l

Thesis statements

A thesis statement is the sentence that

tells your reader the subject of your paper states the controlling idea of your paper, i.e. it makes an assertion about the subject predicts the logical order of discussion you will follow in your paper
In other words, the thesis statement is the anchor of your essay: with a good thesis statement your reader does not have to wait until he finishes reading all of your essay to learn what kind of a claim you are making, what your stance is, or how you are going to prove your viewpoint. 1. An effective thesis should be a declarative sentence, never an open ended question. If you just ask a question, the reader will have no idea what you are trying to illustrate. Not a thesis statement: What are the disadvantages of living in a big city? 2. A good thesis should be restricted and focused. It should not be too general or too comprehensive. If it is too comprehensive, you may not be able to prove it all in one essay. Too general: Computers have advantages and disadvantages.

This thesis is too general. How are you going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computers in one essay? There are technical and economic issues, social effects, time and financial considerations, etc. 3. A thesis statement should not make an announcement. It should make a claim. Announcement: In this essay I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living on your own. Revised thesis statement: When considered generally, living on your own is much better than living with your family. 4. A thesis statement should not make a claim that cannot be proved by logical analysis. Moral judgment of the writer: Only evil and wicked young people choose to live on their own. Such a statement expresses the moral judgment of the writer and cannot be proved in any factual or logical way. Although it is a recommended practice to state your thesis in the introduction part of your essay, you will see that some writers choose not to state their thesis at the beginning of their writing but to come up with a conclusion after they discuss the issue thoroughly. Such a practice may be adopted for stylistic purposes. l Introductions

Why is the introduction important? Your introduction is the part that invites your reader to read your essay: it tells your reader what it is about,

it sets the tone for your essay. In other words, it tells the reader whether your essay will be
light, humorous, serious, controversial, etc. surprises in the development of your essay

it shows your reader how your essay will develop. That is to say, there must not be big

 it helps the reader to make a transition from the conditions he is in to the content of your
essay

it is where the reader decides whether to read your essay or not. In other words, they may put

your essay down if they feel that it is going to be extremely boring (your instructors excluded because they have to read your essays whether they are extremely boring or not, they have to correct and evaluate your essays anyway) Some tips for writing good introductions

Think about the question: most of the time you are assigned a topic to write about. Think
about the question: your answer to the question will be your thesis. How you prove it will be your development. Your thesis should be stated in the introduction paragraph.

You may find it difficult to write an introduction at the beginning. Sometimes you may only

write a tentative introduction, continue with the development, then come back and write the introduction last.

Pay attention to your first sentence. This is the sentence your reader (your instructor and the exam marker too) reads first. You should make a good impression, and should be careful not to make too many mistakes. If you start your essay with a sentence full of grammar, spelling or vocabulary mistakes, you cannot expect to make a good first impression.

Avoid making announcements: Do not start with opening sentences such as "In this essay I
will discuss ..." Avoid making "Dawn of man" introductions. That is, whatever topic you are assigned , you should not start with sentences such as " Since the beginning of history", "Since the beginning of humanity", "Since the industrial revolution", etc. These kinds of statements make only very broad generalizations, and you cannot start everything with the industrial revolution! It also indicates that you do not really have much to say about the topic! Since the beginning of humanity young people have had problems with their families. Avoid using clichs. Clichs mean that you do not have anything new to say.

Avoid filler introductions: When you do not have much to say about a topic, you list a couple of
sentences one after the other, just to fill the introductory space. If the writer had something effective to say, he would have said it. However, in this example, he is just filling space.

Many young people choose to live on their own. The number of people living on their own is increasing. Many people in the cities prefer to do this. There are reasons for this phenomenon. There are also some results. Strategies for writing good introductions

There is a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay. 1. The funnel method

In this method, the first sentence is broad and general. It introduces your thesis, and each following sentence is narrower and more focused. Finally, it narrows down to your thesis. The important thing in this approach is that your funnel should not be too large, because you never will be able to narrow down. For example, if you start with the beginning of human history to write about young people living on their own, it will take you ages to narrow down. Therefore, your funnel must be appropriately narrow at the beginning.

Example paragraph 1: "Animals have been used in medical research for a long time. In recent years animal rights organizations have started a controversy whether it is ethical or not to use animals for the benefits of medical progress. They believe that animals are equal to humans and that they have equal rights with human beings. In my opinion, animals as things, have some rights, but humans with their more developed brains are superior to them, therefore if there is no other alternative, animals may be used in medical research." (Ezgi Ozer, Adv 2003)

Example paragraph 2: "In life, people pass through different phases. They are born into a family, and then they grow up and reach puberty. After puberty, they are considered adults. At this time, the social burden on people become heavier, and new responsibilities are added to a persons burden. Graduating from a good university, finding a job, getting married and having children are some of these expectations. Most people consider these expectations, especially having children, reasonable and see them as sources of happiness . However, it is my opinion that children are far away from being the ultimate bliss in our lives; on the contrary, they bring about more responsibilities and restrictions."

