.”

- The first sentence should hook the reader.

- The introduction must contain the thesis statement.

 Body Paragraphs
• Each body paragraph illustrates the key points in order to support the thesis.

Step 1
• You should inform your reader what your point is.

Step 2
• Examples, concrete details, evidence, data, etc.
• You should back up your point with specifics.

Step 3
• Explanation, analysis, commentary, etc.
• You should explain your examples and show how they work into your argument.
 Conclusion Paragraph
• A conclusion paragraph is like a triangle that goes from specific to general.

Step 1
• You should restate your thesis statement.

Step 2
• You should synthesize your argument.

Step 3
• Conclude your statement.
 Our Goal
Where we want to be
 Our Goal

• “addresses topic and task” Good understanding of the topic

Great thesis and conclusion

• “well organized” + Solid outline

“appropriate explanations” Adequate examples

• “unity, progression, and coherence” Strong logic

Smooth transition words

• “syntactic variety” + “idiomaticity” Proper sentence length +

wording