Lesson 9 Specific organisational patterns and "D words"
Definition
Typical questions
§ "Define X."
§ "What is an X?"
§ "Choose N terms from the following list and define them."
D words
Describe
Define
Summarise
State
Enumerate
Process
State the term to be defined.
State the class of objects or concepts to which the term belongs.
Differentiate the term from other members of the class by listing the term's distinguishing characteristics.
Avoid sentences such as "An encounter group is where ..." and "General semantics is when ... ."
Tools you can use
§ Details which describe the term
§ Examples and incidents
§ Comparisons to familiar terms
§ Negation to state what the term is not
§ Classification (i.e., break it down into parts)
§ Examination of origins or causes
Example
Q: "What are the characteristics of the working memory?"
A: The working memory (WM) holds and processes information in the brain. The WM is one of 3 parts of the Information Processing systems (IPS). The Working Memory decides to hold and process information registered by the Short Term Sensory Store .(STSS) The STSS registers all stimuli to the senses but discounts most of the stimuli. The Long Term memory recalls information after a being passed it from the working memory however the WM needs to repeat or rehearse to continue to hold the information.
Analysis
Typical qustions
§ "Analyze X."
§ "What are the components of X?"
§ "What are the five different kinds of X?"
§ "Discuss the different types of X."
D Words
Analyse
Explain
Illustrate
Process
Analysis involves breaking something down into its components and discovering the parts that make up the whole.
State the thesis (main ideas)Give supporting details and examples of the thesis
Example
Q: "Discuss the different services a Technical College offers a community."
A: (Thesis): A Technical College offers the community at least three main types of educational services: vocational education for young people, continuing education for older people, and personal development for all individuals.
Outline for supporting details and examples:
§ Vocational education – skilled work force development, prepares prior to professional qualifications, ensures
§ Continuing education – career enhancement, interest, hobby, career change, make up for previous failings in education
§ Personal development – skills, IQ, sense of achievement, purpose, self esteem
Cause and Effect
Typical questions-
§ "What are the causes of X?"
§ "What led to X?"
§ "Why did X occur?"
§ "Why does X happen?"
§ "What would be the effects of X?"
D words
Discuss
Outline
Process
Give the definition of the cause or list the causes link to effects in separate paragraphs giving examples
Example
Q: "Define recession and discuss the probable effects a recession would have on today's society."
A: (Thesis): A recession, which is a nationwide lull in business activity, would be detrimental to society in the following ways: it would .......A......., it would .......B......., and it would .......C....... .
The rest of the answer would explain, in some detail, the three effects: A, B, and C.
Comparison-Contrast
Typical questions
§ "How does X differ from Y?"
§ "Compare X and Y."
§ "What are the advantages and disadvantages of X and Y?"
D words
Compare
Contrast
Process
Pattern 1
Subject X Advantages, Disadvantages, Key Qualities, etc (depending on question)
Subject Y Advantages, Disadvantages, Key qualities
Pattern 2
Advantages/Key Quality
1. Subject X
2. Subject Y
Disadvantages/Key Quality
1Subject X
2. Subject Y
Example
Q: "Which would you rather own--a compact car or a full-sized car?"
A: (Thesis): I would own a compact car rather than a full-sized car for the following reasons: .......A......., .......B......., .......C......., and .......D....... .
Pattern 1
Full-sized car
Advantages
Disadvantages
Compact car
Advantages
Disadvantages
Pattern 2
Advantages
Full-sized car
Compact car
Disadvantages Full-sized carCompact car
Process
Typical questions
§ "Describe how X is accomplished."
§ "List the steps involved in X."
§ "Explain what happened in X."
§ "What is the procedure involved in X?"
D words
List
Describe
Explain
Outline
Enumerate
Process
This involves giving directions or telling the reader how to do something. It may involve discussing some complex procedure as a series of discrete steps. The organisation is almost always chronological.
Example
Q: "According to Richard Bolles, ' What Color Is Your Parachute? (1979) London Harrap, what is the best procedure for finding a job?"
A: In What Color Is Your Parachute? (1979) London Harrap,, Richard Bolles lists seven steps that all job-hunters should follow: .....A....., .....B....., .....C....., .....D....., .....E....., .....F....., and .....G..... .
The remainder of the answer should discuss each of these seven steps in some detail.
Thesis and Support
Typical questions
§ "Discuss X."
§ "A noted authority has said X. Do you agree or disagree?"
§ "Defend or refute X."
§ "Do you think that X is valid? Defend your position."
D words
Justify
Evaluate
Discuss
Criticise
Interpret
Process
Firstly state a clearly worded opinion or interpretation of the question (Thesis).
Defend it with all the data, examples, facts, and so on that you can draw from the material you have studied (Support).
Example
Q: "Despite criticism, television is useful because it aids in the socializing process of our children."
A: (Thesis) Television hinders rather than helps in the socializing process of our children because .......A......., .......B......., and .......C....... .
(Support) The rest of the answer is devoted to developing arguments A, B, and C.
Handout based on information from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_essay.html
Copyright ©1995-2004 by OWL at Purdue University and Purdue University
Module 4 Essay writing, Tess 2000, Toucan House
posted by Miz John at 9:52 PM
<< Home