GLOBETROTTERS FALL WEEK 9

FRIDAY
FROM PARAGRAPH TO ESSAY
WARM-UP
VIDEO: Watch the video about fashion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlBo1_sM9BA).

DISCUSSION
Discuss the following questions.
● Do you like shopping for new clothes?
● Do you think it is important to wear fashionable clothes? Why? / Why not?
● What current fashion trends do you think will be out of fashion within two years?
● How does fashion affect you socially? How do people label you?

(Reference: http://iteslj.org/questions/clothes.html)

Word / Phrase Bank:

CLOTHES AND FASHION
Clothes & wear a new outfit/bright colours/a fancy dress/fur/a uniform
Accessories be (dressed) in black/red/jeans and a T-shirt/leather/silk
be dressed for work/school/dinner/a special occasion
wear/dress in casual/designer/second-hand clothes
wear jewellery/accessories/a watch/glasses/contact lenses/perfume
have a hat/a red dress/a blue suit on
put on/take off your clothes/coat/shoes/helmet
Appearance change/improve your appearance
create/get/have/give something a new/retro look
have/get a haircut/a new hairstyle
have/get a piercing/tattoo
have/get cosmetic surgery
use/wear/apply/put on make-up/cosmetics
Fashion follow/keep up with (the) fashion/the latest/current trends
spend/waste money on designer clothes
be fashionably/stylishly/well dressed
have a good/great/terrible/awful taste in clothes
update/renew your wardrobe
be in/come into/go out of fashion
create your own/personal style
set a trend in/on something (e.g. set a trend in women’s fashion, set a trend on social media)
be unfashionable/outdated/old-fashioned
be a fashion victim
(Reference: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/fashion_1?q=fashion)

NOTE:
* The phrasal verb ‘put on’ means to put a piece of clothing on your body – it refers to the action itself.

* The verb ‘wear’ has two uses:

(1) It is used to describe the clothes on someone (e.g. The woman who is wearing a blue T-shirt is my aunt.)
(2) It is used like the phrasal verb ‘put on’ (e.g. If you feel cold, why don’t you wear the jacket over there?)
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PART A. FROM PARAGRAPH TO ESSAY

1. Read the following model paragraph on fashion. Then answer the following questions about the
paragraph.
Model Paragraph
Does Fashion Matter?
Every season most people are highly affected by the latest fashion trends. In my opinion, people should not
be a slave to fashion because it has three major negative effects mainly on people’s budget, individual
qualities and physical appearance. To start with, following fashion is a waste of money. Fashion trends are
constantly changing and the things you buy today may suddenly become out of fashion the next day, so
following this dynamic procedure costs a lot. In addition, fashion trends take away your individuality. The
trends that you keep up with are all started by someone else and when you blindly follow other people’s
style, this may result in losing your individuality. Finally, sometimes fashion means wearing clothes that do
not suit your body. Some trends involve clothes that are too tight or too baggy and they will not look good
on you. To conclude, I firmly believe that it is completely unnecessary to follow fashion due to its
unfavourable financial and personal impacts on people. Trends come and go, but your own style and identity
are eternal.

1. Which sentence expresses the writer’s opinion on the topic? Is there any background information before
the writer’s opinion?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Which sentences express the writer’s major supporting ideas?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Which sentences offer details (explanations, examples, etc.) to the major supporting ideas?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Which sentence is the concluding sentence? Is it a restatement of the writer’s opinion, or a summary of
the major ideas in the paragraph?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Is there a final thought or comment (warning, suggestion, prediction, etc.) about the topic?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

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2. Read the following model essay on fashion and try to find out the similarities and differences between
the paragraph and the essay formats.

Model Essay
Does Fashion Matter?

Introductory Paragraph
Every season, the great fashion houses of Europe and America present their new
collections and they try to persuade people to renew their wardrobes. Most
people are highly affected by these fashion trends. However, in my opinion,
people should not be a slave to fashion because it has two major negative effects
on people’s budget and their individual qualities.

