ESL Composition for American
Academic Communication II
Ying Luo
[email protected]
Agenda
Introduce
Topic
Review comparison
development
and contrast
Review
Topic Development
Choosing a Topic
Sometimes you may have to think of a writing
topic.
It is important to put time and effort into picking
the perfect topic, as this will help lead to an
interesting & organized essay.
Strategies for Choosing a Topic
Pay attention to the media- issues, events,
controversies, & concerns that are being
discussed.
Almost anything being covered in “quality”
newspapers, journals, & websites.
Strategies for Choosing a Topic
Consider what is being taught in other
classes- What are interesting topics your
history or science teachers discuss?
What is a subject you have considerable
knowledge about?
Strategies for Choosing a Topic
Listen to people around you- what are some interesting topics
people discuss around you?
Perhaps someone’s complaints or interests could lead to an interesting
essay.
Strategies for Choosing a Topic
Freewrite- sometimes the process of writing
everything that comes to mind can be useful.
After writing for about 10 minutes, you can go
back and analyze material- what could work and
what is junk?
Strategies for Choosing a Topic
Fill in the Blanks- filling in the blanks can help
generate a great topic.
Although many people say _____, I think ____.
Doing _____ could help many people.
Many people do not understand the meaning of __.
The main cause/effect of ___ is ____.
The best way to ____ is to ______.
Narrowing a Broad Topic
It is important to have a topic that is narrow
enough to effectively write about for a college
paper.
Peer pressure > Causes/Effects of peer pressure >
Effects of peer pressure on middle school students
> Effects of peer pressure on middle school boys
> How middle school peer pressure creates boy
bullies
Narrowing a Broad Topic
Make Lists- write a broad topic down.
Underneath it, list all the more narrow topic that
fall into that category.
You may find that sub-topics from the first list
could even generate their own list!
Narrowing a Broad Topic
Make “mind” maps- First write down a broad
topic. Next, write anything you associate with
this topic around it.
Once you have everything mapped out, it is
easier to see what can generate just enough
writing material.
Three structures commonly
used in an academic essay
Compare and
Problem-solution Cause–effect contrast
presentations relationships argumentation
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What are • Comparison discusses similarities
Comparis (common properties).
on and • Contrast discusses differences
Contrast (properties each have that the other
lacks).
?
Is it enough to merely list
what is the same and what
is different?
What are the purposes of
comparison and contrast?
• Demonstrates how one subject is
superior in some way to the other.
• Instead of judgmental, may be
informational.
• Demonstrates how two subjects,
which appear dissimilar, are
actually similar, vice versa.
Importantly,
• Making comparison and contrast
helps us build connections
between separate entities
• Making comparison and contrast
enhances our understanding of
the separate entities
• Making comparison and contrast
promotes our critical thinking
How do I prepare to write a
comparison and contrast paragraph?
• Brainstorm everything about two or multiple subjects.
• Identify points that are relevant to both subjects.
• Summarize dominant categories after examining points of similarity
and difference.
---This is the basis of the comparison/contrast.
• Write upon Comparison/Contrast with details.
Practic Compare and
contrast cat and dog
e
Step 1: Brainstorm
Cat
Four-leg
Two-eye
Likes meat
Can live up to 20 years
Likes to sleep
Kneads on soft objects
Isolated and independent
Dog
• Four-leg
• Two-eye
• Likes meat
• Can live up to 15 years
• Likes to run and catch
• Attached and playful
Step 2: Identify
Identify •Cat •Dog
points Four-leg
Appearance
Four-leg
that are Two-eye Two-eye
relevant Likes meat
Likes meat Diet
to both Likes to run and catch
subjects. Likes to sleep
Attached and playful
Isolated and independent
Personality
Step 3: Summarize
dominant categories
Personality
Step 4: Write with details
For example:
Cats and dogs have different/the opposite personalities.
Step 5: Organize
comparison and contrast
paragraphs
1) Emphatic
Order
Order points from least to most
important
If the similarities are more
significant, discuss differences
first
If the differences are more
significant, discuss similarities
2) Using
Indicators/Transit
ions
Why do I need to use
indicators/Transitions?
Good comparison or contrast essays feature the use of
indicator words to convey to the reader at any given
moment whether a comparison or contrast is being
made and the nature of it.
Example
Indicators/Transitions
To Compare To Contrast
• also • although
• as • but
• in the same way • even though
• however
• like
• on the other hand
• likewise • otherwise
• similarly • yet
• comparable • still
• equally • conversely
-as opposed to
• in addition
-different from
-- both -whereas
-- too - while
- nevertheless
3) Avoid Choppy
Essays
• You must use transitional phrases to
ensure a smooth transition from one
point to another and from one
subject to another.
• Without transitions, your argument
will be difficult to follow and seem to
jump back and forth without a clear
point.
• See compare/contrast transitions on
the next slide.
Example paragraph
• Topic sentence:
Cats and dogs are similar in appearance and diet but very different in
personality.
• Elaboration of similarities:
Both cats and dogs have four legs and two eyes. Moreover, similar to
cats who are fans of meat, dog also like meet product, such as chicken
breast and beef.
• Elaboration of differences:
Despite their similarities, they are very different in personalities. For
example, cats are more isolated and independent. They have their own
schedules, such as running at night while humans sleep, and napping a
lot during the day. On the contrary, dogs are more willing to stay with
their human parents. For example, they would eat and sleep together.
Team-work
• Browse the website “SEE PROGRESS ON SDG 12 BY
COUNTRY
https://sdg12hub.org/sdg-12-hub/see-progress-on
-sdg-12-by-country
”
• Select any of the two countries;
• Compare and contrast their “Waste Management”
by following the below procedures:
1) Brainstorm features about two or multiple
subjects.
2) Identify points that are relevant to both subjects.
3) Summarize dominant categories.
4) Write with details.
