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

by Engkent, Lucia; Engkent, Garry

• ISBN13: 9780199020294
• ISBN10: 0199020299
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2017-04-27
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Essay Do's and Don'ts is a concise, practical guide on the fundamentals of essay writing for students enrolled in introductory literature or English courses at the college or university level. 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.

The second edition offers more practice exercises and writing and research tips throughout. The chapter on MLA and APA documentation styles has been updated and expanded, and now includes sample student research essays to illustrate both styles. The readings appendix features six readings (three new) along with post-reading questions and topics.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
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
Think critically
Practise writing
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Edit and correct your work
Use resources wisely
Communicate with your instructor
Becoming a better writer
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
3. Types of Essays
Main types of essays
Distinguish between personal and impersonal essays
Narrate
Describe
Illustrate
Classify and define
Describe process
Explain cause and effects
Compare
Persuade
Answering essay questions on tests
Approaching essay assignments
4. Writing about Readings
Distinguish between fiction and non-fiction
Paraphrase
Summarize
Analyze non-fiction
Analyze fiction
Understand literary terms
Writing about what you read
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 citation style
Use in-text citation (MLA)
Prepare a Works Cited page (MLA)
Sample research essay (MLA)
Use APA citation style
Use in-text citation (APA)
Prepare a References page (APA)
Sample research essay (APA)
Research guidelines
6. Vocabulary
Recognize parts of speech
Understand usage - the way words are used
Use synonyms and antonyms
Consider connotation
Recognize jargon, register, dialect, slang, and idioms
Improve your spelling
Build your vocabulary
Use precise vocabulary for clarity and conciseness
Vocabulary checklist
7. Grammar and Sentence Structure
Recognize subjects and predicates
Use verb tenses correctly
Use the passive voice effectively
Make sure pronouns have clear, correct antecedents
Use singular and plural forms 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
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
"Beware the Risks of Smartphones and Tablets in Schools" by Sachin Maharaj
"Why Are We So Scared of Eye Contact?" by Katrina Onstad
"We All Should Worry about Cellphone Searches" by William Kowalski
"What if Dostoyevsky Had Been an Online Gambler?" by John Sainsbury
"The Moose and the Sparrow" by Hugh Garner
"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
Appendix B: Sample Annotated Essays
Appendix C: Answer Key
Glossary
Index