Benjamin L. Stewart

Properties2
tagsmodule, archive
subjectWriting II

10 min read

Writing II Module 9

Monday

Instruction

  • Start each paragraph by stating one clear idea that supports the thesis.

  • Provide evidence (paraphrase + citation) and use a signal phrase.

  • Add analysis that explains how the evidence proves the point (try: “This shows…” / “This matters because…”) or better yet, try doing the same thing but avoiding the demonstrative altogether. Demonstratives

  • Use a linking sentence to connect to the next paragraph’s idea.

  • Aim for 5-8 sentences per body paragraph (about 125-175 words).

💡

When writing an expository essay, think about not just listing facts but explaining those facts (by including analysis sentences in each body paragraph).

  1. Complete the Writing II Review (in class between 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM).

  2. Review Parenthetical Vs. Narrative Citations.

  3. Review How to Paraphrase Direct Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide.

  • Example of paraphrasing

    Direct quote (from a freely available public article)

    “Teachers are already integrating AI into the classroom in fun, engaging, and academically rich ways—by having students fact-check ChatGPT’s responses, for instance…” (Edutopia, n.d.).

    Three paraphrases (same idea), each with a parenthetical citation

    1. Many classrooms are already using AI in enjoyable and meaningful ways, including which include having students verify the accuracy of AI-generated answers (Edutopia, 2026).

    2. AI is being used in lessons in ways that are both motivating and academically useful, such as activities where students check whether an AI tool is correct (Edutopia, 2026).

    3. Some teachers bring AI into class through engaging tasks that support learning; for example, they ask students to evaluate and fact-check AI responses (Edutopia, 2026).

    Reference

    Nichols, H. (2026). 9 tips for using AI for learning (and fun!) Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-ai-for-learning-fun/

Action Steps

💡

Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.

  1. Continue working on Writing II: Body Paragraph 3 Task.

  2. Between today and before class tomorrow, send me a request to review something in your Word document. Mention me (@Benjamin L. Stewart) as a comment in your shared Word document in Teams and I will review only what you ask me to review.

Tuesday

Instruction

  • Main idea: Start with one sentence that directly supports your thesis.

  • Evidence: Paraphrase (or quote when needed) and include an APA-style citation with a signal phrase.

  • Analysis: Explain the meaning and importance of the evidence (answer How does this prove the point? Why should the reader care?).

  • Link: End by connecting forward to the next paragraph’s idea.

  • Target length: 5–8 sentences (about 125–175 words).

💡

Takeaway: In an expository essay, your job is to teach the reader—so every paragraph should do three things: state one clear point, support it with cited evidence, and explain why that evidence matters.

  1. Review answers to yesterday’s writing II review.

    1. What is the minimum attendance required to avoid having to take the extraordinary exam?

    2. The syllabus states that “the use of English” has what value in the grade for each evaluated item?

    3. The course’s general objective is that students will be able to compose paragraphs and essays at approximately what level?

    4. What is the correct overall sequence of the writing process?

    5. What is the difference between revising and editing?

    6. Which sentence is the best example of an analysis sentence in MEAL?

      1. According to the National Park Service (n.d.), lighthouses were built near dangerous…

      2. This shows why the lighthouse’s damaged appearance suggests years of harsh storms.

    7. What does the term, “parenthetical citation” mean?

  2. Review the writing process.

  3. Review Parenthetical Vs. Narrative Citations.

  4. Review How to Paraphrase Direct Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide.

  • Example of paraphrasing

    Direct quote (from a freely available public article)

    “Teachers are already integrating AI into the classroom in fun, engaging, and academically rich ways—by having students fact-check ChatGPT’s responses, for instance…” (Edutopia, n.d.).

    Three paraphrases (same idea), each with a parenthetical citation

    1. Many classrooms are already using AI in enjoyable and meaningful ways, including which include having students verify the accuracy of AI-generated answers (Edutopia, 2026).

    2. AI is being used in lessons in ways that are both motivating and academically useful, such as activities where students check whether an AI tool is correct (Edutopia, 2026).

    3. Some teachers bring AI into class through engaging tasks that support learning; for example, they ask students to evaluate and fact-check AI responses (Edutopia, 2026).

    Reference

    Nichols, H. (2026). 9 tips for using AI for learning (and fun!) Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-ai-for-learning-fun/

Action Steps

💡

Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.

  1. Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 3 Task.

  2. Begin working on Writing II: Introduction Paragraph Task.

  3. Between today and before class tomorrow, send me a request to review something in your Word document. Mention me (@Benjamin L. Stewart) as a comment in your shared Word document in Teams and I will review your work.

Wednesday

Instruction

  • Main idea: Start with one sentence that directly supports your thesis.

  • Evidence: Paraphrase (or quote when needed) and include an APA-style citation with a signal phrase.

  • Analysis: Explain the meaning and importance of the evidence (answer How does this prove the point? Why should the reader care?).

  • Link: End by connecting forward to the next paragraph’s idea.

  • Target length: 5–8 sentences (about 125–175 words).

💡

Takeaway: In an expository essay, your job is to teach the reader—so every paragraph should do three things: state one clear point, support it with cited evidence, and explain why that evidence matters.

