1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5 ¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement REMEMBER: A paragraph (¶) MUST be at least 3 sentences! Keep all content relevant to the prompt!

Thesis Statement: Your opinion. It should include the main points of the essay. Concluding Statement: Restates the thesis statement in different words. (Sometimes it includes new points you made after your thesis statement.)

Practice Essay Prompt “When people take vacations, they like to go to many different kinds of places. Two of the most popular destinations are the beach and the mountains. Compare the advantages of vacationing at the beach and those of vacationing in the mountains. Which place would you prefer to vacation? Why?”

Task 1) Compare the advantages of vacationing at the beach vs. the mountains. Task 2) Tell which place you would want to vacation and why.

Task 1) Compare and contrast beach and mountains. BeachMountains 1. warm and sunny 2. more comfortable 3. more people and energy, excitement 4. water/beach 1. cooler weather 2. good exercise 3. not as many people 4. beautiful nature

Support: Give evidence for each of your points. BeachMountains 1. warm and sunny: The sun is out, the sand is warm, and you can lay out in it and get a tan. 2. more comfortable: You don’t have to wear as many clothes, and you can relax. 3. water/beach: You can swim, play, and cool off in the water. 4. more energy: There are more people, more chances to talk, laugh, play games, etc. 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc.

Task2) Tell which place you would want to vacation and why. BeachMountains 1. warm and sunny: The sun is out, the sand is warm, and you can lay out in it and get a tan. 2. more comfortable: You don’t have to wear as many clothes, and you can relax. 3. water/beach: You can swim, play, and cool off in the water. 4. more energy: There are more people, more chances to talk, laugh, play games, etc. 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc.

Task2) Tell which place you would want to vacation and why. Mountains Main Points: 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc. Thesis Statement and 3 Body ¶s

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 3 ¶ Main Point 4 ¶ Main Point 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement = (Main point 1./4., 2. and 3.) Mountains Main Points: 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc.

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement = (Main point 1./4., 2. and 3.) “Between the beach and the mountains, I would rather vacation in the mountains because I can experience nature and cool weather, there aren’t as many people, and I can get some good exercise.”

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 3 ¶ Main Point 4 ¶ Main Point 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement = (Main point 1./4., 2. and 3.) Mountains Main Points: 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc.

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 3 ¶ Main Point 4 ¶ Main Point 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement = (Main point 1./4., 2. and 3.) Mountains Main Points: 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc.

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 3 ¶ Main Point 4 ¶ Main Point 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement = (Main point 1./4., 2. and 3.) Mountains Main Points: 1. cooler weather: You will not get hot and sweaty. 2. good exercise: You can walk, hike, ride bikes, climb mountains, etc. 3. not as many people: It is less busy, so you can relax quietly with less stress. 4. beautiful nature: You can gaze at the natural beauty of trees, plants, animals, mountains, etc.

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 3 ¶ Main Point 4 ¶ Main Point 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement 1¶ Introduction: Mention the essay prompt Thesis statement Generalization about the essay topic. Mention the essay prompt. Thesis Statement

At least once a year, most people decide to take a vacation. People go to many different places to vacation. Some very popular destinations are the beach and the mountains. The beach definitely has its advantages because it is warm and sunny, and you can play in the water. However, between these two destinations, I would prefer to vacation in the mountains because I can experience nature, there aren’t as many people, and I can get good exercise. Generalization about the essay topic. Mention the essay prompt. Thesis Statement

At least once a year, most people decide to take a vacation. People go to many different places to vacation. Some very popular destinations are the beach and the mountains. The beach definitely has its advantages because it is warm and sunny, and you can play in the water. However, between these two destinations, I would prefer to vacation in the mountains because I can experience nature, there aren’t as many people, and I can get good exercise. Generalization about the essay topic. Mention the essay prompt. Thesis Statement

At least once a year, most people decide to take a vacation. People go to many different places to vacation. Some very popular destinations are the beach and the mountains. The beach definitely has its advantages because it is warm and sunny, and you can play in the water. However, between these two destinations, I would prefer to vacation in the mountains because I can experience nature, there aren’t as many people, and I can get good exercise. Generalization about the essay topic. Mention the essay prompt. Thesis Statement

