UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES

WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

WRITING WORKSHOP - 1

Name: ___________________________________ Code: ___________________ Group: ________

A. Based on the resource from your Class Preparation Session - How to write a cause and effect outline - answer the
following questions.

a. What is the purpose of an outline? To make the process easier, faster, smoother, and better organized.
b. Do you think that writing an outline is necessary? If so, why? / If not, why?
It could be necessary for those who want to plan its writing project by organizing its ideas in
headings/subheadings. However, for those who just know what they want to say and know how to say it
properly, it's not as necessary as for those who need a draft before the final delivery.
c. Write 3 of the tips given in the video when doing an outline
1. Identify the focus of your topic
2. Identify the causes or effects
3. Find information to support your ideas
B. Identifying the essay components

a. Read the following essay and identify its parts. Use different colors to highlight each component.
COMPONENT
(highlight them)
PEOPLE’S CONCERN ABOUT PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

A survey conducted by the Groupon company in a western country (2017) showed that 46 Hook
percent of people are ‘very interested’ in their physical appearance. This issue, which can be
called an ‘obsession’, is a problem that has affected both, women and men. Nowadays, more Background
and more people are too concerned about their appearance due to the need for professional
success, and to the pressure generated by the social media. Thesis statement

Currently, people generally think that the body image is necessary for professional success. In
fact, a survey made by Forbes (2016) found that 61 percent of people believe that the
appearance is “the most important fact” that determines if a person is hired or not. Besides, Connectors
this survey also revealed that people felt “at a disadvantage” when competing for a job
upgrade with physically attractive people, which affects their career possibilities.
Topic Sentences
A second cause for people to be too concerned about their appearance is the role that social
media plays. People are active consumers these days, and the media take advantage of this
fact. Chesqui (2013) affirmed that the media show stereotypes of the ‘perfect’ woman or man, Supporting ideas
and that people want to be similar to the stereotype. Additionally, public mass media,
accessible by everyone, present in TV programs a ‘perfect life’ which people want to have,
and that starts with an attractive physical appearance. Sources (name,
year)
All in all, the need for career success and the influence that social media has are the main
causes for people to be too concerned about their appearance. In conclusion, a need for Re-statement of
critical thinking supported by family and values is needed in order to shift societies’ attention the thesis
to what really matters in a human being to be successful.
Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

By a Level 5 student, 2018-1

C. Answer the following True/False sentences

a. We should write connectors (transition words) in the outline T/F
b. It is necessary to write the complete paragraphs in the outline T/F
c. We can copy all the information in the outline from the internet T/F
d. The outline is the skeleton of the essay T/F
e. An outline saves time when writing the essay T/F
f. The thesis statement never mentions the causes or effects T/F

HOOKS AND ATTENTION GRABBERS

The first sentence of your introduction is the first chance a writer has to capture the attention of the reader. Some
people call this a “hook” because it captures a reader’s attention with interesting statements and ideas. Once you have
an interesting opening for your introduction, you should be able to introduce your topic then lead your reader gradually
towards your main point–your thesis statement.

There are several different ways to grab the attention of your reader:

1. A definition:
While dictionary definitions are ok, most people find them to be quite dry. Try to paraphrase, or write your own unique
take on a definition whenever you can.
“Business is more than just an exchange of funds for services or goods.”

2. A quotation or paraphrase:
If you use a quote, make sure that it is relevant to your topic, background information or your thesis in some way. Avoid
over used quotes or clichés.
The film director Woody Allen said “Those who can’t teach, teach gym”

3. A little known or striking fact:

Try to surprise and impress your reader with an interesting fact related to your topic. If it is a commonly known fact,
people won’t be as interested in learning more. Don’t forget to cite!
“A cockroach can carry more than 40 different pathogens that could spread to humans.”

4. An explanation of why the topic is worth writing/reading about:

Sometimes a general statement that pinpoints the key issue, fact, or observation that led you to choose your topic in the
first place can interest the reader.
“Students don’t always remember what they were told in class.”

5. A question that will be answered by your thesis, or will catch the reader’s attention and lead toward your
thesis topic:
Questions can immediately get attention as long as the answer isn’t immediately obvious
“Have you ever stayed up all night to study for an exam, only to sleep through your exam the next morning?
Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

D. Read the following sentences and determine what kind of hook they are (questions, fact, quote…)

a. The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary: A little known or striking fact

b. Schindler's List graphically portrays the horrific acts of German concentration camps in World War two: An
explanation of why the topic is worth writing/reading about

c. John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your
country.”: A quotation or paraphrase

d. Can you imagine how much a single day can cost if you live in Shibuya, Tokyo? A question that will be
answered by your thesis, or will catch the reader’s attention and lead toward your thesis topic

E. Writing an effective thesis statement

A thesis statement should have THREE components the topic, a focus word and the TWO causes or effects.

 Thesis statement:
Nowadays, more and more people are too concerned about their appearance due to the need for professional
success, and to the pressure generated by the social media.

1. Topic: We need to identify the topic clearly: more people are too concerned about their appearance
2. Focus: A word (usually a verb or a conjunction): due to
3. The TWO causes or effects: explicitly name the 2 causes or effects that will be developed in the paper:
the need for professional success, and to the pressure generated by the social media.

