eWriting > Academic Writing > 4.4
I. Can you recognize parts of an introduction? Read the introduction below and then answer the following True/False questions.
(1) Coping with life has always had a dangerous element because of the human potential for manipulation and acquisitiveness which challenge people's safety and well-being. (2) In this context "manipulation" means "humans' ability to control and exploit" at their will, while the term "acquisitiveness" refers to "their greed and selfishness". (3) The writer will examine the quality of life in the second half of the twentieth century to see what factors contribute to or detract from the measure of safety and welfare people enjoy. (4) In doing so, the writer will emphasise technological advances and personal freedom. (5) Living in the second half of the twentieth century has greater hazards because people have more scope for manipulation and acquisitiveness through knowledge explosion and a heightened sense of self-preoccupation.
1. Sentence 4 expresses the purpose of the essay. True False
Answer: False
The purpose of the essay states why the essay is being written.
2. Sentence 2 orientates to the topic. True False
This sentence is giving definitions.
3. Sentence 5 is the thesis statement.True False
Answer: True
This is a straightforward claim that the writer is making about the topic.
II. Examine the following jumbled introduction and select the appropriate answer.
(1) This essay will review the history of the science of earthquake prediction to establish the success-failure rate of each method. (2) Earthquakes are the most destructive natural disasters known to humans in terms of the millions of deaths and billions of dollars in property loss they cause. (3) Different methods of prediction, such as animal behaviour and the measuring of radio signals from qasars will be examined. (4) Despite the use of advanced scientific and technological methods, scientists are still unable to predict earthquakes.
4. Sentence one (1) is Thesis statement Scope/limit Purpose of essay
Answer: Purpose of essay
This indicates the purpose of the essay is being written.
5. Sentence two (2) is Purpose of essay Orientation Thesis statement
Answer: Orientation
This is just a general statement orientating the reader to the topic.
6. Sentence two (3) is Scope/limit Purpose of essay Thesis statement
Answer: Scope/limit
This sentence shows into what areas the examination will go.
7. Sentence two (2) is Orientation Purpose of essay Thesis statement
Answer: Thesis statement
7. This is a straightforward claim that the writer is making about the topic.
8. Paragraphs must contain topic sentences. True False
The topic sentence is the thought control for the paragraph. It states the boundaries for the paragraph.
9. The writer does not have to make a link between paragraphs when a new topic is introduced. True False
The flow of thought in the essay must be achieved and this done by the writer's use of linking devices.
10. The writer produces evidence in the paragraph and that is all that is needed, apart from the topic sentence. True False
A paragraph not only contains the topic sentence and evidence but also the writer's explanation, a link to the thesis statement and a summary sentence.
11. The conclusion of the essay is the only place a summary sentence is used. True False
There is a summary sentence at the end of every section of the essay.
12. The writer's voice is never heard in the essay. True False
The writer's voice is heard in the explanation and the link that he/she attempts to make of the argument contained in the paragraph with the thesis statement.
13. The opening line of the conclusion of an essay should contain the re-worded thesis statement. True False
Through a re-worded thesis statement at the beginning of the conclusion, the writer is reminding the reader what the essay has been about and leads the way into a summary conclusion.
14. The conclusion should sum up the argumentation from each section of the essay. True False
It is essential that the writer makes one last thrust to convince the reader of the soundness of the argument.
15. The argumentation in each section of the essay does not have to be linked to the thesis statement. True False
Every part of the argumentation must be linked to the thesis statement which is the basis of the argument.
16. A writer should be aware of the underlying assumptions in the set essay question. True False
Recognition of the underlying assumptions helps the writer to visualise the areas that will be covered by argument.
17. Identification of the assumptions in the set essay question assists the writer to unravel the areas for argumentation. True False
Knowing the underlying assumptions, the writer can formulate questions using them to give structure to his/her argument.
18. In order to argue satisfactorily the question posed, the writer must ensure that he/she fulfils all the requirements set out in the assignment question. True False
The writer must be careful to note all the instructions which will help him/her to construct the argument in a certain way.