2. Defining a word or phrase Sometimes defining a term or a phrase that will be used throughout the essay is a good strategy. However, it should not be a dictionary definition since anyone can consult a dictionary. The definition you offer should match your thesis, or the claims you will be making in the essay. Example paragraph : "The term violence in the family refers to male violence against females. It means that men are generally rude to women both physically and psychologically. Concerning this issue, a study has been conducted by Family Research Institute in five different geographic regions of Turkey on married women about husband violence against wives. The results of this survey indicate that two independent variables seem to be related to approval of violence." (Derya Aslan, Adv 2004) 3. Asking questions Using questions to attract the attention of your readers is another useful strategy. Then, your essay proceeds to answer the questions you have posed in the introduction. l Example paragraph 1: "Turkish governments have been trying to join the European Union for years. Despite all the difficult tasks that have to be achieved in order to join the EU, Turkish governments are persistent. Turkish citizens seem to agree with their governments, too. Why are we insisting on becoming a member of the union then? It is probably because of the differences between the happiness levels of Turkish and EU citizens." (Gokhan Remzi Yavuz, Adv 2003) l Example paragraph 2: "Who can imagine a world without music? Just as we the humans- appeared, music emerged as one of our important needs too. It is obvious that music has filled our lives very effectively in that now it is impossible to eradicate it out of our lives. Who can claim the opposite? When we are born, the first thing we hear is the lullabies of our mothers. Then, as time passes, we continue to listen to music much more. Of course, we don't listen to lullabies any more, but we choose a particular type of music that influences us. Why we listen to music and like the type of the music we like is not a simple phenomenon, on the contrary, the reasons are much more complex." (Beste Kalender, Adv 2003)

4. Turn about This strategy involves starting with the idea, belief or opinion that is opposite of your own claim or thesis. You first present the opposite party's opinion, the turn about with a "but or however", and present your own point of view. This strategy is especially useful in argumentation. l Example paragraph: "Reproduction is something that is in the nature of human beings. Giving birth to children, bringing them up and when they get older looking forward to them having children are all built in wishes and expectations of almost everybody. But in a limited environment, humans cannot keep expanding their population. There must be some ways to control the population." (Gamze Gumuslu, Adv 2003) 5. Using an anecdote Using a short anecdote is another way to start your essay. If you have a relevant anecdote ready, using it in the introduction will make your essay more interesting and attract the attention of your reader. l Example paragraph: "In a myth it is told that once humans did not have gender. They were neither male nor female. One day they made one of the gods angry and he punished them. He separated them into two parts: male and female. Also he put them away from each other to make them look for their partners all over the world. For centuries and centuries it went on like that, people searching for the missing part of the puzzle, their missing half ." (Ozge Uraz, Adv 2003) 6. Using quotations Using quotations in the introduction is another effective way to start your essay. If you have the right quotation that matches your thesis or summarizes what you want to say, it adds flavor to your essay. In the essay below, the author has found a quotation that expresses the exact idea she wants to discuss, and she builds the whole paragraph around the quotation. l Example paragraph 1: "Music is maybe the first invention of humankind in which he was firstly inspired by the nature and then completed with his own emotions and senses. By then, music became the most indispensable friend of human kind, but why is it so fundamental? Music was invented to confirm human loneliness, says Lawrence Durrell. Although they live in a society and are labeled social animal by some philosophers, humans are in fact alone. They have an inner world which they could hardly express to others or they could even hardly identify themselves. Music helps people understand themselves, melodies make them wander in their own world and discover the lonely parts of their souls. People who can understand or identify themselves are no more alone in the world. They find a friend which will never let them down, and never will leave them, or a friend from their inner world. (Sinem Kavak, Adv 2003) l The body

The body of your essay is minimum two-three paragraphs long, and supports /illustrates / explains the thesis with the help of evidence, details, facts and examples. How you organize your thoughts in a logical order may depend on your topic and thesis. There are various ways of treating a topic: the essay may be organized in order of importance, in chronological order, or spatial order. It can also be a description, narration, comparison and contrast, cause and /or effect, definition, process, classification or argumentation essay. An essay can be written in one of those methods, or it can be a combination of two or more types. It all depends on the purpose of the essay.

