11.5 Writing Process: Reasoning Supported by Evidence

Model analogy paragraph

underlineLearning a foreign language is like learning to ride a bicycle: you must learn to perform multiple tasks, some at the same time.end underline You first have to develop a foundational knowledge by learning how the individual parts of the bike work and how to use them, just as you learn the parts of speech of a language. Then you must learn how these parts work together. For example, through the action of pedaling the bike, you transfer energy to the wheels, causing them to rotate, thus moving the bike forward. Similarly, by learning how to use verbs in another language, you learn how to apply meaning that expresses an action or state of being. To steer the direction of the bike, you learn to change its path by turning the handlebars. To change the direction of a sentence, you learn how to control prepositions and modifiers. Most important, though, you must get to the point at which the actions of pedaling, steering, and balancing happen simultaneously and with little thought to the individual actions, just as you must do when speaking a foreign language.

Model cause-and-effect paragraph about reasons for installing a traffic signal (Structure #1)

underlineMany vehicles raced through the intersection of Clay Street and Eagle Avenue without regard to the posted speed limit.end underline Pedestrians, many of whom were students, crossed the intersection to get to and from campus, but they had to dodge in and out of constant traffic. The number of accidents rose far past an acceptable limit. Indeed, one recent accident caused a loss of life. For these reasons, a traffic signal was installed at the intersection of Clay Street and Eagle Avenue.

• Frame for a cause-and-effect topic sentence (Structure #2):

  (effect/s) __________________ (what happened) because (cause/s) ________________ (what had happened).

  underlineA traffic signal was installedend underline because underlinevehicles sped, people had to dodge traffic, and accidents increasedend underline.

• Structure #2 for cause-and effect paragraph about reasons for installing a traffic signal:

  explanation of the effect(s), followed by an explanation of the causes(s) that led to the effect

  effect: traffic signal was installed

  cause: vehicles sped without regard to speed limit

  cause: pedestrians had to dodge traffic

  cause: number of accidents increased

Model cause-and-effect paragraph about reasons for installing a traffic signal (Structure #2)

underlineA traffic signal was installed at the intersection of Clay Street and Eagle Avenue.end underline Before it was installed, many vehicles raced through the intersection without regard to the posted speed limit. Pedestrians, many of whom were students, crossed the intersection to get to and from campus, but they had to dodge in and out of constant traffic. The number of accidents rose far past an acceptable limit. Indeed, one recent accident resulted in a loss of life.

Model classification-and-division paragraph about types of sports drinks (Structure #1)

underlineAll sports drinks are designed to increase hydration before, during, and after exercise or athletic involvement.end underline They do this by replacing minerals such as sodium and potassium lost through sweat and by replacing electrolytes and carbohydrates. However, not all sports drinks are created equally. The first type of sports drink, hypotonic (having a lower concentration of dissolved content than the human body), includes drinks that have both a low number of carbohydrates and a higher concentration of salt and sugar than the human body. Isotonic (having the same concentration of dissolved content as the human body) drinks have salt and sugar concentrations similar to the human body but have higher carbohydrate content. Last, hypertonic (having a higher concentration of dissolved content than the human body) drinks are designed to supplement daily carbohydrate intake and therefore have high levels of carbohydrates to provide quick energy replacement. Their salt and sugar concentration is significantly lower than the human body’s.

• Frame for classification-and-division topic sentence (Structure #2):

  (smaller categories) ______________, _______________, and ____________ are divisions /types of (general subject)___________.

  underlineHypotonicend underline, underlineisotonicend underline, and underlinehypertonicend underline are types of underlinesports drinksend underline.

• Structure #2 for classification-and-division paragraph about types of sports drinks:

  categories of general subject followed by identification of the general subject

  smaller category: hypotonic

  smaller category: isotonic

  smaller category: hypertonic

  general subject: sports drinks

Model classification-and-division paragraph about types of sports drinks (Structure #2)

Hypotonic (having a lower concentration of dissolved content than the human body) drinks include beverages that have both a low number of carbohydrates and a concentration of salt and sugar higher than the human body. Isotonic (having the same concentration of dissolved content as the human body) beverages have salt and sugar concentrations similar to the human body but have higher carbohydrate content. Last, hypertonic (having a higher concentration of dissolved content than the human body) beverages are designed to supplement daily carbohydrate intake and therefore have high levels of carbohydrate to provide quick energy replacement. Their salt and sugar concentration is significantly lower than the human body’s. What do these beverages have in common? underlineAll are types of sports drinks, designed to increase hydration before, during, and after exercise or athletic involvement.end underline

