At the beginning of this year, we spoke about expository writing in terms of two distinct structures: compare/contrast and cause and effect. Now, in preparation for what is expected in Year 12, we are going to look at how to combine the two to create a hybrid structure.
For the up coming SAC, it is hoped that you will be able to write a five paragraph essay in which: the main body paragraphs use cause and effect and each main body paragraph is compared and contrasted with the others.
So, what would this look like?
Lets say you were writing and expository essay on the topic Social networking sites destroy our ability to communicate.
Main Body Paragraph One
- Facebook connections millions of people worldwide (CAUSE)
- Facilitates engagement with many people all over the world (EFFECT)
- Mobile internet allows people to connect anywhere at anytime creating an obsession with being connected at all time, which can sometimes lead to anti-social behaviour (EFFECT)
Main Body Paragraph Two
- Twitter is a site that functions like an RSS feed reader (CAUSE)
- It allows you to ‘follow’ many people at a glance and stay abreast of developments in your chosen fields of interest (EFFECT)
- Mobile internet allows people to ‘tweet’ anywhere at anytime, creating an obsession with connecting and ‘tweeting’ at all time, which can sometimes lead to anti-social behaviour (EFFECT)
Both paragraphs use the cause and effect structure; where the compare/contrast aspect comes in is through fact that two related ideas are presented in succession, which allows for the reader to easily compare the two. All that needs to be done in your writing is to make reference to the ideas in the preceding paragraph.
For example:
At the start of the paragraph you might say, ‘In comparison to Facebook, which is used for extended social communication, Twitter is for design for shorter ‘up dates’ that allow for instant communication with ‘followers.’
At the end of the paragraph you might say, ‘Similar to Facebook, Twitter has the potential to become an obsession for some people that leads to ‘tweeting’ at inappropriate times.’
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