For more information on essay types, see Essay Types. l Conclusions

If you have written an effective introduction, and logically developed your essay, the flow of ideas naturally leads to your conclusion. A good conclusion should round up your arguments and reach a final conclusion. There are a number of ways you can conclude your essay. 1. Review its major ideas This is the simplest way to finish an essay. You go over your essay, restate the main idea in the conclusion. "Music is a great way to relax and be happy in daily life. It is also very useful for musicians and composers to express their feelings. This is one of the reasons which make music universal; it has nothing to do with age, race or religion. Anyone who wants to listen to music, listens to music and anyone who wants to do music does music." (Aysegul Dogan, Adv 2003) "As you can see, music makes our lives better. It increases the things we share both with ourselves and with others. It helps our loneliness to get smaller and smaller because sharing is the only way to get rid of our loneliness. That is why music is so important in our lives." (Sinem Kavak, Adv 2004) 2. Restate the thesis Sometimes, conclusions can restate the thesis of the essay. This is done using different words to avoid monotony. In the essay below, the author restates the thesis idea in the conclusion paragraph. l Introduction: "For a long time there has been a controversy between animal rights supporters and scientists about whether it is right to use animals in experimental research. Also, it is very debatable whether using animals for such research results in finding a cure for diseases. From my point of view, if there are no other alternatives, and if it is possible that this will contribute to science, animals may be used for experimental research." l Conclusion: "All in all, it can be said that using animals for medical research is ethical as long as it contributes to scientific development and helps scientists find ways to improve human health. And this practice is only acceptable on the condition that necessary pains are taken and animals are treated humanely." (Ayse Ipek, Adv 2004) 3. Make predictions based on the material in the body of the essay "Regardless of what you think, whether you think cell phones are a positive improvement or a serious threat; they are becoming a part of modern life. It seems that stationary phones will gradually decrease in number because of the rivalry of mobile phones. You may think they limit your personal freedom because of accessibility, or you may feel safe with the help of your cell phone. It is a personal choice whether to buy a cell phone or not and maybe it is a matter of personality too. However, it is going to get more and more difficult to resist the spread of the cell phone." (Muzaffer Sisli, Adv 2003) 4. Use questions and quotations Using questions and quotations in the conclusion can be a good way to bring your essay to a close. If you can find a quotation that fits your position, the conclusion will sound interesting. There are other ways of ending an essay, of course. Whichever method you use, make sure that you

reach a conclusion at the end of your essay. Never bring up new ideas or start new discussions in the conclusion. Do not let your essay finish weakly with a weak conclusion section. A good essay deserves a good conclusion. Make sure that your conclusion is consistent with the arguments in your essay. Sometimes you may get carried away and end up concluding the opposite of your thesis, especially if you do not plan well. Do not let such inconsistency happen. Definition Essay |Printable version| Definition: The aim in this essay is to define, explain, and exemplify something. Generally, in definition essays, we try to make the terms that we use understandable for the reader. Our understanding of a term may be different from the general concept, or we may be focusing on a specific aspect. Giving an exact definition would enable the reader to follow the ideas and arguments in your essay. Organization: Definition of a term is generally given in the introduction. The development of the essay is dedicated to the explanation of the term. There are many ways to explain a term. It is also possible to employ more than one of these methods of development. Below are some of the types of organization that can be used. To illustrate these types of organization, the term Total Quality Management (TQM) is given as an example:

Explanation of a Process: The steps involved in the implementation of TQM. Description: Examples of the kind of labor conflict that TQM is supposed to eliminate
or alleviate.

Comparison/Contrast: Contrasts to other management theories, demonstrating what

TQM is not as well as what it is.

Cause/Effect: How TQM responds to certain needs in the workplace.

Narrative: Anecdotal illustration After writing the essay, we can check to see whether the term is clearly defined or there are still vague points. Let's have a look at the organization of the sample essay "What is This Thing Called Love?" The writer has explained the term "love" by explaining first what love is not (comparison / contrast organization). Here is the analysis of the sample essay: Origin and history of the term "love" what love is NOT what love IS Language: Depending on the kind of organization, you can choose certain transitions; for example, if you are showing the differences between TQM and other management systems, you use on the other hand, whereas, etc. Sample definition essay: What is This Thing Called Love? A wise man once said that love is a wonderful thing. Although this statement leaves sparse room for argument, it does little to define what love is beyond the vague realm of wonderful. It is my duty as a

devout romantic to embark upon the seemingly difficult task of defining love by looking at the history, explaining what love is not, and examining the uses of love and the results of that usage. The origin of the word is probably the most logical place to start. As with many words in the English language, love is a derivative of the Latin word "causemajoraproblemus" which means "You're miserable when you got it and miserable when you don't." The word was created to explain the biological phenomenon that existed when certain individuals came into contact with each other and either remained together or went about their lives separately. Regardless of the outcome, the relationship was usually characteristic of throat lumps, knotted stomaches, weak knees, temporary loss of language, sweaty palms, dizziness, sneezing, and occasional nausea. Belligerent insanity also resulted. History clearly illustrates this. Can we ever forget the face that launched a thousand ships? Federally expressing Van Gogh's ear? The construction of Le Tour Eiffel? All of these were results of love and love lost. Star-crossed lovers have stated that love is not hand nor foot nor any part belonging to a man. Matrimonial ceremonies also claim that love is not jealous or boastful. Let it be stated here that love also is not a gourmet dish, a domesticated animal, or a latest trend. Love is not a strategic defense mechanism nor the best kept secret at the Pentagon. Love is not another seasoning to bottle and stick on the dust-lined shelves of the spice rack. Love is not to be confused with adhesive tape. Instead, love is a great counterpart to late, evening thunder storms on hot July nights. Love goes well with cold pizza on picnic blankets. Love is cold, wet sand between bare toes. Love is a capitalistic sellall for novels, Top-40 pop songs, summer movies, and greeting cards. In its simplest terms, love is a four-letter word. Much like other words of similar letter make up, when expressed it can evoke laughter, pleasure, pain, anger, and virtually any wave of reaction. Love also can be confused with feelings of indigestion and gas. Houses have been built, burned, and banished because of love. Definition Essay Definition: The aim in this essay is to define, explain, and exemplify something. Generally, in definition essays, we try to make the terms that we use understandable for the reader. Our understanding of a term may be different from the general concept, or we may be focusing on a specific aspect. Giving an exact definition would enable the reader to follow the ideas and arguments in your essay. Organization: Definition of a term is generally given in the introduction. The development of the essay is dedicated to the explanation of the term. There are many ways to explain a term. It is also possible to employ more than one of these methods of development. Below are some of the types of organization that can be used. To illustrate these types of organization, the term Total Quality Management (TQM) is given as an example:

