chapter 11
TRANSCRIPT
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
CHAPTER 11: WRITING AN ESSAY
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this chapter, you will learn to: identify the basic components of an ess
ay, recognize the differences between a to
pic sentence and a thesis statement, and
write a multi-paragraph essay containing sufficient supporting details and effective transitions.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
You write an essay when you have more to say than can be covered in one paragraph. An essay has a main point, called a thesis,
supported by subpoints. The subpoints are the topic sentences. Each paragraph in the body, or main part, of
the essay has a topic sentence. Comparing the Single Paragraph and the
Essay Similarities and differences
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
When you write an essay, the thesis is the focus.
Other important points that relate to the thesis are in topic sentences.
An essay contains the following: Introduction Body Conclusion
ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Writing the Thesis Several Characteristics of a thesis:1. It is expressed in a sentence. A thesis is
not the same as the topic of the essay or the title of the essay.
2. A thesis does not announce; it makes a point about the subject.
3. A thesis is not too broad.4. A thesis is not too narrow.
ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Hints for Writing a Thesis Your thesis can mention the specific
subpoints of your essay. You can make a point without listing your
subpoints.
ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
WRITING THE ESSAY IN STEPS
Prewriting an Essay—how to generate and develop ideas for your essay
Planning an Essay—how to organize your ideas for your essay
Drafting and Revising an Essay—how to create, revise, and edit rough drafts of your essay
Proofreading an Essay—how to proofread and make one final check of your essay
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
PREWRITING AN ESSAY
Begin by narrowing a topic. Listing Ideas
Brainstorm, freewrite, or list ideas Clustering the Ideas
Clustering related items will make it easier to see connections between ideas.
Give the clusters a subtitle that helps move toward a focus for each body paragraph of the essay.
Once you have a thesis and a list of details, you can begin working on the planning part of the essay.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
PLANNING AN ESSAY
Draft an outline The Structure of a Formal Outline
Hints for Outlining 1. Check the topic sentences.2. Include enough details.3. Stay on one point.
Revisiting the Prewriting Stage Checklist for Revising the Outline of an
Essay
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
Start by writing a first draft that includes the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Writing the Introduction Where Does the Thesis Go?
The thesis should appear in the introduction of the essay, in the first paragraph.
Generally, the thesis is the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY Hints for Writing the Introduction
1. You can begin with some general statements that gradually lead to your thesis.
2. You can begin with a quotation that smoothly leads to your thesis.
3. You can tell a story as a way of leading into your thesis.
4. You can explain why this topic is worth writing about.5. You can use one or more questions to lead into your
thesis.6. You can open with a contradiction of your main point
as a way of attracting the reader’s interest and leading to your thesis.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
Writing the Body of the Essay In the body, the paragraphs explain,
support, and develop your thesis. Each paragraph has its own topic sentence.
It focuses the sentences in the paragraph. It makes a point connected to the thesis.
Checklist for Topic Sentences of an Essay How Long Are the Body Paragraphs?
Try to make body paragraphs at least seven sentences long.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
Developing the Body Paragraphs Work through the stages of gathering
ideas, outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.
Checklist for Developing Body Paragraphs for an Essay
Writing the Conclusion Last paragraph of the essay. Strategies for writing the conclusion:
1. You can restate the thesis in new words.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
2. You can make a judgment, valuation, or recommendation.
3. You can conclude by framing your essay. Revising the Draft
Checklist for Revising the Draft of an Essay
Transitions Within Paragraphs INFO BOX: Common Transitions Within a
Paragraph Transitions Between Paragraphs A Draft Essay
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
PROOFREADING AN ESSAY
Creating a Title The Final Version of an Essay Lines of Detail: A Walk-Through Assignment Topics for Writing an Essay Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A PART OF THE ESSAY?
A. introductionB. reviewC. conclusionD. body
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A COMPONENT OF THE ESSAY?
A. introductionB. reviewC. conclusionD. body
identify the basic components of an essay
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
THE MAIN POINT OF AN ESSAY IS CALLED
A. a thesis.B. a topic sentence.C. subpoints.D. a title.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
THE MAIN POINT OF AN ESSAY IS CALLEDA. a thesis.B. a topic sentence.C. subpoints.D. a title.
recognize the differences between a topic sentence and a thesis statement
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A THESIS?
A. Working as a nurse has changed my character.
B. I have learned empathy.C. I have learned patience.D. I have learned to be kind.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A THESIS?
A. Working as a nurse has changed my character.
B. I have learned empathy.C. I have learned patience.D. I have learned to be kind.
recognize the differences between a topic sentence and a thesis statement