Model comparison-and-contrast paragraph about virtual learning and face-to-face learning (Structure #1)

underlineStudent responsibility is a key factor in both virtual learning and face-to-face learningend underline. In both settings, a student must be attentive in order to understand what is happening in the classroom and what is expected regarding readings, lab work, and other outside assignments. Differences occur in virtual classes and face-to-face classes, though, in how students choose to be attentive. Depending on how the virtual classes are set up, students’ attention can range from complete to nonexistent, and the instructor might never know how much attention a particular student is paying. With in-person classes, on the other hand, an instructor can see a student’s body language more closely and determine whether that student is attentive.

Figure 11.11 Informal face-to-face instruction (credit: “Creative writing class-fine arts center” by Leesa/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

• Frame for a comparison-and-contrast topic sentence (Structure #2):

  One way (subject 1) ________ and (subject 2) _________ are different is (difference) _________; a way they are alike is (similarity) _________.

  One way underlinevirtual learningend underline and underlineface-to-face learningend underline are different is underlinein the way students choose to be attentiveend underline; a way they are alike is underlinethat student responsibility is a key elementend underline.

• Structure #2 for comparison-and-contrast paragraph about virtual learning and face-to-face learning:

  identification of two subjects followed by a point-by-point discussion

  point 1: discussion of a difference between virtual learning and face-to-face learning

  point 2: discussion of a similarity of virtual learning and face-to-face learning

Model comparison-and-contrast paragraph about virtual learning and face-to-face learning (Structure #2)

underlineOne way that virtual learning and face-to-face learning are different is in the methods students choose to be attentive, but they are alike in that student responsibility is a key factor in bothend underline. With virtual learning, students must clear their study space of distractions and be sure to have reliable Internet connections. Alternatively, in face-to-face learning, the study area and Internet connections are already in place and are provided by the school. However, in both styles of classes, students have the responsibility to be attentive in order to understand what is happening in the classroom and what is expected as far as readings, lab work, and other outside assignments.

Model problem-and-solution paragraph about trying juveniles as adults (Structure #1)

underlineAcross the country, the number of juveniles committing serious crimes is rising dramaticallyend underline. The facilities to which these juveniles are sent have failed to rehabilitate them, and a high percentage of the youths continue with their life of crime. Law-abiding citizens of the country, however, realize that this situation must change. By trying juveniles as adults, the issue of juveniles repeatedly committing crimes can be solved.

• Frame for problem-and-solution topic sentence (Structure #2):

  By (what was done/what should be done) ____________________, the issue of (predicament/s or challenging issue/s) ___________________ would be solved/was solved.

  By underlinetrying juveniles as adultsend underline, the issue of underlinejuveniles repeatedly committing crimesend underline can be solved.

• Structure #2 for problem-and-solution paragraph about trying juveniles as adults:

  an explanation of a solution, followed by the problems that necessitated it

  solution: juveniles are tried as adults

  problem: number of juveniles committing serious crimes is rising

  problem: facilities to which these juveniles are sent have failed to rehabilitate them

  problem: youths continue their life of crime

Model problem-and-solution paragraph about trying juveniles as adults (Structure #2)

underlineJuveniles should be tried as adultsend underline. Across the country, the number of juveniles committing serious crimes is rising dramatically. The facilities to which these juveniles are sent have failed to rehabilitate them, though, and a high percentage of the youths continue with their life of crime. Because of this lack of success, law-abiding citizens of the country realize that these problems must be addressed immediately.

Model definition paragraph

underlineTo most people, a hero is a famous person who is admired or idealized; however, it really is anyone who goes out of the way to help others.end underline For example, during the pandemic that began in 2020, a number of people with everyday jobs suddenly became heroes. First, the need for healthcare went up sharply, and healthcare professionals worked many overtime hours and risked their lives to diagnose and treat others, with the hope of saving them. Consequently, these people became heroes. Also, because most people stayed at home and restaurants were closed, people purchased more food from grocery stores. Therefore, the people who delivered the food to grocery stores and the essential workers at the grocery stores became heroes to those who depended on their services.

Figure 11.12 Health care workers in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic (credit: “Healthcare workers wearing PPE” by Javed Anees/Wikimedia Commons, CC0)