Academic Writing Problem-Solution Essay GROUP DISCUSSION Directions:What are some of the most pressing issues in the world today?As a group. make a list of the issues below.You may do online research Then,choose 2 issues to discuss in more detail Issue 1 Questions toAsk Issue 2 What is the problem? Why is this a serious problem? What are the causes of reasons for) the problem? Who is responsible? What are some possible solutions? Who would be responsible for each other groups,individuals,ete)? What are the steps for the solution? What are the limitations of the solution?How do you address those limitations？ What will happen if we do nothing?
1 Academic Writing Problem-Solution Essay GROUP DISCUSSION Directions: What are some of the most pressing issues in the world today? As a group, make a list of the issues below. You may do online research Then, choose 2 issues to discuss in more detail: Questions to Ask Issue 1 Issue 2 What is the problem? Why is this a serious problem? What are the causes of reasons for) the problem? Who is responsible? What are some possible solutions? Who would be responsible for each part of the solution (government, other groups, individuals, etc)? What are the steps for the solution? What are the limitations of the solution? How do you address those limitations? What will happen if we do nothing?
Academic Writing Introduction Paragraph Whatis the purpose? An Introductory Paragraph helps the reader form an impression about your The Introductory Paragraph should contain 1-4 sentences of brief information that connects the big.general topics to your thesis.or specific ideas about the topic. An introductory paragraph has 3 main functions: OStimulate Include a thesis statement that explains the focus of your essay Whatcan/should it include? Hook(quote.statistic,shocking fact,or brief story,etc.) Brieftopic information in sentences/general to specifi connecting information Thesis statement(presents the topic and contains controlling ideas) -See the backside of this handout PRACTICE 1:Write an introduction paragraph for your Timed Writing 1 Hook(try to avoid cliches!): Brief information about the topic Thesis Statement 2
2 Academic Writing Introduction Paragraph What is the purpose? ⚫ An Introductory Paragraph helps the reader form an impression about your essay, so it is important for it to be interesting and clear. ⚫ The Introductory Paragraph should contain 1-4 sentences of brief information that connects the big, general topics to your thesis. or specific ideas about the topic. ⚫ An introductory paragraph has 3 main functions: Stimulate the readers' interest in your topic Provide brief information about your topic/connecting information Include a thesis statement that explains the focus of your essay What can/should it include? ⚫ Hook (quote, statistic, shocking fact, or brief story, etc.) ⚫ Brief topic information in 1-4 sentences/ general to specific connecting information ⚫ Thesis statement (presents the topic and contains controlling ideas) →See the backside of this handout PRACTICE 1: Write an introduction paragraph for your Timed Writing 1. Hook (try to avoid clichés!): Brief information about the topic: Thesis Statement:
Academic Writing How to Write a good Hook Why does the essay hook exist and is such an important tool? An essay hook is the first one or two sentences ofyour essav.It serves as an introduction and works to grab the reader's attention.The first couple sentences will help your reader decide whether they want to continue reading your essay or not What type of essay are you writing? Definition.descriptive.and narrative essays differ from argumentative and critical essavs a lot beca se they equiredifferent writing strategies.In the initial group of essays,you need to o describe certa nevents or concepts.whether the second group requires you to use persuasive techniques to support your argument. What type of writing style and tone will you need to use? Who is your intended audience? What kind of structure do you need to establish? Essay hooks ideas 1.A literary quote This type of hook is appropriate when you are writing about a particular author,story literary phenome non,book,etc.Using a quote will make your essay sound fresh and establish your authority as an author. Examples: "So we beat on,boats against the current,bome back ceaselessly into the past"These words of Nick Carraway perfectly describe. "Not all those who wander are lost."And yes,indeed,every person is so." "When we love,we always strive to become better than we are.When we strive to become better than we are,everything around us becomes better too."Agree or not,but 3
3 Academic Writing How to Write a good Hook Why does the essay hook exist and is such an important tool? An essay hook is the first one or two sentences of your essay. It serves as an introduction and works to grab the reader’s attention. The first couple sentences will help your reader decide whether they want to continue reading your essay or not. What type of essay are you writing? Definition, descriptive, and narrative essays differ from argumentative and critical essays a lot because they require different writing strategies. In the initial group of essays, you need to describe certain events or concepts, whether the second group requires you to use persuasive techniques to support your argument. • What type of writing style and tone will you need to use? • Who is your intended audience? • What kind of structure do you need to establish? Essay hooks ideas 1. A literary quote This type of hook is appropriate when you are writing about a particular author, story, literary phenomenon, book, etc. Using a quote will make your essay sound fresh and establish your authority as an author. Examples: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” These words of Nick Carraway perfectly describe.” “Not all those who wander are lost.” And yes, indeed, every person is so.” “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” Agree or not, but
these words from The Alchemist determine. 2.Quotes from Famous People Including a quote from an authoritative and influential person can help support your argument and create an intriguing hook.The key is to make sure that you clearly show how the quote is relevant to your essay. Examples: "John Wooden once said,'Never mistake activity for achievement." "words from my kindergarten teacher after Ralph Thors spilled paint on my daffodil picture. 3.Anecdote Don't be afraid to employ this type of hook.Remember,even if you start with a humorous anecdote,it doesn't mean that your entire essay has to be funny.A bit of humor can help you grab readers'attention and spark their interest in the topic Examples: "As my cousin and I pedaled our new bikes to the beach,6 years old,suntanned and young.we met an old,shaggy-haired man weaving unsteadily on a battered old bike When I was a young boy.my father worked at a coal mine.For 27 years,he made it his occupation to scrape and claw and grunt his way into the bowels of the earth, searching for fuel.On April 19,2004,the bowels of the earth clawed back." Keep in mind that most essay assignments will ask you to avoid using the first person Be sure to check any requirements before using"in your writing. 4.Pose a Question Almost nothing can attract interest better than a well-constructed question.Readers will want to ding your Be sure to av the other side or engage in some critical thinking. Examples: "What would you do if you could play God for a day?That's exactly what the leaders of the tiny island nation of Guam tried to answer." "Have you ever wondered,whether Anna Karenina still loved Alexei if she hadn't decided tocommit a suicide?
