WRITE BETTER ESSAYS IN JUST 20 MINUTES A DAY phần 2 doc

–PRETEST– 15 –PRETEST– 16 17 SECTION 1 Planning the Essay W hile creativity and inspiration can play an important role in good essay writing, planning, drafting, and revision are critical. Whether you have to write an essay in class, during a test, or at home, getting down to the business of writing means focusing on these three things. In this section, you’ll learn planning strategies that will not only improve the effectiveness and quality of your writing, but will also help eliminate many of the frustrations writers face. In addition, they’ll benefit your reader by showing him or her how the various points you make in your essay work together and how they support your thesis. When you begin your essay with planning, you will have guidance and direction through the writing process, especially if you are in a timed situation. Planning lets you see how your many developing ideas fit within a framework, and clearly maps out any type of essay you are required to write. [...]... more critical than in a timed essay exam, when you have to choose a topic quickly in order to complete the exam within 20 to 30 minutes Fortunately, a few simple strategies can help you generate ideas for any essay assignment Brainstorming Ideas How do you generate ideas? Some writers stare at a blank page waiting for inspiration, while others dive into a draft hoping ideas will come as they write Both... and elaborate Evaluate Make a judgment about the effectiveness and success of the subject What is good and bad about it? Why? Describe your criteria for your judgment Explain Make your position, issue, process, etc clear by analyzing, defining, comparing, contrasting, or illustrating Identify Name and describe Illustrate Provide examples of the subject Indicate Explain what you think the subject means... FREEWRITING AND LISTING– The most effective technique for focusing and shaping your thoughts is brainstorming—allowing yourself some time to make connections with your subject, noting everything and anything that comes to mind In this lesson and the next, you’ll learn four specific strategies for brainstorming They may be used both to generate new ideas and to clarify those you already have Brainstorming can... given topic However, instead of putting whole sentences or phrases on paper, this prewriting technique involves creating a list It might contain various individual thoughts, ideas that make sense in a particular order, and/or ideas linked together by association with previous ideas Listing is a great brainstorming strategy for collaborative writing projects, which work best when they begin with the entire... group collecting ideas In addition, unlike freewriting, listing works well in a timed writing situation Even within the 25 minutes allotted for the SAT essay, spend a few minutes first listing your ideas before beginning to write 33 How to Use Listing ■ ■ ■ ■ If you are not already being timed, set a timer for at least 15 minutes (the more time you spend, the more and better ideas you will probably come... biowarfare? Practice 2 Take three to five minutes to brainstorm a list of ideas for the following assignment: Many forces contribute to our sense of self What is a strong determining factor for your sense of identity? 34 – BRAINSTORMING TECHNIQUES: FREEWRITING AND LISTING– In Short Two effective ways to generate ideas are the freewriting and listing brainstorming techniques Simply write nonstop about... techniques take time and often result in disappointment There are more productive ways to come up with material for your essay—both in terms of time spent and in the quality of that material Whether you are assigned a topic, must come up with one on your own, or are writing under a time constraint, taking the time to focus and shape your thoughts will result in a better final product 31 –BRAINSTORMING TECHNIQUES:... following chart lists common question words and corresponding direction words QUESTION WORDS WHAT THEY USUALLY MEAN What is/are define or identify What caused identify or explain How are/does explain or evaluate How is X like compare How is X different contrast In what way illustrate Do you agree? argue Why is/does explain What do you think of X? evaluate 27 – UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED... Fulfilling the Assignment The essay assignments found on college applications, AP Exams, and the SAT and ACT are the product of considerable study and research They are designed to elicit essays that fulfill a specific need Colleges need to know more about you in order to make admissions decisions, so they ask you to write about personal issues The ACT and SAT writing tests are designed to give colleges and... information, and organize what is left Categorize similar items In this example, a student used listing to generate ideas for his college application essay In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge your generation will face? What ideas do you have for dealing with this issue? ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Being overwhelmed by technology Staying in physically touch when everything becomes virtual . –PRETEST– 15 –PRETEST– 16 17 SECTION 1 Planning the Essay W hile creativity and inspiration can play an important role in good essay writing, planning, drafting, and revision are critical. Whether you have to write an essay in class,. primary reason your actual readers—college admis- sion officers, SAT and ACT scorers, AP essay exam readers, and teachers—are reading your essay is not for their reading pleasure. Instead, they are. personally. 2. A Martian has just landed in your backyard. He asks where he’s landed. You answer, “America.” “What kind of place is America?” he replies. a. Who is your audience for this writing assignment? b.