Writing an EssayWriting an Essay

Effective WritingEffective Writing

Is focused on the topic and does not contain extraneous or loosely related information.

Has an organizational pattern that enables the reader to follow the flow of ideas because it contains a beginning, middle, and end and uses transitional devices.

Contains supporting ideas that are developed through the use of details, examples, vivid language, and mature word choice.

Follows the conventions of standard written English (i.e., punctuation, capitalization, and spelling) and has variation in sentence structure.

Is focused on the topic and does not contain extraneous or loosely related information.

Has an organizational pattern that enables the reader to follow the flow of ideas because it contains a beginning, middle, and end and uses transitional devices.

Contains supporting ideas that are developed through the use of details, examples, vivid language, and mature word choice.

Follows the conventions of standard written English (i.e., punctuation, capitalization, and spelling) and has variation in sentence structure.

IntroductionIntroductionAn introduction should entice your reader to continue reading

An introduction should entice your reader to continue reading

Contents of an Introduction

Contents of an Introduction

Attention Grabber/hookStriking fact/statistic (curiosity) DefinitionQuotation Humor (anecdote) Rhetorical Question

Introduce your main points (typically each point is a separate paragraph)

Thesis Declares what you believe and what you intend to proveAvoid announcing your intent in the thesis statement. Phrases such as "I want, " "I plan," "I intend," or "this paper is about" are overused and unnecessary.

Attention Grabber/hookStriking fact/statistic (curiosity) DefinitionQuotation Humor (anecdote) Rhetorical Question

Introduce your main points (typically each point is a separate paragraph)

Thesis Declares what you believe and what you intend to proveAvoid announcing your intent in the thesis statement. Phrases such as "I want, " "I plan," "I intend," or "this paper is about" are overused and unnecessary.

Examples of HooksExamples of Hooks Striking fact/statistic: In one year, 365 days, 256

people were killed by toasters.

Definition: A homograph is a word with two or more pronunciations. Produce is one example.

Quotation: True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable, believes writer Dave Gentry.

Humor/Anecdote: Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus.

Rhetorical Question: Why me? Why am I always picked last in gym class?

Curiosity: A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. Some people might find a deep and mysterious meaning in this fact.

Striking fact/statistic: In one year, 365 days, 256 people were killed by toasters.

Definition: A homograph is a word with two or more pronunciations. Produce is one example.

Quotation: True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable, believes writer Dave Gentry.

Humor/Anecdote: Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus.

Rhetorical Question: Why me? Why am I always picked last in gym class?

Curiosity: A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. Some people might find a deep and mysterious meaning in this fact.

FriendshipFriendship

A dictionary contains a definition of friendship somewhere in the Fs between the words fear and Friday. An encyclopedia supplies interesting facts on friendship. But all the definitions and facts do not convey what friendship is really all about. It cannot be understood through words or exaggerations. The only way to understand friendship is through experience. It is an experience that involves all the senses.

A dictionary contains a definition of friendship somewhere in the Fs between the words fear and Friday. An encyclopedia supplies interesting facts on friendship. But all the definitions and facts do not convey what friendship is really all about. It cannot be understood through words or exaggerations. The only way to understand friendship is through experience. It is an experience that involves all the senses.

Cheating in AmericaCheating in America

Did you know that 7 out of 10 students have cheated at least once in the past year? Did you know that 50 percent of those students have cheated more than twice? These shocking statistics are from a survey of 9,000 U.S. high school students.

Did you know that 7 out of 10 students have cheated at least once in the past year? Did you know that 50 percent of those students have cheated more than twice? These shocking statistics are from a survey of 9,000 U.S. high school students.

Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?

Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?

The final bell rings. It’s the last day of school, and summer has finally come! Students don’t have to think about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way it should always be. Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule. There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education, it adds to costs, and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation.

The final bell rings. It’s the last day of school, and summer has finally come! Students don’t have to think about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way it should always be. Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule. There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education, it adds to costs, and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation.

SummerSummer

Hi, my name is Jen and I’m going to tell you why summer is my favorite season. I like summer because it’s warm, there’s no school, and I get to go on a family vacation. Those are my three reasons for summer being my favorite season. Read on as I tell you more.

Hi, my name is Jen and I’m going to tell you why summer is my favorite season. I like summer because it’s warm, there’s no school, and I get to go on a family vacation. Those are my three reasons for summer being my favorite season. Read on as I tell you more.

Come up with a hook for the following:Come up with a hook for the following:

Explain why you admire a particular person.

If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?

Explain why some cities have a curfew for teens.

Describe three major stresses in a teenager’s life.

Explain why you admire a particular person.

If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?

Explain why some cities have a curfew for teens.

Describe three major stresses in a teenager’s life.

ThesisThesis

Declares what you believe and what you intend to prove.

Avoid directly announcing your intent in the thesis. Phrases such as “I want,” “I plan,” “I intend,” or “this paper is about” are over used and unnecessary. statement. Phrases such as "I want, " "I plan," "I intend," or "this paper is about" are overused and unnecessary.

Declares what you believe and what you intend to prove.

Avoid directly announcing your intent in the thesis. Phrases such as “I want,” “I plan,” “I intend,” or “this paper is about” are over used and unnecessary. statement. Phrases such as "I want, " "I plan," "I intend," or "this paper is about" are overused and unnecessary.

