1 Exercise: Check your essay

Use these questions to evaluate the example essay 

1. Does the introduction provide the general information a reader needs in order to understand the topic? 
2. Does the introduction end with an effective thesis? Does it match the style of the essay? 
3. Do each of the body paragraphs begin with an effective topic sentence? 
4. Are the body paragraphs sequenced in a logical order? 
5.  Look at each body paragraph. Do the supporting sentences support the topic sentence? 
6. Look at each body paragraph. Are the supporting sentences sequenced in a logical order? 
7.  Look at each body paragraph. Is there enough development? Are there more details or examples that would help the reader? 
8. Look at each body paragraph. Does the concluding sentence close the paragraph logically? 
9. Does the conclusion paragraph start by restating the thesis? 
10. Does the conclusion paragraph have a suggestion, prediction, or opinion at the end? 

2 Exercise: Revise a student introduction paragraph.

Read the student introduction paragraph and evaluate how effective it is (see page 8 to review qualities of an effective introduction). Suggest revisions to the author. 

          The first and second world wars have been two of the most cited and studied by historians and experts in literature during the last ten years. Both events represented two of the largest armed movements in human history leaving in their wake modifications and countless material and human losses. (Royde, 2007). It is interesting to study the causes, the development and the way in which these wars concluded, bringing with them a number of changes that continue to affect the current rhythm of life of people in the world today. At the same time, another important aspect is the comparison between World War I and World War II. Even when most people know about these events, few people know the true differences between them. There is a great list of comparisons between war and war but lately, we can conclude that there are three main aspects to compare between these famous wars. First, we can compare the causes, this means the real reasons and ambitions that different leaders in the world had and which in turn originated each one of these bellicose movements. (Tongue, 2016; Hammer, 2005). Second, because both wars took place at different times, it is possible to compare the strategies and innovations that each war had, as well as the advantages that favored the victory for some nations and the disadvantages that determined the failure of others. (Royde, 2007; Tongue, 2016). Finally, the causes, advantages, and disadvantages influenced the final results of each war, an aspect that is very comparable and cited in our days in books and historical articles. (Tongue, 2016; Sanchez, 2014). This is how we can see the differences between WWI and WWII.