When I was young, I
always knew that I
wanted to become a
teacher someday. When
I played, I would often
gather my dolls
together and pretend to
teach them how to do
math problems or how
to read a book. As I
grow older, my desire to
become an ESL teacher
became clearer as I did
some volunteer
teaching overseas and
in the United States. As I
look back on my reasons
for becoming a teacher,
there are three reasons
that stand out. They
are: my love for the
English language, my
innate interest in how
people learn, and my
desire to help other
people.
Psychologist have
argued for decades
about how a person’s
character is formed.
Numerous psychologists
believe that one’s birth
order (i.e. place in the
family as the youngest,
oldest, or middle child)
as the greatest
influence. I believe birth
order can have a
significant impact in the
formation of child’s
character based on my
own experience growing
up in a family of four
children. Birth order can
strongly affect one’s
relationship with
parents, relationships
with others, and how
one views responsibility
as an adult.
For most of my life I
have lived with bad
health, smelly clothes,
and a chronic cough. My
children and husband
begged me to stop he
habit that caused these
conditions, but I
couldn’t. the habit of
smoking had wrapped
its addicting arms
around me and was
slowly strangling me
until one day I realized I
had to stop. This
realization came after
three terrifying events
occurred in my family.
Maya Angelou is an
accomplished African-
American author in the
United States. While
growing up, she
suffered tremendous
hardship. Some of her
most difficult life events
are portrayed in novels
and poems such as, I
know Why the Caged
Bird Sings, and, Still I
rise. Her written works
often include strong
themes such as
perseverance through
trials, over for family,
and passionate
optimism.
The large influx of
people to California has
had major effects on the
state.
The large influx of
people to California has
had major effects on the
ability of the state to
provide housing,
electricity, and jobs for
all residents.
Inner-city public schools
grapple with some
serious problems.
Some of the most
serious problems in
today’s inner-city public
schools are the
overcrowded classroom,
the low percentage of
trained teachers, and
the lack of resources
such as textbooks for
students.
In this essay, I am going
to discuss the effects of
long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug abuse
can have disastrous on
one’s marriage, career,
and health.
This essay will discuss
some ways teachers can
fight teenage drug
abuse.
Teachers can fight
teenage drug abuse by
educating young people
on its dangers and by
being good role models.
The sport f cross-
country running.
The sport of cross-
country running has
allowed me to get in
better shape and meet
some interesting
people.
Why do I want to be a
teacher?
Being a teacher is a
great profession
because it allows me to
work with students and
be creative.
The problem of
pollution in big cities
The problem of
pollution in major cities
can be alleviated by
limiting the number of
cars allowed to drive on
city streets and creating
more efficient public
transportation systems.
Why should marijuana
be legalized?
Marijuana should be
legalized because it is
not any more additive
than tobacco and it can
provide numerous
medicinal benefits for
those suffering from
terminal illness.
THESIS STATEMENT
A thesis statement is a
complete sentence that
contains one main idea.
This idea controls the
content of the entire
essay. A thesis
statement that contains
subpoints also helps a
reader know how the
essay will be organized.
Look at the introductory
paragraph below. See if
you can identify the
thesis statement and
subpoints.
pKEY FEATURES OF
THESIS STATEMENT
States the main idea
of the essay in a
complete sentence, not
in a question.
Is usually the end of
the introduction.
States an opinion or
attitude on a topic. It
doesn’t justp state the
topic, itself.
Often list subtopics.
Does not directly
announce your main
topic.
MAIN IDEA IN
COMPLETE SENTENCE-
Since the thesis
statement is the main
statement for the entire
essay, it should express
a complete thought and
be a complete sentence.
The thesis statement is
asserting an opinion or
idea, so it should not be
a question. Look at the
example below to see
how they can be made
into thesis statements.
DO NOT STATE THE
OBVIOUS- In thesis
statements, you should
avoid using statements
like, “this essay will
discuss…” or “I’m going
to write about…”. Try to
write a thesis statement
that captures your
reader’s attention
without announcing
your main topic and
stating the obvious.
Look at the examples
below.
SUBTOPICS-You can
make your thesis
statement more specific
by including subtopics
or supporting ideas. By
doing this, you give your
reader a clear idea of
what will follow in the
body paragraphs of your
essay.
LOCATION -English
reader like to know
what an essay will be
about near the
beginning of the essay
rather than at the end.
This is why the thesis
statement is often
found at the end of the
introductory paragraph.
STATES AN OPINION OR
ATTITUDE-Good thesis
statements often
express a writer’
opinion or attitude on a
particular topic. This
makes the thesis
statement more specific
and requires the writer
to explain or prove his/
her opnion in the essay.
Look at the examples
below.
STATES OPINION AND
ATTITUDE
I learned to play many
musical instruments
when I was young.
Learning to play many
musical instruments
when I was young
helped me to become a
more intelligent and
well-rounded person.
Paraphrasing
Techniques
1. Change to Synonyms
Example
The stallion was content
with the mare.
The stallion was happy
with the mare.
Try this…
After he ate lunch, John
took a nap.
She has an alluring
beauty, I like her.
2. Interpret Meaning
Mrs. Lee said, “I am
ready for lunch.”
Mrs. Lee complained
about being hungry.
Try this…
She entered the office
and shut the door
aloud.
• His answer could
raise a lot of issues.
3. Change Word Forms
John is an accurate
typist.
John types
accurately.
She is fluent in English.
She is a nature lover.
Plagiarism
1. What is a
paraphrase?
2- 4. Reasons why we
should paraphrase
Paraphrase the given
sentences.
5-6. Although it was
raining, Bob walked to
work.
7-8. A hotel employee
will carry your bags.
Paraphrase the
following statements:
1. I have nothing to
offer but blood, toil,
tears and sweat. (W.
Churchill)
2. He is considered the
Andres Bonifacio of this
era.
3. This job is as
aggravating as putting
toothpaste back into
the tube.
4. “In my solitude the
walls are a blank silence
until your smile glints.”
Assignment
• What is quoting?
• What are the ways in
quoting to avoid
plagiarism?
What is critical
reading?
Ways to help you
become a critical
reader
1. Annotate
what you read
2. Outline the
text
Kinds of outline
1.Cluster/Seman
tic Map/Web
2. Venn Diagram
Outline Formats
1. Traditional
Outline-
2. Modern Outline-
Traditional
Outline
Modern Outline
How would you react
on the following
statements?
Girls most likely do
well in academics
during high school
years but boys get
ahead in college.
Female teenagers are
more concerned with
their physical
appearance than male
teenagers.
If you question the
validity of the
statements by asking
the person to give the
basis for his/her
assertions, then you are
one step closer to
becoming a critical
reader.
sIn order to fully
engage in a dialogue
with the text or with the
writer of the text, you
need to identify the
main points of the
writer and list them
down so you can also
identify the ideas that
the writer has raised to
support his/her stand.
Activity
Read the selection
carefully and write an
outline using any of the
formats.
Julie is one person
with ordinary hobbies.
She loves to read a lot.
Among her favorite
reading materials are
storybooks, newspaper,
and funny comics.
She loves to watch
television especially the
telenovelas at night like
Super D, Dolce Amore,
and Probinsyano.
And of course, she
loves to eat. Her
favorite foods are cakes,
bread, and sisig.
Julie's life simply
revolves within these
hobbies. It may be very
simple and ordinary but
she said she's finding
happiness and
contentment in them.
Critical reading is an
active process of
discovery. - Gary
Goshgarian
Why?
