[General] The beginning of an article/essay

Status
Not open for further replies.

CatCouture

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Russian Federation
Hello.
I have two questions concerning the first sentence of an article.

1. I wish to address to my Reader. Which is the right way to do it?

a. "Dear Reader: This essay is about..."
b. "Dear Reader: this essay is about..."
c. "Dear Reader, This essay is about..."
d. "Dear Reader, this essay is about..."

2. I wish to tell my reader that I continue some previous topic. Which of the following ways is right?

a. "I continue my mission to share with you the information about..."
b. "I am continuing my mission to share with you the information about..."
c. "I continue my mission of sharing with you the information about..."
d. "I am continuing my mission of sharing with you the information about..."

Thank you in advance.
 

TheParser

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Hello, Cat Couture:

I think that many writing teachers tell us that it is a waste of words to say "This essay is about the history of ice cream."

It is better, they say, to "get to the point": This essay discusses the history of ice cream. Or maybe even better:

Dear Readers: Ice cream has a fascinating history. (In other words, don't tell us what you are going to discuss. Just start discussing it.)

Also, perhaps some writing teachers would object to the unnecessary words "sharing with you." Just come to the point:

Continuing my mission to explain the history of ice cream, I shall now trace the development of the three largest ice cream manufacturers in the United States. (Or even better: Forget "Continuing ... ice cream." Or even better: The three largest American ice cream manufacturers have a fascinating history.)

*****

I understand and respect the fact that in many languages, it is the custom to use such phrases as "dear reader" and "share with you."

But I think that in 2012, American writing teachers want us to write concisely. That is, just say what you want to say. Don't waste

words on telling us what you plan to say.

Here are two (very bad) examples of mine:

"I intend in this article to tell you about my trip to Mexico last year." (15 words)

Why not just say: "I visited Mexico last year." (5 words)


HAVE A NICE DAY!
 
Joined
Apr 8, 2012
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Egypt
Current Location
Egypt
hi cat couture:
if i were you i would discuss directly as " dear reader,ice cream had a fantastic history" and so on .
about your second question i prefer " i continue........ of sharing......"
i hope this answer will be useful .
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
hi cat couture:
if i were you i would discuss directly as " dear reader,ice cream had a fantastic history" and so on .
about your second question i prefer " i continue........ of sharing......"
i hope this answer will be useful .



Welcome to Using English. Your profile says you are an English teacher. Please set a good example by using proper capitalization in your posts. Capital letters are an important part of writing proper English. Additionally, do not leave a space before your full stops.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
Also, an ellipsis consists of three dots, as the original poster has competently demonstrated.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top