ENGAPP

Lesson 3: Planning Essays and Presentations

Defining an Essay

An essay is a piece of writing that is used to present an idea, make a point, show, emotion, or
start a debate. It is a tool for presenting a writer's thoughts in a non-fictional manner. This form of
writing has a wide range of uses, including political manifestos and art criticism as well as the author's
own views and thoughts (Handmadewriting.com. 2021)

An essay might be as brief as 500 words or as long as 5000 words. Most essays, on the other
hand, are between 1000 and 3000 words long; this length allows the writer to fully develop an argument
and persuade the reader of the author's point of view on a certain topic (Handmadewriting.com, 2021).
Topics for essay writing are diverse ranging from political, environmental, social, and even technical
issues.

Types of Essays in Academics

In the academics, students are required to read a range of essays throughout their academic
careers and you are certainly be required to write a number of essays as well. As mentioned with the
previous discussion, the format of an essay includes introduction, body and conclusion but academic
essays can take a variety of approaches to a topic. We will be discussing some essays that are commonly
assigned as academic work in high school, college and even post-graduate levels.

More often, an essay is composed of five paragraphs or more. The picture on the right side of
the screen shows the content of this essay format.

In the academics, students are required to read a range of essays throughout their academic
careers and you are certainly be required to write a number of essays as well. As mentioned with the
previous discussion, the format of an essay includes introduction, body and conclusion but academic
essays can take a variety of approaches to a topic. We will be discussing some essays that are commonly
assigned as academic work in high school, college and even post-graduate levels.

A. Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay "describes" the main issue in great detail in order for the reader to relate to your
experience. The discussion's topic, or object, could be anything from a place to a person. A descriptive
essay is all about providing in-depth details, information, and discussion about the subject at hand. It
examines the subject, or subject matter, from several aspects and perspectives. The reader's sensations
and emotions must be evoked in the descriptive essay. Simply said, the reader should see and feel what
you saw and felt (My Perfect Words, n.d.).
In literature writing (HUMSS), the use of several literary devices is encouraged like imagery, analogies,
metaphor’s to name some.

B. Narrative Essay

A narrative essay allows writers to share their experiences through writing. It's similar to a short
to narrative, with the exception that it has a ska format. When you write a narrative essay, you're telling
your reader a story. The story could be true or false, but it is defined through the lens of a specific
viewpoint (My Perfect Words, n.d.).

The idea of this essay is convey detailed and clear explanation of the main topic to the readers.
The topic could be an event, a story or an incident narrated by the writer.

C. Expository Essay

The expository essay is a type of essay that demands the student to research a topic, analyze evidence,
elaborate on the topic, and present a clear and coherent argument about it. This can be done by
comparison and contrast, definition, example, cause and effect analysis, and so on (Purdue Writing Lab,
n.d.).

The following are the structure of expository text that needs to be remembered:

 A thesis statement should be clear, concise and well defined in the first paragraph.
 Transition devices should be used to have a clear and logical transitions between the parts of
the essay.
 The body paragraphs should include evidences to support the thesis statement that could be
factual, logical, statistical or anecdotal.
 Provide a conclusion that addresses the evidence provided.

D. Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a type of essay in which the writer takes a strong stance on a topic in
order to persuade the reader to accept their point of view. It's comparable to a persuasive essay, with
the exception that it relies on logic and evidence. A persuasive essay, on the other hand, is focused on
the writer's emotions and personal viewpoint.

Argumentative essay projects usually necessitate substantial literature or previously published

material study. Empirical research may be required for argumentative assignments, in which the student
obtains data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed study allows the
student to learn about the topic and grasp various points of view on it so that she or he may take a
position and back it up with evidence gathered throughout the research. Argumentative essays must
create a clear premise and follow strong logic regardless of the amount or type of research performed.
2. The Writing Process

The writing process looks different for everyone, but there are five basic steps that will help you
structure your time when writing any kind of text (Streefkerk, 2020).

