PAPA Essay Writing & Composition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student writes: 'The policy has many effects on people and society and things.' Which revision best improves sentence precision?
- The policy affects people, communities, and economic outcomes. (Correct answer)
- The policy has lots of effects on many different kinds of people.
- The policy impacts things in society and among people greatly.
- The policy has several effects on people and many other things.
Correct answer: The policy affects people, communities, and economic outcomes.
Replacing vague words like 'effects' and 'things' with specific nouns (communities, economic outcomes) makes the sentence more precise and credible.
Question 2: Which transitional phrase best signals a concession before a counterargument?
- Furthermore, opponents claim that...
- Admittedly, critics argue that... (Correct answer)
- Therefore, some people believe that...
- In addition, it is said that...
Correct answer: Admittedly, critics argue that...
'Admittedly' signals the writer acknowledges an opposing point before refuting it, which is the defining function of a concession.
Question 3: An essay prompt asks you to 'analyze the causes' of a historical event. Which thesis statement best responds to this prompt?
- The Great Depression was a very bad time in American history.
- There are many causes of the Great Depression worth discussing.
- The Great Depression resulted from bank failures, agricultural collapse, and flawed federal policy. (Correct answer)
- The Great Depression affected millions of Americans and lasted many years.
Correct answer: The Great Depression resulted from bank failures, agricultural collapse, and flawed federal policy.
This thesis directly identifies three specific causes, directly answering an 'analyze causes' prompt with a clear, arguable claim.
Question 4: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running through the park, the children laughed loudly.
- Having finished the report, the deadline was met with ease. (Correct answer)
- After reading the novel, students discussed its themes.
- Confused by the question, Maria asked for clarification.
Correct answer: Having finished the report, the deadline was met with ease.
In 'Having finished the report,' the subject doing the finishing is missing — the deadline cannot finish a report, making this a dangling modifier.
Question 5: In argumentation, what is the primary function of a rebuttal paragraph?
- To summarize the writer's main points presented earlier in the essay
- To introduce the topic and establish relevance to the reader
- To acknowledge an opposing view and then explain why the writer's position is still stronger (Correct answer)
- To provide background information supporting the writer's thesis
Correct answer: To acknowledge an opposing view and then explain why the writer's position is still stronger
A rebuttal acknowledges the counterargument and then refutes it, demonstrating the writer's awareness of complexity and strengthening their position.
Question 6: A writer wants to emphasize contrast between two ideas in a single sentence. Which structure best achieves this?
- Using a compound sentence joined by 'and'
- Using a complex sentence with 'because'
- Using a compound sentence joined by 'but' or 'yet' (Correct answer)
- Using a simple sentence with an appositive phrase
Correct answer: Using a compound sentence joined by 'but' or 'yet'
Coordinating conjunctions 'but' and 'yet' signal contrast between two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
Question 7: Which paragraph structure presents the topic sentence LAST rather than first?
- Deductive paragraph structure
- Inductive paragraph structure (Correct answer)
- Block comparison structure
- Point-by-point structure
Correct answer: Inductive paragraph structure
Inductive structure builds from specific evidence or examples and arrives at the general conclusion (topic sentence) at the end.
PAPA Essay Writing & Composition 2
A student writes: 'The policy has many effects on people and society and things.' Which revision best improves sentence precision?