604-CEA-EM

THEME: THE FUTURE OF FOOD

GRAMMAR: PASSIVES
WRITING STRATEGIES: ACADEMIC INTRODUCTIONS AND BODY PARAGRAPHS
 My class assignment

How’s everything going in your science class?

Oh cool! Actually, I saw

something about vertical farming
the other day.

It’s basically a series of high-rise

greenhouses. They just stack
everything up.
It’s going ok but I have to write an
assignment about the future of farming?

It’s not a bad idea. Just imagine crops

growing in a building and in water What’s vertical farming?
instead of soil.
I listened to a short podcast interview about it. It’s still on
my phone, give it a listen
 My class assignment
So experts expect the world’s
population to rise to 8 billion.

Yes, exactly. But don’t write it According to environmentalists,

like that in your assignment. someone must do something.
Use the passive voice instead.

They haven’t built vertical farms yet.

They’re discussing this issue at a

conference this week.

They’ll grow crops in water instead

of soil.
Passive voice in academic essays
You see, in active voice, the subject does the action.
This is way more common in speaking.

Active sentence
Experts expect the world’s population to grow to 8 billion

Subject Verb Object

Experts expect the world’s population

In writing, it’s common to change it to passive:

- Make the object of the active the subject of the new sentence
- Change the verb to be + past participle.
- Respect the tense of the main to match the verb be

Passive sentence
The world’s population is expected to grow to 8 billion
Changing from active to passive
Ok, I think I got it. Let me try those sentences again

Active Passive

with modals
Someone must do something Something must be done.
modal + be + p.p.

They haven’t built vertical farms perfect tense Vertical farms haven’t been built
yet. have/has + been + p.p. yet.

They’re discussing this issue at a continuous The issue is being discussed at a

conference this week. be + being + p.p. conference this week.

They’ll grow crops in water instead future Crops will be grown in water
of soil. will / won’t + be + p.p instead of soil.
 My class assignment

Thanks! That’s good to know. I think

I’d like some more practice, though.

It seems like you got the hang of it. A

lot of academics use a mix of both
with more focus on passive structures.

The next slide has plenty of practice.

Change the sentences from active to
passive.
 will crops be grown this is done

nutrients are added less energy is used by the plants

are grown

too many pesticides are used

pesticides won’t be needed the crops will be protected

the use of pesticides will be reduced which has been contaminated (by pesticides)

vertical farms are going to be seen

they can’t be built Some trials were carried out

a report was written it hasn’t been published they’re not going to be built

the situation must not be ignored

action should be taken more food is going to be needed

a solution needs to be found

 My class assignment
Next week. We’ve only started learning
So when is this writing assignment due about academic style writing, and I
anyway? need to make sure I have the necessary
elements to make it effective.

Like a thesis statement that has a topic

and controlling idea? Yeah. It shouldn’t be too hard, though.
We covered that in class.
 Writing strategies
An effective writer captures the reader’s attention.
We can do that by demonstrating a problem or asking a question.

If you haven’t been paying attention to world news, we are potentially facing a
First sentence: global food crisis.

This is a general statement to introduce the topic.

Feeding our growing One possibility is reducing food

population is becoming a Our world requires creative
waste and maximizing space in
challenge. solutions to ensure food security.
urban areas.

All of this eventually brings us to the controlling idea.

Controlling idea: Is vertical farming the innovative solution for this crisis?
 Thesis statements
Every successful essay needs a clear topic and a controlling idea.

This tells the reader what the essay is about A food crisis

Vertical farming is the

The direction you want to take them in
solution

Topic sentences are at the end of the introduction and

they have 2 forms: a sentence or a hook (question)

A common mistake with topic sentence: announcing the topic

In this essay, I will write about why vertical farming is a solution.

This essay will explain the reasons why vertical farming is a solution.

Vertical farming can solve the issue and here’s a text to explain why.
 Giving examples
Just make sure your reader knows That makes sense. I mean, we know
what you’re talking about first. what it is because we just read about it,
but others might need clarification.

Vertical farming is basically a

greenhouse that can be built in cities
to grow food year round. So now I guess I just need to support
my topic sentence with examples.

That’s easy. You just need to present

your ideas clearly with signals. I don’t think we covered that in the
class.

Here’s an example:
It is very cost effective. For
example, food doesn’t travel far to
get to supermarkets.
Giving examples
Oh ok! I know what you mean now.

General statement
There are several benefits to vertical farming.

For instance, unused urban spaces can be converted into farms. This can reduce the
demolition and need for farm land.

It reduces costs such as transport and refrigeration. This can make the food we buy
cheaper.

It helps demand and shortages. Take supply chain issues for instance. With vertical
farming, food is grown locally and easy to get.

Look at reducing waste by knowing how much your population needs.

 Writing a conclusion
Now you’re ready to finish your text with your conclusion. Follow these steps:

Revisit the topic sentence

Vertical farming is the innovative solution for this crisis.
from the intro

Start with one of To conclude, In conclusion, In summary,

the signals:

Restate your topic and

The revolutionary solution for our food supply is vertical farming.
controlling idea:

Summarize the It provides financial benefits to shoppers, restaurants, and the transportation
arguments: industry.

Therefore, the next time you hear someone complaining about food prices,
Closing statement:
remind them that vertical farms are the way to go.