ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

Writing an essay-
a few tips..
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

Grab the attention / state theme Introduction

- Thesis S

Convince / Explain Body

- Supporting Details

Refer to Thesis / Indicate / Suggest

Conclusion
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

The basic structure - writing a five paragraph essay

Introduction
Thesis S
Reason #3 / Other
point of view +
Reason #1 Reason #2 Negation of it
(Topic S) (Topic S) (Topic S)

Example Example Example

Explanation Explanation Explanation

Conclusion Conclusion Elaboration /

Conclusion

Conclusion
= Transitions
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

Introduction

General Statement
(Attention grabber)
Limit the sentence
Thesis Statement
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

Introduction
Ways To Grab Attention :

Use an engaging Quotation

Make an unexpected/ controversial statement
State a common belief and declare a contrary view.
Ask a / series of provocative questions.
Provide an unusual fact / statistics
Tell an anecdote/ story/ personal experience and
connect
Define an important term
An interesting analogy
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics
Introduction

Thesis Statement
Main idea in an essay( Central idea) + writers point view

e.g. :
Statement : Competition exists in every sphere of life.
Mass media is becoming popular in India

Thesis S : Competition , which exists in every sphere of life, is necessary

for growth.

Mass media is becoming popular in India and it plays a

responsible role.
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Introduction

Donts :

Do not say what you are going to do- let your writing show it. I make an
attempt to
Do not start with I agree , According to me, yes, I personally believe.

Do not give examples/ supporting details in the introduction.

Do not write a too long or too short introduction.

 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics
Introduction

Dos:

Prepare a catchy beginning a general orientation to the

subject.

Connect the base to your topic by becoming specific

Use a thesis statement- main idea and your views on it.

ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

Body Paragraphs

Body P 1

Body P 2

Body P3
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Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 1 (Paragraph Frame):

Topic sentence ( the most important reason that supports your Thesis
statement) 1

Evidence (specific example, detail, or reason that proves the

topic sentence) 1-2

Commentary (interpretation of how the example relates to

the topic sentence.) [THOUGHT] 2-3

Additional supporting sentences with evidence and commentary.

2

Concluding sentence Rephrase / relate to Topic S 1

 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

THESIS : Mass Media plays a responsible role in a democratic country like India.

Mass media can become a unifying force at times of crisis. For instance, during
the terrorist attack on Mumbai ,television channels created a sense of patriotism
among people across India. The coverage of the attack by English, Hindi and the
local channels reached every corner of India. The nation, as a whole, raised voice
against terrorists and this gave a sense of belonging to the people of Mumbai. As
a result, people at least in Mumbai felt the need to overcome religious and
regional differences. For once, the Indian media was able to create an awareness
among the people that they need to fight the enemy together.
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Body Paragraph 2

Topic sentence: [State your observations that support the thesis

S]
Evidence: [Provide an example].
Commentary: [How does your evidence relate to your thesis
controlling idea]
Evidence 2:
Commentary: [Relate to thesis]
Concluding Sentence: Rephrases your main idea/observation
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics
THESIS : Mass Media plays a responsible role in a democratic country like India.

Media besides being a unifying force, also acts as a source of information and a
means to achieve justice in India. At times of natural disasters or accidents, media
assumes an important role in providing necessary information and help to the
people. In fact, India managed to cope with the aftermaths of Tsunami a few years
ago mainly due to the initiative of the media. Again, in the anticorruption
movement led by Anna Hazare the Indian media was able to create an awareness
even among the illiterate people. Further, media often served people as a platform
to seek justice. A number of cases on child abuse or violence against women are
taken up by the media in India to this end. In short, mass media in India is certainly
a strong option for someone who needs either information or justice.
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Body Paragraph 3

Topic sentence: [Acknowledge the counter view against the thesis

S] 2

Evidence: [Provide an example]. 1-2

Commentary: [State how the counter view is not strong enough as

against your view.] -3

Concluding Sentence: Assert your main idea/observation.

-1
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

THESIS : Mass Media plays a responsible role in a democratic country like India

This strength of Media ,as a source of information, is cited often as its bane by a
few. It is pointed out that media creates hype on issues and prejudices people in the
name of information. Indeed, media was criticized both in the case of Mumbai
attack and supporting Hazare for these very reasons. However, a careful analysis
would reveal that is not true in every case. No media can survive just by creating
hype alone and it needs to be responsible sooner or later. Moreover, people have
access to different modes of communication today to be misled by the media. In a
fiercely competitive world of media, survival would demand a sense of
responsibility and honesty. The players of mass media in India know this well and
are playing it right.
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Transitions

Transitions are the links between paragraphs (and

sentences/ideas) that help the reader follow the main
line of thought.

Standard devices words/phrases. See list.

Idea hooks- hook the idea used in the last sentence of the
previous paragraph to a new idea of the first
sentence.
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Some common standard devices:

Transitions to Transitions to Transitions to add Transitions to

emphasize a point clarify information conclude or
summarize

again, for this because of, for again, also, As a result,

reason, indeed, in example, for additionally, consequently, thus,
fact, to emphasize, instance, in other another, besides, therefore, due to,
to repeat, truly words, put another equally important, in short
way, that is for example,
[Avoid: first, furthermore, [Avoid: in
second, etc.] moreover, further, conclusion,
in addition, next, finally, lastly]
finally, as well,
together with,
along with
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Conclusion

The conclusion needs to wrap up things and allow the

reader to withdraw gracefully. How do you withdraw
gracefully?
Rephrase the thesis statement
Sum up the main arguments .
End with a general statement that leaves an
impression on the reader (a clincher).
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Conclusion

Summary
Statement

Implications of S

Final (clincher)
Statement
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Conclusion

Summary Statement:
Donts :

Do not write : I would like to conclude, In conclusion, I have tried to

show

Do not repeat the sentences / phrases used in Introduction

Dos:

Reinforce the main idea using a logical connection/ refer back to beginning idea

e.g: Life is full of competitions and there is no point in running away from it.
The best way would be to learn from our failures and win the next time.
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Conclusion

Ways to end ( a clincher):

Return to the beginning idea ( complete the circle)

Offer a recommendation / suggestion
Make a prediction
Use an engaging quotation
Ask a provocative question
Invite the readers to relate the topic to their lives
End with an anecdote
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You give it a try

Reword the thesis sentence and add any needed

transition word/phrase

Using different words, remind of the most important

body paragraph points

Use a clincher
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

The basic structure for writing a five

paragraph essay
Introduction
Thesis S
Reason #3 / Other
point of view +
Reason #1 Reason #2 Negation of it
(Topic S) (Topic S) (Topic S)

Example Example Example

Explanation Explanation Explanation

Conclusion Conclusion Elaboration /

Conclusion

Conclusion
= Transitions
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

General Instructions

Donts:

Informal / colloquial/ slang language

Sub-headings
Underlining important points
Numbering of paragraphs
Abbreviations
SMS language
Illegible hand writing
 ECE 1001 Basic Electronics

General Instructions

Dos:

Five paragraphs
Thesis Statement
Topic Sentences
Use transitions to connect
Space between paragraphs
Catchy beginning and a clincher