The Write Stuff

Why Should I Care About Writing? Writing is an essential job skill Builds your ability to explain complex positions Develops communication and thinking skills Helps give others feedback and helps others give feedback to you. Writing expresses who you are as a person

5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint Introduction Hook Background Thesis Statement Body Paragraph Topic Sentence Supports Concluding Sentence Conclusion Restate Thesis Summarize Lasting Impression

Introduction Paragraph “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”

Parts of the Introduction Paragraph Hook Background Information Thesis

First Things First "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.“

The Hook It should grab your reader’s attention. Quote Vivid description Anecdote Definition Question Must transition into the paper’s topic

Hook: Quote A quote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history or from the novel itself. Make sure to include author/speaker. Ex.) “Buck’s first day on the Dyea beach was like a nightmare” (14), the narrator explains the terrible sights Buck witnesses in the few hours he is in the Northland.

Hook: Vivid Description A vivid description is like a photo- a single snapshot. Unlike an anecdote, it has no plot or action. Ex) Picture this: freezing cold temperatures, ice packed sleds, downtrodden humans, and little or no food. These are the conditions one faces in the Northland.

Hook: Anecdote An anecdote is a short story that leads the reader into your topic. Ex) Imagine being seized from your owner in sunny Southern California, and thrown into a frigid, cold place with different rules and different people. Could you survive? In the novel The Call of the Wild....

Hook: Definition Define a term that is closely related to your topic. Provide a definition that your audience may not know. Ex) Webster’s dictionary defines survival as, “the act or fact of enduring especially under adverse or unusual circumstances.”

Hook: Question Ask a question to draw your reader into your paper. Ex) Have you ever imagined what it would have been like to live during the times of the Yukon Gold Rush?

Background Information Assume that your reader has never read the question What does your audience need to know? Names Dates Quotes Arguments If it is a text, then include the author, title and a brief synopsis of the story

Background Info- Examine the Prompt Superintendent Doug Hammond believes that school violence has escalated. Due to this he is asking Howard County schools to enforce random locker checks each quarter. Students believe this is an invasion of privacy. Write a five paragraph essay stating your position on the issue. What does your audience need to know? Look for details…

The Thesis Statement

The Roadmap for Your Essay Main argument of your paper It introduces the reader to the rest of your paper No thesis statement?

So What’s the Formula?

Recipe for a Good Thesis Arguable Point Reason #1 Reason #2 Reason #3 _______________ because ________________ , ________________ , and ________________ .

Give Me an Example Smoking should be illegal because it can kill you, can harm those around you, and it is addictive and difficult to stop once started.

Now it’s Your Turn!!!

Body Paragraphs (3) Topic Sentence Support (Quotes) Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentence A topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. Use it to help remind the reader what your paper is trying to prove (thesis) It should have a subject, a verb, and a controlling idea. Ex.) One reason why schools should not enforce random locker checks is because it is an invasion of student privacy.

Supporting Sentences This is where you give more information about your topic. Ask yourself: How can I prove this is true? What examples can I give? Three supports per paragraph

If you use quotes as support Don’t forget…

Adding Quotes- Lead-In According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). Always introduce quotes with a lead-in Quotes can’t stand alone.

Adding Quotes- State Quote According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). State quote exactly as you see it. Use quotation marks to show it is borrowed words.

Adding Quotes- Parenthetical Citations According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). A parenthetical citation shows where the information is from. Give author and page number. No comma. Punctuation follows citation.

Adding Quotes-Explain Quote According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). This quote illustrates that The Dark Knight is the ultimate super hero movie because of the mass appeal it brought to the super hero film genre.

Concluding Sentences A concluding sentence explains what your paragraph is about. Use as a bridge between paragraphs Not only ________________________________ but __________________________________ does recycling help the environment it is also a quick way to make extra money.

Conclusion Paragraph Restate thesis. Use new words (points in same order) Summarize main points of essay. Remind reader what you said. End with a lasting impression. Give reader something to think about after finishing essay.

And That is How you Write an Essay! …Now go off and “Ace” that paper!