The normal reaction from students when they hear the word ESSAY!!!!!

Formal vs. Informal writing Formal vs. Informal writing Formal writing makes the writer come across to their reader as an educated and professional person. Formal writing makes the writer come across to their reader as an educated and professional person. A formally written essay will read like an educated professional created it with an understanding of how to gain respect from their reader through word choice, vocabulary, and syntax. A formally written essay will read like an educated professional created it with an understanding of how to gain respect from their reader through word choice, vocabulary, and syntax.

Informal: Makes the writer sound uneducated and unprofessional!!! Informal: Makes the writer sound uneducated and unprofessional!!! An informal essay uses everyday language, slang, texting language, and comes across as though the writer is unsure of themselves, uneducated, or does not know what they are writing about. An informal essay uses everyday language, slang, texting language, and comes across as though the writer is unsure of themselves, uneducated, or does not know what they are writing about.

Words you never use in a formal essay Words you never use in a formal essay like-very like-very just*-everybody just*-everybody I-everyday I-everyday me me you you

The introduction to an essay needs to be a minimum of 6 sentences long, and it can be broken up into 4 parts: The introduction to an essay needs to be a minimum of 6 sentences long, and it can be broken up into 4 parts: (1) Attention Grabber/ Catchy Hook (1) Attention Grabber/ Catchy Hook (2) Background Information (2) Background Information (3) Thesis (Opinion Statement) (3) Thesis (Opinion Statement) (4) Support (expansion) for your thesis/ opinion statement (4) Support (expansion) for your thesis/ opinion statement

Part 1: Catch the readers attention Part 1: Catch the readers attention Never use a question to begin your essay!!! Never use a question to begin your essay!!! Asking a question at the start of an essay is easy, does not require much brain-power, and is very generic. Instead, turn your question into a statement. Asking a question at the start of an essay is easy, does not require much brain-power, and is very generic. Instead, turn your question into a statement.

Examples of how to turn a question into a statement: Examples of how to turn a question into a statement: Instead of: “Have you ever lost a relative in your life?” Instead of: “Have you ever lost a relative in your life?” Try: “The moment I heard the news about my grandfather I went into a state of disbelief.” Try: “The moment I heard the news about my grandfather I went into a state of disbelief.” Instead of: “Do you believe in ghosts?” Instead of: “Do you believe in ghosts?” Try: “The bedroom door flew open and a cold gust of wind blew through the room, yet every window in the house was closed.” Try: “The bedroom door flew open and a cold gust of wind blew through the room, yet every window in the house was closed.”

Part 2: Background Information: Part 2: Background Information: The reader of your essay probably does not know you or the topic you are writing about. This means you must give the reader information that will “bring them up to speed” regarding the topic of your essay. The reader of your essay probably does not know you or the topic you are writing about. This means you must give the reader information that will “bring them up to speed” regarding the topic of your essay. Example: My grandfather took care of me since the day I was born. He was a father-figure to me, as both my mother and father worked fourteen hours a day. Example: My grandfather took care of me since the day I was born. He was a father-figure to me, as both my mother and father worked fourteen hours a day.

Part 3: Thesis Statement (Opinion Statement): Part 3: Thesis Statement (Opinion Statement): A Thesis Statement is the Main Purpose (main point, central idea) of your essay. A Thesis Statement is the Main Purpose (main point, central idea) of your essay. A thesis statement needs to state the purpose of your essay (or main idea) with backup support. A thesis statement needs to state the purpose of your essay (or main idea) with backup support. This may be a long sentence, or seem like a run-on sentence, but it is not. This may be a long sentence, or seem like a run-on sentence, but it is not.

Body Paragraph Body Paragraph The number of body paragraphs are dictated by the number of supports in the thesis The number of body paragraphs are dictated by the number of supports in the thesis Ex: A thesis statement with two pieces of support will require a minimum of two body paragraphs. A thesis statement with three pieces of support will require a minimum of three body paragraphs. Ex: A thesis statement with two pieces of support will require a minimum of two body paragraphs. A thesis statement with three pieces of support will require a minimum of three body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph Body Paragraph A standard body paragraph is broken up into 3 parts: (1) Topic Sentence (2) Concrete Detail (Evidence)/Commentary (3) Transition

Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Part 1: Topic Sentence Part 1: Topic Sentence A Topic Sentence is ALWAYS the first sentence of the paragraph that introduces a new topic. A Topic Sentence is ALWAYS the first sentence of the paragraph that introduces a new topic. The topic sentence lets the reader know what “the topic” is for that paragraph. The topic sentence lets the reader know what “the topic” is for that paragraph. That paragraph may only discuss “the topic” of your topic sentence. That paragraph may only discuss “the topic” of your topic sentence.

Topic Sentence

Concrete Detail/ Personal Commentary Part 2: Concrete Detail (Evidence)/Personal Commentary Part 2: Concrete Detail (Evidence)/Personal Commentary The topic for your body paragraph needs to be backed up with CONCRETE DETAIL or EVIDENCE. The topic for your body paragraph needs to be backed up with CONCRETE DETAIL or EVIDENCE.

