Process

Activity 1

Instructions.- In teams of three read the following Tips for Writing a Mini-Essay. When you finish, write an outline based on a topic sentence of your preference and write a mini-essay; send it to your teacher. Remember to include the name of the participants.

Tips for Writing a Mini-Essay

Characteristics of a good Mini-Essay:

• • Topic sentence (main topic), which includes the topic and a controlling idea.

  • Supporting ideas (usually 3 - 6), which support the topic sentence

  • RENNS (reasons, examples, names, numbers, senses), which give details for and further explain the supporting ideas.

  • Unity, which means that all sentences in the paragraphs and mini-essay directly support the topic sentence.

    • Repetition of key words and phrases (often from the topic sentence)

    • Parallel grammatical structure

    • Transition words and phrases.

• Coherence, which means that all the information of the paragraphs and mini-essay is well-organized, logically ordered and easy to follow. This is accomplished by:

• Optional concluding sentence, which leaves the reading with something to think about and may summarize the supporting ideas if the paragraphs or essay are/is long.

Process of Writing a Mini-Essay:

• 1. Compose your topic sentence. Think of a topic and a controlling idea that will narrow the topic enough to support it well in one or more paragraphs.

  2. Brainstorm supporting ideas. Choose 2 - 6 supporting ideas that do a good job supporting your topic sentence.

  3. Write your Mini-Essay in topic outline form as follows. Don't actually write sentences in the outline, except for the topic sentence.

Topic sentence:

A. Supporting idea 1.

1.

2.

3.

B. Supporting idea 2.

1.

2.

3.

C. Supporting idea 3.

1.

2.

3.

Concluding sentence:

• 1. Put your supporting ideas in a logical order.

  2. For each supporting idea, think of RENNS that further explain the idea. For balance, each supporting idea should have about the same amount of RENNS.

  3. Think of a concluding sentence.

  4. Write your Mini-Essay using sentences. Use the coherence strategies to make your paper easy to follow.

Here is an example.

Choosing a college or university can be difficult. The most difficult part is finding a university that prepares you well for your future career. In order toget a good job, the curriculum that is taught must be thorough and up-to-date. In addition, the professors must be highly qualified and respected intheir fields.

Another difficulty in choosing a university or college is affordability. You need to be able to pay the tuition fees and living expenses. Some institutionsmight be able to offer you scholarships if you cannot afford the fees.

A good location is also very important when choosing a school. The environment should be safe and quiet to facilitate studying. Moreover, thereshould be possibilities near the school for part-time or summer jobs in your major, so you can get some practical work experience. You shouldconsider all of these points carefully so you can choose the most appropriate college or university for you.

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Activity 2

Instructions.- Write a magazine article (an essay) about a controversial topic. It can be one of the topics we saw during the course. This is to be done individually.

• 1. Write a title (For example: “Does technology isolate people?”, “Is technology good or bad”?)

  2. Write an introduction. Explain the topic (say what you know about it, define concepts if necessary, or talk about the present situation in relation to the topic).Be brief in this part.

  3. Write the pros and cons (or cons and pros). Give arguments for and against (pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages, depending on the topic).Don’t make just a list; put your ideas into paragraphs and use connectors.

  4. Write a conclusion. Give your opinion about the topic.

Use the following links to guide your work:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/five_par.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/endings.htm

The following file will help you find words to connect your paragraphs properly:

http://homepage.usask.ca/~dul381/uprep/writing/wtng-packet/1Transitions&Punctuation.pdf

Things to take into account:

• • Include the following information:

Language Center, University of Veracruz

Course: Advanced English 100        Teacher:                              Date:

Task / Activity: Writing an Article

Title of the article:

Student’s name:

• • Organize your article in a coherent way and divide it into appropriate paragraphs.

  • Use appropriate vocabulary and connectors.

  • Use your own words. Don’t copy and paste from the Internet or the work will be invalid.

  • Use a word processor. Arial 12, 1.5 line spacing

  • Write about 500 words. At the end of the article, write the approx. number of words that you used.

  • Send the file to your facilitator. ivansanz82k5@yahoo.com