How to Prepare and Write an Awesome Academic Genocide Studies Paper Essay Workshop How to Prepare and Write an Awesome Academic Genocide Studies Paper

Why is writing an essay sometimes so frustrating? Learning how to write an academic essay/paper can be a maddening, exasperating process, but it doesn't have to be. If you know the steps and understand what to do, writing can be easy and even fun . . . really! So here we go

Writing on your Amazing Topic! Think about the type of paper you are expected to create. If it should be a specific analysis (which it is), make sure your topic is, of course, fairly specific!

But I Don’t Know Anything About this Topic!! Research Begin the essay writing process by researching your topic = making yourself an expert. Take handwritten research notes + keep track of sources!

NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS INFO?! Analysis Now that you have a good knowledge base, start analyzing the information you are reading/took notes on. Identify: Evidence Weaknesses Strengths

Turn on that Brain! It’s A Brainstorming Extravaganza Ask yourself a dozen questions and answer them. Focus/concentrate. Write down information = paraphrase = condense, condense, condense! Take time to think!

But Does it Make Sense??? Organize your ideas in an Outline The purpose of an outline is to put your ideas about the topic on paper in a moderately organized format. Structure and change is good!

Outline? What Outline? Oh yeah, That Outline! Begin your outline by writing the writing prompt/the question and your command term/historical thinking concept at the top of the page (see handout). Then write your topic and your introduction hook/attention grabber.

Outline? What Outline? Oh yeah, That Outline! Now write your thesis statement = the topic and your point about the topic. In the essay body section write the topic sentence for each of your topics/the main ideas/point and then add the facts or information = the details/the evidence (e.g. definitions, examples, explanations).

What Are You Trying To Do??? If you are trying to persuade, you want to write/include your best arguments/points. If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write explicitly the steps that should be followed. If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories/topic areas into which your information can be divided.

Academic Papers do not use “I” Important Note: Academic essays use statements without the use of “I”. That means sentences such as: “ I will be talking about. . .” “I think that. . .” “You should know that. . .” Etc.

Create a thesis statement?!?! The thesis statement tells the reader what the essay/paper will be about (the topic), and what point you, the author, will be making about the topic.

Create a thesis statement?!?! Write your thesis statement – you have to actually write in your paper to make it clear/obvious your topic and point. Your thesis statement is never a question. It is a statement.

Yes! Create a thesis statement You know what the essay will be about (that was your topic!). Decide what main point you will be making about the topic. Ask Yourself: What do the main ideas and supporting ideas that you listed in your outline + research notes say about your topic?

Test Samples for Thesis Creation The first part of a thesis states the topic: Kenya's Culture Building a Green City Discrimination The second part of a thesis states the point of the essay: has a rich and varied history takes innovation, time and patience can be stopped

Test Samples for Thesis Creation Or in the second part of a thesis you could simply list the three main ideas you will discuss: has a long history, blends traditions from several other cultures, and provides a rich heritage. requires an investment in time, technology, and materials. is an unnecessary evil that hurts individuals, groups, and society.

Remember: Your Thesis Statement is the LAST sentence in your Introduction!

Get a Grabber The Introduction!!! Remember that a paragraph is 5-10+ sentences. The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention + the make clear the essay's focus. Begin with an attention grabber!

I Want YOUR Attention! STARTLING INFORMATION: Must be true and verifiable. It could simply be a pertinent fact. If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a sentence or two of elaboration/clarification.

What about This?! ANECDOTE: An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Short, to the point, and relevant. If you use an anecdote, follow it with a sentence or two of elaboration/clarification.

Talk to me DIALOGUE: The reader must understand the point you are trying to make. Use only two or three exchanges between speakers. Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of elaboration/clarification.

Sum it Up First SUMMARY INFORMATION: A few (about 3) sentences explaining your topic in general terms. Each sentence should become gradually more specific. There is NO need to follow with a sentence or two of elaboration/clarification.

WHEW! After the attention grabber and elaborative/clarifying sentences, add at least three sentences about your topic (this is the middle part of your intro).