4 these words from The Alchemist determine.” 2. Quotes from Famous People Including a quote from an authoritative and influential person can help support your argument and create an intriguing hook. The key is to make sure that you clearly show how the quote is relevant to your essay. Examples: “John Wooden once said, ‘Never mistake activity for achievement.'” “Learn to laugh” were the first words from my kindergarten teacher after Ralph Thorsen spilled paint on my daffodil picture. 3. Anecdote Don’t be afraid to employ this type of hook. Remember, even if you start with a humorous anecdote, it doesn’t mean that your entire essay has to be funny. A bit of humor can help you grab readers’ attention and spark their interest in the topic. Examples: “As my cousin and I pedaled our new bikes to the beach, 6 years old, suntanned and young, we met an old, shaggy-haired man weaving unsteadily on a battered old bike.” “When I was a young boy, my father worked at a coal mine. For 27 years, he made it his occupation to scrape and claw and grunt his way into the bowels of the earth, searching for fuel. On April 19, 2004, the bowels of the earth clawed back.” Keep in mind that most essay assignments will ask you to avoid using the first person. Be sure to check any requirements before using “I” in your writing. 4. Pose a Question Almost nothing can attract interest better than a well-constructed question. Readers will want to continue reading your essay in order to discover the answer. Be sure to avoid simple “Yes” or “No” questions and try to pose questions that ask reader to consider the other side or engage in some critical thinking. Examples: “What would you do if you could play God for a day? That’s exactly what the leaders of the tiny island nation of Guam tried to answer.” “Have you ever wondered, whether Anna Karenina still loved Alexei if she hadn’t decided to commit a suicide?
5.Set a scene People respe ond well to visual cues.Taking the time to set a detailed scene will help describe an incident or detail the particular features of a person or a character to help the readers become immersed in your writing. Examples: The day of his birth began with Hurricane Charlie pounding at our door in Charleston, South Carolina. "Deciding to attend Hampton Roads Academy,a private school,was one of my most difficult decisions.” 6.Include an Interesting Fact or Definition These types of hooks start by surprising the reader with something that may not have known.Provide an interesting fact about something you are going to discuss in your essay's body and your audience will want to keep reading to leam mor Examples: "Spain,though hardly a literary juggeraut,translates more books in one year than the entire Arab world has in the past one thousand years." "Amiable is the best way to describe Elizabeth's personality:she was friendly and caring." 7.State Your Thesis There isno harm in getting right to the point.Startith your mair argument and use the rest of your essay to support your point of view.If you have an interesting take on a subject,readers will want to see where you came up with your idea. Examples: "It is time.at last,to speak the truth about Thanksgiving.and the truth is this Thanksgiving is really not such a terrific holiday. "Humans need to invest more time and money into space exploration because Earth is on a certain path to destruction." 8.Reveal a Common Misconception The most interesting essays will teach the readers something new.If you start your introduction by showing that a commonly accepted truth is actually false,your readers will be instantly hooked
5 5. Set a Scene People respond well to visual cues. Taking the time to set a detailed scene will help your reader have a clear picture in their minds and create an effective hook. You can describe an incident or detail the particular features of a person or a character to help the readers become immersed in your writing. Examples: “The day of his birth began with Hurricane Charlie pounding at our door in Charleston, South Carolina.” “Deciding to attend Hampton Roads Academy, a private school, was one of my most difficult decisions.” 6. Include an Interesting Fact or Definition These types of hooks start by surprising the reader with something that may not have known. Provide an interesting fact about something you are going to discuss in your essay’s body and your audience will want to keep reading to learn more. Examples: “Spain, though hardly a literary juggernaut, translates more books in one year than the entire Arab world has in the past one thousand years.” “Amiable is the best way to describe Elizabeth’s personality: she was friendly and caring.” 7. State Your Thesis There is no harm in getting right to the point. Start with your main argument and use the rest of your essay to support your point of view. If you have an interesting take on a subject, readers will want to see where you came up with your idea. Examples: “It is time, at last, to speak the truth about Thanksgiving, and the truth is this. Thanksgiving is really not such a terrific holiday. . .” “Humans need to invest more time and money into space exploration because Earth is on a certain path to destruction.” 8.Reveal a Common Misconception The most interesting essays will teach the readers something new. If you start your introduction by showing that a commonly accepted truth is actually false, your readers will be instantly hooked