Module 1 Essays

MODULE 1 ESSAYS

Main Requirements :
 Main Point / Main Idea
 Purpose
 Organizational Strategies
 Language Techniques (Literary Devices)

MAIN IDEA / MAIN POINT

This is what the extract is about. It is the core idea or focus of the extract.
To write the main point, the following phrase should be used :

"... the main point is that ... "

PURPOSE

This is what the writer of the piece hopes to achieve, and it is usually related to the main point.
It is therefore the aim of the writer.

NOTE: when writing the purpose, the following phrase is used to introduce it : "... is to ..."

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES

A means by which the writer achieves his/her intended purpose.

It is the way/style the author has structured the information within his/her piece.

For instance, if the writer wants to compare two things, comparison and contrast will be used to highlight the
similarities and differences in the items being compared.

Remember to show how the organizational strategy achieves the purpose.

Organizational Strategies (include but are not limited to) :

1. Historical Data - references to history add credibility to the piece

2. Statistical Data - numerical information that has been verified
3. Cause & Effect - shows logical trends of thought
4. Comparison & Contrast - highlights similarities and differences
5. Authoritative Reference - use of reputed persons or organizations for information
6. Use of Analogy - clarify complex situations by showing a similar, more understandable one.

LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES (LITERARY DEVICES)

These are literary techniques geared towards achieving a specific effect.

50 Literary Devices ( with simple definitions )

All Literary Devices (with examples)

Language Techniques

Technique: is the manner and ability with which an artist, writer, dancer, athlete,
and so on, employs the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavour.

1 The student needs to practice essay writing in order to improve his or her technique.
2 The dancer displays excellent technique.

Language techniques or strategies are also sometimes confused with organisational strategies. They
should not be. For instance, you should organise your expository essay to compare or contrast, or to identify
cause and effect and so on. These are organisational strategies.
In order to achieve your organisational goal, however, you employ certain language techniques (or
strategies). For the purpose of this exercise we will use the term ‘language techniques’. The list of language
techniques seems inexhaustible. Nevertheless, there are some key points that are worth remembering:

1 There are some techniques that are considered to be most helpful and desirable for
particular genres/modes (see Chapter 2).

2 There are techniques that can be used for more than one genre.

3 A genre may be used as a language technique when the dominant genre is different.

Genre: the CAPE Communication Studies syllabus describes the word genre as a category of
literature or art. In Module 1 of the syllabus, ‘genre’ refers to the writing modes: narrative,
descriptive, exposition, argument.

Genre: the CAPE Communication Studies syllabus describes the word genre as a category of literature or
art. In Module 1 of the syllabus, ‘genre’ refers to the writing modes: narrative, descriptive, exposition,
argument.

Table 3 provides samples of how it works.

EXAMPLES OF GENRE

WRITING GENRE (OR

LANGUAGE TECHNIQUE
MODE)
 The use of: illustration, examples or evidence, anecdote, description,
Exposition analogy, technical/scientific discourse (jargon), facts, objective discourse,
analysis, definition, point of view, transition words, comparison/contrast

The use of: spatial words (above, below, around and so on), sense words
Description
(sight, hearing smell, taste, touch), adjectives, literary devices (metaphor,
simile, personification), illustration, facts (in exposition), comparison

The use of: sequence words, description, imagery, mood tone, irony,
Narrative flashback, satire, humour, point of view, third person narrative, repetition,
suspense, foreshadowing, plot twist, stream-of-consciousness, contrast,
comparison

The use of: logic, supporting facts, anecdote, evidence, illustration, repetition,
Argument appeal to emotion, rhetorical questions, transition words, conceding then
refuting the point, definitions

Persuasion The use of: logical fallacies, repetition, rhetorical questions, emotive
language, comparison/contrast

Although it would be impossible to illustrate every technique, it is important for you to understand:

1. The ways in which the same language techniques work in different genres

2. The ways in which language techniques can be used to enhance writing in particular genres.

Organisational strategies for written material and language

techniques

See also:
Chapter 2 The modes of writing
Chapter 3 Organising, preparing and writing for academic purposes

Organisational Strategies

Throughout this book, we have looked at strategies for organising written material.

Additionally, Table 1 provides four examples of patterns of organisation in writing (see also Chapter 3, page
56).

Transitional words
The transition words provide clues to help you to recognise, or execute, a particular mode of writing.
Transition words: also called link words or connectives as they are used to link ideas
together.

Note: some words are used for more than one organisational pattern, so you must also
be aware of the writer’s purpose and the context of the writing.

PATTERNS OF ORGANISATION IN WRITING

ORGANISATIONAL PATTERN TRANSITIONAL WORD

Listing: Anything can be listed – causes,

also, additionally, another [reason/factor], next, finally,
effects, characteristics, groups, classifications
in addition, as well as, first, second, third and so on
of information and so on

Time sequence: This pattern uses details first, next, lastly, then, before, after, then, prior to, later,
placed in the order in which they occur in time at the beginning, once, subsequently

Compare and contrast: Information is

Compare: similarly, additionally, whereas
organised according to similarities and
Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the other hand
differences between persons, events or things

Cause and effect: Details are organised Cause: because, thus, then
according to their causes and effects/results Effect: as a result, thus, therefore, whereas

Table 1

Transitional words and phrases are indispensable literary tools that are used to enhance speech, but more
so in writing essays and research papers.
Transitional words are also called connectives; they provide coherence to the body of the writing and help to
create structure, logic and continuity in the movement, or transition, of thoughts and ideas.
Table 2 gives several examples of each type of connective to help you incorporate them in your speech and
writing, but they are not exhaustive. Try to find some more of your own.