Body Paragraph 1
One of the reasons is that following fashion has a negative impact on people’s
budget. To start with, following fashion is a waste of money. Fashion trends are
constantly changing and the things which you buy today may suddenly become
out of fashion the next day, so this dynamic procedure costs a lot. Moreover,
most trendy outfits are extremely costly. If you buy clothes that you cannot
afford just to be fashionable, there is always a risk of getting into debt. In short,
following fashion may cause undesirable financial outcomes because fashion
addicts will spend a lot of money and it will be expensive.

Body Paragraph 2
Another unfavourable effect of fashion is that it ruins people’s individual
qualities. Firstly, fashion trends take away your individuality. All these trends are
started by someone else and when you blindly follow other people’s style, this
may result in losing your individuality. This also makes you look just like the other
people who follow the same trends. Besides, followers of fashion choose clothes
that do not suit their personalities. This is unfortunate as our clothes should
reflect who we really are. Therefore, latest fashion trends may not be suitable
for your personal style and reflect your character.

Concluding Paragraph To conclude, I firmly believe that it is completely unnecessary to follow fashion
due to its unfavourable financial and personal impacts on people. Trends come
and go, but your own style and identity are eternal. You should wear good quality
clothes that suit you as an individual and that have long-term elegance.

3. Making an outline.
While writing an essay, you should;
* start by making an outline of the ideas which you want to use in your essay
* decide on your major ideas
* think about how you can support them

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* Study the formats of a paragraph and an essay below.

PARAGRAPH FORMAT ESSAY FORMAT

Background information (OPTIONAL)
Topic sentence (topic + controlling idea)
1st Major Supporting Idea
& optional.)
Minor Supporting Detail(s)
2nd Major Supporting Idea
& optional.)
Minor Supporting Detail(s)
3rd Major Supporting Idea
& optional.)
Minor Supporting Detail(s)
Concluding Sentence
- Paraphrasing (restating) the topic
sentence
OR
- Summarising the main ideas
AND
- Final thoughts/comments (suggestion,
warning, prediction, etc.) (OPTIONAL)
I. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Background information (at least 2 sentences)
- General statements about the topic
- Narrowing down
Thesis statement (not a question!)
- Main idea/point of the essay
- Writer’s opinion
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1
-1st supporting idea of the thesis statement (Topic Sentence is
- Major supporting idea(s) & Minor supporting details
(explanations/examples, etc.)
- Concluding sentence (optional)
III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2
-2nd supporting idea of the thesis statement (Topic Sentence is
- Major supporting idea(s) & Minor supporting details
(explanations/examples, etc.)
- Concluding sentence (optional)
IV. BODY PARAGRAPH 3 (OPTIONAL)
- 3rd supporting idea of the thesis statement (Topic Sentence is
- Major supporting idea(s) & Minor supporting details
(explanations/examples, etc.)
- Concluding sentence (optional)
V. CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
- Restatement of the thesis statement including the writer’s opinion
OR
- Summary of the main ideas
AND
- Final thoughts/comments (suggestion, warning, prediction, etc.)

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PART B. WRITING AN ESSAY

PARTS OF AN ESSAY:
I. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
 This is the first paragraph of an essay.
 It explains the topic with general ideas and gives background information about the topic.
 It usually consists of three to five sentences.
 It catches the reader’s interest. To make an introductory paragraph interesting for the reader, you can
include:
- interesting facts or statistics: Ancient Egyptians used heavy eye make-up to keep evil spirits away and to
protect their eyes from infection.
- an interesting quotation: Albert Einstein once said, ‘Anyone who has never made a mistake has never
tried anything new.’
- a question: “What is the one thing you can do to make the world a better place?”
 It should be about ONE topic and there should be a clear thesis statement including the writer’s
opinion.
What is a thesis statement?
 The thesis statement is the sentence that tells the main idea of the whole essay.
 It usually comes at or near the end of the introductory paragraph.
 A thesis statement gives the writer’s opinion about the given topic.
 It should give an idea that can be discussed and explained with supporting ideas. It should not be a
simple fact.
 It cannot be a question.
 Sometimes, narrowing down and the thesis statement may be used in the same sentence using
connectors.
NOTE: You can use a question when you give background information to attract the reader’s attention.
However, you should not use a question in your thesis statement.
Complete the missing parts of the Introductory Paragraph in the following outline from the model essay
above.