2.1 Prewriting

The first thing that you need to accomplish is to come up with idea or topic and conduct the
necessary research before you begin writing. If you are writing with a group, your group needs to
brainstorm to come up with a topic.

2.2 Plan and Outline

After the topic approval, the writer/s should plan by creating an outline. The outline to be
created will depend on the type of paper that the writer/writers will be doing. Remember that in
planning, you need to specified timeframe in accomplishing your task. For scientific papers. IMRAD
outline and for essays, the introduction, body and conclusion.

2.3. Writing the First Draft

After creating your outline, you can start writing the first draft. Because you already have the
outline, you may opt to fill in the parts that you want to start with and use your outline as your
framework. As you start each paragraph, make sure that you have a clear topic sentence for each and
use transition words and phrases to connect each paragraph with one another. Misspelled words,
grammar and punctuations should not your concern yet when you write the first draft.

On this part, you will be needing your annotated bibliography table where you will be
summarizing and paraphrasing the content of your sources with in-text-citation.

When writing the pa you need to summarize or paraphrase the content of your annotated
bibliography. When you do th be reminded of the following guidelines:

 Include the author's surnar (without the initial) and year of publication
 Use "et al" for the first in-te citation for three or more authors
 Use "and" for narrative in-t t citation and "&" for parenthetical citations when citing two
authors.
 Put the period after the par thetical citation, NOT BEFORE IT.
 Use simple words in writing our paper; avoid using fancy words
 In writing the summary or t paraphrase of the text, you may follow this format Introduce the
author (Year), then the topic of the research, (optional) methods used, then the highlights of the
research

Ex: Gonzales (2020) studied about the perceptions of the students about online classes. A survey
method was used to generate the responses of the students. The study found out that 75% of the
students wanted to go back to school and have their face-to-face class sessions.
 Do not start all your paragraphs with "according to". There are other terms that you can use
aside from those words. A list is given on this slide so you can use them aside from the words "according
to":

When you will be prompted to use "according to", refer to this list as guide.

Remember to use transition words and phrases to connect one study to nother study especially
in writing the reew of literature.

Transition words and phrases are also called connecting words. They connect different ideas in
your texts. For example, when you will be reviewing related literature, you will try to connect one
research to another research, the use of transition words will help you link together the two research.

2.4. Redraft and Revise

After writing your assigned academic paper, you are not yet finished with it. You need to reread
your paper and redraft or rewrite, if necessary, There are parts of the paper where you need to put
more details, you may rearrange some the information in your paper or you may delete some part.

Remember that first drafts are always messy so redraft and revising it is a must. This part of the
writing process is left out because students run out of time. Provide sufficient time for redraft and
revision of the paper to ensure that you will be submitting a high marking paper.

2.5 Edit and Proofread

As you read your paper, you may find. Typographical errors, grammatical errors, missing
information, missing citations and the likes. When those things happen, you may want to edit your
paper. This part is called proofreading and editing.

In thesis writing for undergraduate program, a language editor may help you in identifying the
grammar, formatting and spelling errors in your work. In our class, you may want one of your classmates
to look at your work and spot for errors before submitting your paper.

Publishing

This is a step used by many professional writers where they publish their work. In our case however, we
will not going through publications.

There are other versions of the writing process that include this step but doe not include planning and
organizing, which is important in our case.
UNIT 2

Lesson 1: Reaction Paper/ Review/ Critique

1. Review, Critique and Reaction Paper Definition

Critique and review are frequently used interchangeably, but there is a distinction between the
two. The primary distinction between a critique and a review is the author; critiques are written by
specialists or experts in the area, whereas reviews are published by people who are interested in that
field. As a result, critiques are thought to be more trustworthy than reviews (Hasa, 2016).

On the other hand, a reaction paper is a written assignment in which the writer expresses their
personal opinion on a certain piece of work. A brief overview of the work should be included in the
paper, but the main focus should be on the writer's views, feelings, and rationalizations based on the
writer's experience on the product or services. The review necessitates the writer's consideration of the
set criteria, followed by a targeted, well-thought-out response based on the writer's personal
experience and can be backed up by outside sources, when appropriate (Indeed Editorial Team, 2021).
Based on the above definitions, what do you think is applicable for us?

