week7 towards essay#2 & review of how to build an expository/argumentative essay
TRANSCRIPT
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Essay#2 will ask you to build (the parts of) an essay based on your definition of a key term/phrase.
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Definitions will most often be a part of larger essays: defining key terms that help explicate general ideas.(a) Dictionary Definitions avoid, provide your own definitions based on analyses of other’s definitions (which could include a dictionary definition) or on your learned interpretation of a topic. give multiple definitions (which can include the dictionary def.) to distinguish from your own
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Definitions will most often be a part of larger essays: defining key terms that help explicate general ideas.(b) Comparison-contrastshow what X is and contrast it with what X is notwhat definitions are partly or fully truewhat definitions are designed to confuse, mislead,
or contort
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Definitions will most often be a part of larger essays: defining key terms that help explicate general ideas.(c) Descriptionin order to explain what X is, describe a
situation/example/instance of X in great detaillater, you can provide more specific examples, but
not focus on them so in depth
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Definitions will most often be a part of larger essays: defining key terms that help explicate general ideas.(d) Exemplificationgive specific illustrations of X; multiple examples—
and an explanation of the exact instances of X in each example and how they generally relate—will of course make it easier for you reader to grasp your specific definition
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Definitions will most often be a part of larger essays: defining key terms that help explicate general ideas.(e) Negationtake time to explain what is non-X, what comes close to being X
but is notfor example gentrification does not equal the housing crisis, but
gentrification is an example of and an important part of the NYC’s ongoing and centuries-long housing crisis, specifically a part of the 1980s housing crisis (with its specific context)
for example, against the Real Estate Board of NY, gentrification is not immigration; Chinese moving into Flushing does not necessarily imply gentrification—to see if it does or does not we must first look at the economics of the housing frontier; are those Chinese the gentry working with real estate and city to first disinvest an area deemed “wild” and then rebuilt for a higher tax-base?
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW)
Now, let’s review the steps required in building an essay from the ground up:
(a) brainstorming(b) purpose(c) subject(d) defined-subject(e) thesis(f) outline(g) paragraphs
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW): THESIS
1.TOPIC: gentrification in Harlem Thesis?
2. TOPIC: history of Harlem Thesis?
BUILDING AN ESSAY (REVIEW): THESISParagraphs
Argumentation1. In your introduction, help the readers see that there is a
problem, issue or need that has prompted your argument.2. Make sure that you support your claims with plenty of
evidence that you analyze fully.3. Anticipate your opponents’ objects and counter them.4. Clarify your view as you provide reasons and analysis.5. Offer a concession to your opponent that doesn’t
undermine your argument and then use it as a way to strength your position.
6. Use sound reasoning and avoid logical fallacies.