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OF NON-FICTION
WHAT IS NON-FICTION?
Autobiography
Biography
Essay
Oration or Speech
Diary
Newspaper stories
WHAT IS AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY?
A chronological, narrative account of the author’s life related to
crucial historical events.
Auto = self
graphia = writing
WHAT DOES THE AUTHOR OF AN
AUTOBIOGRAPHY WANT TO SHARE?
1. PERSUASIVE ESSAY
2. DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY
3. EXPOSITORY ESSAY
4. NARRATIVE ESSAY
PARTS OF AN ESSAY
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BODY
3. CONCLUSION
PARTS OF AN ESSAY
INTRODUCTION
The introduction is the first paragraph of the paper.
It often begins with a general statement about the topic
and ends with a more specific statement of the main idea
of your paper. The purpose of the introduction is to let
the reader know what the topic is inform the reader about
your point of view arouse the reader's curiosity so that he
or she will want to read about your topic.
Read the following two
draft introductions. Which
seems to be the more
adequate?
INTRODUCTION 1
Divorce is increasingly a problem in society and
sociologists have provided a number of different explanations
for it happening. The first type of explanation can be
characterised as a legal one. Bilton et al., (1987) who
represent this position, say that increased divorce is not
necessarily due to families becoming more unstable, mainly
because they suggest it is simply not possible to find this
information out. Bilton et al. believe instead that increased
divorce is related more to changes in family law. They do not
think however, that new laws are the cause of divorce, but are
a kind of solution for unhappily married couples who did not
previously have a way of getting out of their marriage. It will
be argued in this essay that a legalistic approach like this is
not really adequate.
INTRODUCTION 2
One major change that has occurred in the Western
family is an increased incidence in divorce. This change is
borne out clearly in census figures. For example thirty years
ago in Australia only one marriage in ten ended in divorce;
nowadays the figure is more than one in three (Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 1996). An interesting issue is why this
change has occurred - a question that has been considered
by a number of sociologists. In this essay, I will seek to
critically examine a number of sociological explanations for
the 'divorce phenomenon' and also consider the social policy
implications that each explanation carries with it. It will be
argued that the best explanations are to be found within a
broad socio-economic framework.
Which, in your view, is the more
adequate introduction?
o Introduction 1
o Introduction 2
Introduction 2
is clearly more introductory. Unlike
Introduction 1, it provides some context for the
essay as well as giving the reader a sense of:
o how the essay will unfold (structure)
o what the argument will be.
Introduction 1
is less adequate because it contains very
little introductory material and fails to orient the
reader to the topic. Most of it is taken up with
detailed information which is very difficult to
follow.
Look again at Introduction 2
Introduction 2
1One major change that has occurred in the
Western family is an increased incidence in
divorce. 2This change is borne out clearly in census
figures. 3For example thirty years ago in Australia only
one marriage in ten ended in divorce; nowadays the
figure is more than one in three (Australian Bureau of
Statistics, 1996). 4An interesting issue is why this
change has occurred - a question that has been
considered by a number of sociologists. 5In this essay, I
will seek to critically examine a number of sociological
explanations for the 'divorce phenomenon' and also
consider the social policy implications that each
explanation carries with it. 6It will be argued that the
best explanations are to be found within a broad socio-
economic framework.
Which sentence in this
introduction outlines
the essay structure?
Sentence
o1
o2
o3
o4
o5
o6
1One major change that has occurred in the
Western family is an increased incidence in
divorce. 2This change is borne out clearly in census
figures. 3For example thirty years ago in Australia only
one marriage in ten ended in divorce; nowadays the
figure is more than one in three (Australian Bureau of
Statistics, 1996). 4An interesting issue is why this
change has occurred - a question that has been
considered by a number of sociologists. 5 In this essay,
I will seek to critically examine a number of sociological
explanations for the 'divorce phenomenon' and also
consider the social policy implications that each
explanation carries with it. 6It will be argued that the
best explanations are to be found within a broad socio-
economic framework.
BODY
The body of the paper follows the
introduction. It consists of a number of
paragraphs in which you develop your
ideas in detail.
Topic 1.
Competitive swimming provides same benefits as other sports.
a. Supporting Details
It is good exercise and builds muscular strength.
b. Supporting Detail
It promotes cooperation among team members, especially in relays
Topic 2.
Competitive swimming provides some additional benefits.
a. Supporting Detail
Swimming is an important skill that can be used forever.
b. Supporting Detail
There is a reduced risk of injury
Each swimmer can easily chart his or her own progress
My personal experience as a competitive swimmer
I enjoy working with my coach
I've made a lot of friends on the swim team
WRITING TOPIC
SENTENCES
TOPIC SENTENCE
Title
INTRODUCTION
Topic sentence 1
An examination can be defined as a
detailed inspection or analysis of an object or
person.
BODY
Supporting Details
For example, an engineer will examine a
structure, like a bridge, to see if it is safe. A doctor
may conduct a medical examination to gauge
whether a patient is healthy. In the school context,
it is the students who take the examinations.
These are usually a series of comprehensive tests
held at the end of each term, year or, in the case
of public examinations, after a few years.
BODY
Topic Sentence 2
One of the main purposes of
school examinations is to improve
the quality of education.
BODY
Supporting Details
From the results of the examinations,
the teachers and planners of the
curriculum will be able to gauge the extent
to which the students have acquired the
knowledge and skills of the course
material. This would, first of all, provide an
evaluation of their teaching methods, so
they can improve them, if necessary.
BODY
Topic sentence 3
Examinations are also used as a
yardstick for measuring the capability of
the candidate, for further education or
employment.
BODY
Supporting Details
For example, examination results are the
main criteria when selecting students for
entrance into universities. It is assumed that the
examination results would indicate whether or
not the student will be able to handle the
course. In the case of employment, it is felt that
the examination results will indicate whether or
not the job seeker has the skills or intelligence
to handle the job.
BODY
Topic sentence 4
However, does the school
examination system provide an accurate
yardstick of the candidate's ability?
BODY
Supporting Details
Albert Einstein, at the age of 16, took the
entrance exam to the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology, but failed and so was rejected by
this elite school. Yet, Einstein went on to
develop the theory of relativity and quantum
theory, winning the Nobel Prize in Physics at
the age of 42. Other examples of famous
achievers who failed in school examinations
would include Winston Churchill, Thomas
Edison and Bill Gates.
BODY
Topic sentence 5
One may also question whether the
present examination system results in
better teaching in schools.
BODY
Supporting Details
In fact, some teachers are so pressured to
produce good examination results that they are
forced to practice poor teaching methods. They
may race through the syllabus, ignoring the fact
that the weaker students have not grasped some
of the concepts. Some other teachers may
concentrate on popular examination topics,
ignoring the topics which are rarely tested in the
examinations.
BODY
Topic sentence 6
Pressure to succeed in examinations
may also be detrimental to the students.
BODY
Supporting details
They may be so filled with anxiety and
stress that they do not enjoy their school years.
They may be studying only to get good
examination results, rather than a rounded
education. Some of the weaker students, who
cannot seem to achieve good examination
results, may lose interest in their studies. In
extreme cases, students may be so frustrated or
disappointed in their results that they may
consider ending their lives.
CONCLUSION
To entertain
To inform
To explain
To persuade
FICTION VS. NON-FICTION
Fiction Non-Fiction
A made up story Has facts that can be checked and
Can tell about things that could proven.
happen. The author is an expert on this
Is read for fun information.
Characters may be like real people
or imaginary
WHAT IS NON-FICTION?