Concrete Detail/ Personal Commentary Concrete- (1) adj.- constituting an actual thing or instance; (2) noun- a concrete idea or term; a word or notion having an actual or existent thing or instance as its referent. (3) solid Concrete- (1) adj.- constituting an actual thing or instance; (2) noun- a concrete idea or term; a word or notion having an actual or existent thing or instance as its referent. (3) solid Detail- noun (1) the act of dealing with things item by item (2) a minute account Detail- noun (1) the act of dealing with things item by item (2) a minute account Evidence- (1) noun- that which tends to prove or disprove something; (2) verb- to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest Evidence- (1) noun- that which tends to prove or disprove something; (2) verb- to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest

Concrete Detail/ Personal Commentary Personal Commentary -noun Personal Commentary -noun (1) a series of explanatory notes or annotations, often forming a treatise on a text (2) a series of remarks or observations, usually connected in a loose narrative (2) a series of remarks or observations, usually connected in a loose narrative (3) a historical narrative based on personal experience (4) a series of explanations or interpretations

Concrete Detail/ Personal Commentary Concrete Detail and Personal Commentary makeup the majority, or “the meat”, of the body paragraph. Concrete Detail and Personal Commentary makeup the majority, or “the meat”, of the body paragraph. Concrete Detail and Personal Commentary begin after the topic sentence. There is no particular order as to which to write first (C.D. or P.C.). Concrete Detail and Personal Commentary begin after the topic sentence. There is no particular order as to which to write first (C.D. or P.C.). You always back up P.C. with C.D. or Evidence, & You always give P.C. after presenting C.D. or Evidence. You always back up P.C. with C.D. or Evidence, & You always give P.C. after presenting C.D. or Evidence.

Transition Part 3: Transition Part 3: Transition Transition- noun a word, phrase, sentence, or group of sentences that relates a preceding topic to a succeeding one or that smoothly connects parts of a speech or piece of writing Transition- noun a word, phrase, sentence, or group of sentences that relates a preceding topic to a succeeding one or that smoothly connects parts of a speech or piece of writing The transition will be the last 1-2 sentences in the body paragraph when ending the discussion of one topic, and introducing the next topic of discussion. The transition will be the last 1-2 sentences in the body paragraph when ending the discussion of one topic, and introducing the next topic of discussion.

Conclusion The purpose of the conclusion is to refresh and review the reader of what was discussed in the essay. The purpose of the conclusion is to refresh and review the reader of what was discussed in the essay. The Conclusion has three parts: The Conclusion has three parts: (1) Introducing closure to the essay. (1) Introducing closure to the essay. (2) Recap of the thesis and supports (2) Recap of the thesis and supports (3) Lasting Impression or Final Thought (3) Lasting Impression or Final Thought

Conclusion Part 1:Introducing closure to the essay Part 1:Introducing closure to the essay This should only be 1-2 sentences long. This should only be 1-2 sentences long. The purpose of “introducing closure” is to indicate to your reader that you are about to review what you have discussed in your essay. This also allows the reader to know there will be no more new topics of discussion in the paper. It also tells the reader they are about to be done reading the essay. The purpose of “introducing closure” is to indicate to your reader that you are about to review what you have discussed in your essay. This also allows the reader to know there will be no more new topics of discussion in the paper. It also tells the reader they are about to be done reading the essay.

Conclusion Examples of bringing an essay to a close: Examples of bringing an essay to a close: Ex: I knew that my driving test would be difficult, and that it was something I had to take seriously. After passing the drivers test, I never imagined how it would change my life as much as it did. Ex: I knew that my driving test would be difficult, and that it was something I had to take seriously. After passing the drivers test, I never imagined how it would change my life as much as it did.

Conclusion Part 2: Recap of the thesis and supports Part 2: Recap of the thesis and supports Never rewrite the thesis statement in the concluding paragraph, yet restate the thesis statement. Never rewrite the thesis statement in the concluding paragraph, yet restate the thesis statement. Rewrite: stating the same thesis word-for-word. Rewrite: stating the same thesis word-for-word. Restate: stating the same information that is in the thesis statement, yet written with different wording. Restate: stating the same information that is in the thesis statement, yet written with different wording. Ex: My confidence, independence, and social life grew after passing my drivers test. Ex: My confidence, independence, and social life grew after passing my drivers test.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion (3) Lasting Impression or Final Thought (3) Lasting Impression or Final Thought Think of this as the “catchy hook” at the end of the essay. Think of this as the “catchy hook” at the end of the essay. You want the reader to be drawn into your paper with a catchy hook, and you want to leave the reader with a final thought (or statement) that will give them something to think about, or discuss, when they are done reading the essay. You want the reader to be drawn into your paper with a catchy hook, and you want to leave the reader with a final thought (or statement) that will give them something to think about, or discuss, when they are done reading the essay.

Conclusion The last 1-2 sentences of the essay should bring the essay to a final closure, and be your “Final Thought(s)” about the Thesis Statement (or main purpose) of your paper. This “final thought”, should also leave a lasting impression on the reader so they are forced to continue thinking about your paper or want to discuss your paper with someone else even after they are done reading it. The last 1-2 sentences of the essay should bring the essay to a final closure, and be your “Final Thought(s)” about the Thesis Statement (or main purpose) of your paper. This “final thought”, should also leave a lasting impression on the reader so they are forced to continue thinking about your paper or want to discuss your paper with someone else even after they are done reading it. Ex: Passing my drivers test has changed my life more than I could have ever imagined. I have grown and matured through conquering this challenge, and now I feel ready for the next major adult challenges in my life. Ex: Passing my drivers test has changed my life more than I could have ever imagined. I have grown and matured through conquering this challenge, and now I feel ready for the next major adult challenges in my life.

Conclusion