A Quick Overview English Language Arts Essay Writing A Quick Overview English Language Arts

What is an essay? An extended piece of writing in which an author explores a subject in detail.

What are the different types of Essays? An essay may be classified as: Narrative – relates a story about an event or experience. (The Monday Morning Essay) Descriptive – describes a person, place, event, object, or process such as a character sketch. Expository – explains information about an event, process, issue or topic such as a magazine article about refining oil Persuasive – writing meant to convince an audience to think in a certain way or to take a particular action.

Essay Structure An essay, generally, has 3 distinct parts: Introduction Body Conclusion

Introduction Introduce the subject Think of the 5W’s and the basic background info ‘Hook’ your reader in with a great opening sentence, statistic, scenario etc. Must be suited to essay type: I.E. Persuasive vs. Narrative

Introduction Does your writing need a thesis? Thesis - is the main argument of a piece of writing. If writing persuasively, preview the 3 supporting reasons/arguments in your introduction Use transitional words: First, Second, Third

Body 3 Body paragraphs that support your thesis Begin each with a topic sentence, which highlights what the paragraph will focus on. Use specific examples to support what you are saying (Remember, use the appropriate POV) End with a transitioning sentence that takes the reader to the second paragraph’s focus.

Conclusion Sum up the main idea (Thesis) Restate any important points Offer a philosophical/reflective idea to leave with your reader Sometimes, it is effective to leave your reader with a question: Ex: How can we expect our world to change if everyone thinks: “What can I do?”

“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”