4. What are some signal words to focus on ‘causes’ or ‘effects’? Write C (cause) or E (effect) next to each word.
Use your dictionary when necessary
affect (v) ___E____ consequence (n)___E___ grounds (n) ___E____ impact (n, v) ____E____
implication (n) ___C___ motive (n) ____C____ outcome (n) ___E___ promote (n) ____C____
reason (n) ___C___ result (n, v) ____E_____ due to (adj) ___C___ bring (v) _____C_____
because (conj) ___C___

F. Read the following thesis statement examples and identify the components.
 Thesis statement: Children today are increasingly overweight primarily due to overconsumption of highly
processed foods and sedentarism.
1. Topic: ________________________________________________________________________________
2. Focus: ________________________________________________________________________________
3. The TWO causes or effects: ______________________________________________________________

 Thesis statement: The recent increase in childhood obesity has resulted in children suffering from numerous
health and mental problems.
1. Topic: ____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Focus: ____________________________________________________________________________________
3. The TWO causes or effects: __________________________________________________________________
Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

G. Read the topic assigned in class carefully. Identify or choose its focus (causes or effects). Complete the one
corresponding diagram A or B. Use only words or short sentences.

FOCUS ON CAUSES
Support 1

Cause 1

Support 2 Topic:

Support 1

Cause 2

Support 2

Support 1
FOCUS ON EFFECTS 39% of all international
tourism arrivals (516
million international trips
in 2017)
Effect 1
Major element of international Support 2
tourism consumption Visitor's essential
motivation is to learn,
Topic: discover, experience and
Mass tourism has become a consume attractions
very common practice
nowadays -> focus on Support 1
cultural tourism Various fields have
Effect 2 grown in terms of
Cultural tourism has grown culture and economy
rapidly

Support 2
Cultural tourism
research (literature)
Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
increased
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

H. It is time to find information about YOUR TOPIC. Go online, or look in books or magazines and look for information
that can help you support the 2 causes or effects identified in the previous exercise. Take notes and copy the source.

TOPIC: Mass Information Source

tourism has become Pay attention to statistics, research studies, Where did you take this information from?
a very common articles or any other reliable source. Author, year, name of the article, webpage.
practice nowadays ->
focus on cultural
tourism
Supporting idea 1
Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A
39% of all international tourism arrivals, the review of recent research and trends.
Cause or Effect 1 equivalent of 516 million international trips in Journal of Hospitality and Tourism
2017 Management, 36, 12–21.
Major element of https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.005
international
tourism
consumption Supporting idea 2 Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A
review of recent research and trends.
“Visitor's essential motivation is to learn, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism
discover, experience and consume the tangible Management, 36, 12–21.
and intangible cultural attractions” (Richards, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.005
2018)

Supporting idea 1
Various fields have grown such as "cultural
consumption, cultural motivations, heritage
conservation, cultural tourism economics,
anthropology and the relationship with the
Cause or Effect 2 creative economy." (Richards, 2018)
Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A
review of recent research and trends.
Journal of Hospitality and Tourism
Management, 36, 12–21.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.005

Cultural tourism has Supporting idea 2

grown rapidly
Cultural tourism research (literature) increased
by shifting from tangible to intangible heritage
Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A
review of recent research and trends.
Journal of Hospitality and Tourism
Management, 36, 12–21.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.005

Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

IN CLASS ACTIVITIES – DO NOT COMPLETE AT HOME

It is time to write your thesis statement.

General topic: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Focus word: _________________________________________________________

Cause / Effect 1: ______________________________________________________

Cause / Effect 2: _______________________________________________________ Avoid the use

of informal
language.

Thesis statement:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Restate the thesis statement:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Topic: _______________________________________________________

Focus word: __________________________________________________

Cause / Effect 1: _______________________________________________ Use synonyms to

rewrite your thesis.
Cause / Effect 2: _______________________________________________
Include the THREE
elements studied.

Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

OUTLINE
Name: ________________________________________________ Code: _________________ Course: ____________
Remember to write short sentences!

Topic:
Hook (capture the reader’s attention)

Introduction Background - key words only (help the reader to understand the topic)
Thesis statement (clearly state the 2 causes or effects that the essay will explore)

Effect / Cause 1

Supporting idea 1
Body
paragraph 1
Supporting idea 2

Effect 2 / Cause 2

Supporting idea 1
Body
paragraph 2

Supporting idea 2

Re-state the thesis statement

Concluding
paragraph

Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
 UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SABANA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
WRITING TASK 1
LEVEL 5, 2018-2

OUTLINE CHECKLIST

Use the following checklist to assess your students’ outlines. It is important to give specific and clear Grade
comments in each criteria the student needs to improve.

Name: __________________________________________ Code: _________________ Group: _____

}
YES MOSTLY NEEDS NO
CRITERIA WORK
0.62 each 0.43 each 0.25 each 0.12 each

Does the introduction have a hook that catches the reader’s

attention?
Does the introduction have a correct thesis statement (topic,
focus and, causes or effects) that focuses on two causes or two
effects?
Does each of the body paragraphs state one clear and coherent
cause or effect? (topic sentence)
Are the supporting ideas relevant, and is there evidence of
information search? (research)
Are authors and information sources acknowledged with
citations?
Does the conclusion restate the thesis concisely and
precisely? (topic, focus and 2 causes or effects)
Are the ideas easy to understand, and does the outline have
accurate grammar?
Does the outline have appropriate and well-spelt vocabulary?

Teacher comments:

Adapted from: Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc