learning how to write an effective essay high school

LEARNING HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE ESSAYRick Zepeda

OBJECTIVES FOR TODAY Learn the importance of a mind map Learn to write a thesis statement Learn the structure of an essay

MAKE A MIND MAP

Honor

The advantages of

being an honorable

person. 1) In the long run people trust and respect you. 2) You feel proud about what

you do

The disadvantages

of being an honorable

person.1) You may

not be able to get

everything you want when you want it.

2) We live in a corrupt

world

CREATE A THESIS STATEMENT In the world we live in it becomes

difficult at times to do the right thing. Living an honorable honest life becomes hard and with corruption and temptation surrounding us it may seem at times that to be honorable is to lose opportunities.

HOW TO STRUCTURE AN ESSAYIntroduction: Being an honrable person in today’s society

Supporting paragraph 1: Advantages of being an honorable personAdvantageso In the long run people trust and respect you.o You feel good about yourself and what you do.Exampleo Waking up with a clean conscious is in itself a blessing

Supporting paragraph 2: Disadvantages of being an honorable personDisadvantageso You may not get what you want when you want it.o We live in a corrupt world.ExampleMany corrupt people are wealthy and live in luxury.

ConclusionIt is better to be honorable.

WRITING AN INTRODUCTIONHook the readerState the thesis statement.Show the organization of your essayGo from general to specific

WRITNG AN INTRODUCTION

“Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.” This statement given centuries ago reflects the importance of living a life of high moral standing. Today, living honorably is still a worthy pursuit even though with all the temptation that surrounds us at times it may seem one of little gain.

WRITE SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS Review your notes Introduce main idea Add adequate support to the main idea. Use cohesive devices (repeated key words,

transitions, rephrased key ideas)

Notes:Supporting paragraph 1: Advantages of being an honorable personAdvantageso In the long run people trust and respect you.o You feel good about yourself and what you do.Exampleo Waking up with a clean conscious is in itself a blessing

First supporting paragraph

The first point I would like to make is that there are strong advantages to being an honorable person. One benefit is that you will create goodwill and be considered a person who can be trusted. This will be very significant in your professional and personal life. Furthermore, being honorable makes you feel comfortable with who you are. You are never hiding from your past actions, but instead are proud of who you are and what you have done. Though the advantages are clear, to live an upright life may at times seem hard and some people choose to do otherwise.

SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH 2 NotesSupporting paragraph 2: Disadvantages of being an honorable personDisadvantageso You may not get what you want when you want it.o We live in a corrupt world.ExampleMany corrupt people are wealthy and live in luxury.

Second Supporting Paragraph

During life it is not easy to act with integrity. The advantages of it can often take away an immediate gain such as making a higher profit or cheating to get a higher score. Many would argue that to live honorably is unpractical. We live in a world which is corrupt and to live honestly would bring about our own demise. Many people become wealthy and powerful through any means necessary. Having focused only on the ends of these actions while ignoring the means. North Korea´s dictatorship would be a perfect example. The country holds one of the largest standing armies in the world and threatens the free world with no restraint. Nonetheless its people are starving to death.

CONCLUSION Close your essay Sum up your main points Reader clearly understands your ideas on the

topic and the reasons you feel that way

CONCLUSIONConclusionIt is better to be honorable.

Conclusion Waking up every morning with a clear

conscious is priceless. Though immediate satisfaction may not be gained I feel that what is worked for with blood, sweat, tears and integrity is much more appreciated. In the long run the means do justify the ends and those who live a life of high moral standing live a life of happiness.

FOR CONTINUING A COMMON LINE OF REASONING:

consequentlyclearly, thenfurthermoreadditionallyandin additionmoreoverbecausebesides thatin the same way

TO CHANGE THE LINE OF REASONING (CONTRAST): however

on the other handbutyetneverthelesson the contrary

FOR OPENING A PARAGRAPH INITIALLY OR FOR GENERAL USE:

admittedlyassuredlycertainlygrantedno doubtnobody deniesobviouslyof courseto be sure

FOR THE FINAL POINTS OF A PARAGRAPH OR ESSAY: finally

lastly

TO SIGNAL CONCLUSION therefore

thishencein final analysisin conclusionin final considerationindeed

TO RESTATE A POINT:

in other wordspoint in factspecifically

CHOOSE EIGHT WORDS FROM THE LIST AND USE THEM IN YOUR ESSAY Essay question: How do you react when you

are angry or upset? What steps do you take?