Explanation of a Process: The steps involved in the implementation of TQM. Description: Examples of the kind of labor conflict that TQM is supposed to eliminate
or alleviate.

Comparison/Contrast: Contrasts to other management theories, demonstrating what

TQM is not as well as what it is.

Cause/Effect: How TQM responds to certain needs in the workplace.

Narrative: Anecdotal illustration After writing the essay, we can check to see whether the term is clearly defined or there are still vague points. Let's have a look at the organization of the sample essay "What is This Thing Called Love?" The writer has explained the term "love" by explaining first what love is not (comparison / contrast organization). Here is the analysis of the sample essay: Origin and history of the term "love" what love is NOT

 what love IS Language: Depending on the kind of organization, you can choose certain transitions; for example, if you are showing the differences between TQM and other management systems, you use on the other hand, whereas, etc. Sample definition essay: What is This Thing Called Love? A wise man once said that love is a wonderful thing. Although this statement leaves sparse room for argument, it does little to define what love is beyond the vague realm of wonderful. It is my duty as a devout romantic to embark upon the seemingly difficult task of defining love by looking at the history, explaining what love is not, and examining the uses of love and the results of that usage. The origin of the word is probably the most logical place to start. As with many words in the English language, love is a derivative of the Latin word "causemajoraproblemus" which means "You're miserable when you got it and miserable when you don't." The word was created to explain the biological phenomenon that existed when certain individuals came into contact with each other and either remained together or went about their lives separately. Regardless of the outcome, the relationship was usually characteristic of throat lumps, knotted stomaches, weak knees, temporary loss of language, sweaty palms, dizziness, sneezing, and occasional nausea. Belligerent insanity also resulted. History clearly illustrates this. Can we ever forget the face that launched a thousand ships? Federally expressing Van Gogh's ear? The construction of Le Tour Eiffel? All of these were results of love and love lost. Star-crossed lovers have stated that love is not hand nor foot nor any part belonging to a man. Matrimonial ceremonies also claim that love is not jealous or boastful. Let it be stated here that love also is not a gourmet dish, a domesticated animal, or a latest trend. Love is not a strategic defense mechanism nor the best kept secret at the Pentagon. Love is not another seasoning to bottle and stick on the dust-lined shelves of the spice rack. Love is not to be confused with adhesive tape. Instead, love is a great counterpart to late, evening thunder storms on hot July nights. Love goes well with cold pizza on picnic blankets. Love is cold, wet sand between bare toes. Love is a capitalistic sellall for novels, Top-40 pop songs, summer movies, and greeting cards. In its simplest terms, love is a four-letter word. Much like other words of similar letter make up, when expressed it can evoke laughter, pleasure, pain, anger, and virtually any wave of reaction. Love also can be confused with feelings of indigestion and gas. Houses have been built, burned, and banished because of love. Comparison and Contrast Essay |Printable version| Definition: In this kind of essay, the aim is to show the similarities and differences of two items, two people, two countries, or how something or someone has changed. When comparing two things, we focus more on the similarities though we may mention the differences shortly. When contrasting two things, we point out the differences between them. The most important point to consider while planning a comparison and contrast essay is choosing comparable items. e.g. Middle East Technical University and Bogazici University.

