Write an essay
In this unit, you have been writing informative material about topics that focus on the environment. After you finished your first draft, you reviewed your writing, keeping in mind your purpose. Your reason for writing has mostly been to inform or to explain. When writing informative or explanatory material, purposes might include:
to inform readers about a topic
to explain a process or issue
to persuade readers to agree with an opinion
to motivate readers to do something
to describe a person, place, or thing
to reflect on an experience or feeling
As you reviewed your writing, you also kept in mind your audience—people who will be reading your work. You may write for a single reader, such as your Learning Coach or a friend. You may write for a larger audience, such as newspaper readers or for members of a club or student group. Whatever your audience, keeping them in mind helps guide you by reminding you to consider what readers are likely to know about your topic and what they will find most interesting.
A photo shows a group of students studying environmental science with a teacher in a stream habitat.
These students are studying environmental science with a teacher in a stream habitat.
Source: goodluz/Shutterstock
Environmental topics can be complex. They often link different subject areas and involve current events. For example, an examination into how warming oceans impact coral reefs includes science facts about coral polyps, ecosystems, and the exchange of CO2 between the ocean and the atmosphere. It also involves understanding how society and governments impact the natural world.
Still, writing about environmental topics doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Narrowing your topic to a specific focus helped you target your research and manage information. Keeping in mind your purpose and audience also helped you include appropriate details and convey them in a suitable tone.
Now, as you read over your finished draft, ask yourself how well it suits your purpose and audience. To determine whether you need to make any final revisions, consider these questions:
What is my purpose for writing? Does my essay fulfill this purpose?
Are there places where I departed from my purpose, and if so, how?
Did I include any elements that do not belong in informative or explanatory writing, such as opinions or personal reflections?
What is my audience? What are my readers likely to know about this topic? Do I need to define terms or explain things more clearly? Are my sentence structures and language appropriate?
Which of my points will interest my audience most? Did I emphasize those points, or highlight them in my introduction?
In order to answer these questions, let's first reflect on the purpose of the essay. The purpose of my essay is to inform readers about a specific environmental topic. The topic I chose to focus on is the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.
After reviewing my writing, I believe that my essay does fulfill its purpose. I have provided readers with information about the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine life, including the ingestion and entanglement of marine animals. I have also discussed the long-term consequences of plastic pollution, such as the disruption of ecosystems and the potential impact on human health. By presenting this information, I hope to raise awareness and encourage readers to take action to reduce plastic usage and properly dispose of plastic waste.
Upon reflection, I did not depart from my purpose in my essay. I stayed focused on providing informative material about plastic pollution and its impact on marine life. I did not include any personal opinions or reflections, as that is not appropriate for this type of writing. I wanted to ensure that my essay was based on facts and scientific evidence rather than personal bias.
Considering my audience, I believe that they may have varying levels of knowledge about the topic. Some readers may already be aware of the issue of plastic pollution, while others may have limited knowledge. To accommodate this, I have included definitions and explanations of key terms related to plastic pollution. I have also presented the information in a clear and concise manner, using language that is accessible to a wide range of readers. However, I have not included overly technical language or jargon that may confuse or alienate readers.
In terms of the points that will interest my audience most, I believe that the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine animals will be the most compelling. Therefore, I have emphasized these points throughout my essay, particularly in the introduction where I included a hook to capture the readers' attention. By highlighting the devastating impact on marine life, I hope to engage and motivate my audience to take action to mitigate plastic pollution.
In conclusion, after reviewing my writing, I believe that my essay aligns with its purpose of informing readers about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. I have stayed focused on the topic and provided relevant information without including personal opinions or reflections. I have also considered my audience and aimed to present the information clearly and concisely, using language that is accessible to a wide range of readers. By emphasizing the harmful effects on marine life, I hope to engage and motivate my audience to take action against plastic pollution.
Writing an essay involves several steps, and it is important to keep your purpose and audience in mind during the writing process. This step-by-step guide will help you revise your essay to ensure that it fulfills its purpose and appeals to your intended audience.
Step 1: Review your purpose
1. Determine your purpose for writing the essay. Is it to inform readers about a topic, explain a process or issue, persuade readers to agree with an opinion, motivate readers to do something, describe a person, place, or thing, or reflect on an experience or feeling?
2. Evaluate whether your essay effectively fulfills this purpose. If not, identify areas where you might have deviated from your main objective.
Step 2: Assess appropriateness of content
1. Check if you have included any elements that do not belong in informative or explanatory writing, such as personal opinions or reflections. Remove or modify these sections to maintain the focus on providing information and explanations.
2. Verify that the information you have included is relevant and supports your purpose. Remove any irrelevant details or add additional information, if necessary.
Step 3: Consider your audience
1. Identify your target audience - whether it is a single reader (e.g., Learning Coach or a friend) or a larger group (e.g., newspaper readers or members of a club).
2. Consider what your readers are likely to know about the topic. Are there any terms or concepts that you need to define or explain more clearly?
3. Review your sentence structures and language. Ensure that they are appropriate for your audience. Simplify complex sentences or jargon if needed, or make adjustments to cater to a more specialized audience.
Step 4: Identify key points of interest
1. Analyze which points in your essay are likely to interest your audience the most. These may include new findings, controversial topics, or practical solutions.
2. Evaluate whether you have emphasized these key points adequately throughout your essay. Consider adding additional emphasis, such as highlighting them in your introduction or conclusion.
Step 5: Revise accordingly
1. Make necessary revisions based on the evaluations conducted in the previous steps.
2. Read through your revised essay and ensure that it aligns with your purpose and is suitable for your intended audience.
Remember, the revision process is iterative, so don't hesitate to go back and make further changes as needed. By following these steps, you can improve the effectiveness of your informative or explanatory essay and ensure that it communicates your intended message to your audience.
Writing an essay involves several important steps. Here is a breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Choose a topic and narrow it down. For this unit, you have been focusing on environmental topics. Select a specific aspect that interests you and will engage your readers.
Step 2: Conduct research on your chosen topic. Gather information from reliable sources such as books, academic journals, and reputable websites. Take note of key points and supporting evidence that will help you inform and explain to your audience.
Step 3: Develop a thesis statement. This statement should clearly state the purpose of your essay and what you intend to inform or explain to your readers. It should be concise and specific.
Step 4: Create an outline for your essay. This will serve as a roadmap, organizing your thoughts and ensuring a coherent structure. Divide your essay into sections such as introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Step 5: Start writing your essay. Begin with an engaging introduction that grabs your readers' attention and provides background information. Clearly state your thesis statement.
Step 6: In the body paragraphs, provide detailed information and explanations, making sure to support your points with evidence from your research. Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or complicated terminology unless you define them for your readers.
Step 7: Review and revise your essay. Read through your draft and evaluate whether it fulfills your purpose and resonates with your audience. Ask yourself the questions mentioned in the prompt to identify any areas that need improvement. Check for clarity, coherence, and organization.
Step 8: Edit and proofread your essay. Look for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your sentences are well-constructed and your ideas flow smoothly. Consider seeking feedback from a peer, teacher, or tutor to get a fresh perspective.
Step 9: Make any necessary final revisions based on your evaluations and feedback. Pay close attention to areas where you may have deviated from your purpose or included inappropriate elements like personal reflections or opinions.
Step 10: Write a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis statement. Leave your readers with a thought-provoking ending.
Remember, the writing process is iterative, and it is important to go through multiple drafts and revisions to improve the quality and clarity of your essay.