The main contents of the chapter consist of the following: Sharing your experience, basics in a box, writing your reflective essay, planning your reflective essay, steps for writing an reflective essay, topic selection, key points to consider, dos and don’ts, common mistakes, example.
Lecture 19 Expository Essay Recap • Sharing your experience – Emerson and Thoreau • • • • • • • • • Basics in a Box Writing Your Reflective Essay Planning Your Reflective Essay Steps for Writing an Reflective Essay Topic Selection Key Points to Consider Dos and Don’ts Common Mistakes Example o Information Pressure: Ignorance Is a Bliss What is an Expository Essay? • The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate: – an idea – evaluate evidence – expound on the idea – and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner What is an Expository Essay? • This can be accomplished through: – comparison and contrast – Definition – Example – the analysis of cause and effect, etc What is an Expository Essay? It … • • • • Gives facts Explains Gives steps in a process Presents ideas in logical order or correct sequence What are the key words that show it is an expository essay? • Most people enjoy some type of music Think about your favorite type of music and explain why you like that particular type of music • Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at times Explain how you would direct a lost man to get back to the expressway/highway from your neighborhood • Tell how to make a hamburger YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE ESSAY EXPLAIN or TELL HOW Structure of the Expository Essay • The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following: – A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay – Clear and logical transitions between the: • introduction, • body, and • conclusion Structure of the Expository Essay • Body paragraphs that include evidential support – Evidential support whether: • • • • factual Logical statistical, or subjective Structure of the Expository Essay • A bit of creativity! • A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided A Complete Argument • Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate – If I were to discuss the cause of the Great Depression and its current effect on those who lived through the chaotic time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation – In fact, if I were to end the exposition in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the Depression – Therefore, the expository essay must be complete, and logical so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument Introduction Paragraph Modern society has undergone radical development in the last 20 years Computers were once just a means to solve mathematical equations Rapid advances in technology have altered the way in which people interact with computers, as well as the functionality of these smart machines With the advent of a worldwide and nearly universally accessible web, the way in which we interact with each other has changed drastically People from all over the world can instantaneously exchange both business and personal information Internet commerce has become a huge part of the daily lives of millions, as well as social networking and streaming media Most recently, portable electronics capable of nearly all internet-related tasks have become a common possession for the average middle-aged American The unlimited free exchange of information has changed, and is continuing to change, in very profound way, society at large Supporting Details “The internet is probably most famous for the ability to spread information, fact or fiction.”(Nikolovska, 2007) Despite the many positive influences the internet has had on our society, one cannot ignore the negative repercussions Many vendors have become faceless, and the examination of goods prior to purchase has been reduced to pictures While there are many reputable online stores, there are those with less ethical aims People must be wary of any and all information sharing and purchases conducted online, to avoid the transfer of funds or personal data to unscrupulous entities Likewise, information obtained via the internet needs to be scrutinized in order to determine accuracy According to the 2010 U.S Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Annual Report on Intellectual Property Enforcement “The digital environment… presents enormous challenges to businesses, consumers, governments, citizens, communities, and families, particularly as new technologies and platforms disrupt traditional business models, means of governance and modes of private communication and expression” In essence, the Internet has begun to change nearly every aspect of our lives and shows no signs of Supporting Details Personal safety threats related to the popularity of social networks, especially amongst the youngsters, is another huge Internet-related issue “They are taking us somewhere exciting, but we have to work out how we deal with the fading boundaries these tools have left in their wake, and that means rewriting our social rules as we go along”(Hoover, 2009) With the human race being a social specie by nature, it was inevitable that new advanced methods of communication would eventually be developed The Internet has revolutionized interpersonal communication since its inception with advances such as email and instant messaging More recently, websites devoted entirely to communication have emerged The most popular example of such social networks is Facebook Members of various social networks input personal data, upload photographs, and personalize many aspects of their own unique pages within the site They may then connect and share this information with as many people as they desire The social networks have gained such popularity that one is nearly certain to find their friends and co-workers via online means Supporting Details With so many people uploading personal