How to Use Numerical Values to Write Essays
Essay Structure Numerical Hierarchy
Using numerical values to identify and apply essay structure has proved an effective tool in identifying expository text structure and helping writers organize essays. The numerical values eliminate the writing jargon that varies from teacher to teacher and curriculum to curriculum. Instead, writers simply apply the implicit hierarchy of the number system to that of reading and writing. Writers just seem to intuitively “get” the idea of a number system applied to their expository writing in essays.
I suggest using the following numerical hierarchy to avoid the confusing writing terminology:
(1) for the introductory strategies of an essay introduction—for example, a definition or a preview of the topic sentences.
(2) for the thesis statement (or claim) that “talks about” the introduction strategies.
(3) for the topic sentences that “talk about” the thesis statement.
(4) for the major details that “talk about” the topic sentence.
(5) for the support details that “talk about” the major details.
(6) for the conclusion strategies—for example, a thesis re-statement or summary.
For Developing Recognition of Text Structure
Try analyzing expository reading by numbering the sentences. Critique the writing by analyzing the structure and whether there is sufficient evidence, e.g. enough (5s) to back the (4s).
For Essay Writing
Using your own writing prompts, practice varying sentence order within the numerical hierarchy to help students develop a flexible writing style to address the demands of the writing prompt and improve the quality of your essays. Try the following paragraph organizations and watch your students improve their writing structure and recognition of text structure at the same time.
1. (3)-(4)-(4)
2. (3)-(4)-(4)-(4)
3. (3)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)
4. (4)-(5)-(3)-(4)-(5)
5. (4)-(5)-(4)-(5)-(3)
6. (4)-(5)-(4)-(5)
7. (3)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)
8. (3)-(4)-(4)-(4)-(5)
9. (3)-(4)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)
10. (3)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)-(5)
11. (Transition Statement)-(3)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)
12. (3)-(4)-(5)-(4)-(5)-(Concluding Statement)
13. (1)-(1)-(2) added to any two of the above body paragraphs
14. (6)-(6)-(6) added to any two of the above body paragraphs
15. (1)-(1)-(2) added to any two of the above body paragraphs (6)-(6)-(6)
Teachers may also be interested in these articles by Mark Pennington: How to Write an Introduction, How to Write a Conclusion, and How to Use Writing Evidence.
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