Email Writing
What is an example of a formal email greeting.
Good (time of day)...
Dear Mrs./Mr./Professor...
...followed by a introduction.
What is brainstorming, and how is it used in writing?
Brainstorming is a technique where you list as many ideas as possible about a topic without judgment. It helps generate ideas and explore different angles.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the main idea and purpose of an essay.
What makes a source "scholarly"?
It is written by experts, peer-reviewed, and focuses on research and evidence rather than opinion.
Where in the introduction is the thesis statement typically placed?
At the end of the introductory paragraph.
What is the purpose of the subject line in an email?
To summarize the email in a few words and give the recipient an idea of its purpose.
What are the four most common types of prewriting techniques?
Freewriting, Questioning, Mindmapping/Clustering, Brainstorming
What does "taking inventory" mean in the writing process?
It is the process of reviewing the ideas you’ve generated during prewriting to identify the strongest and most relevant ones for your essay.
How can you evaluate the timeliness of a scholarly source?
By checking the publication date and determining if it balances historical and current research relevant to the topic.
What is the purpose of the hook in an essay introduction?
To grab the reader's attention, often with an analogy, quote, statistic, or shocking statement.
What should the body of an email focus on?
The body should be clear, concise, and organized, focusing on the main purpose of the email.
Explain how clustering or mind mapping can help in organizing ideas.
Clustering or mind mapping creates a visual representation of ideas by connecting related concepts, helping writers see relationships and organize their thoughts.
What does the acronym P.I.E. stand for in paragraph writing, and what does each part mean?
P: Point – The main idea or topic sentence of the paragraph.
I: Illustrate – Supporting evidence, examples, or data to back up the point.
E: Explain – Analysis or reasoning that connects the evidence to the main point and explains why it matters.
What is the purpose of the peer review process?
To ensure the validity, accuracy, and reliability of the research by having experts evaluate the work.
Explain the role of the bridge in connecting the hook to the thesis.
The bridge provides background information or context to link the hook to the thesis statement.
Why is it important to use a professional closing in an email?
A professional closing leaves a positive impression, reinforces respect, and ensures clarity in communication.
Name and explain a prewriting technique that uses “Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?” questions.
Questioning is a prewriting technique that generates ideas by asking critical questions to explore the topic more deeply.
What is the basic MLA format or the "holy trinity?"
1. Times New Roman Font
2. 12 pt. font
3. Double-spaced
Why is objectivity important in scholarly sources?
Objectivity ensures that the information is unbiased, credible, and based on evidence rather than personal opinions or agendas.
What does answering the "So what?" question in a conclusion mean?
It means explaining why the topic is important and providing the reader with a reason to care about the argument.
Write a formal email closing and explain why it’s effective.
Thank you for your time/I hope to hear back from you soon./ Have a great day!
Sincerely/Best regards/Thank you
— These are effective because they maintain professionalism and show respect to the recipient.
Why is the prewriting stage critical for a strong essay?
Prewriting helps writers plan, organize, and clarify their ideas, saving time in drafting and ensuring a more focused and effective piece of writing.
What are the three key steps involved in "taking inventory"?
1. Identifying Key Ideas
2. Grouping Related Ideas
3. Eliminating Irrelevant Ideas
Explain the difference between scholarly and non-scholarly sources.
Scholarly sources are written by experts, peer-reviewed, and focus on research for an academic audience. Non-scholarly sources (e.g., blogs, opinion pieces) are often informal, lack peer review, and are written for general audiences.
Write an example of a lingering thought (kicker) for an essay about climate change.
“If we do not act now, the consequences of climate change will define the future for generations to come.”