1.1 Purposes

A reaction paper or review is a genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes and critically
evaluates a work or concept. This can be used to carefully analyze a variety of works such as creative
works like novels, exhibits, film, images and poetry. It could also be used to evaluate designs like
industrial design, furniture, gadgets and the likes.

Many individuals and organizations are recently providing us with videos and written reviews
about the different products they have used. Some of these videos are the so called "unboxing" video
that we are fond of watching. Have you watched or created any unboxing videos for any product? Can
you share the content of those videos? Why did you create them?

Remember, our daily choices is governed by the stars and rating before choosing a certain
product or services. Consulting the reviews and rating before a purchase is what we always do.

1.1 Purposes of Reading a Review

Why do we need to read an existing critique or review of a product or services that we want to
patronize? As mentioned earlier, we are guided by the stars before deciding to avail something or not.

We read an existing review to increased our understanding about the product or services that
we want to patronize. It serves as a guide in the decision-making of the patron whether to avail or not. It
sets the expectations of the readers about the product. The reader also knows other people experience
about the product or the services they are interested in.

Therefore, a review from experts or hobbyists may guide us in deciding about the product or
services.
2. Writing a Gadget Review

Technological Innovations come almost every day in today's modern world. There are a lot of
advances in the already advanced technology available at your fingertips. We are continuously updating
our gadgets based on our individual needs. Gadgets are also continuously being updated by the
company who created them. Research and development are constantly part of their company so
innovation is a must for them.

With this, students are expected to have a skill in writing a gadget review and eventually,
prepare a video for their respective review. This is the task for the STEM students for they will likely
work in this kind of industry.

2.1. Elements of a Gadget Review

Writing a gadget review is like writing an essay. The review may follow the three-part outline for
an essay. A catchy title should be created to catch the reader’s attention. The review should include the
introduction with the thesis statement (or the general impression of the writer about the gadget). The
background information about the gadget should be included like the manufacturer's information, date
released to name some.

Then the main body of the essay follows with a minimum of three paragraphs to be included
that deal with the criteria to be evaluated in the review. For gadget review, it may include design,
usability and user experience on the different specifications of the gadget.

The conclusion of the review should include the restatement of the thesis statement, summary
of the criteria evaluated, recommendations and overall rating of the products. The last part of the
gadget review should include the list of references used in the review.

Criteria used in doing a gadget review will be based on the specifications claimed by the
manufacturers. Criteria may include but not limited to the design or physical appearance of the gadget
(the color, texture and size), battery performance (charging time, battery life), lag performance, camera
specifications and functions, memory capacity, RAM capability, touch sensitivity, audio and video
specifications and price. In writing the main body or evaluating the criteria, the writer would want to
affirm or oppose the claim of the manufacturer based on the personal experience of the writer.

The review could also do a comparison to a similar gadget within the specifications and price
range of the gadget being reviewed.

Conclusions and recommendations should be aligned with the criteria evaluated.

3. Writing a Restaurant or Food Review

Food is an integral part of the Filipino culture. We love to eat good food and we also love to
prepare them, if we can. Restaurants in the different cities of the Philippines play a vital role in boosting
our economy, be it local or national.
 Customer feedback is essential in a restaurant business and positive feedback influence the
customers' buying decision. Food reviews are essential especially during the time of pandemic. People
would like to eat good food with great experience especially when they need to go out of their home.

Writing a good review will be helpful for those people who would want to try a certain food.

3.1 Elements of a Restaurant/ Food Review

Like the gadget review, writing a food review is like writing an essay. The review may follow the
three-part outline for an essay. A catchy title should be created to catch the reader’s attention. The
review should include the introduction with the thesis statement (or the general impression of the
writer about the film). The background information about the food should be included like restaurant's
information, the kind of dish and basic ingredients.

Then the main body of the essay follows a minimum of three paragraphs to be included that
deal with the criteria to be evaluated in the review. For food review, it may include appearance, aroma,
taste, texture and consistency, flavor and price.

