class 9: Dyer: how to write an effective essay

Question 1

how do you decide initial position

Answer 1

Ask yourself: “Why do I think this claim is true?”

List reasons

Question 2

from where can you collect evidence

Answer 2

Secondary sources.

Primary data
e.g., interviews

Question 3

how should you arrange evidence

Answer 3

2-3 pieces of evidence for each sub-claim (sufficient; accurate)

Views of experts: Quotes from interviews (authoritative; precise)

Statistics (precise)

Examples from your own experience, diverse, variety of others (representative)

Detailed descriptions / background information (precise)

Question 4

consider intended audience

Answer 4

Who are you writing for?

If audience is knowledgeable, write more than one page.

Question 5

how should the logic of your argument flow

Answer 5

from one idea to another

should be clear

how you going to support claim?

Question 6

what type of evidence should you get

Answer 6

credible evidence

Question 7

how do you make you essay clear at glance

Answer 7

Give each section of your essay a meaningful subtitle (clarity)

Question 8

what type of evidence should you consider in order to be able to fully anticipate the audience

Answer 8

negative evidence

Did you anticipate readers’ objections? Do you need more evidence?