Essay Structure
“True or False: You may introduce completely new information in the conclusion paragraph.”
FALSE
What’s a clause? What’s a phrase?
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.A phrase is a group of words that does NOT contain both a subject and a verb.
What’s an adverbial intensifier?
An adverbial intensifier is a word that makes an adjective or adverb stronger.
“Where is the thesis statement usually located?”
“In the last sentence of the introduction.”
“Which paragraph usually includes examples and explanations?”
“Body paragraphs”
What sort of language would you use if you're uncertain about the cause/effect of something?
Modal verbs (may/might/could/possibly/perhaps).
What adverbial intensifier collocates with the adjective “safe”
relatively safe
“What is a thesis statement?”
“It is the plan for an essay.”
“List the parts of an essay in the right order.”
“Introduction, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion.”
Rewrite each sentence by changing the adverbial clause into an adverbial phrase. Do not change the meaning of the sentence:
After she finished her homework, she watched TV.
After finishing her homework, she watched TV.
What adverbial intensifier collocates with the adjective “devastating”
utterly devastating
“What information is included in a thesis statement?”
“The topics of each body paragraph.”
“Put the following sentence in logical order as topic sentences for a problem-solution essay:
Schools can teach time-management skills.
Students experience stress due to heavy workloads.
In conclusion, schools and students must work together to reduce stress.
Many students today feel overwhelmed by academic pressure.”
“Many students today feel overwhelmed by academic pressure. Students experience stress due to heavy workloads. Schools can teach time-management skills. In conclusion, schools and students must work together to reduce stress.”
Rewrite each sentence by changing the adverbial clause into an adverbial phrase. Do not change the meaning of the sentence.
Because he was tired, he went to bed early.
Being tired, he went to bed early.
What’s a collocation?
A collocation is a pair or group of words that naturally go together in English.
“Identify the thesis statement in the following introduction:
In many schools today, students experience high levels of stress due to academic pressure, exams, and extracurricular activities. This stress can negatively affect students’ mental health, motivation, and overall well-being. Schools can reduce student stress by improving time-management education and providing better mental health support.”
“The last sentence in the paragraph”
Write a hook sentence for the following essay prompt in 2 minutes:
Many teenagers spend several hours each day using social media.”
“Answer can be a surprising fact, a question, a brief scenario, or another kind of hook.”
Rewrite each sentence by changing the adverbial clause into an adverbial phrase. Do not change the meaning of the sentence:
Unless you follow the instructions carefully, you may make mistakes.
Without following the instructions carefully, you may make mistakes.
What words should you avoid using in your essay?
You should avoid slang or informal words, contractions (in formal essays), overly emotional or exaggerated words, vague words, personal pronouns (sometimes)
I, we → avoid unless the essay allows first-person: use passive voice or formal constructions
“Write a thesis statement for the following question in 2 minutes
In many cities, people rely heavily on cars for transportation, which can cause traffic congestion and air pollution.
What problems does heavy car use create in cities? What solutions can governments and individuals suggest to reduce these problems?
“Thesis statement that includes the problem and 2-3 solutions”