How to Make and Use an Essay Outline: Process

An essay outline is probably the most important friend you will have while writing your essay. It is the scaffolding of your paper and the skeleton of your ideas. It is the framework by which you will write a solid essay. It is difficult to write one without an outline.

Characteristics of a process essay:

• Arranged chronologically.

• This essay will have three paragraphs. (Introduction, long body paragraph and conclusion)

• Thesis statement: Eating food with chopsticks in Far East places like Japan is easy if you follow these steps.

• Long Body Paragraph (All the steps in the correct chronological order.)

• Conclusion

When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide:

I. INTRODUCTION:

Thesis:_____________________________________________________.

II. Long Body Paragraph:

Opening Sentence:___________________________________________.

Process 1:__________________________________________________.

Process 2:__________________________________________________.

Process 3:__________________________________________________.

Process 4:__________________________________________________.

Process 5:__________________________________________________.

Process 6:__________________________________________________.

III. CONCLUSION:

Reconfirmed Thesis:_________________________________________.

What do you know how to do well? Brainstorm and think of things that you do well.

Examples of Process Essay Topics

1. How to get in shape

2. How to make pizza at home

3. How to make Libyan pasta

4. How to maintain good health

5. How to prepare rice

6. How to make California Roll Sushi

http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com/ (C) 2009-10

Study Strategies for Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs may be one of the most difficult grammar points of the English language for language learners to master. It is assumed that native English speakers have mastered this grammar point but surprisingly this is not the case. Studying incorrectly such as memorizing long lists for example may lead to frustration and will not improve a language learner's skills. Therefore, it is important to have a good study strategy.

Irregular Verb Chant

Please say aloud as the following:

arise, arose, arisen

Repeat 3-5 times then move onto the next set of verbs. Maybe clap your hands to get into a rhythm. Don't try to do too much one setting. Move at your own pace but follow this study plan on a regular basis.


http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com (C) 2009-10

Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

When a non-durative verb is used and the action has completed thus, the cycle is closed, we are using present perfect tense. For example:

Elvis has left the building.

When a verb of duration, action continues and the cycle remains open, we are using present perfect continuous tense. For example:

He has been talking about losing weight for a long time.


http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com (C) 2009-10

Planning for a Timed Writing

There are several formats for planning for a timed writing. The main ones are:

1.  free writing,
2.  outlining,
3.  word map

Use any format that you are comfortable with. Do not spend more 10 minutes for a 30 minute writing.

http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com/ (C) 2009-10

Is it OK to use their first language during instruction?

It is often debated whether or not an English Language Learner can use their first language during instruction. Here are two teaching methods that support the use of their first language while receiving English language instruction.

Suggestopedia- a relaxed approach to learning a foreign language where a student’s first language may be used freely during instruction. “Make sure the students feel comfortable and confident.”

This method is carried out in four steps.

1. Decipher: The grammar point of the day in introduced. I prefer doing this by presenting the following:
A. What the grammar point is
B. How it is used
C. Displaying a grammatical formula of some kind

2. Concert: The teacher reads examples of the grammar point, the students repeat.

3. Elaborate: Songs are sung and games are played with the grammar point as the focus.

4. Production: In a structured environment, the students use the grammar point spontaneously.

This was the preferred teaching method of one of my team teaching partners when I was a teacher in Japan. This method worked really with with the EFL students. Sadly, the teacher was reprimanded for using this method since it only referenced the book and there wasn't much focus on passing the standardized test. But, the students could communicate with native English speakers and retained what they learned with this method and did well on standardized test. Being a maverick in Japan is unacceptable and this method definitely was nonconforming to the Japanese way of presenting English.

Community Language Learning- students work together to develop what aspect of a language they would like to learn. Teacher acts as a counselor and a paraphrase. Students act like a collaborator. A student’s first language may be used freely during instruction. This method encourages interaction with others in English as well as allows students to interact meaningfully with each other in English.


http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com (C) 2009-10

Phonics, Syllables, Vowels and Vowel Rules

Phonics

Phonics are sounds that letters make that make up words.
• The English language tends to be difficult due to words being borrowed from other languages. (German, French, Latin, Greek, etc.)

Syllables
Syllables are a word or a part of a word with one vowel sound in it.

Vowels
Vowels create two sounds (long or short)

•When a short word has only one vowel, this word makes a short vowel sound .
• When a short word has two or more vowels, this word makes a long vowel sound.
• The closed syllable rule is when a vowel has a consonant after it that vowel always says its short sound.
• The sound of the short “a” changes just a little bit when “a” has a “m” or “n” after it.
• Rule of Silent E- at the end of a word does not make a sound. It usually changes the sound of the vowel before it. The vowel says it s own name, the long sound.
• Open syllable rule. A syllable is open when that syllable ends in a vowel with no consonant following it.

Consonants
• Blend: a group of two or more consonants, which stand side by side in a word and blend their sounds together.
• Diagraph: two consonants together making one sound.
• R control: when the vowel is controlled by R.
• Q: in English, “Q” always stands with “u”

http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com (C) 2009-10

Soft sound of “C” and “G”, Vowel Teams and the letter Y as a Consonant and Vowel

In English, the soft sound is usually heard when “C” or “G” has an E, I, or Y after it. The words "city" and "gem" are examples of this.

Also, in English, there are vowel teams that go by the name, diphthongs. These are two vowels that come together in a word to make only one sound. When two vowels come together, the first one says its own name, while the second one is silent. Here are a few examples:

Example: Long A (EI or AY)

The letter Y
The letter "Y" can act as a consonant and a vowel. As a consonant, it is at the beginning of a word. As a vowel, the letter "Y" is found in the middle or the end of a word.


http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com (C) 2009-10