EXAMPLES OF CONNECTIVES

USE TRANSITIONAL WORD

such as, thus, to illustrate, namely, a case in point is, in particular,

To illustrate
equally important is

in addition to, moreover, another, equally important is, furthermore,

To add
also, likewise, too, coupled with

on the contrary, in contrast, conversely, yet, on the other hand, or, at

To provide contrast the same time, while this may be true, however, though, but,
nevertheless, regardless, by the same token
To indicate a
similarly, likewise, in the same way, in like manner
comparison

For emphasis furthermore, above all, surely, indeed, also, chiefly, in particular

in conclusion, in sum, in short, to summarise, in summary, altogether,

To conclude
finally, in the final analysis, all things considered

To indicate a cause and

consequently, hence, therefore, thus, since, to this end, as a result
effect/consequence

To note sequence firstly, secondly, lastly, first of all, to begin with

To note time recently, lately, in the meantime, meanwhile, shortly, afterward

To indicate position adjacent to, beneath, surrounding, in the foreground, in the

background, opposite

Language techniques and different genres

In Table 3, two techniques have been highlighted: comparison and description. Here are examples of how
they might work when used as language techniques in different writing genres.

Narrative

We had always known that our neighbours were strange. But a week ago we
would not have thought they were as weird as we now do. So much has
happened in seven short days! Let me tell you why we now think they are aliens
from Outer Space and not just fussy eccentrics.
Lelia Lord

Comparison is used to highlight the change in the narrator’s view of his neighbours.

Argument

If the Government knew as much now about the Herboldt Project as they do now,
they would never have agreed to its establishment in this country. The project
was set up in other countries with the full knowledge of those governments and
peoples, whereas here, they chose to be secretive about the possible
repercussions and results of injecting tons of chemicals into our ecosystems.
Lelia Lord

Comparison is used to highlight the difference in the approach the company used.
Description
Narrative
As I wandered through the undergrowth I could not help but marvel at the beauty
of it. I knew I should hurry towards my destination, but the place was casting a
spell on me. The heavy scent of the flowers that were nestled in the roots of
trees made my head spin, and awoke in me a strange longing to lie amongst
them. The sunlight glittered on the delicate leaves, creating a dazzling display. I
reached out to touch them.
Lelia Lord

Description is interwoven with the narrative to enhance the imagery and the narrative.

Exposition

This type is called a schooner and is used for inter-island travel. These schooners or
sloops, as they are also known, are quite large, with accommodation for up to 20
passengers. They use both engine power and sail power, as they are equipped with
square and lateen sails. Some schooners have heavily carved and decorated
forecastles. Lelia Lord

Description is used to add depth to the explanation.

The words and phrases that are in bold illustrate how the technique is
used in each genre. Note the use of transition words: as, also and
whereas.

Language techniques and enhancing writing styles

The purpose of using language techniques is to enhance writing styles, and particularly to draw the reader’s
interest. Increasing your vocabulary is important. In description, for example, sense words are often used to
enhance creative writing. You should select sense words that improve your writing style and create images in
the reader’s mind. Study the descriptive words and samples in Table 4.

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS
tinkling, murmuring, sighing, rustling, moaning, swishing, bubbling,
Sound words sniveling
smashing, clattering, bellowing, rumbling, trumpeting, booming,
raucous

Touch words scratchy, scarred, hairy, rough, dry, coarse

woolly, moist, numbing, waxy, polished, smooth, slippery, bushy,
 slimy

Sight words glaring, glittery, shimmering, dazzling, crystalline, glassy, brilliant

pale, transparent, dull, opaque, dark, murky

Smell words fragrant, perfumed, tangy, sweet

smelly, fetid, rotten, earthy, acrid, fishy, nauseating, musty, putrid

Taste words delicious, tangy, bland, spicy, sweet, fruity, sugary, luscious, gingery
burnt, sour, vinegary, repulsive, raw, oily, salty, bitter, rotten, greasy

tinkling, murmuring, sighing, rustling, moaning, swishing, bubbling,

Sound words sniveling
smashing, clattering, bellowing, rumbling, trumpeting, booming,
raucous

Table 4

The following sentence illustrates how to enhance a descriptive sentence.

No
A loud sound came to my ears. At the same time I smelled fire.

Yes

A booming, rumbling sound filled my ears as the acrid smell of smoke wafted through the air.

In the example below, several language techniques are used to enhance argumentative writing.

Lastly, but most importantly, a programme aimed at reversing increasing violence among
the youth must take into account the appalling lack of parental involvement that has been
caused by increasing economic hardship and societal stress. The findings of a
comprehensive UCC survey completed in 2010, suggested that parents struggle to spend
quality time with their children because they work two or more jobs in order to feed, clothe
and educate their families, leaving their children prey to the social hazards inherent in their
environment – drugs and violence. The situation can be likened to a game of Russian
Roulette. Raising children successfully is subject to the luck of the draw!

The language techniques highlighted are:

 Appalling, struggle, prey – emotive words.

 The findings of a comprehensive UCC survey completed in 2010 – referring to reliable, up-to-date
evidence.
 Likened to a game of Russian Roulette – analogy.
 Language techniques can be used to enhance not only your own writing, but also your understanding of how
language works. As you become aware of how this works, you will find that your communication skills will
improve dramatically.