11 Minute Essay Created by: Greta Brasgalla, El Dorado High School The information in this PowerPoint is based on the text Reviving the Essay by Gretchen Bernabie.

READ Sometimes keeping a good friend can be harder than making a new friend.

Think about how to keep a good friend.

Prompt: Write about How to keep a Good friend.

2 Minute Discussion With your elbow partner, turn and talk about this truism: “Sometimes keeping a good friend can be harder than making a new friend.” Prompt: How do you keep a good friend? What does the question mean to you? Do you believe the truism to be true? Why or why not?

1 MINUTE Note: You will be writing on regular lined paper, but you MUST skip lines as you write. What does the question mean to you? Do you believe the question to be true? Why or why not?

2 Minute Discussion With your elbow partner, turn and talk about this truism: “Sometimes keeping a good friend can be harder than making a new friend.” Prompt: How do you keep a good friend? What books or movies have your read or seen that connect to this truism? What have you experienced in your life that relates to this truism?

3 minutes Think about all of the stories you’ve read, all the books. Look at the first sentence you wrote. Now think about the stories you’ve read until you think of one that shows you how true this sentence (your first sentence) is. Indent, and tell what story you thought of, and how it shows that this sentence is true.

3 minutes Think about all of the movies you’ve ever seen. Look at the first sentence you wrote. Now think about the movies you’ve seen until you think of one that shows you how true this sentence (your first sentence) is. Indent, and tell what movie you thought of, and how it shows that this sentence is true. You can also write about a HISTORICAL or CURRENT EVENT.

3 minutes Now think about your life until you think of a time that shows you how true this sentence (your first sentence) is. Indent, and tell what happened, and how it shows that this sentence is true.

1 minute In the next minute, finish with something your discussion leaves you wondering about the statement. Re-read what you’ve written, and begin your last paragraph with the words “All this makes me wonder…” or “I wonder…”

Next time: Revising and Editing YOUR ESSAY

References: Bernabie, Gretchen References: Bernabie, Gretchen. Reviving the Essay: How to Teach Structure without Formula. Shoreham, VT: Discover Writing, 2005. Print