The purpose of this assessment is for students to write an expository essay on three theories of addiction and their application to one substance-related and one behavioural addiction.
To complete the expository essay, students will write:
- A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay
- It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay
- Body paragraphs that include evidential support:
- Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.
- A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided:
- The conclusion must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information presented in the body of the essay.
Basic APA7 document formatting:
- Set the margins of your paper to be 2.54cm/1 inch on all sides (go to Margins under Page Layout)
- Use the font: Times New Roman
- The font size should be 12 point.
- Make sure your paper is double-spaced and that the Before and After boxes both read 0 (go to Paragraph and then look under Spacing.)
- You text should be aligned left (also go to Paragraph and look under General.)
- Indent the first line of paragraphs 1.27cm/0.5 inch from the left margin. (Use Tab key).
The purpose of an expository essay is to explore the facts and information from all angles of a topic. The tone remains neutral and informative to explore either a: problem/solution, comparison between two or more elements, cause and effect and so on.
To complete the expository essay, students can use the following structure and guidelines: Introduction
1. Start your essay with a sentence containing relevant information to gain the reader’s attention.
For example: Today’s understanding of addiction is holistic, taking into consideration the biological understanding of addiction, the psychological understanding of addiction, as well as the sociological understanding of addiction. Each of these theories are equally valid and important in order to gain a holistic appreciation of any addiction.
2. Follow up with setting the expectations for the background and context for the reader
For example: While each of these models/theories are equally important, there are also important differences as to how each model can explain a given addiction. Some models may be more explanatory in some addictions compared to other addictions.
3. The next sentence is a clear, concise, and defined thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. This thesis statement will be your guide for the rest of the essay.
For example: Addictions involving substances are best understood from the biological framework more so than other addictions that involve behaviour, such as gaming addiction.
4. The final sentence of this introduction is to explain the contents of the essay for the reader.
For example: This essay will present the three understood theories of addiction: biological, psychological, and sociological. This will be followed by a brief description of two addictions: [named here]. Finally, these addictions will be contrasted by examining how comprehensive each theory can explain these addictions.
Body Paragraphs
Many expository essays have three to four body paragraphs. These paragraphs work to provide supporting evidence for your thesis statement. The following is a guideline only of how you could structure your body paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Definition of the biological understanding of addiction and explain how this theory helps us understand addiction.
Paragraph 2: Definition of the psychological understanding of addiction and explain how this theory helps to understand addiction.
Paragraph 3: Definition of the sociological understanding of addiction and explain how this theory helps to understand addiction
Paragraph 4: Choose one substance related addiction and one behavioural addiction, and give a definition of each addiction
Paragraph 5 +: Compare and contrast the two defined addictions above by examining how comprehensive each of the three broad theories of addiction can explain each. Ensure your thesis statement is satisfied by these paragraphs, and provide evidence of your argument using current research articles.
Conclusion
In your conclusion, restate your main points from your essay in brief form. Ensure you highlight the progression of the essay and the ideas discussed within. Then, conclude your essay with possible solutions or next steps. Do not only restate your original thesis statement but show the significance of your synthesis of ideas. Do not introduce any new information in the conclusion.
Additional tips:
– Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.
– Support all your ideas with reference to authoritative academic sources of literature. Ensure you use accurate in-text citations and a reference list. Use APA 7t h Edition.
– Use cohesive devices to link your ideas and show relationships: for example, however, nonetheless, moreover, in addition to, in conclusion, etc.