The Basics of the Short Essay Part One The Basics of the Short Essay

Chapter One Prewriting

Getting Started Start early Find your best space Procrastination is the enemy of good writing Set deadlines for each step of writing Find your best space Turn off the TV; you don’t need to check your phone ad infinitum; your room doesn’t need rearranged, and your unfolded laundry can wait… Select something in which you have a strong interest Bored writers write boring essays Narrow a large subject

Finding Your Essay’s Purpose and Focus Purpose – Why are you writing the essay? Focus – What is the main point you are trying to make? Example: You can’t inform your readers about every aspect of running. Instead, you must decide on a particular part of the sport, and then determine the main point of that

Pump-Primer Techniques A Pump-Primer Technique will help you find purpose and focus. Listing Freewriting The Boomerang Clustering Interviewing The Cross Examination Sketching Cluster demonstration

Discovering Your Audience Who will be reading your essay and why? Even if it’s for a class, you know what the instructor expects Which voice should you use to adopt an appropriate tone? Tone is a writer’s attitude toward a topic. See examples, pages 332-339

Identify Your Readers Does your assignment specify a particular audience? What do these readers want to learn or hope to gain? Do they need your information to make a decision, formulate a plan, or design a new project? What action do you want them to take? What terms need to be defined?

Identify Your Readers Do they have any special qualities? Are they older or younger than your peers? Do they share similar education or training? Are they from a particular part of the world or place? Are they in positions of authority?

Identify Your Readers Readers don’t like to be bored Readers hate confusion and disorder Readers want to think and learn Readers want to see what you see and feel what you feel Readers are turned off by phony, pretentious voices

After You’ve Found Your Focus, Audience, etc. … Compose a working thesis statement. Should effectively guide or help you plan your essay and outline Can be adjusted as you begin writing your essay

Chapter One Summary Before you begin writing, remember you have valuable ideas to tell your readers. Your single most important goal is to communicate those ideas clearly to your reader. Select a subject that is of interest, and give yourself more time than you think you will need. Try a variety of prewriting strategies to help you find your essay’s purpose and a narrowed focus. Review your audience’s knowledge and attitudes towards a topic before you begin your first draft. Keep a journal to help you explore good ideas and possible topics.

The Inverted Pyramid writing formula Paragraph writing should begin generally and become more specific as you proceed

The Introduction The LEAD-IN: The first sentence takes the reader from his/her world into the world of the essay. The BRIDGE: Gradually build toward your thesis. Thesis: The statement of purpose for the essay – it will guide all further writing. INTRODUCTION RULE: Keep introduction short (4-6 sentences) and simple; save specifics for your body paragraphs. Don’t “muddy” your introduction and lose the thesis.

Body paragraph 1 TOPIC SENTENCE: Generally introduces the ONE topic of your paragraph, which is your strongest point. Each successive sentence builds on the previous, with supporting details: facts, examples, quotes, research, personal experience, logic. (connect sentences with transitions). Closure sentence: Wrap it up, and apply this paragraph to your thesis. BODY PARAGRAPH RULE: A fully developed paragraph will have three supporting details of at least two sentences each (total sentences 8-12). Use transitions when moving from one detail to the next.

Body paragraph 2+ TRANSITION + TOPIC SENTENCE: Take the reader from your previous topic into your next. Generally introduce the ONE topic of your paragraph. Each successive sentence builds on the previous, with supporting details: facts, examples, quotes, research, etc. (connect sentences with transitions). Closure sentence: Wrap it up, and apply this paragraph to your thesis.

Final body paragraph TRANSITION + TOPIC SENTENCE: Can be either (1) additional argument, or (2) counter-argument and what makes your argument stronger. Each successive sentence builds on the previous, with supporting details: facts, examples, quotes, research, etc. (connect sentences with transitions). Closure sentence: Wrap it up, and apply this paragraph to your thesis.

Conclusion REITERATE THESIS: Do not restate it word for word. Reiterate your main points Closure sentence: Wrap it up… with a profound thought or question, lesson learned, or come full circle from your opening sentence. CONCLUSION RULE: Do not introduce new material in your conclusion.

Other Writing Rules In formal writing, do not acknowledge yourself (“I”) or the reader (“you,” “your”). Example: “On the first day of classes, I feel nervous and anxious, but excited to learn.” Corrected: “On the first day of classes, students generally feel nervous and anxious, but excited to learn.” Follow proper formatting (in this case, APA) Edit closely and carefully; Spell-Checker and Grammar Check are not sufficient.

Homework for next class 1. Completed Brainstorm on the following topic: Ten-Year Goals: What do I Want to Accomplish for My Education and Career? Due at the beginning of the next class period.