A PARAGRAPH
Background information
(OPTIONAL)
Topic sentence (Topic + Controlling
Idea)
Background information: Every
season most people are highly
affected by the latest fashion trends.
Topic sentence: In my opinion,
people should not be a slave to
fashion because it has three major
negative effects mainly on people’s
budget, individual qualities and
physical appearance.
AN ESSAY
I. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
* Background information
- General statements about the topic:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
- Narrowing down:
______________________________________________________
* Thesis statement:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

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II. BODY PARAGRAPHS
 These are the paragraphs that explain and support the thesis statement and come between the
introduction and the conclusion.
 There must be two (or three) body paragraphs in an essay.
 Each body paragraph can start with a topic sentence, but it is optional.
 Each body paragraph should express one major supporting idea, and this major supporting idea should
be explained through minor supporting details (explanations, examples, etc.).
 Adding a concluding sentence is optional.

Complete the missing parts of the Body Paragraphs in the following outline from the model essay above.

A PARAGRAPH
1st Major Supporting Idea
& - 1st supporting idea of the thesis statement
Minor Supporting Detail(s)
1st Major Supporting Sentence: To
start with, following fashion is a
waste of money.
Minor Supporting Sentence(s):
Fashion trends are constantly
changing and the things you buy
today may suddenly become out of
fashion the next day, so following
this dynamic procedure costs a lot.
AN ESSAY
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1
(negative effects on people’s budget)
- Topic Sentence (optional)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
- Major supporting idea(s) & Minor supporting details
(explanations/examples, etc.)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

Concluding Sentence (optional)

______________________________________________________

2nd Major Supporting Idea III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2

& - 2nd supporting idea of the thesis statement
Minor Supporting Detail(s) (negative effects on their individual qualities)

2nd Major Supporting Sentence: In - Topic Sentence (optional)

addition, fashion trends take away
your individuality.
Minor Supporting Sentence(s): The
trends that you keep up with are all
started by someone else and when
you blindly follow other people’s
style, this may result in losing your
individuality.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
- Major supporting idea(s) & Minor supporting details
(explanations/examples, etc.)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

Concluding Sentence (optional)

______________________________________________________

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3rd Major Supporting Idea IV. BODY PARAGRAPH 3 (OPTIONAL)
&
Minor Supporting Detail(s)
3rd Major Supporting Sentence:
Finally, sometimes fashion means XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
wearing clothes that do not suit
your body.
Minor Supporting Sentence(s):
Some trends involve clothes that
are too tight or too baggy and that
will not look good on you.

III. CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

 This is the last paragraph of an essay.
 It summarises the main ideas in the body paragraphs or restates the thesis statement using different words.
 It should include the writer’s opinion.
 The writer’s opinion should not be copied from the given topic or the thesis statement. It should be restated.
(Paraphrasing)
 It includes final thoughts/comments of the writer (a warning, a prediction, a suggestion, etc.).
 It should not include any new information.

Complete the missing parts of the Concluding Paragraph in the following outline from the model essay above.

A PARAGRAPH
Concluding Sentence
Paraphrasing the topic sentence OR
summarising the main ideas AND final
thoughts/comments (suggestion, warning,
prediction, etc.)
Concluding Sentence:
Paraphrasing: To conclude, I firmly believe
that it is completely unnecessary to follow
fashion due to its unfavourable financial and
personal impacts on people.
Final comments: Trends come and go, but
your own style and identity are eternal.
AN ESSAY
V. CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
- Restatement of the thesis statement including the
writer’s opinion
OR
- Summary of the main ideas
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
AND
- Final thoughts/comments (suggestion, warning,
prediction, etc.)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