WHEW! This means that you will briefly address/identify what you will be specifically explaining in your body; that will lead the reader from your opening sentences (attention grabber + elaboration) to your thesis statement (last sentence).

Thesis Statement The Body Restate Thesis

To summarize: The Introduction Attention grabber + elaboration (2-3 sentences) Main points to be addressed in essay – these are the topics/points from each body paragraph (3+ sentences) Thesis statement (1 sentence) FINISH THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH WITH YOUR THESIS STATEMENT.

the body (paragraphs that is) The topic you have chosen and the point you are making about it must now be explained, described, and/or argued. Each main idea that you wrote down in your outline will become one of the body paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you will have three or four body paragraphs.

body paragraphs Structure = Easy As Pie Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure. Start by writing down one of your main ideas in sentence form – the topic sentence. Next, write down each of your supporting points/information for that main idea.

Elaborate: Give me the Details! Then, in the space under each supporting point/information, write down some elaboration/explanation for that point. Elaboration/Explanation includes further description, further explanation and/or discussion.

An Example Just for You Example: Supporting Point: Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation rather than driving. Elaboration: Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes. Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well. In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding public transportation.

The Body is All Fleshed Out If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph. This is not generally needed but is a style of writing. Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, one for each main point, you are ready to continue.

First Do This The End is Near!

Remember: Your Thesis Statement is the FIRST sentence in your Conclusion!

The Absolute Conclusion! Conclusion = closure, summing up your main points, or providing a final perspective on your topic. All the conclusion needs is five to ten+ strong sentences. Do not restate your thesis and your points exactly in the conclusion – say them in a slightly different way.

The Absolute Conclusion! Conclusions DO NOT present ANY new information = it is a conclusion, meaning it concludes/wraps up all you have already proven/stated in your essay body paragraphs. Also, DO NOT begin your conclusion with “In conclusion. . .” as it is redundant/repetitive.

The Format of The Conclusion First, restate (not word for word) the thesis statement (1 sentence) Then, recap main points/topics (from each of your body paragraphs) that where addressed in essay (3+ sentences) Finally, state your final remarks/closing/concluding statements (2-3+ sentences)

Almost There!!! Introduction, body + conclusion = complete essay paragraphs. Don't stop just yet! One more step remains before your essay/paper is “truly finished.”

The Finishing Touches Before you can consider your essay/paper a finished product, however, you must give some thought to the formatting of your paper and editing.

Order! I Demand Order! Check the order of your paragraphs. You might want (if applicable) to start with the second strongest, put the weakest in the middle, and end the paragraph with the strongest.

Read the Instructions . . . Again and again!!! Carefully check/review the instructions for the assignment (not all apply to this essay). Academic title page with catchy/intriguing title + name, student #, course, teacher, date Font size + style Double-space Subtitles Page Numbers In-text citations Works Cited/ References/Bibliography

Check. Check. Can you Here me?? Check your writing! Nothing can substitute for revision of your work = edit your work + have some else edit it! Read and reread your paper. Make the changes needed.

Checkity Check. Loud and Clear. Ask questions such as these: Does it make logical sense? Have I proven my thesis?

Checkity Check. Loud and Clear. Have I made my points clear? Have I explained the ideas/concepts/terms? Have I supported my claims/point with evidence, examples, explanations, details, etc.?

Checkity Check. Loud and Clear. Do the sentences flow smoothly from one another/connect? Have I referred in one sentence to a thought in the previous sentence?

Checkity Check. Loud and Clear. Have I created complete sentences and proper paragraphs? Have I used transitions, use them properly, and used different transitions (not the same one over and over)?

Checkity Check. Clearly Spelt + Said Have you run a SPELL CHECKER or a GRAMMAR CHECKER? These aids cannot catch every error, but they might catch errors that you have missed.

Now you are ready to write the On the home stretch!!! Once you have edited/checked your work and perfected your argument and formatting, the rough draft of your essay/paper is finished. Congratulations! . . . Now you are ready to write the good copy!

Now that was easy!