The conclusion of the review should include the restatement of the thesis statement, summary
of the criteria evaluated, recommendations and overall rating of the food.

The last part of the food review should include the list of references used in the review.

4. Writing a Film review

Film reviews are often written for the general audience by journalists or other non-academics
and published in newspapers, magazines, or online around the time the film is released in theaters.
Their objective is to describe the plot, characters, director, and other aspects of a film in order to assist
people decide whether or not to watch it (Queen's University Library, 2021).

In the academics, a film review can be a requirement to some courses to enhance the student's
understanding about the moral lesson or themes of a certain film. Humanities and social sciences
subjects are more likely to require students to write this kind of review.

4.1 Elements of a Film Review

Like the gadget review, writing a film review is like writing an essay. The review may follow the
three-part outline for an essay. A catchy title should be created to catch the reader’s attention. The
review should include the introduction with the thesis statement (or the general impression of the
writer about the film). The background information about the film should be included like the
production, direction, date released and actors, to name some.

Then the main body of the essay follows a minimum of three paragraphs to be included that
deal with the criteria to be evaluated in the review. For film review, it may include plot, acting,
cinematography, musical score, special effects, editing and script.
 The conclusion of the review should include the restatement of the thesis statement, summary
of the criteria evaluated, recommendations and overall rating of the film.

The last part of the film review should include the list of references used in the review.

Lesson 2: Writing a Concept Paper

In academics and in the professional world, the main purpose of a concept paper is to present or
lay out the basics of a proposal so that the approving body (from your organization or company) would
approve your concept or idea.

In your context as a student, concept paper can be used to present your proposed research,
project proposal or business plan to your teacher. These presentations would teach you to plan and
prepare for your presentations in the future.

1. Defining a Concept Paper

A concept paper defines an idea or concept and explains its essence to clarify the "whatness" of
the idea or concept (Saqueton & Uychoco, 2016). It is a type of written material that answers the
questions, "What is it?" and "What about it?".

A concept should be defined according to its name, its category and its visible traits and
qualities. To be able to write a concise concept paper, one must learn how to define concepts.
 Let us learn to define these concepts by watching this video:

As mentioned by Wyson (2019), the purpose of concept paper is to explain, clarify or theorize a
particular concept. The concept should create a discussion in the academe and must engage writers and
readers of the paper in an academic discourse. Wyson (2019) reiterated that in building a concept, one
must connect theory and experience. The paper should build a gap between what is written on the book
and what is really happening in real life. One good example is the research that you are doing.

2. Concept Paper in Different Contexts

In the workplace, a concept paper is normally written by an employee who would like to
proposed a new idea, practices or product connected to the company. The proponent will prepare the
proposal that should include the budget and the reason why the company should approve the proposal.
The reasons may include gaining more profit or savings from operational cost.

In the academe, a concept paper is created or written for a research proposal (before the
conduct of the research for STEM students), a business proposal (before creating and selling products
for ABM students) and a project proposal (before doing a culminating activity for HUMSS students).

Whatever the strand is, all SHS students should learn and know how to create a concept paper
which included defining and elucidating a certain concept that would prompt the approving body to
agree with them.

In this class, an advocacy project proposal will be created so students can grasps the usefulness
and importance of a concept paper.

More often, students are asked to explain a certain concept. Definitions are normally used by
writers when attempting to explain a new concept. Every definition aims to explain or clarify a concept.
This module will cover the three sorts of definitions: formal, informal, and extended definitions (The
NROC Project, 2021).

3. Defining a concept

The extent of how we define a concept will always be based on our purposes why we need to
explain or define that concept. Every definition aims to explain or clarify a concept. This module will
cover the three sorts of definitions: formal, informal, and extended definitions (The NROC Project,
2021).

The extent of how we define a concept will always be based on our purposes why we need to
explain or define that concept.