PARAPHRASING STRATEGIES
A. Use of Synonyms & Restating Phrases
(1) Use of Synonyms
Look at the following example from the model essay and find the synonyms for the other words in
the restatement of the thesis statement:
Thesis statement: However, in my opinion, people should not be a slave to fashion because it has two
major negative effects on people’s budget and their individual qualities.
Restatement of the thesis statement: To conclude, I firmly believe that it is completely unnecessary
to follow fashion due to its unfavourable financial and personal impacts on people.
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Example: negative = unfavourable

effects = ______________________
individual = ____________________

(2) Restating Phrases

Look at the following example from the model essay and find the restated phrases for the other
phrases in the restatement of the thesis statement:
Thesis statement: However, (1) in my opinion, people should not be a slave to fashion (2) because it
has (3) two major negative effects on people’s budget and their individual qualities..
Restatement of the thesis statement: To conclude, (1) I firmly believe that it is completely unnecessary
to follow fashion due to its unfavourable financial and personal impacts on people.

Example: 1. In my opinion = I firmly believe that

2. because it has = __________________________________________________________________
3. two major negative effects on people’s budget and their individual qualities =
_________________________________________________________________________________

B. Changing the parts of speech of a word and using collocations when necessary
• noun >> verb
Topic: Should the government increase the punishment for talking on the phone while driving?
Thesis statement: In my opinion, it is essential for authorities to punish drivers for talking on their cell
phone in the car for two reasons.
Restatement of the thesis statement: To conclude, I firmly believe that those drivers who insist on
talking on the phone while they are driving should be severely punished as they may cause death and
financial loss.

• verb >> noun

Topic: Can we rely on the information on the Internet?
Thesis statement: Personally, I believe that reliance on the content of websites may result in serious
problems since many online sources are not updated and they may be speculative.
Restatement of the thesis statement: To sum up, reliability of online sources is controversial. That is
why we should be careful when we search information on the Internet.

• adjective >> adverb

Topic: Should voluntary work for students be a part of school curriculum?
Thesis statement: I definitely agree with the idea that students should work voluntarily and do
community service during their school years.
Restatement of the thesis statement: In conclusion, school curriculum should encourage students to
volunteer in charity organisations. (adjective >> verb)

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• adjective >> noun
Topic: Are computer games harmful for children?
Topic Sentence: However, I am for the idea that computer games do harm on children’s psychology and
health.
Restatement of the thesis statement: In conclusion, playing computer games causes serious harm on
the overall health of children.

C. Sentence Restructuring
Look at the following examples and check the other restructured parts in the restatement of the thesis
statement:
Topic: Is it important to follow fashion?
Thesis statement: In my opinion, fashion affects people negatively in terms of their budget and
individuality.
Restatement of the thesis statement: To conclude, I believe people are negatively affected by fashion
trends.
Topic: Is air pollution the most serious environmental problem?
Thesis statement: In my opinion, no other environmental problems is as serious as air pollution for two
major reasons.
Restatement of the thesis statement: To sum up, in the modern world air pollution is far more serious
than any other environmental problem.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTICE!!!
While writing your essay;
 avoid informal style:
- short forms (don’t, isn’t, etc.)
- lower case ‘I’ (‘I am’ instead of ‘i am’)
- colloquial expressions (spoken English) (Let’s talk about..., Let me tell you..., ‘cause, ‘em, wanna,
gonna, etc.)
- choice of vocabulary (‘child’ instead of ‘kid’, ‘friend’ instead of ‘dude’, etc.)
- abbreviations (asap, FYI, 4U, DIY, etc.)
- ellipsis (…) ‘and so on.’ ‘etc.’
- exclamations (Yes!, No!, No way!, Never!, etc.)
- slang (damn, etc.)
- emoticons (, , etc.)
 it is better to use passive voice instead of active voice to sound more formal:
Example: People have polluted the environment since the Industrial Revolution. (Active Voice)
The environment has been polluted since the Industrial Revolution. (Passive Voice)
 it is better to use nouns instead of pronouns:
Example: They should encourage students to do community service.
they  authorities/school managements/governments
Example: You should study regularly in order to be successful.
you  students/pupils