Pearson Adult Learning Centre: Weekly Feature
Writing the Essay
by Jennifer
Certificate
Test time is coming; so, how do we pass the essay? There are a
number of steps you can follow: SABOC, or Select, Audience,
Brainstorm, Order, Communicate.
Select
This
step’s easy! Select your topic from the choice given. What
if no offered topic appeals? This happens, and we’ll get to that
shortly.
Audience
Who
are you writing for? Recently, an excellent teacher asked her
students to give adults advice on upbringing. When someone in the
class suggested reading these pieces at the next PAC (Parents Advisory
Council) meeting, suddenly there was caring, commitment and
communication (and better marks)! Take just a minute, and think
hard about writing your essay to someone or some group. It will
open up ideas for you.
Brainstorm
This
step is probably the most under-rated of all when writing. Your
brain is a richer storehouse of ideas than you know, so give it a
chance! After you select your topic, use 2 or 3 minutes by a
watch or clock to write down everything you can think of on that
topic. Make brainstorming one of the most important of your
steps, and you’ll have a great essay.
Order
Now,
order or group your ideas, select just two or three of your points to
give expression to—and write. Writing in any language takes
practice, so make sure you do, and then be prepared to succeed.
I
will write more about the essay in upcoming Weeklies. For further
essay help, use the Search Our Site option (type in the word "essay")
and ask your teacher.
Communicate
Here's a sample topic and essay for you:
Topic: What is your favourite dessert? Explain why.
Dessert
is the most wonderful part of a meal. I have never met anyone,
from any part of the world, who did not like dessert best. The best
dessert is ice cream because it tastes delicious, is liked by almost
everyone, and it can link us to happy childhood memories.
First,
ice cream tastes better than any other food. What food can rival
its creamy smoothness, or the delicious feeling of this soft, cold
dessert as it slips down your throat? I don’t know of any other
food that feels as good and clean in your mouth, or of any other food
that comes in as many mouth-watering flavours. At some stores,
you can choose from over 30 flavours! In fact, today you can even
get ice cream with protein in it, as the soy ice creams have. Who
knows? Ice cream may soon be a complete meal on its own!
Second,
while it may not yet be a complete meal on its own, it can be served
after almost any meal for everyone likes it. It can be a common
thread between strangers. Whether you have important out-of-town
guests, or are just entertaining family and friends, ice cream is the
perfect after-meal treat. Vanilla ice cream is at home at any
important dinner. Family and friends, on the other hand, are sure
to like Neapolitan, a happy mix of chocolate, vanilla and
strawberry. Even fussy, hard-to-please eaters are sure to be
tempted by this universal dessert! Ice cream is certain to please
everyone, and it can link us to happy childhood memories.
Third,
many of us have happy childhood memories linked to ice cream. In my
family, it was used as a reward when my sisters and I were especially
good, and it was the best part of the birthday meal. It was even
used as a comfort when some small thing had gone wrong. One day,
for example, I thought I would just check to see if that dull,
grey-brown stove element was as hot as my parents had always told me it
was, and I cautiously reached up to touch it. Needless to say,
they were right. Ouch! To make me feel better, out came the
ice cream. For good things and bad, ice cream was, and still is,
the best choice.
Ice cream is a wonderfully tasty dessert food
that has universal appeal, and links us to happy memories. It is
the perfect ready-made dessert and is available in so many good
flavours. I’m hungry! Are you?
(May 2, 2010)
Visit Last Week's Feature: Information on the Law
Weekly Feature Index
(Includes all 2002 to date Weekly Features with descriptions)
Resources for
Adults Completing
High School