ThesesTheses

Original Thesis: Many Americans are buying foreign cars.Revised Thesis: Many Americans are buying the Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value.

Original Thesis: San Francisco is an interesting place to visit.Revised Thesis: San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.

Original Thesis: Many Americans are buying foreign cars.Revised Thesis: Many Americans are buying the Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value.

Original Thesis: San Francisco is an interesting place to visit.Revised Thesis: San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Each paragraph should:Begin with a transition word or phrase

Focus on one topicAll body paragraphs should:

Flow in logical order

Each paragraph should:Begin with a transition word or phrase

Focus on one topicAll body paragraphs should:

Flow in logical order

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Body paragraphs should include “beef” to enhance your paperCause and effectMake connections (within the paragraph or between different paragraphs)

Body paragraphs should include “beef” to enhance your paperCause and effectMake connections (within the paragraph or between different paragraphs)

Transition WordsTransition Words

Sequencing words:

To start off To kick it off Primarily First Second Third Next Then

Sequencing words:

To start off To kick it off Primarily First Second Third Next Then

Afterwards In turn Simultaneously As a result Consequently Therefore With this in mind

Afterwards In turn Simultaneously As a result Consequently Therefore With this in mind

Transition WordsTransition Words

For continuing a thought:

• Consequently• Clearly • Then• Furthermore• Additionally• In addition• Moreover• In the same way• Following this further• Pursuing this further• Similarly • Likewise• By the same token

For continuing a thought:

• Consequently• Clearly • Then• Furthermore• Additionally• In addition• Moreover• In the same way• Following this further• Pursuing this further• Similarly • Likewise• By the same token

To contrast a thought:

• However• On the other hand• But• Yet• Nevertheless• On the contrary • Aside from• Rather • In contrast

To contrast a thought:

• However• On the other hand• But• Yet• Nevertheless• On the contrary • Aside from• Rather • In contrast

Transition WordsTransition Words

Summarizing (conclusion):After allAll in allIn shortIn summaryTo sum upTo summarizeFinally

Summarizing (conclusion):After allAll in allIn shortIn summaryTo sum upTo summarizeFinally

Body Paragraphs and Supporting Details Body Paragraphs and Supporting Details

What would be your three main points for the following topics?:

Explain why you admire a particular person.

If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?

Explain why some cities have a curfew for teens.

Describe three major stresses in a teenager’s life.

What would be your three main points for the following topics?:

Explain why you admire a particular person.

If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?

Explain why some cities have a curfew for teens.

Describe three major stresses in a teenager’s life.

Conclusion Conclusion Wraps up the paper; provides a sense of closure.

Echo the introduction -- the two should be similar: they both mention the main points of your paper

Include a zingerLeave your reader with something to think about

Challenge the readerEncourage them to take action

Leave them with something to think aboutDon’t let the reader forget your essay

Pose a question

Wraps up the paper; provides a sense of closure.

Echo the introduction -- the two should be similar: they both mention the main points of your paper

Include a zingerLeave your reader with something to think about

Challenge the readerEncourage them to take action

Leave them with something to think aboutDon’t let the reader forget your essay

Pose a question

Conclusion Conclusion

The concluding paragraph typically has two parts:

1. The summary statement is one or two sentences which restate the thesis in a fresh way to reinforce the essay's main idea.

2. The clincher is a final thought which should create a lasting impression on the reader.

The concluding paragraph typically has two parts:

1. The summary statement is one or two sentences which restate the thesis in a fresh way to reinforce the essay's main idea.

2. The clincher is a final thought which should create a lasting impression on the reader.Look at your thesis statement again and rework it in a new way. Avoid repeating key

words and phrases from the thesis statement because you don't want the summary statement to sound boring or repetitive. Using a thesaurus is a good way to find new, interesting words.

Connecting your Conclusion with your

Thesis

Connecting your Conclusion with your

ThesisThesis Statement: Many Americans are buying the Toyota

Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value.Summary Statement: Reasonable pricing, low miles per gallon, and an attractive resale value have all contributed to the popularity of the Toyota Corolla in today's market.

Thesis Statement: San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.Summary Statement: If you love beautiful surroundings, world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then San Francisco is the place for you.

Thesis Statement: Many Americans are buying the Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value.Summary Statement: Reasonable pricing, low miles per gallon, and an attractive resale value have all contributed to the popularity of the Toyota Corolla in today's market.

Thesis Statement: San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.Summary Statement: If you love beautiful surroundings, world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then San Francisco is the place for you.

Introduction

Conclusion

Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 2

Body Paragraph 3

Supporting Details Supporting DetailsSupporting Details

1 1 1 323232

What brings me happiness…

Although my happiness is affected by many things, the three central things are the three that play the biggest part in my everyday life. My family, random acts of kindness, and exercising play a role in my life every day, and all of these things make me feel warm inside. Just remember, every minute you spend upset, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

Family Random acts of kindness

Always there for me

Proves there are still good people in the world.

“Pay it forward”

Makes both parties feel good.

We have a good time together.

Exercising

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” I couldn’t agree more with Herman Cain. My personal happiness stems from many things. Three of the leading notions are my family, random acts of kindness, and exercising.

I love them and they love me.

Makes me good… endorphins.

Healthier life!

Gives me something to do when I’m bored.

Let’s create our own!Let’s create our own!

5 Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer5 Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer