Tài liệu Write better essays in just 20 minutes a day part 4 pdf

Describe the chemical nature of genes. Discuss the replicative process of DNA in eukaryotic organisms.Be sure
to include the v
arious types of gene mutations that can occur during replication.
To help make the assignment even more manageable, break down the two parts (topic and direction words)
into a simple chart:
SUBJECT DIRECTIONS
1. the chemical nature of genes describe
2. the replicative process of DNA in eukaryotic organisms discuss
3. the various types of gene mutations that can occur during replication include
To completely fulfill the assignment, you must cover all three of these subjects in the manner in which the
assignment dictates.
When the Assignment Is a Question
In some assignments, you are given questions instead of direction words. Here’s an example:
What were the issues, successes, and failures of the Civil Rights movement from the 1960s through the 1970s?
Notice that there are no direction words. For this type of essay prompt, you will need to determine the word
or words yourself. Reread the question, paying careful attention to each word. Notice it begins with What were.
This is a good clue that you should identify the issues, successes, and failures.
Translating questions into directions can be tricky, but it’s a critical step in understanding the prompt. You
need to determine exactly how you’re supposed to respond to the subject. The following chart lists common ques-
tion words and corresponding direction words.
–UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED TOPIC–
27
QUESTION WORDS WHAT THEY USUALLY MEAN
What is/are . . . define or identify
What caused . . . identify or explain
How are/does . . . explain or evaluate
How is X like . . . compare
How is X different . . . contrast
In what way . . . illustrate
Do you agree? argue
Why is/does . . . explain

What do you think of X? evaluate
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Practice 1
Read the essay topics carefully. Use the subject and directions columns in the tables provided to break them down
into parts. (Note: You may not need to fill each table.)
1. Describe the change in citizens’ attitudes toward the federal government in the last decade. Explain what you
believe to be the causes of this change. Finally, assess the impact of this attitude on the power of the government.
SUBJECT DIRECTIONS
2. In Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple, does Celie have control over her destiny? Explain your answer.
SUBJECT DIRECTIONS
3. Describe in detail the current definition of a planet. How does it differ from the definitions of stars and aster-
oids? If size becomes a defining characteristic of a planet, how will that change the solar system as we know it
today?
SUBJECT DIRECTIONS
–UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED TOPIC–
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Understanding Direction Words
You’ve broken down the assignment and isolated the direction words. But what do those direction words really
mean? In the following table, you’ll find the most common essay direction words and their explanations.
TERM MEANING
Analyze Divide the issue into its main parts and discuss each part. Consider how the parts interact and
how they work together to form the whole.
Argue Express your opinion about the subject, and support it with evidence, examples, and details.
Assess See evaluate.
Classify Organize the subject into groups and explain why the groupings make sense.
Compare Point out similarities.
Contrast Point out differences.
Define Give the meaning of the subject.
Describe Show readers what the subject is like; give an account of the subject.
Discuss Point out the main issues or characteristics of the subject and elaborate.

Evaluate Make a judgment about the effectiveness and success of the subject. What is good and bad
about it? Why? Describe your criteria for your judgment.
Explain Make your position, issue, process, etc. clear by analyzing, defining, comparing, contrasting, or
illustrating.
Identify Name and describe.
Illustrate Provide examples of the subject.
Indicate Explain what you think the subject means and how you came to that interpretation (what makes
you conclude that it means X).
Relate Point out and discuss any connections.
Summarize Describe the main ideas or points.
Here are a couple of examples:
Compare and contrast prohibition and the current anti-tobacco movement.
This assignment gives you two direction words: compare and contrast. Therefore, you should locate and dis-
cuss the similarities and differences between the two subjects (prohibition and the anti-tobacco movement).
Rousseau offers judgments about the relative goodness and badness of life as a savage and of life in society. Assess the
validity of these judgments. What arguments does he provide to support them? Are they sound arguments?
–UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED TOPIC–
29
The explicit direction word in this assignment is assess. The implied direction word for the first question
“What arguments does he provide to support them?” is identify. The implied direction word for the second ques-
tion “Are they sound arguments?” is evaluate. For this assignment, you are expected to:
1. Assess the validity and soundness of Rousseau’s judgments.
2. Identify the arguments he uses to support his judgments.
3. Evaluate the strengths and/or weaknesses of his argument.
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Practice 2
Reread the essay topics from Practice 1. Given the direction words, briefly summarize how you would approach
each essay. Do not use the specific direction words in your answers.
1.
2.

3.
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In Short
For every writing situation you encounter, you must fulfill the requirements of the assignment. Break down the
assignment into its parts. Identify the subjects you must cover and the direction words that tell you how to address
those subjects. Then you can proceed by writing an essay that meets your evaluator’s expectations.
–UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED TOPIC–
30
When you sit down to write an essay, you probably won’t have a copy of the direction word chart from
page 29. To familiarize yourself with the meanings of the words, write an assignment using each one.
Skill Building until Next Time
M
any students procrastinate when faced with essay assignments for the same reason—they
don’t know what to write about. This is especially true when students are free to select the topic.
Instead of feeling liberated, they find themselves wishing for specific direction. Nowhere is this
more critical than in a timed essay exam, when you have to choose a topic quickly in order to complete the exam
within 20 to 30 minutes. Fortunately, a few simple strategies can help you generate ideas for any essay assignment.
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Brainstorming Ideas
How do you generate ideas? Some writers stare at a blank page waiting for inspiration, while others dive into a
draft hoping ideas will come as they write. Both of these techniques take time and often result in disappointment.
There are more productive ways to come up with material for your essay—both in terms of time spent and in the
quality of that material. Whether you are assigned a topic, must come up with one on your own, or are writing
under a time constraint, taking the time to focus and shape your thoughts will result in a better final product.
LESSON
Brainstorming
Techniques:
Freewriting
and Listing
LESSON SUMMARY

Even the most experienced writers sometimes have trouble coming up
with ideas. This lesson teaches you two important techniques for gen-
erating ideas.
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