English
Text-Response Essay Context
It’s hoped that the sample essay [accessed from this tab] might help you with writing your own text-response essay on the question, “Should a boy be considered a man because of his age?” What I have tried to do is structure the essay using the TEEL six-paragraph essay format which you need to imitate. When you write your essay, you have to have an opinion (contention) about the question, “Should a boy be considered a man because of his age?” Then you have to think of THREE reasons why you think this.
FOR EXAMPLE:
I don’t think a boy is considered a man when he reaches a certain age. Why do I think this? Well, I think this because there are males considered men because they’re 18 or older, but they behave worse than children. I think when a male becomes responsible for others like a family and finally, when he has to take on responsibilities to earn a living he can be considered a man.
FOR EXAMPLE:
I don’t think a boy is considered a man when he reaches a certain age. Why do I think this? Well, I think this because there are males considered men because they’re 18 or older, but they behave worse than children. I think when a male becomes responsible for others like a family and finally, when he has to take on responsibilities to earn a living he can be considered a man.
A lot of good essay writing is about the thinking...
- Identify the purpose of the writing.
- Identify the audience for the writing.
- Read the INTRODUCTION. Look at
§ the stating of the topic
§ the writer’s contention (point of view)
§ the three arguments to be explored in the essay.
§ the vocabulary – are there words that make it sound like an introduction or that you could use in your writing?
§ the grammar – how are the sentences worded? Can I imitate them?
4. Read PARAGRAPHS 2, 3 & 4. Look carefully at each of the TEEL elements:
§ Topic sentence: Does this sentence clearly explain the paragraph to the reader?
§ Elaboration: This sentence or these sentences tell the reader more about the topic of the paragraph.
§ Evidence/Examples: This sentence or these sentences help you make convincing arguments. Evidence from the novel or YOUR INTERVIEW can be used powerfully in these paragraphs.
§ Linking sentence: This sentence reminds the reader why this paragraph is important to know. Look carefully at how these sentences are written.
5. PARAGRAPH 5 says, ‘Okay. There are some people who disagree with my reasons, but I want them to understand that these reasons are still important and valuable to readers.’
6. CONCLUSION: See the connection between the introduction and the conclusion and note the similarities.
7. Check that you have used transitional words and phrases (see below) that will help you connect your writing and help with the flow of your ideas.
Don't forget to use transitional words and phrases
Here's a small list containing the essentials...
and to sum up
but because
or to sum up
while consequently
although first
unlike next
while sometimes
however surely
in other words on the other hand
and to sum up
but because
or to sum up
while consequently
although first
unlike next
while sometimes
however surely
in other words on the other hand
What are transitional words and phrases?
Transitional words and phrases guide readers from one sentence to the next. Although they most often appear at the beginning of a sentence, they may also show up after the subject. Here are the common transitional expressions, grouped according to the type of relationship shown by each.
The following transitions are explained in more detail below:
Addition Transitions
Cause-Effect Transitions
Comparison Transitions
Contrast Transitions
Conclusion and Summary Transitions
Example Transitions
Insistence Transitions
Place Transitions
Restatement Transitions
Time Transitions
ALL THE TRANSITIONS YOU'LL EVER NEED...
1. Addition Transitions
and
also
besides
first, second, third
in addition
in the first place, in the second place, in the third place
furthermore
moreover
to begin with, next, finally
Example
In the first place, no "burning" in the sense of combustion, as in the burning of wood, occurs in a volcano; moreover, volcanoes are not necessarily mountains; furthermore, the activity takes place not always at the summit but more commonly on the sides or flanks; and finally, the "smoke" is not smoke but condensed steam.
(Fred Bullard, Volcanoes in History)
2. Cause-Effect Transitions
accordingly
and so
as a result
consequently
for this reason
hence
so
then
therefore
thus
Example
The ideologue is often brilliant. Consequently some of us distrust brilliance when we should distrust the ideologue.
(Clifton Fadiman)
3. Comparison Transitions
by the same token
in like manner
in the same way
in similar fashion
likewise
similarly
Example
When you start with a portrait and search for a pure form, a clear volume, through successive eliminations, you arrive inevitably at the egg. Likewise, starting with the egg and following the same process in reverse, one finishes with the portrait.
(Pablo Picasso)
4. Contrast Transitions
but
however
in contrast
instead
nevertheless
on the contrary
on the other hand
still
yet
Example
Every American, to the last man, lays claim to a “sense” of humour and guards it as his most significant spiritual trait, yet rejects humour as a contaminating element wherever found. America is a nation of comics and comedians; nevertheless, humour has no stature and is accepted only after the death of the perpetrator.
(E. B. White)
5. Conclusion and Summary Transitions
and so
after all
at last
finally
in brief
in closing
in conclusion
on the whole
to conclude
to summarize
Example
Reporters are not paid to operate in retrospect. Because when news begins to solidify into current events and finally harden into history, it is the stories we didn't write, the questions we didn’t ask that prove far, far more damaging than the ones we did.
(Anna Quindlen)
6. Example Transitions
as an example
for example
for instance
specifically
thus
to illustrate
Example
With all the ingenuity involved in hiding delicacies on the body, this process automatically excludes certain foods. For example, a turkey sandwich is welcome, but the cumbersome cantaloupe is not.
(Steve Martin, "How to Fold Soup")
7. Insistence Transitions
in fact
indeed
no
yes
Example
The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don’t want.
(Frank Butler, Going My Way)
8. Place Transitions
above
alongside
beneath
beyond
farther along
in back
in front
nearby
on top of
to the left
to the right
under
upon
Example
What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or in a marble tower on top of a high hill? You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that.
(Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep)
9. Restatement Transitions
in other words
in short
in simpler terms
that is
to put it differently
to repeat
Example
Anthropologist Geoffrey Gorer studied the few peaceful human tribes and discovered one common characteristic: sex roles were not polarized. Differences of dress and occupation were at a minimum. Society in other words, was not using sexual blackmail as a way of getting women to do cheap labour, or men to be aggressive.
(Gloria Steinem, "What It Would Be Like If Women Win")
10. Time Transitions
afterward
at the same time
currently
earlier
formerly
immediately
in the future
in the meantime
in the past
later
meanwhile
previously
simultaneously
subsequently
then
until now
Example
At first a toy, then a mode of transportation for the rich, the automobile was designed as man's mechanical servant. Later it became part of the pattern of living.
http://grammar.about.com/od/developingparagraphs/a/cohsignals.htm
Accessed May 29, 2011.
The following transitions are explained in more detail below:
Addition Transitions
Cause-Effect Transitions
Comparison Transitions
Contrast Transitions
Conclusion and Summary Transitions
Example Transitions
Insistence Transitions
Place Transitions
Restatement Transitions
Time Transitions
ALL THE TRANSITIONS YOU'LL EVER NEED...
1. Addition Transitions
and
also
besides
first, second, third
in addition
in the first place, in the second place, in the third place
furthermore
moreover
to begin with, next, finally
Example
In the first place, no "burning" in the sense of combustion, as in the burning of wood, occurs in a volcano; moreover, volcanoes are not necessarily mountains; furthermore, the activity takes place not always at the summit but more commonly on the sides or flanks; and finally, the "smoke" is not smoke but condensed steam.
(Fred Bullard, Volcanoes in History)
2. Cause-Effect Transitions
accordingly
and so
as a result
consequently
for this reason
hence
so
then
therefore
thus
Example
The ideologue is often brilliant. Consequently some of us distrust brilliance when we should distrust the ideologue.
(Clifton Fadiman)
3. Comparison Transitions
by the same token
in like manner
in the same way
in similar fashion
likewise
similarly
Example
When you start with a portrait and search for a pure form, a clear volume, through successive eliminations, you arrive inevitably at the egg. Likewise, starting with the egg and following the same process in reverse, one finishes with the portrait.
(Pablo Picasso)
4. Contrast Transitions
but
however
in contrast
instead
nevertheless
on the contrary
on the other hand
still
yet
Example
Every American, to the last man, lays claim to a “sense” of humour and guards it as his most significant spiritual trait, yet rejects humour as a contaminating element wherever found. America is a nation of comics and comedians; nevertheless, humour has no stature and is accepted only after the death of the perpetrator.
(E. B. White)
5. Conclusion and Summary Transitions
and so
after all
at last
finally
in brief
in closing
in conclusion
on the whole
to conclude
to summarize
Example
Reporters are not paid to operate in retrospect. Because when news begins to solidify into current events and finally harden into history, it is the stories we didn't write, the questions we didn’t ask that prove far, far more damaging than the ones we did.
(Anna Quindlen)
6. Example Transitions
as an example
for example
for instance
specifically
thus
to illustrate
Example
With all the ingenuity involved in hiding delicacies on the body, this process automatically excludes certain foods. For example, a turkey sandwich is welcome, but the cumbersome cantaloupe is not.
(Steve Martin, "How to Fold Soup")
7. Insistence Transitions
in fact
indeed
no
yes
Example
The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don’t want.
(Frank Butler, Going My Way)
8. Place Transitions
above
alongside
beneath
beyond
farther along
in back
in front
nearby
on top of
to the left
to the right
under
upon
Example
What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or in a marble tower on top of a high hill? You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that.
(Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep)
9. Restatement Transitions
in other words
in short
in simpler terms
that is
to put it differently
to repeat
Example
Anthropologist Geoffrey Gorer studied the few peaceful human tribes and discovered one common characteristic: sex roles were not polarized. Differences of dress and occupation were at a minimum. Society in other words, was not using sexual blackmail as a way of getting women to do cheap labour, or men to be aggressive.
(Gloria Steinem, "What It Would Be Like If Women Win")
10. Time Transitions
afterward
at the same time
currently
earlier
formerly
immediately
in the future
in the meantime
in the past
later
meanwhile
previously
simultaneously
subsequently
then
until now
Example
At first a toy, then a mode of transportation for the rich, the automobile was designed as man's mechanical servant. Later it became part of the pattern of living.
http://grammar.about.com/od/developingparagraphs/a/cohsignals.htm
Accessed May 29, 2011.