Essay Essentials T.C. Norris Spring 2016 8/7/2018 10:46 PM © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

Introduction “Essential” means the nature of something, its essence, what makes it what it is, its distinguishing characteristics. Essays contain several kinds of information, but behind it all is what makes an essay an essay. You may have good information in your essay, but without these “essentials,” it won’t be very effective.

Support evidence facts details Enough Clear Main points Supporting points Clear Specific examples All the information you need to clarify the point to the reader.

Unity Focus One topic for the essay, points consistent with it Thesis Point 1 Point 2 Side issue Point 3 One topic for each body paragraph Topic sentence Major support Major support Side issue

Coherence Logical organization – the right points in the right order: Time Sequence Emphasis ? Point one is the logical place to start. Point two clearly follows from point one. Point three obviously has to be the last point.

Continuity Smooth flow – show the organization through transitional devices: Conjunctions – and, but, yet, so, for, or, nor - moreover, consequently, however Transitions – first, also, in addition, conversely Signal the beginning of a new main point (paragraph) – The first reason. . . . Signal major support for a topic sentence – One aspect. . . . Signal examples for major supports – For example. . . .

Summary In order to make your essay as effective as possible, choose the best information from your prewriting be sure that all of the information clearly relates to the points of the essay and paragraphs arrange the information in the best order for the topic use transitional devices to help the reader follow the progress of the essay and understand the point