The Science Of Scientific Writing Set 5 Set 5-Essays • Second page • Third page • Ordering ideas • Exercise 1 • Signposting • Exercise 2 • Final.
OVERVIEW: The way to well-written science
PART I: Paragraphs and Sentences
SET A: Paragraphs: The Maps Behind Them
SET B: Paragraphs: Using Maps to Meet Readers' Expectations
SET C: Paragraphs with Something Extra: Points and Tails
SET D: The Generic Section: Expectations and Maps as Blueprints
SET E: Scientific Sections: The Methods and Results
SET F: Scientific Sections: The Discussion
SET G : Scientific Sections: The Introduction
SET H : Sentences
SET I : The Paper as a Whole
PART II: The Paper and its Sections
SET 1: Argument Parts
SET 2: Indicator Words
SET 4: Locating Arguments in Prose
SET 5: Rationale's Essay Planner
SET 6: Evidence in Arguments: Basis Boxes
Synthesis 1: Position-Early Paragraphs
Synthesis 2: Position-Final Paragraphs
Synthesis 3: Writing a Discussion I
Synthesis 4: Writing a Discussion II
There is no one correct answer, but all good answers will have these things in common:
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An introduction that tells the reader that three main reasons will be considered
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Use of reason indicators in the body of the essay
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Use of signposts in the body to direct the reader
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Use of a position indicator in the conclusion
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Sensible connecting words and phrases throughout, which flesh the essay out without distracting the reader
Hopefully you had something like this:
In this essay I will be drawing upon the events of the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, to argue the case that the main character, Dr Victor Frankenstein, shows less humanity than the monster he creates.
The evidence for this claim comes from both the behaviour of the monster and the behaviour of Frankenstein himself.
From the monster's side, his humanity is shown by a need for companionship and a capacity for empathy. As evidence of his wish for companionship, we see that he wants to be part of the family he observes. Also, another behaviour that indicates his wish for companionship is that he wants Frankenstein to make him a mate. As evidence of his empathy, we see that he stops stealing from the family he meets in the forest, giving them wood instead. Further, he empathises with the young man's companion.
On the other hand, Frankenstein acts in a number of ways that indicate a lack of humanity. At the start of the novel, Frankenstein shuns other people and is obsessed by creating the monster. Then, after he succeeds, Frankenstein does not care for his own creation. We know this, first, because he is horrified by the monster's appearance and second, because he abandons the monster.
Above I have shown how, in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, the monster and Frankenstein have highly contrasting relationships with other people, and with each other. These behaviours, when compared, prove that Dr Frankenstein shows less humanity than the monster he creates.
Content of this page drawn in whole or part from the Austhink Rationale Exercises with permission from Austhink.