Personality Essay Where do I start?!

What do we know about intros? 1. Attention getter (1 sentence) 2. Introduction to topic/summary (2-3 sentences) 3. THESIS

What is a thesis? It should… A thesis is a clear, focused statement that tells your reader what your paper will argue, prove, or demonstrate. It should… Be contestable (make a claim that a reasonable person might disagree with). Be focused (let the reader know what you’re addressing).

What does it do for the writer? Serves as a planning tool Helps determine the real focus Serves as the foundation of your argument… All topic sentences that present evidence in support of the argument are built upon the thesis. Anticipates questions about the topic and provides the unifying thread between pieces of information.

Thesis Ingredients Subject (limited, specific, contextual) Topic (Keirsey Personality results) Position (an opinion, assertion, or arguable point) This is what you will prove throughout your essay How can you PROVE that you’re an extrovert Blueprint of reasons (roadmap) Help the reader know how the paper is organized

Horror Movies Why is this NOT a thesis? Not a complete sentence No opinion to argue against What about horror movies?

violence in horror movies What is it still lacking? Not a sentence No arguable position No roadmap… where is this writer going with horror movies?

Horror movies have desensitized American viewers to violence. It has an OPINION (that can be argued against). It is a complete sentence. The reader can tell what the paper is about. So what’s missing? It’s not specific enough… How has violence desensitized American viewers?

Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence. It is a complete sentence. It has an arguable opinion. We know where the writer will lead us in the paper (roadmap). It is specific and focused (the writer tells us why horror films are desensitizing American viewers to violence).

But… I’m writing about myself?! “There are two types of people – those who come into a room and say, ‘Well, here I am!’ and those who come into a room and say, ‘Ah, there you are.’” – Frederick Collins. Although this quote states it bluntly, our society basically has two main personality categories. Everyone knows of those people who love to be the life of the party and those who prefer to observe and reflect to themselves. The only question is which category each individual fits into, and how each one can successfully interact with others. However, not all disagreements can be prevented, and it must be accepted that some people just do not get along with each other, but understanding each personality and its tendencies can aid in smoother social relationships. Hansel is an ENFJ type according to do the Keirsey Personality Test; the second type of person described in the quote accurately illustrates his characteristics of extravert and feeling types, especially when it comes to relationships and work ethic.

One More Example “Good morning, y’all!” she chirps as she runs down the hallway to class to avoid the tardy bell, yet smiling as usual. Kim typically greets anyone and everyone at school this way, carrying stacks of packets to her classroom, and this display is the perfect example to show her true personality traits. The Keirsey Personality Test categorizes an individual’s traits into eight different personality types. Depending on one’s preferences in work and social settings, a person ends up with a four- letter combination that explains why he or she behaves this way. After taking the test, Kim discovered herself to be an ENFJ type, which she demonstrates daily and most strongly as an extravert and judging type in her idiosyncrasies and behaviors.