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Effective writing Academic Communication for Advanced Secondary Schools

Essay writing
Essay writing starts with developing a strong thesis statement, which is typically a single
sentence that captures the main idea or argument of the entire essay. After formulating
this sentence, the essay can then be developed further in paragraphs. An essay consists of
three main parts: introduction, body and conclusion. These parts are organised logically
and coherently to present a clear discussion.
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(a) Introduction
The introduction serves as a roadmap for your essay and captures the reader’s
attention. When writing an introduction, begin with an engaging statement or a
thought-provoking question to capture the reader’s interest. Provide some context
or background information on the topic to give the reader an understanding of the
subject matter. Focus on the statement that defines the purpose of the essay. The
statement that defines the purpose of your essay is called a thesis statement.
(b) Main body
The body, also called thesis development, of the essay consists of several paragraphs,
where a specific point of the essay is addressed independently in each paragraph.
When developing the body of an essay, start each paragraph with a clear topic
sentence introducing the main point you will discuss. Present evidence and examples
to support the ideas and provide credibility to your argument. Use reliable sources
and cite them properly. Explain how the evidence you provided supports your main
argument. Analyse the significance of the evidence and its relevance to your essay.
Lastly, connect your paragraphs and maintain the flow of ideas.

(c) Conclusion
Write your main points concisely by doing the following in the conclusion: Paraphrase
your essay statement to remind the reader about your main argument. Summarise the
key points you discussed in the body paragraphs, emphasizing their significance to
your essay. Provide some final thoughts or recommendations related to the topic. Give
suggestions for further follow-up or implementation. End with a strong statement
that leaves the reader with a sense that you are closing the essay.

Exercise 2�4

1. Describe the kinds of essay you wrote when you were at ordinary level.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses in essay writing?

Activity 2�4

Write an essay on one of the following topics:
1. The influence of mass media on public opinion.
2. The importance of mental health awareness and support.
3. The pros and cons of online learning.

Student’s Book Form Five
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