Essay Do's and Don'ts A Practical Guide to Essay Writing

by Engkent, Lucia; Engkent, Garry

• ISBN13: 9780190164300
• ISBN10: 0190164301
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2022-11-25
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Essay Do's and Don'ts is a concise, practical guide on the fundamentals of essay writing. Written in an easy, accessible tone, the authors present the essentials of structuring an essay, formulating and supporting ideas, and writing in clear, grammatical sentences. The book focuses on common problems first-year students encounter when writing essays. The text includes sample essays which illustrate the "do's" and "don'ts" of good essay writing, as well as readings, examples, and exercises to help students improve their vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and general writing skills.

Author Biography

Lucia Engkent, Former instructor, School of English and Liberal Studies, Seneca College,Garry Engkent, Former instructor, School of English and Liberal Studies, Seneca College

Lucia Engkent has taught English composition and English for Academic Purposes for more than thirty years in several post-secondary institutions, including Seneca College, the University of Waterloo, York University, and the University of Alberta. Throughout her teaching career, she has written instructional materials such as institutional assessment tests and online material. Her six published textbooks include Skill Set (OUP Canada), Fiction/Non-Fiction: A Reader and Rhetoric (Harcourt), and Take Part: Speaking Canadian English (Pearson).

Garry Engkent has taught English composition and literature for more than thirty years in several post-secondary institutions, including Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University), Seneca College, the University of Toronto, and the University of Alberta. Garry is the co-author of Groundwork: Writing Skills to Build On (Pearson) and Fiction/Non-Fiction: A Reader and Rhetoric (Harcourt).

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1: The Basics
Write clearly and concisely
Answer the question and follow instructions
Follow the writing process
Have something to say
Make your point and support it
Recognize the difference between spoken and written English
Use appropriate style
Read to become a better writer
Think critically
Practise writing
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Edit and correct your work
Use resources wisely
Becoming a better writer
Chapter 2: Essay Structure
Choose your topic wisely
Brainstorm to gather your ideas
Organize your ideas into body paragraphs
Write an outline
Write an effective thesis statement
Write a title
Introduce your topic
Develop ideas in body paragraphs
Write a satisfying conclusion
Edit your draft
Study sample essays
Practise essay writing
Essay checklist
Chapter 3: Types of Essays
Distinguish between personal and impersonal essays
Narrate
Describe
Classify and define
Describe process
Explain causes and effects
Compare
Persuade
Answer essay questions on tests
Approaching essay assignments
Chapter 4: Writing about Readings
Distinguish between fiction and non-fiction
Paraphrase
Summarize
Analyze non-fiction
Analyze fiction
Analyze poetry
Understand literary terms
Write about what you read
Chapter 5: Research and Documentation
Prepare for research work
Find suitable sources of information
Take notes as you research
Follow the basic principles of documentation
Quote effectively
Use MLA style
Sample MLA research essay
Use APA style
Sample APA research essay
Research guidelines
Chapter 6: Vocabulary
Recognize parts of speech
Understand usage-The ways words are used
Use synonyms
Consider connotation
Recognize jargon, register, dialect, slang, and idioms
Improve your spelling
Build your vocabulary
Vocabulary checklist
Chapter 7: Grammar and Sentence Structure
Understand basic sentence patterns
Use verb tenses correctly
Use the passive voice effectively
Make sure pronouns have clear, correct antecedents
Use singular and plural forms correctly
Use articles correctly
Form possessives correctly
Don't confuse s endings
Understand the use of prepositions
Join words, phrases, and clauses with coordinating conjunctions
Make adverb clauses with subordinating conjunctions
Use adjective clauses to add information
Use noun clauses as subjects or objects
Reduce clauses to phrases for conciseness
Avoid misplaced modifiers
Use clauses and phrases effectively
Ensure sentences are complete
Correct your mistakes
Grammar checklist
Chapter 8: Punctuation and Format
Mark the end of each sentence
Capitalize proper nouns and the first word of a sentence
Separate sections of a sentence with commas
Distinguish between semicolons and colons
Use apostrophes for possession and contractions
Use space correctly
Show quotations
Distinguish hyphens from dashes
Use italics for words used in special ways
Format your essay
Punctuation and format checklist
Appendix A: Selected Readings
"Containing Health Myths in the Age of Viral Misinformation" by Roger Collier
"The Downsides of Vaccine Passports Have Been Exaggerated" by Blake Murdoch
"Why Are We So Shocked by Recent Waves of Anti-Asian Violence?" by Kate Shao and Kennes Lin
"I'm Black. I'm Male. Give Me the Benefit of the Doubt, Please" by Daniel Reid Newell
"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
Appendix B: Sample Annotated Essays
Appendix C: Answer Key
Glossary
Index