information, targeted marketing has become very easy and very popular Because of this very precise demographic-specific marketing capability, social networks are extremely profitable But there is always the downside, and with social networking it is primarily the issue of trust and safety Social networking puts its users in danger from those members of the web who may pose as someone they are not and should not be trusted When you only know a person over a short period of time and have never before met in person, it is very easy for that person to create a desirable self-image in your head, and this image might have nothing to with reality When we expose our lives to the Internet community, we become very vulnerable, whether we realize it or not Conclusion Given the degree of impact the Internet has had on society in its relatively short existence, the long term implications are unforeseeable A world in which all people may communicate openly with one another, regardless of the physical distance between them, was once no more than a very tempting idea, but is now the norm The world is very much analogous to an organism, and to quote a fictional doctor: “All organisms evolve and develop along patterns only recognized in retrospect.” So, it will probably be not sooner than until we experience the results of Internet influence on society, that we may be able to evaluate them Exercise Summary • • • • • • • How to Write a Expository Essay? Well Written Expository Essay Steps for Writing a Expository Essay Topic Selection Dos and Don’ts Common Mistakes Example Example of Expository Essay The Influences of Culture and Environment Introduction Paragraph It is a commonly observed fact that the environment, as well as culture, has a significant influence on the lives of individuals all over the world People are born, grow surroundings, up and which die shape in specific out their outlook, resulting in a certain life style, Supporting Details People’s attitude towards life and the pathway their life takes, is affected by various factors Among them, a family, culture, religion, the place where they grow up, their friends, can be mentioned Thus, the family influences the place where children grow up and what kind of people they communicate with, while maturing Besides, this affects what food they eat and the external effects to which they are exposed To a large extent it determines the pathway they take through life, both while living with their family, and as Supporting Details Many specialists talk about the enduring effects of socio-economic circumstances According to recent research, children born in poor families are more likely to experience financial issues, as adults, than those who were born in wealthier families (Harper et al., 2003) Poor children are also more likely to be less healthy and suffer from various diseases, than their richer counterparts Research also shows, that even the premature death of adults, can be connected to the socio-economic circumstances of one’s childhood, as well Children, born in poor households, tended to suffer from premature death more often, than those who were raised in wealthier conditions (Davey-Smith, 2004) Therefore, the environment, in which children grow up, has a great influence on their outlook and the pathway their life may take, through childhood, and into adulthood Supporting Details It is also important to consider the cultural context when talking about impacts, and effects, on lives A variety of cultural norms and demands, existing in countries all over the world, affects individuals in various ways Stated succinctly, cultural influences on individuals are very specific to the country in which the individual grows up For example, an Arabic child will be influenced culturally in a totally different manner than an American child, and will possess a different psychological makeup, values, behavioural norms, and so on Moreover, these influences will most likely determine what children do, how they interact with others, and how they feel about other cultures Cultural context shapes their world view and the way they perceive themselves, and Conclusion Therefore, it can be stated that grown-ups live and act in a way that is, in many respects, determined by the environment in which they were raised, as well as by cultural peculiarities Many socio-economic circumstances tend to endure, so that an adult may experience the same financial, or social, issues as in childhood Besides, culture also has a significant impact on how persons perceive themselves and the world around them Finally, both environment and culture interact to influence the lives of individuals, determining their pathways in the early years of their lives Summary • What is an Expository Essay? • What are the key words that show it is an expository essay? • Structure of the Expository Essay • A Complete Argument • PACO- Technique for Brainstorming • Steps for writing Expository Essay • Types of Expository Essay? • Key Points to Consider • Dos and Don’ts • Common Mistakes • Example: The Influences of Culture and its Influence References • • • • • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685 http://academichelp.net/samples/essays/expos http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr3.htm http://academichelp.net/academic-assignments http://academichelp.net/samples/essays/expos ... How to Write a Expository Essay? Well Written Expository Essay Steps for Writing a Expository Essay Topic Selection Dos and Don’ts Common Mistakes Example Example of Expository Essay The Influences... an Expository Essay? • What are the key words that show it is an expository essay? • Structure of the Expository Essay • A Complete Argument • PACO- Technique for Brainstorming • Steps for writing. .. divisions of the essay – Bring the essay to an appropriate and effective close – Avoid digressing into new issues Types of Expository Essay? • There are three main types of expository essays – They