IRW Chapter 10

Part Three:Reading and Writing Essays

Chapter 10:Reading, Planning, and Organizing Essays

PowerPoint by Sarah Gilliam, Instructor of English

Mountain Empire Community College

Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

In Concert:An Integrated Reading and Writing Approach

by Kathleen T. McWhorter

Chapter 10: Reading, Planning, and Organizing Essays

In this chapter, you will learn how to:

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 5

Goal 4

Understand the purpose of an essay

Read essays effectively

Analyze and evaluate essays

Choose a topic

Generate ideas about your topic

Plan your essayGoal 6


Goal 7 Organize your essay

An essay is a group of paragraphs about one subject.

Why should I read and write essays?


Goal 1: Understand the Purpose of an Essay

The Components of an Essay

1. Title

2. Introduction

3. Thesis Statement

4. Supporting Information in Body Paragraphs

5. Conclusion

Helpful Tip:There is NOT a standard number of

paragraphs required for an essay.


Goal 2: Read Essays Effectively

Reading Essays for Retention, Recall, and Response

1. Highlight as you read

2. Annotate as you read

3. Connect ideas to your background experience

4. Identify the organizational patterns used

5. Review and write after reading


Goal 2: Read Essays Effectively

Critical Thinking Questions for Essays:

1. Who is the author, and is he/she qualified to speak on the topic?

2. Determine the author’s purpose.

3. Does the author present adequate support for his/her ideas?

4. Does the author supply proper sources for information that is not his/her own?

5. Analyze visuals that accompany the essay.


Goal 3: Analyze and Evaluate Essays

Helpful Tip:Always be knowledgeable of due dates, specific

requirements, lengths, and formatting for essays.

Strategies for Assigned Essay Topics:

1. Determine the purpose of the assignment.

2. Connect the assignment with class instruction.

3. Look for clues about organizing and writing your essay (see Table 10-1 on page 316).


Goal 4: Choose a Topic

What Are Some Strategies for Choosing Your Own Essay Topics?

Helpful Tips:

• Brainstorm topics using the prewriting techniques learned in Chapter 2 of the textbook.

• Refer to Chart 10-2 on page 317 for more strategies.


Goal 4: Choose a Topic

Helpful Tip:

Narrow your topic down

Review the Four Methods from Chapter 2:

• Freewriting

• Brainstorming

• Questioning

• Branching


Goal 5: Generate Ideas About Your Topic

Strategies for Planning Your Essay:

1. Group ideas to form a thesis statement

2. Consider your audience and purpose

3. Use outlining and idea mapping

4. Obtain complete and correct information

5. Choose an appropriate tone


Goal 6: Plan Your Essay

How do I organize my essay?

Helpful Tip:

See Table 10-3 on page 326 in the textbook to choose an appropriate

pattern of organization.


Goal 7: Organize Your Essay


Review Questions

Fill in the blank:

An essay is a group of _________________ written about one subject.



Review Questions

Fill in the blank:

An essay is a group of paragraphs written about one subject.

Copyright @ 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Goal 2: Read Essays EffectivelyReview Questions

True or False:All essays must have five paragraphs.

True or False:Essays must have an introduction and conclusion.


Goal 2: Read Essays EffectivelyReview Questions

True or False:False: All essays must have five paragraphs.

True or False:True: Essays must have an introduction and conclusion.


Goal 3: Analyze and Evaluate EssaysReview Questions

Which of the following is NOT necessary information to analyze and evaluate an essay?

A. The author’s qualifications related to the topic

B. The author’s sources of information

C. The universities the author attended

D. The author’s purpose in the essay


Goal 3: Analyze and Evaluate EssaysReview Questions

Which of the following is NOT necessary information to analyze and evaluate an essay?

A. The author’s qualifications related to the topic

B. The author’s sources of information

C. The universities the author attended

D. The author’s purpose in the essay


Goal 4: Choose a TopicReview Questions

True or False:When using your own topic, it is not necessary to apply skills or information used in the classroom.

True or False: When using an assigned topic, one should refer to sample assignments and handouts.


Goal 4: Choose a TopicReview Questions

True or False:False: When using your own topic, it is not necessary to apply skills or information used in the classroom.

True or False: True: When using an assigned topic, one should refer to sample assignments and handouts.


Goal 5: Generate Ideas About Your TopicReview Questions

Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for generating topic ideas?

A. Brainstorming

B. Freewriting

C. Choosing a broad topic

D. Questioning


Goal 5: Generate Ideas About Your TopicReview Questions

Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for generating topic ideas?

A. Brainstorming

B. Freewriting

C. Choosing a broad topic

D. Questioning


Goal 6: Plan Your EssayReview Questions

Fill in the blank:

The tone of the essay is how the writer sounds to the ________________.

The tone of your college essay should be:

A. Formal

B. Humorous

C. Casual

D. Sarcastic


Goal 6: Plan Your EssayReview Questions

Fill in the blank:

The tone of the essay is how the writer sounds to the audience.

The tone of your college essay should be:

A. Formal

B. Humorous

C. Casual

D. Sarcastic


Goal 7: Organize Your EssayReview Questions

Fill in the blank:

Essays should be organized using a _____________ of organization such as comparison and contrast.


Goal 7: Organize Your EssayReview Questions

Fill in the blank:

Essays should be organized using a pattern of organization such as comparison and contrast.
