Essay Writing

Essay A piece of writing that gives your thoughts about a subject All essays you will write will have at least 5 paragraphs Introduction Paragraph 3 Body paragraphs Concluding Paragraph

Introductory Paragraph The first paragraph of an essay It has a minimum of three sentences Begin with a sentence that captures attention Next sentences give any necessary background information Last sentence is the thesis statement

Body Paragraph All middle paragraphs in an essay It develops a point you want to make that supports the thesis. Must being with a topic sentence that states the main point and related it to the thesis. Include enough evidence and analysis to support your point End with a sentence that transitions to the next paragraph

Concluding Paragraph The last paragraph in your essay It sums up your ideas, reflects on what you said in your essay, or gives a personal statement about the subject Echoes the thesis statement without repeating it Should be all commentary NO NEW INFORMATION!!!

Thesis A sentence with a subject and opinion It is the point which your essay is trying to prove It may mention the main point of each body paragraph Goes in the introduction and most often at the end NO EVIDENCE! NO RHETORICAL QUESTIONS!

Topic Sentences The first sentence in a body paragraph (must have a subject and an opinion) It does the same thing for the body paragraph as the thesis does for the whole essay

Evidentiary Support Specific details that form the backbone of the body paragraph These are facts, examples, proof, evidence, or a quotation from a story that help make your point.

Analysis Your opinion or comment about the evidence These are opinions, insights, analysis, interpretation, feelings or reflections This is where you explain what the evidence says and why it matters.

Transition Sentence The last sentence in the body paragraph Ties two body paragraphs together Concludes one paragraph and introduces the next paragraph

Prewrite Creating a working thesis statement The process of getting your evidence down on paper before you organize your essay into paragraphs

Organizing The step that is done after prewriting to organize your essay. It is an outline of your thesis, topic sentences, evidence, analysis, and closing sentences

First Draft The first full version of your essay Also called the rough draft

Title Conveys the main point of the essay in 10 words or less A creative way to attract attention and interest Capitalize the first word and all the important words

Review Essays must have at least five paragraphs The intro paragraph must have at least three sentences Each body paragraph must contain at least 3 three pieces of evidence with analysis The concluding paragraph must have at least three sentences

Why Use MLA Formatting Allows readers to cross-reference your sources easily Provides consistent format Gives you credibility as a writer Protects you from plagiarism

MLA Formatting 12 Point Font Times New Roman Double Space Paginated

Left Header Left hand corner Only on the first page Your name Instructor name Class title Due date

Right Header Right hand corner On each page Last name page number Hancock 1 Hancock 365

Title Citations Centered between margins Less than 3 lines Imbedded to text Set off with quotation marks Cite (author last name page number) When the narrator says, “My mother said I could be anyone I wanted to be.” (Tan 12) This shows her hope in her mother’s dreams

Citations Less than 3 lines Imbedded to text Set off with quotation marks Cite (author last name page number) When the narrator says, “My mother said I could be anyone I wanted to be.” (Tan 12) This shows her hope in her mother’s dreams. At this point, the narrator believes in what her mother tells her is possible.

Citations longer than 3 lines Lead in: Off set and new margin for quote only Example The Prologue says: Two Households both alike in dignity In fair Verona where we lay our scene From ancient grudge break to mutiny Where civil hands make civil blood unclean. (Shakespeare 1.1.1-4) These are the opening lines to the play. They give the setting and background information so the reader can begin to understand the events to come.

John Smith Smith 1 Mrs. Hancock English 101 23 May 2000 Title Paragraph one begins like this. . . .Make sure you use a 12 point font because a 14 point font is obvious. Also the entire essay is double spaced. Each page needs to have your last name along with the page number on the right corner.

Works Cited Page A complete list of every source that you make reference to in your essay Provides the information necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any sources cited in your essay.

Works Cited Page Right-hand header with page Works Cited is centered Entire page is double spaced Begin on a new page

Resources are alphabetical order by author last name Hanging margins when entry is longer than one line Indent the second line and every line afterward

Resource The On-line Writing Lab at Purdue University http://owl.english.purdue.edu