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement 2-4¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement First, by going to the mountains, I can experience nature. There are so many beautiful things to look at, like tall, green trees, plants, animals on the ground and in the air, and big mountains in the distance. Being here will make me feel relaxed and refreshed. I will feel like I am a part of the world. 2¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement First, by going to the mountains, I can experience nature. There are so many beautiful things to look at, like tall, green trees, plants, animals on the ground and in the air, and big mountains in the distance. Being here will make me feel relaxed and refreshed. I will feel like I am a part of the world. 2¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement Next, there aren’t as many people in the mountains as there usually are at the beach. This means I will not be stressed by being in a large, busy crowd. I can relax more by having quiet time alone. 3¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement Next, there aren’t as many people in the mountains as there usually are at the beach. This means I will not be stressed by being in a large, busy crowd. I can relax more by having quiet time alone. 3¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement Another advantage is that I can get good exercise in the mountains. There are many activities that will let me do this: walking, hiking, and bike riding on nature trails, for example. If I feel really excited, then I can even climb a mountain! I can have fun and get a good workout at the same time. 4¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement Another advantage is that I can get good exercise in the mountains. There are many activities that will let me do this: walking, hiking, and bike riding on nature trails, for example. If I feel really excited, then I can even climb a mountain! I can have fun and get a good workout at the same time. 4¶ Body: Mention each main point Evidence of main point

1¶ Introduction – Thesis Statement Body 2 ¶ Main Point 1/4 3 ¶ Main Point 2 4 ¶ Main Point 3 5¶ Conclusion – Concluding Statement 5¶ Conclusion: Concluding Statement Summarize what you’ve said in the essay Transition from main points back to the thesis. Concluding Statement (reconfirming your thesis statement) One last closing remark about the essay topic in general.

Clearly, there are many places you can go if you want to take a vacation. The beach and mountains are just a couple, but given these choices, I would choose the mountains. Going to the mountains would let me be close to nature, would not have as many people, and would give me the chance to get some good exercise. I think the most important part of a vacation is being able to relax. So, I feel like the mountains would be the most relaxing place for me to go. Transition from main points back to the thesis Concluding Statement (reconfirming your thesis statement) One last closing remark about the essay topic in general.

Clearly, there are many places you can go if you want to take a vacation. The beach and mountains are just a couple, but given these choices, I would choose the mountains. Going to the mountains would let me be close to nature, would not have as many people, and would give me the chance to get some good exercise. I think the most important part of a vacation is being able to relax. So, I feel like the mountains would be the most relaxing place for me to go. Transition from main points back to the thesis Concluding Statement (reconfirming your thesis statement) One last closing remark about the essay topic in general.

Clearly, there are many places you can go if you want to take a vacation. The beach and mountains are just a couple, but given these choices, I would choose the mountains. Going to the mountains would let me be close to nature, would not have as many people, and would give me the chance to get some good exercise. I think the most important part of a vacation is being able to relax. So, I feel like the mountains would be the most relaxing place for me to go. Transition from main points back to the thesis Concluding Statement (reconfirming your thesis statement) One last closing remark about the essay topic in general.

At least once a year, most people decide to take a vacation. People go to many different places to vacation. Some very popular destinations are the and the mountains. The beach definitely has its advantages because it is warm and sunny, and you can play in the water. However, between these two destinations, I would prefer to vacation in the mountains because I can experience nature, there aren’t as many people, and I can get good exercise. First, by going to the mountains, I can experience nature. There are so many beautiful things to look at, like tall, green trees, plants, animals on the ground and in the air, and big mountains in the distance. Being here will make me feel relaxed and refreshed. I will feel like I am a part of the world. Next, there aren’t as many people in the mountains as there usually are at the beach. This means I will not be stressed by being in a large, busy crowd. I can relax more by having quiet time alone. Another advantage is that I can get good exercise in the mountains. There are many activities that will let me do this: walking, hiking, and bike riding on nature trails, for example. If I feel really excited, then I can even climb a mountain! I can have fun and get a good workout at the same time. Clearly, there are many places you can go if you want to take a vacation. The beach and mountains are just a couple, but given these choices, I would choose the mountains. Going to the forest and the mountains would let me be close to nature, would not have as many people, and would give me the chance to get some good exercise. I think the most important part of a vacation is being able to relax. So, I feel like the forest and the mountains would be the most relaxing place for me to go. A Vacation in the Mountains

Practice Essay Prompt Over the past several years many Mongolian families have been moving from the countryside into larger cities. There are many advantages to living both in cities and in the country. Where would you rather live, in the countryside or in a city? countrysidecity