Why you need to know how to do this! Essay Writing Why you need to know how to do this!

Questions to ask: What is the purpose of an essay? What makes a strong essay?

Purposes of an essay There are many different reasons for writing an essay: To inform your reader about a topic To persuade your reader into agreeing with your stance or opinion To explain an object, process, or situation to your reader To entertain your reader with an emotional experience

What Makes a Strong Essay? Clear thesis and a roadmap introduction Well organized and straightforward Strong supporting evidence Conclusion that pulls everything together No unfinished thoughts or unanswered questions

Orally presented essays Cats VS Dogs Orally presented essays https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTf03_rzVt0&t=248s

Essay Structure Generally, basic essays follow the same structure Introductory paragraph Body paragraph #1 Body paragraph #2 Body paragraph #3 Concluding paragraph

Introductory Paragraph Attention grabbing introductory sentence Thesis – what is this essay going to be about? What stance do you take on this subject matter? Supporting sentences – At least 3 statements as to how you will prove that your thesis is true Transitional statement

Body Paragraphs Topic sentence – What this paragraph will be about and how it will prove your thesis Supporting evidence – Quotes from your source that support your thesis. Include context of quotation Consolidating statement- Analysis of supporting evidence and how it supports thesis Transitional statement – Wrap up your paragraph in order to move on to your next topic

Concluding Paragraph Restate your thesis Restate supporting sentences and how they have supported/proved your thesis Concluding statement

What is a Thesis? A 1-2 sentence summary of what your essay is about or arguing A proper thesis must have a topic and a claim (your attitude or opinion of the topic) A thesis must include points or specifics that explain or prove your claim Your thesis statement should matter! Is it argumentative? Does it answer the question “so what?”

Example You have won the lottery and can choose to travel anywhere in the world. Write about one place you would like to visit and explain why you’d like to travel there. Support 1: I would travel to France because I love French food. Support 2: Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I would like to see it. Support 3: I would like to practice my French and become more fluent. Thesis Statement: If I won the lottery and could travel anywhere in the world, I would travel to France because I love French food, I want to see Paris, and I would like to become more fluent in French.

Example Topic: Education is important to have. Support 1: It could enable one to get a better paying job. Support 2: It creates a more open-minded person. Support 3: It makes a person a more informed citizen. Thesis statement: Education is important to have because it enables one to get a better paying job, it creates a more open-minded person, and it creates a more informed citizen.

5 Kinds of Essays: Persuasive Literary Personal Expository Biography

Persuasive Essay AKA an argumentative essay Uses logic and reason to prove one idea is more legitimate than another Attempt to get reader to adopt your point of view How to: Chose your side, know your reader, and research Provide counter argument All ideas must be backed up with facts!

Personal Essay AKA Narrative essay Usually about an important person, event, or time in your life Get your reader to understand the impact it had on you and its importance How to: Focus more on detail and less on adjectives Don’t: “The sunset was breathtaking” Do: “The blazing sunset gave off a thousand brilliant colours across the twinkling lake…”

Literary Essay Insightful, critical interpretation of a literary work Interpretation of plot, characters, conflict and themes to prove your understanding of topic How to: Do not summarize plot! All supporting information come from text you are analyzing Use quotes from the text as supporting evidence

Expository Essay Explain a topic in a straightforward way Fair, balanced, unbiased with no reference to your own personal opinion How to: Explaining a definitiion Classification- breaking things down into categories Compare and contrast- similarities and differences between things Cause and effect “How to” directions

Biography Essay Tell the story of a persons life and their impact on society Can we a historical figure, actor, politician, artist, family member etc. How to: Do extensive research on background and impact of figure Avoid overly biased resources so use many different sources