We have to make sure that these two items have enough points to be compared. After writing the comparable points as a list, location, size, reputation, specialty, social clubs, sports facilities, we have to eliminate some of them and choose 2-3 from the list that can lead to full supported paragraphs. location size specialty

Organization: Two patterns of organization are possible: 1. Point-by-Point In this pattern, the organization is as follows: thesis statement: METU and BOUN are Turkey's two very prestigious universities with some differences in their specialties, facilities, and locations. I. specialty A. METU B. BOUN II. facility A. METU B. BOUN III. location A. METU B. BOUN For each of the points of comparison, we compare and contrast the two items. 2. Block (All of One / All of the Other) In this pattern, the two items to be compared and contrasted form two separate paragraphs. In each paragraph the points of comparison are discussed in the same order, as in the following organization:

thesis statement: METU and BOUN are Turkey's two very prestigious universities with some differences in their specialties, facilities, and locations. I. BOUN A. specialty B. facility C. location II. METU A. specialty B. facility C. location This pattern is mostly used when the amount of information about the items is limited. Also some topics (e.g. Your life before and after the divorce of your parents) lend themselves to block type organization. Language: The two patterns differ in terms of language as well. While pattern 2 is quite straightforward, pattern 1 requires more transitions but the end product is more understandable for the reader. Some transitions that can be used for showing similarity: similar to, like , both ... and ... ,in addition , moreover , besides, likewise , similarly , in the same way Some transitions indicating difference: different from in contrast to compared with unlike but on the other hand conversely in contrast however Do not forget that using transitions enables the piece of writing to be coherent; it is easier for the reader to follow our ideas when transitions are used to link them together. However, overuse of transitions causes a traffic jam and should be avoided. We should be using transitions sparingly (only when necessary). Sample comparison contrast essay: METU and Bogazici University

Almost all high school students who would like to further their academic lives in the university search for information about the various universities of Turkey. Among many universities in Turkey, two of them are the most popular: Middle East Technical University and Bogazici University. They are considered the best. However, since both cannot be THE BEST, their specialties, facilities and locations need to be examined in detail to be able to choose the most suitable university for one's education life. One of the areas that one should investigate is the specialties of the two universities. METU is a comparatively new university (1956). Its aim was to contribute to the development of Turkey and Middle East countries and especially to train people so as to create a skilled workforce in the fields of natural and social sciences. The first academic program to start education was the Department of Architecture. It was followed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Today, there are 37 undergraduate programs in five faculties of METU. Bogazici University, on the other hand, is a very old university (1863). Its first name was Robert College. It got its present name in 1971. It started education by giving Bachelor of Arts degree. Engineering building was built later (1912). Today, Bogazici is known to graduate students who have strong social and business skills. The second point we would like to compare is their facilities. METU is widely recognized with its cultural and intellectual facilities. The campus houses pioneers of some clubs such as mountaineering and scuba diving clubs, which are only two of a total of 25 different social clubs that students can choose. There is an alumni society. There are two gymnasiums, 7 tennis courts, a closed and an open swimming pool. However, the campus is far from the city center; therefore, there are not many places to eat at around the campus. METU has a very good library with hard and electronic copies of many books and journals. Bogazici also has a very good library, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and an alumni society that offers many extra-curricular courses, such as fitness, yoga, cooking courses. There are canteens on campus. However, unlike METU, Bogazici is situated in Etiler and it is close to Bebek, places popular with young people and there are a lot of places to eat around the campus. This brings us to the third point we would like to compare; the campus. The two campuses are quite different from each other. Bogazici campus is quite old; dates back to the second half of 19th century. The buildings are very old. Though they are restored from time to time, they have historical value and their facades cannot be changed. The campus is full of old trees and it has an awesome view of the Bosphorus. The campus is quite large. However, new buildings cannot be added so two new campuses have been constructed. One is called the North Campus and is quite close to the main campus. The other is in Kilyos, 40 km away. There are shuttle busses for both campuses. METU, on the other hand, is modern looking with concrete and red brick buildings. The campus is large enough to allow construction of new buildings. With many green areas where students can meet and talk, it has a more academic atmosphere. As a conclusion, we can say that METU dwells more on the technical departments and a closed campus life which enables the students to concentrate on their courses more. On the other hand, Bogazici is very good at social sciences and economics departments and has every facility to create a cultural and intellectual environment for the student. One should evaluate ones priorities before making such a choice.

Classification Essay
Definition: In a classification essay, we organize things into categories and give examples of things that fit into each category. For example, if you choose to write about types of computers (PCs and servers), each of your developmental paragraphs will define the characteristics of a different computer type. Classification criteria: Before writing, it is necessary to decide on the classification criteria. We should think according to what properties we are going to classify things. The criteria must be discriminating and the emerging classes should be non-overlapping. |Printable version|

In the sample essay about types of computers, the computers are classified according to their functions and capabilities, as: Sample essay analysis topic: 5 types of computers 1. PC 2. Workstation criteria: their functions general use by a single person used for 3D graphics, game development used to provide services to other computers used in business used for jobs that take massive amounts of calculating and capabilities desktop: permanent laptop: portable powerful microprocessor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities have powerful processors, lots of memory and large hard drives enables hundreds of people to work together very powerful

3. Server 4. Main frame 5. Super computer

Organization: The introduction of a classification essay is quite straightforward. In the thesis statement, you mention that there are (number) types of (something) according to their (properties). In the developmental paragraphs, you need to define each type you mentioned in the thesis. You may also need to show the similarities and/or differences of these types. Giving examples would enable your readers to understand better. Language: The common transitions used while classifying are the first kind / type / group, the second kind / type / group, the third kind / type / group. Sample classification essay: Types of Computers

