Toefl essay unit lesson One Basic 5 Paragraph Essay Getting started means getting organized

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  the reasons for
  
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  the causes of
  
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  the effects of
  
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  the procedure for
  
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  the advantages of
  
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  the disadavantages of
  
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  the ways / methods of
  
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  the different parts / kinds / types of
  
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  the characteristics / traits / qualities of
  
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  the problems of
  
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  the precautions for
  
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  the changes to
  

NOTE: your thesis statement must answer the essay question. If you write a brilliant essay that does NOT answer the essay question, you may not get credit for your essay.

The thesis statement should provide a road map to your essay.

It organizes your thoughts so that you can quickly write a logical answer to the essay question.

The thesis statement should be supported by the ideas you generated in your mind map
Improving the Introduction
An introduction can sometimes be improved by adding a definition. Usually between the opening first and second sentence, and the thesis statement.
How to define a term:

1. state the word or phrase to be defined

2. give the category that the word or phrase fits into

3. tell how the word is different from other words that fit the same category

“A person who is diligent works hard in a very careful and steady way.”
Supporting Paragraphs

The body of your essay should have two or three paragraphs

3 – 5- 5- 5- 3 OR 3 – 7 -7 -7 3

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  Use your mind map to find the sub – topics that support your thesis statement
  
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    If you sub – topics do not support your thesis statement, change your thesis statement or do more brainstorming.
    
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  Write a topic sentence for each of your two or three main points
  
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    Each topic sentence should relate to the thesis statement at the end of your introduction
    
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    Each topic sentence should provide support for your thesis statement
    
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    The topic sentence for each paragraph tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
    
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    Each sentence in that paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.
    
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    Remember topic sentences have a main idea + controlling idea
    
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  Supporting sentences in your paragraphs
  
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    The topic sentence should be supported by two or three main arguments
    
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    Each argument should be backed up by details, facts and examples
    
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  End the paragraph in a concluding sentence that
  
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    refers back to the topic sentence
    
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    provides a transition to the next paragraph
    
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  Write a transition to establish the sub-topic
  
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    Each paragraph has to flow, one to the next.
    
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    Make sure you use the right transition, see list
    
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    Sometimes you use a synonym for a key word to provide unity without repetition
    
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  Strengthen supporting paragraphs by adding details
  

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  As you write, ask yourself Why? In what way? How? What kind? How long?
  
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  The answers to these questions add interesting details and support to your paragraphs
  

Here's what you need to have in a body paragraph. (Example: Is education being devalued?)

Topic Sentence	People have several arguments against the need for degrees.
Argument or Reason 1	They say that having so many graduates devalues a degree.
Example, Explanation, or supporting detail	People lose respect for the degree holder.
Argument or Reason 2	It is also claimed that education has become a rat race,...
Example, Explanation, or supporting detail	...since graduates have to compete for jobs even after years of studying.
Argument or Reason 3	Another point is that studying for such a long time leads to learners becoming inflexible.
Example, Explanation, or supporting detail	By that I mean that they know a lot about one narrow subject, but are unable to apply their skills.
Example, Explanation, or supporting detail (You can have one, two, or even more of these for every idea)	Employers, on the other hand, prefer more flexible and adaptable workers.
Concluding sentence / transition to next paragraph (may be in topic sentence of next paragraph)

http://www.writefix.com/argument/body2.htm
The Conclusion or Summary Paragraph

A good conclusion will

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  rephrase the question
  
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  summarize the main ideas
  
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    The conclusion should leave your reader with no doubt as to your position or conclusion of logic
    
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    You can do this by paraphrasing the topic sentences of your body paragraphs
    
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  give your opinion, if you haven't given it already,
  
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  look to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues or changes)
  
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    make a prediction or give a solution
    

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  NEVER add new information
  

http://www.writefix.com/argument/conclusions2.htm
Technical details

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  Edit and revise your essay -- if you can
  
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  Check your spelling and grammar
  
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  Subjects and verbs agree, and verb tenses are consistent
  
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  Examine your whole essay for logic
  
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  Thought builds and flows?
  
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  Avoid gaps in logic, or too much detail.
  
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  Review individual sentences
  
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    Use active verbs to be more descriptive
    
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  Avoid passive constructions and the verb "to be"
  
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  Use transitional words and phrases
  
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  Avoid sentences beginning with pronouns, constructions as "There are....,"
  
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    Example: "There is a need to proofread all works" becomes "Proofreading is a must."
    
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  Be concise -- though vary the length and structure of sentences
  

Adapted and revised with permission from: Kasper, J. The Five Paragraph Essay, 14 January, 1999, http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/eval.html (9 June 2001) http://www.studygs.net/5paragraph_edit.htm

Editing Checklist

□ Is there an introductory paragraph?

□ Does the introduction restate the question?

□ Does the introduction narrow the general topic to a specific topic?

□ Does the introduction have a thesis statement with a controlling idea?

□ Does each body paragraph have a topic sentence?

□ Do the topic sentences of the paragraphs support the thesis statement?

□ Do the ideas in each paragraph support its topic sentence?

□ Does each paragraph include details or examples to support the topic sentence?

□ Is there a concluding paragraph? Does it “echo” the introduction?

□ Does the essay answer ALL parts of the question?

□ Is the essay cohesive? (unified, on topic, with transitions?)

□ Are the sentences concise?

□ Did you check spelling and verb tenses and subject-verb agreement?

From Gear, J. & Gear, R. (2006) Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test 4^th ed.