DEFINITION ESSAY OR PARAGRAPH: TURKISH HOOLIGANS

Write an essay or paragraph describing Turkish hooligans. Use the data below. Before starting, examine the data provided and formulate a thesis statement or topic sentence depending on what you are writing. Remember to have a concluding statement

Average Age: Mostly 30 – 39; the rest – 10 – 19

Level of education: Secondary school

Occupation: Worker, apprentice, unemployed or student

Source of entertainment: Football

Alcohol abuse: 11% everyday, 60% every other day, 12% when going to matches

Tickets: 73% don’t purchase tickets, 40% provided with tickets by clubs, 58% provided with expenses when matches are away

Transportation: 63% like to travel free of charge

Feelings about teams: 92% can’t stand abuse against their team, 80% think fans of the opposing team are unimportant.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

DEFINITION ESSAY: THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

Write an essay describing the qualities of a good leader. Select from the list below. You may use any other points you can think of as well.

Charismatic, authoritarian, strong willed, persuasive, motivating, has good people skills, a good public speaker, has foresight, thinks outside the box when necessary.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

DEFINITION ESSAY: THE QUALITIES OF MINORITY GROUPS

Write an essay in which you describe the qualities of minority groups. Use the thesis statement and points below.

In your introduction, you may indicate that pure nation states no longer exist and that there is no country in the world which has no minority groups. At this point, a few examples would be appropriate. End the paragraph with the thesis statement provided.

Thesis Statement: Minority groups have certain distinct characteristics that set them apart from the nationals of the host country.

The qualities of minority groups:

-          Religion

-          Ethnic background

-          Culture and traditions

-          Language

Reach the conclusion that the presence of minority groups enriches the culture of the host country and contributes to racial and ethnic harmony.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

DEFINITION ESSAY: THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD TEACHER

Which of the thesis statements below would be most appropriate for a descriptive essay with the above title?

1.       A good teacher has certain professional qualities and certain personality traits that set him apart from other people.

2.       A good teacher must have certain professional qualities and certain personality traits to be able to do a good job.

3.       A good teacher has certain professional qualities but these are of little use without certain personality traits.

4.       There are numerous reasons why a teacher needs to have certain professional qualities and certain personality traits

Now look at the points listed below and decide how you would organize them according to the thesis statement you have selected. Would any of the points be out of place?

Tolerance, training in educational psychology, patience, a background in teacher training, good people skills, command of the subject, a clear speaking voice, communicative skills, classroom presence.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

CAUSE ANALYSIS ESSAY: FEUDALISM AND TRIBALISM IN THE SOUTH EAST OF TURKEY

Discuss the reasons why a system of semi-feudalism and consequent tribal societies persist in the east and southeast of Turkey.

It is suggested that you try and elicit the reasons rather than presenting the students with them. A lot of our students are very familiar with the issue as they come from the above regions. This being the case, they should be able suggest plenty of reasons without too much effort. They will probably come up with the following points:

1.     The continuation of the current system is in the interest of all political parties. The reason is that parties can depend on these major families for votes during elections. If a certain party can guarantee the support of the head of a certain tribe, the whole tribe will follow his lead.

2.     The continuation of the current system is in the interest of tribal leaders. The tribe provides a power base, a source of revenue, opportunities for exploitation and the like. There are quite a few prominent members of famous tribal groups in the current parliament for instance. The tribal leaders are the proud owners of at least two dozen villages in some cases.

3.     The continuation of the current system is also due to backwardness, lack of education and conservatism. A society of this kind is violently opposed to change of any sort.

Important note:

It is suggested that you inform the students of the topic the day before and ask them to read up on it and think about it. If they do so, they will find the introduction far easier to write. It is suggested that they briefly and simply describe the current system in the introduction: the villagers farm the tribal leader’s land in return for a share of the crops. The tribal leader is all powerful in the system and what he or she says goes. Atatürk wished to change the system; an all encompassing land reform was his dream but it was never carried out due to all the vested interests listed above. The conclusion could be a restatement, which you should discuss with them, or suggestions as to what can be done, as the system cannot be allowed to continue.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

CAUSE ANALYSIS ESSAY: THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY; WHY IS THE WORLD FAILING MISERABLY?

(Cause analysis essay)

Did you know that according to a UN report, more than 1.5 billion people are living on 1.25 dollars a day and more than 3 billion people make do on 2.5 dollars a day? Did you know that 8 people out of 10 live on less than 10 dollars a day? Did you also know that the richest 20% own 75% of the world’s wealth?

Discuss the reasons why the world is failing to eradicate or at least reduce poverty. Before you do so, you will need to do some serious research and make notes as you were taught to do while writing summaries. It is recommended that you check the UN, Oxfam and Amnesty International websites while reading up on the issue.  Your teacher will announce the day on which you should bring your notes to class. On the said day, you will be given some general points which you will not be able to develop unless you have done your research.

CAUSES

1.       Lack of political will (Oxfam)

2.       A disregard for the problem of unemployment  ( Mary Robinson; UN)

3.       The irresponsible attitude of wealthy countries concerning poverty ( Mary Robinson; UN)

4.       A disregard for human rights – specially the rights of the suffering and impoverished (Amnesty International)

Note to the teacher: This is a seriously advanced writing task that is suited to advanced classes anytime, intermediate classes in the second term and pre intermediate classes towards the end of the second term. You have been warned.
 Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

CAUSE ANALYSIS ESSAY: THE POPULARITY OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have taken the world by storm overturning everything we ever believed about socialization. Now, if you don’t at least have a Facebook account, you are deemed not quite human. So to what do these sights owe their undeniable popularity? Are we, as a species, just becoming lazy or too attached to our laptops, or are there other underlying reasons?

The Task: Discuss the reasons why social networking sites are so popular. Use the points below and any others you wish. Remember to support whatever points you make and think about organization before you start. Would it be better to deal with the points in a particular order to provide transition, or would grouping them and having a two paragraph development be better?

1.       Time constraints: long work hours

2.       The desire to keep up with the Jones’: Facebook is the done thing

3.       Easy access: everyone works with computers, friends a click away

4.       Globalization: Families, friends all over the globe

5.       An easy way to keep in touch with acquaintances

6.         Help in organizing likeminded individuals; spearheading rebellions and uprisings

7.        All government agencies, public figures, broadcasting companies, businessleaders and the like have Facebook or Twitter accounts.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/