Essay Preparation

Two types of essays: Writing Prompt Text Dependent Analysis Essay Informative Argumentative or Persuasive Narrative Writing an essay about a story or article Using support information from story or article

Writing Prompt Essays Narrative: Write a story for your teacher about someone helping others. Consider story elements (character, setting, plot, …) as you develop your narrative.

Writing Prompt Essays Informative: Write an essay for your teacher explaining why people enjoy stories. Write an essay explaining the qualities of a good leader.

Writing Prompt Essays Argumentative: Write an argumentative essay for your teacher supporting your claim about whether schools should or should not have school uniforms. Be sure to use reasons and evidence to develop your argument.

Text Dependent Analysis Essays Read a story or article. Answer a prompt about the story. Use accurate, detailed and direct support from story or article.

Text Dependent Analysis Essays Example: Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her daughter about moving to a new place. Write an essay analyzing how Adams responds to her new surroundings. Use evidence from the letter to support your response.

Check Point #1 Discuss with your partner the difference between a writing essay and a text dependent analysis essay. Contrast the difference on your task sheet.

Let’s Analyze Text Dependent Essay Requirements Essay Rubric

Scored: 4, 3, 2, or 1 4

Completely addresses all parts of the task 4 Completely addresses all parts of the task

Demonstrates (shows) an in-depth understanding of text 4 Demonstrates (shows) an in-depth understanding of text

CONTENT

Thorough analysis of text 4 Thorough analysis of text

Thorough analysis of text Thorough – complete; including everything possible that is relevant

Thorough analysis of text analysis – examining something in detail to understand it and determine how all the parts make up the whole

4 Include support

Substantial, accurate, and direct support references

Substantial, accurate, and direct support references Coming right from the text Use direct quotes ACCURATE Correct in every detail SUBSTANTIAL Large in size Strongly built Dealing with important ideas

ORGANIZATION

4 - Effective introduction, body development, and conclusion. Successfully produces the intended results

Introduction State your thesis or main point Include title or titles - Enclose titles in quotation marks May also include author Briefly introduce your reasons

Introduction Example: TASK: The poem and passage address a similar theme. Write an essay analyzing how the passage and poem develop the theme.

Introduction Example: Be careful how you deal with people is a theme found in “Nail Soup” and “The Poem of Stone Soup.” In both selections hungry travelers want food but do not want to beg for it. They must deal carefully and wisely with the people in order to get what they want and need.

Check Point #2 Discuss with your partner what should be put in the introduction Complete Check Point #2 on your task sheet

Body Development Decide how you are going to accomplish the task. A graphic organizer is helpful State and develop your reasons or points Include supporting details from the text

Conclusion Restate your main point/thesis Briefly summarize your reasons End with a clincher sentence

Conclusion Example: The man in “Nail Soup” and the soldiers in “The Poem of Stone Soup” wisely came up with a way to deal with the woman and the townspeople so that they could get what they wanted, food. The plans, though different, convinced the woman and townspeople that they would get something out of helping. They gladly helped to gain something, and the man and soldiers were fed.

Check Point #3 Discuss with your partner what you should remember to include in the body development. Complete Check Point #3 on your task sheet

Style

Style: To get a 4 use

The townspeople were mean. Precise Language The townspeople ignored all visitors to their town and refused to help anyone who was not a member of their community. The townspeople were mean. Vague Precise

Uncle Joe is awfully big. Precise Language Uncle Joe is six feet five inches tall and weighs two hundred and seventy-five pounds. Uncle Joe is awfully big. Vague Precise

Check Point #4 Discuss with your partner ways to change this statement using precise language: Sharon is nice. Complete Check Point #4 on your task sheet

Transitions Our cat, Destiny, is shy and aloof. She hides from people. On the other hand, our dog, Max, is friendly and outgoing. He greets everyone when they come in the door and nuzzles right up to them. Our cat, Destiny, is shy and aloof. She hides from people. Our dog, Max, is friendly and outgoing. He greets everyone when they come in the door and nuzzles right up to them. No transition Find the transition.

Transitions Our cat, Destiny, is shy and aloof. She hides from people. On the other hand, our dog, Max, is friendly and outgoing. He greets everyone when they come in the door and nuzzles right up to them. Our cat, Destiny, is shy and aloof. She hides from people. Our dog, Max, is friendly and outgoing. He greets everyone when they come in the door and nuzzles right up to them. No transition Find the transition.

Transitions The severe storm lasted several hours causing much damage. The winds quieted down and the rain gradually began to decrease. The severe storm lasted several hours causing much damage. Eventually the winds quieted down and the rain gradually began to decrease. No transition Find the transition.

Transitions The severe storm lasted several hours causing much damage. The winds quieted down and the rain gradually began to decrease. The severe storm lasted several hours causing much damage. Eventually the winds quieted down and the rain gradually began to decrease. No transition Find the transition.

Check Point #5 Complete Check Point #5 on your task sheet. Discuss it with your partner.

Conventions sentence structure usage capitalization punctuation spelling

Text Dependent Analysis Essay Address all parts of the task Plan Must have an introduction, body development, and a conclusion Must include substantial, accurate, and direct support Use precise language and transitions Proofread to check your conventions

Complete Check Point #6 on your task sheet with your partner.

Text Dependent Analysis Essay Address _______ __________ of the task P_____ Must have an ______________ body _____________ and ______________ Must include substantial, accurate, and _______________ ___________ Use ________ language and ________ Proofread to check your ____________

Vocabulary Roundup accurate analysis direct effective precise substantial thorough vague

Complete Check Point #7 on your task sheet with your partner.