Respond to the following topic in a brief argumentative, expository essay of two pages in length, typed, double-spaced, that also adheres to the other formal conventions of the college essay.
Per Immanuel Kant’s definition of enlightenment, is Toyo-o enlightened?
-Tips on Expository writing
Expository writing essentially expounds upon or explains in depth information or ideas on a particular subject. Be sure you are certain of what your particular subject is and that you remain focused on the subject with your organizing idea (thesis or main argument), related topic claims (topic sentences), and evidence (examples applied to support your topic claims and related claims.
Why are you writing this essay?
It will help to consider seriously your purpose for writing the exposition. What do you want to communicate to your readers? What do you want to persuade the readers of?
What’s the point?
As the explanation of excellent to incoherent essays indicates, to approximate at least a “satisfactory” essay, you must have a viable central argument (thesis) that is articulated well. This central point is (a) the point to which all other points should be related and subordinate and (b) the point you want to get across which should be perceived even if all else is stripped away. Of course, you should be aiming for an “excellent” essay, but there is no way of getting there without a clear central point.
Why does the central point have to be arguable?
Since one of the goals of expository writing is to persuade readers of something, there must be the possibility of contention, debate, or opposition, otherwise there is no platform for persuasion. In other words, if your central point were incontestable, why would you need to write/argue about it?
Why does the central point have to contain an original rationale?
Originality of critical thought augments your credibility as a writer and that credibility helps you to be persuasive. How do you look upon people who you think are merely copying you?
Formulating a working, arguable thesis:
-Narrow the subject to a workable size for you by asking yourself “What interests me most about this topic?” or “What is likely to interest my readers most?”
– Get an argumentative edge by turning your topic into a statement or by answering the question(s) you pose regarding the topic. Why or how questions are best for this purpose, as the rationale for a stance tends to answer a why or how question.
– You could sharpen the argumentative edge by considering what you’re arguing against or by considering opposing views.
-Check the potential of the working thesis (is it workable?) by considering how much evidence you could apply to support the thesis and claims related to it. Also, think about if it’s a proposition worth supporting. In other words, is your central point self-evident or platitudinous?
Opening and closing paragraphs are often the best parts of a paper to work on after you have an outline or to rewrite after you have completed a draft. The quality of your writing style in the opening and closing paragraphs can have a profound effect on your reader. Following are some traits to strive to achieve or to avoid.
Opening Paragraph
1.Catch the reader’s attention with forceful, clear, and intriguing sentences. However, avoid cheap, irrelevant attention-getters or clichés. Also, avoid beginning your paper with extremely general statements that tell the reader things he or she already knows. If you must begin with a question, make sure you indicate some type of answer for it in the first paragraph.
2. Present a thesis in the opening paragraph or the last paragraph of your introductory section. The paper should develop an argument, and the argument should be indicated in the first paragraph or in the introductory section (that is, before the body of the essay).
3. Give the reader a reasonably clear idea of where the paper is headed. But you do not need to be so blatant as to declare, “First, I’m going to discuss this,” and, “Second, I’ll write about that.”
Closing Paragraph
1.Do not just summarize previous points in your last paragraph. Read your closing paragraph after you read your opening paragraph. Is the last paragraph too repetitive?
Middle Paragraphs
1. Quickly skim your paper and clearly identify to yourself the specific topic of each paragraph. Jot them down in the margins and survey your progression. What you have is an after-the-fact outline. Does it make sense? Does it seem like a logical progression of ideas? Each paragraph should be devoted to the development of one main idea. Do you discuss unrelated ideas in the same paragraph?
2. Check for paragraphs that may be too short or too long.
All Paragraphs
1. Make smooth transitions from paragraph to paragraph.
2. Finally, proofread carefully, checking for sentence construction, spelling, mechanical, and grammatical errors.