Definitions are important because it clarifies the meaning of words and avoid its
misinterpretations. The definitions given should narrow, broaden or divert the meaning of the term so it
could be easily understood in the way that the writer wanted to convey its meaning. Giving definitions
may include synonyms, etymology, drawing/illustration, function, analysis, similarity, contrast and may
include metaphor. Let's learn the different types of definitions (Reyes, 2018).
3.1 Three Types of Definition

3.1.1 Formal Definitions

A formal definition is made up of three parts: the term, the part of speech to which it belongs,
such as a noun or a verb, and all the attributes or characteristics unique to that term.

Formal definitions can be found in dictionaries, but they are not the only place to look. When
writing about something that may be foreign to their audience, writers frequently add formal
definitions. The formal definition of terms can be found at beginning of a chapter, at the end of a
chapter, or in the glossary, which is a mini dictionary of terms pertinent to that text, in textbooks (The
NROC, 2021).

For example comic books (em) are sequen publications (class) consisting c captions, dialogue
balloons, and super-powered heroes (differer characteristics).

3.1.2 Informal Definitions

This type of definition does not follow the formal definition. The author employs well known terms or
examples to explain an unknown concept. The definitions may use synonyms, antonyms or in another
words similar or like (The NROC, 2021). According to Reyes (2018) the definition could also be
"stipulation, analogy or illustration."

3.1.2 Extended Definition

This type of definition have elements of both the formal and informal definitions. However, the
author employs other techniques to define a concept or a word (The NROC, 2021).

The NROC (2021) stated that these techniques may include the following:

 Listing and describing the parts: identifying smaller, more familiar pieces of an idea to point to
the definition of the bigger concept.
 Etymology: sharing a word's origin.
 Examples or anecdotes: telling a story or example that illustrates the term.
 Negation: defining a term by explaining what the concept is not
 Evoking the senses: using a word that creates a picture in the reader's mind so that the reader
might relate through memory of sound, sight, touch, hearing, or smell.
 Environment or sector: pointing out how and where something is used
 Ramifications: showing how the term or concept affects people or objects.
 Historical references: showing how a word has been defined throughout history.

(Examples)
Read the following definitions; notice whether each one is a formal, informal, or extended definition.
The term being defined appears as bold.

1. When my friend Katrice was young, she disobeyed her parents near Christmas. I don't recall the
crime, but I do recall the consequence. When she woke up on Christmas morning, there were no
presents for her under the tree from "Santa Claus. To make matters worse, she had to watch her
younger siblings open all their presents in front of her. Santa did not come for Katrice that year
because she was on the "naughty list." While her parents may well still stand by their decision,
Katrice maintains that s was the victim of cruel and unusual punishment. I tend to agree, as it
seems that the consequences were too drastic for any childho matter how naughty she may
have been.

Extended definition

2. Many prisoners of war have been victims of cruel and unusual punishment people were shocked
and horrified when they learned of the water torture, temperature extremes, and sensory
overloads that the prisoners were subjected to.

Informal definition

3. The Cornell University Law School website defines cruel and unusual punishment (noun) as
"punishment that is extremely excessive in relation to the crime, shocking to ordinary
sensibilities, or equivalent to torture."

Formal definition

4. Concept Paper Format

4.2 Business Proposal

In writing a business plan or proposal, the format of the concept paper should include
description of your business, analysis of your competitive environment, a marketing plan, personnel
requirements and financial information. A business proposal may be used for bank approval if you need
financing for the business.

4.3 Concept Paper for an Advocacy Project

For an advocacy project, the template to be followed is a combination of the research format
and the business plan. Description of the advocacy project, budget requirements and timeline of the
project will be included as part of the proposal.

The template for this paper is shown on the right side. Your group must be ready in writing the
concept paper for the advocacy project in relation to the 17 Sustainable Goals of the United Nations.

 Title
 Background of the Problems (include related literature)
 Purpose of the Advocacy Project
 Locality and Target Beneficiary
 Description and Name of the Advocacy Project
 Steps in the Implementation (including the involvement of government agencies)
 Budget Requirements
 Outcomes/Impact of the Project to the Target Beneficiaries
 Timeline of the Project
 References