The Discovering Ideas Handbook

and Glossary

by

John Tagg

Note: This handbook is a work in progress.  It is not complete and is subject to revision.  It will grow gradually as I have the opportunity to add to it.  I welcome your suggestions for revisions or additions.

Table of Contents

(For a detailed listing of all subsections see the Complete Table of Contents)

Click on the link to read the text.  For many sections there is an audio version available.  These files exist in one of two formats: Windows media format, and Real media format. To play them, you will need the Windows media player version 7 or above, or the Real Player, version 8 or above. The current version of the Windows media player is version 9, which will work fine. The current version of the Real player is called the RealOne player. If you do not have one of these players, you can obtain them free by clicking one of the following links.

1.  Writing an Essay

        1.1    What Is an Essay?   

        1.2    How to Get Started   

        1.3    Choosing a Topic    

        1.4    The Thesis Statement

        1.5    Writing a First Draft

2.  Developing and Revising an Essay

        2.1    Read Your Essay Aloud and Make Notes 

        2.2    Look at the Essay through a Reader's Eyes

        2.3    Structure the Essay

        2.4    Support Your Claims

        2.5    Use Specifics and Examples

Glossary

Copyright © 2003 by John Tagg

Palomar College
jtagg@palomar.edu