  • Example of how to modify a comma, followed by a verb-ING

    Online retailers often use one-click checkout and saved payment details, reducing the number of steps to complete a purchase.

  • Incoherent paragraph 1 (organize and label - M.E.A.L.)

    1. Group work can strengthen language learning by giving students more chances to use English.

    2. This suggests collaboration is helpful because learners notice gaps in their language when they interact.

    3. For instance, one classroom observation found that students spoke more English during pair tasks than during teacher-led discussion.

    4. Increased speaking practice can improve fluency over time.

    5. This shows why collaboration matters and leads into the following idea.

    6. Another study reported that peer feedback helped students revise their writing more effectively.

  • Incoherent paragraph 2 (organize and label - M.E.A.L.)

    1. According to a campus survey, students who planned their week in advance submitted more assignments on time.

    2. This matters because planning reduces last-minute stress and makes time use more efficient.

    3. Being more responsible in achieving a school-home life balance motivates students to adapt proper study routines.

    4. Time management strategies help students balance school responsibilities with personal life.

    5. One report showed that using a calendar app increased study consistency across the semester.

    6. Therefore, time management (is important for) leads to academic success.

Action Steps

💡

Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.

  1. Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 3 Task.

  2. Begin working on Writing II: Introduction Paragraph Task and Conclusion Paragraph.

  3. Submit the following as a Word document to the Teams assignment due March 25, 2026, Body Paragraph Coherence Task:

    1. Reword, “Therefore, these emotional triggers become even more powerful when online shopping platforms simplify the purchasing process by storing credit card information, making it easier to act on impulse.” and add a relative clause to the highlighted section of the text.

    2. Reorder the two incoherent paragraphs - making them more coherent - and label each sentence as M (main idea), E (evidence), A (analysis), or L (link or summary).

Thursday

Instruction

  • Main idea: Start with one sentence that directly supports your thesis.

  • Evidence: Paraphrase (or quote when needed) and include an APA-style citation with a signal phrase.

  • Analysis: Explain the meaning and importance of the evidence (answer How does this prove the point? Why should the reader care?).

  • Link: End by connecting forward to the next paragraph’s idea.

  • Target length: 5–8 sentences (about 125–175 words).

💡

Takeaway: In an expository essay, your job is to teach the reader—so every paragraph should do three things: state one clear point, support it with cited evidence, and explain why that evidence matters.

  • Avoid mentioning the study, research, researchers, authors, etc. (examples)

    1. A recent study shows that most students try to manage their time well, but the pressures of both work and school with frequently cause them to miss deadlines and turn to unifinished assignments (Balacuit & Lopio, 2022).

Action Steps

💡

Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.

  1. Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 3 Task.

  2. Begin working on Writing II: Introduction Paragraph Task and Conclusion Paragraph.

  3. Last day to submit the following as a Word document to the Teams assignment due March 25, 2026, Body Paragraph Coherence Task:

    1. Reword, “Therefore, these emotional triggers become even more powerful when online shopping platforms simplify the purchasing process by storing credit card information, making it easier to act on impulse.” and add a relative clause to the highlighted section of the text.

    2. Reorder the two incoherent paragraphs - making them more coherent - and label each sentence as M (main idea), E (evidence), A (analysis), or L (link or summary).

Friday

Instruction

  • Main idea: Start with one sentence that directly supports your thesis.

  • Evidence: Paraphrase (or quote when needed) and include an APA-style citation with a signal phrase.

  • Analysis: Explain the meaning and importance of the evidence (answer How does this prove the point? Why should the reader care?).

  • Link: End by connecting forward to the next paragraph’s idea.

  • Target length: 5–8 sentences (about 125–175 words).

💡

Takeaway: In an expository essay, your job is to teach the reader—so every paragraph should do three things: state one clear point, support it with cited evidence, and explain why that evidence matters.

  • Avoid mentioning the study, research, researchers, authors, etc. (examples)

    1. A recent study shows that most students try to manage their time well, but the pressures of both work and school with frequently cause them to miss deadlines and turn to unifinished assignments (Balacuit & Lopio, 2022).

  • Review Avoiding the Comma Splice Trap (CS) (examples below)

    1. Many first-year EFL students report anxiety when speaking because their vocabulary is limited, they worry about mispronouncing words (López & Chen, 2023), the survey included 120 participants from three classes, several students said they avoid volunteering answers.

      1. Rewritten: Many first-year EFL students report anxiety when speaking because their vocabulary is limited and they worry about mispronouncing words (López & Chen, 2023). the survey included 120 participants from three classes, several students said they avoid volunteering answers.

    2. Academic writing improves when learners revise multiple drafts, they also benefit from peer review and teacher feedback (Nguyen, 2022), in this study the researchers coded 45 reflections using thematic analysis, the results showed most students still struggled with clear topic sentences.

      1. Rewritten:

    3. Classroom participation can increase with supportive group work, students feel more confident when they practice in pairs, the teacher modeled useful phrases (Hassan & Rivera, 2021), the intervention lasted six weeks, the students completed weekly speaking logs and short presentations.

      1. Rewritten:

Action Steps

💡

Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.

  1. Continue working on Writing II: Introduction Paragraph Task and Conclusion Paragraph.

  2. Request feedback as needed.

Graph View

Backlinks