There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most of these words imply the size, expected use or capability of the computer. While the term computer can apply to virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it, most people think of a computer as a device that receives input from the user through a mouse or keyboard, processes it in some fashion and displays the result on a screen. Computers can be divided into five according to the purpose they are used for and their capabilities. The most familiar type of microprocessor is the personal computer (PC). It designed for general use by a single person. While a Mac is also a PC, most people relate the term with systems that run the Windows operating system. PCs were first known as microcomputers because they were a complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the huge systems in use by most businesses. A PC can come in two types (three if we include the Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) that differ from PCs not by the working

policy but in appearance as well.): Desktop and laptop. The former is not designed for portability. The expectation with desktop systems is that you will set the computer up in a permanent location. Most desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost than their portable brethren. On the other hand, the laptops - also called notebooks - are portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor, memory andhard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover book. Another purpose for using a microprocessor is as a workstation. The computers used for this purpose have a more powerful processor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development. A computer can also be used as a server. For this, it needs to be optimized to provide services to other computers over a network. Serversusually have powerful processors, lots of memory and large hard drives. A fourth type, a main frame is the heart of a network of computers or terminals which allows hundreds of people to work at the same time on the same data. It is indispensable for the business world. Sometimes, computers can be used for specialized fields as well. The supercomputer is the top of the heap in power and expense. It is used for jobs that take massive amounts of calculating, like weather forecasting, engineering design and testing, serious decryption, and economic forecasting. With the increasing demand in different specialties, new adjustments are being made to microprocessors and new types of computers that serve different purposes emerge. In this ongoing process, it would not possible to put a full stop here. What we suggest is that it is better to keep en eye on the development of science in this field and keep updating our knowledge in order not to be out-of-date like the computers of old times that were as big as a room.

Cause and effect Essay

|Printable version| Definition: In this kind of essay, the aim is to explain the causes (reasons) or the effects (results) of an event or situation. e.g. Causes of air pollution (multiple factors leading to air pollution). e.g. Effects of watching too much TV (many effects of a situation). Sometimes an event causes something to happen, and that situation leads to another event, and it causes another event to happen. This is called the causal chain or domino effect. e.g. Use of deodorants will bring the end of the world. There may be several causes or effects of a situation. However, in a student essay, it is advisable to keep the number of major points to 2 or 3, which form separate developmental paragraphs.

Organization: Depending on the topic, there may be three patterns of organization: 1. Multiple causes-->effect In this pattern, the organization is as follows: thesis statement: Air pollution is caused by the following factors: exhaust gases from cars, uncontrolled factory releases, and burning of low-quality coal for heating. I. exhaust gases from cars A. government does not have enough control B. citizens are not conscientious II. uncontrolled factory gases A. no regular checks on gases released B. factories are inside the borders of residential areas III. burning of low-quality coal for heating A. no governmental control B. other forms of energy too expensive Each developmental paragraph is devoted to one of the causes of air pollution. Each cause is supported by two minor supports. While writing, these major and minor ideas should be adequately explained and exemplified as well. 2. Cause-->Multiple effects In this pattern, the effects of a certain situation are explained in separate paragraphs, with the following organization: thesis statement: Watching too much TV is one of the major sociological issues of this century, which has many effects on the physiology and psychology of people. I. eating disorders A. TV meals B. obesity II. communication problems A. more violence B. no interpersonal talk Again, we have grouped related effects under two main points: physiological and psychological. Then, we have supported each effect with two minor supports (A and B). While writing, we should explain these major and minor supports by giving examples and/or defining what we mean, as well. 3. Causal chain / Domino In this pattern, the events lead to one another, as in the following organization: thesis statement: Using deodorants with chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end of world. I. Chlorofluorocarbon gases are contained in most deodorants and released by some factories into the air.

II. This gas causes the ozone layer to become thinner and finally disappear in patches. III. The unfiltered ultraviolet rays of the sun cause overheating in the poles of the earth, where the icebergs start to melt. IV. The huge amount of water released from the poles leads to a rise in the sea-level. V. The sea will cover the land and this will be the end of the world. Again, each major point should be supported with examples, statistics that show that there are some factories and deodorants that release chlorofluorocarbons, that there is a rise in the sea-level, etc. Language: To explain reasons and results, we use: As a result, As a consequence, Consequently, So, Since As, Because One reason why ... One of the most important reasons why ... The main reasons why ... There are other reasons, too, ... Do not forget that using transitions enables the piece of writing to be coherent; it is easier for the reader to follow our ideas when transitions are used to link them together. However, overuse of transitions causes a traffic jam and should be avoided. We should be using transitions sparingly (only when necessary). Sample cause and effect essay EFFECTS OF WATCHING TOO MUCH TV Discoveries and invention of devices are always welcome till we, humans, find a way to abuse its benefits and be adversely affected by it. This was the case when Wilhelm Roentgen discovered x-ray and within five years, the British Army was using a mobile xray unit to locate bullets and shrapnel in wounded soldiers in the Sudan. TV was also invented with positive thoughts in mind there would be no national borders, education and communication would be worldwide, etc. However, we are now trying to overcome its physiological and psychological adverse effects on human beings. One of the physiological effects of watching TV in excessive amounts is eye-strain. It is true that there are specifications for watching TV; TV should be 5 m. away from the eye, the room should be adequately lit, TV should be placed at the same height with our eyes, etc. However, these do not prevent our eyes from getting tired if we keep watching TV for a long time. Another effect is obesity, which is widely observed in people who like watching TV and eating snacks everyday (there is even a term TV snacks to refer to fast food that is suitable for eating in front of the TV). TV is such a powerful machine that people cannot get away from it it is addictive.

Apart from the physiological effects, TV also causes psychological effects. One is a result of being exposed to violence. After seeing so many violent scenes on TV, people start considering violent actions normal and they lose their sensitivity to their environment. Partly connected to this effect, the interpersonal communication among people decreases. Being insensitive to the suffering of other people causes people to become alienated. Also, after coming home from work people seek to relax in front of the TV, and generally people prefer watching TV to talking to each other. This issue is very important since lack of interpersonal relationships mostly end with divorces. Shortly, inventions are meant to be beneficial for human beings, if we know how to benefit from them. TV is one of such inventions that need to be used for the right purpose only being educated and entertained for a reasonable (according to age) period of time. We may, then, be safe from or at least reduce the adverse physiological and psychological effects of watching too much TV.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
|Printable version| Definition Organization Supporting our ideas Refuting opposing arguments Language Sample argumentative essay

Definition: In this kind of essay, we not only give information but also present an argument with the PROS (supporting ideas) and CONS (opposing ideas) of an argumentative issue. We should clearly take our stand and write as if we are trying to persuade an opposing audience to adopt new beliefs or behavior. The primary objective is to persuade people to change beliefs that many of them do not want to change. Choosing an argumentative topic is not an easy task. The topic should be such that it should be narrowed down X Marijuana should be considered illegal. (Not a good topic because it is too general. In some medical cases, marijuana is prescribed by the doctors and the patients are encouraged to use it in case of suffering from too much pain) Selling and using marijuana in public places should be considered illegal.

it should contain an argument X We should decide whether we want a bicycle or a car. (our stand is not clear: do we support having bicycles or cars?) If we are under the age of 30 and want a healthy life, we should definitely get a bicycle instead of a car. X Are you one of those who thinks cheating is not good for students? (a question cannot be an argument) Cheating helps students learn. X Considering its geological position, Turkey has an important geopolitical role in the EU. (facts cannot be arguments)

 Considering its geopolitical role, we can clearly say that the EU cannot be without Turkey.

it should be a topic that can be adequately supported (with statistics, outside source citations, etc.) X I feel that writing an argumentative essay is definitely a challenging task. (feelings cannot be supported; we cannot persuade other people)

If you believe that you can find enough evidence to support your idea and refute others effectively, you can choose challenging topics as well. You can enjoy writing about such topics: Cheating is beneficial for students. Murat 124 is a very good choice for conscientious drivers. Stress is good for the human body. Polygamy is quite natural. For women, there is no need for men. Organization: All argumentative topics have PROs and CONs. Before starting writing, it is imperative to make a list of these ideas and choose the most suitable ones among them for supporting and refuting. There are three possible organization patterns: Pattern 1: Thesis statement: PRO idea 1 PRO idea 2 CON(s) + Refutation(s) Conclusion Pattern 2: Thesis statement: CON(s) + Refutation(s) PRO idea 1 PRO idea 2 Conclusion Pattern 3: Thesis statement: CON idea 1 CON idea 2 CON idea 3 Conclusion -----> -----> -----> Refutation Refutation Refutation

The sample essay has been written according to the third pattern. Thesis: Do Reiki instead of taking medicine. Counter arguments 1. People should trust medicine -----> since it is effective and scientifically proven. 2. Serious illnesses such as -----> HIV/AIDS and cancer cannot be treated without medicine. 3. Reiki, like alternative healing -----> methods, requires a lot of time. Refutation Reiki is also scientifically proven and does not have side effects. (refutation method: insufficient claim) Medicine also cannot treat serious illnesses if not diagnosed at an early stage. (refutation method: opponents are partially correct) Reiki requires less time if done regularly. (refutation method: opponents are completely wrong)

Supporting our ideas: This is the most important part when persuading others. We are asking some people to change their beliefs or actions. We should be supporting our ideas with such facts, statistics and/or authorities that there should not be room for any doubts. Here are some faulty supports we should avoid: Thesis: Leaving the university and starting to work is good for the adolescent because

Feelings, emotional arguments ( it makes one feel much better.) Irrelevant examples (wandering off the topic) ( he would then be able to take his girlfriend to expensive restaurants.) Oversimplification ( only then would he understand what it means to be an adult.) Hasty generalizations (... it is a widely known fact that all adolescents look forward to earning money.) Unreliable, even false outside sources ( according to www.doubtme.com, 80% of working men wish they quit school when they were at university and started working at an earlier age.)

For more mistakes in the logic of arguments, see Fallacies. Refuting opposing arguments: Before we start saying that the opponents are wrong, we should specify their opposing ideas. Otherwise, it would be like hitting the other person with eyes closed. We should see clearly what we are hitting and be prepared beforehand so that he cannot hit us back. We can do this by knowing what we are refuting. e.g. X Some people may say that adolescents should not leave university education; however, they are wrong. (what they say is not wrong. Maybe their supporting idea is wrong /irrelevant /insufficient. We should state their supporting idea specifically to be able to refute it.)

 Some people may say that adolescents should not leave university education because they are not physically and psychologically mature enough to cope with the problems of the real world. However, they forget one fact: adolescents can vote or start driving at the age of 18 (in some countries even before that age!), which proves that they are considered physically and psychologically mature at that age. Language: Signposts gain importance in the argumentative essay. They enable the readers to follow our arguments easily. When pointing out opposing arguments (CONs): Opponents of this idea claim / maintain that Those who disagree / are against these ideas may say / assert that Some people may disagree with this idea. When stating specifically why they think like that: The put forward this idea because They claim that since Reaching the turning point: However, but On the other hand, When refuting the opposing idea, we may use the following strategies: compromise but prove that their argument is not powerful enough: They have a point in thinking like that. To a certain extent they are right.

completely disagree: After seeing this evidence, there is no way we can agree with what they say. say that their argument is irrelevant to the topic: What we are discussing here is not what they are trying to prove. Their argument is irrelevant.

Sample argumentative essay: HEALTH AND HEALING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Throw out the bottles and boxes of drugs in your house. A new theory suggests that medicine could be bad for your health, which should at least come as good news to people who cannot afford to buy expensive medicine. However, it is a blow to the medicine industry, and an even bigger blow to our confidence in the progress of science. This new theory argues that healing is at our fingertips: we can be healthy by doing Reiki on a regular basis.

Supporters of medical treatment argue that medicine should be trusted since it is effective and scientifically proven. They say that there is no need for spiritual methods such as Reiki, Yoga, Tai Chi. These waste our time, something which is quite precious in our material world. There is medicine that can kill our pain, x-rays that show us our fractured bones or MRI that scans our brain for tumors. We must admit that these methods are very effective in the examples that they provide. However, there are some every day complaints such as back pains, headaches, insomnia, which are treated currently with medicine. When you have a headache, you take an Aspirin, or Vermidon, when you cannot sleep, you take Xanax without thinking of the side effects of these. When you use these pills for a long period, you become addicted to them; you cannot sleep without them. We pay huge amounts of money and become addicted instead of getting better. How about a safer and more economical way of healing? When doing Reiki to yourself, you do not need anything except your energy so it is very economical. As for its history, it was discovered in Japan in the early 1900s and its popularity has spread particularly throughout America and Western Europe. In quantum physics, energy is recognized as the fundamental substance of which the universe is composed. Reiki depends on the energy within our bodies. It is a simple and effective way of restoring the energy flow. There are no side effects and it is scientifically explained. Opponents of alternative healing methods also claim that serious illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer cannot be treated without drugs. They think so because these patients spend the rest of their lives in the hospital taking medicine. How can Reiki make these people healthy again? It is very unfortunate that these patients have to live in the hospital losing their hair because of chemotherapy, losing weight because of the side effects of the medicine they take. Actually, it is common knowledge that except for when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, drugs also cannot treat AIDS or cancer. Most of the medicine these patients use are to ease their pain and their sufferings because of the medical treatment they undergo. Instead of drugs which are expensive and have many side effects, you can use your energy to overcome the hardships of life, find an emotional balance, leave the stress of everyday life and let go of the everyday worries. Most of the chronic conditions such as eczema or migraine are known to have causes such as poor diet and stress. Deep-rooted anger or other strong emotions can contribute to viral infections as well. Since balancing our emotions and controlling our thoughts are very important for our well-being, we should definitely start learning Reiki and avoid illnesses before it is too late. Some people may still maintain that in our material world, everything depends on time. It is even lacking time that causes much of the stress that leads to the illnesses we mentioned. How would it be possible to find time to do Reiki to ourselves and the people around us when we cannot even find time to go to the theater? This is one good thing about Reiki; it does not require more than 15 minutes of our time. There is no need for changing clothes or special equipment. It is a wonderfully simple healing art, an effective method of relaxation and stress-relief. Most important of all, it is less time consuming than medicine if we think of all the time we spend taking medicine for some complaints and taking some more for the side effects as well. Having said these, resistance to Reiki would be quite illogical. Reiki is natural and drugfree. What is more, it is easy to learn by anyone, regardless of age and experience. It can be used anywhere, anytime. It also enhances physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and the benefits last a lifetime. It is definitely high time to get away from the

drug boxes we store in our drug cabinet!