Essay Writing The Essentials

Purpose of Introduction To clarify what the essay is about To put the topic of the essay in context To set the tone for the essay To “hook” the reader into wanting to read more

Introductions The following can be included in an introduction: – Background information needed to understand the rest of the essay – Relevant statistics – Definitions needed for the rest of the essay – Thesis statement

What isn’t an Introduction? DOES NOT summarize your essay DOES NOT state evidence (other than main points given in your thesis statement) DOES NOT “dilly-dally” – straight and to the point!

Introduction Identify the title and author of the book Give a BRIEF summary of the story

Thesis Statement THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE OF YOUR ENTIRE ESSAY Last sentence of your introductory paragraph List the three main points of your essay

Thesis Statement Example: Boy soldiers are not morally responsible for the acts they commit in wars because __________________, ___________________, and _________________.

Recipe for Paragraphs One topic sentence Many supporting ideas and evidence Enough transitions One closer

Ingredient #1: Topic Sentences Each paragraph MUST start with a topic sentence – Provides a relevant idea about the paper – States something specific – Introduces the main idea – Lets the reader know what the paragraph will be about (a “hook” for that section)

Ingredient #2: Supporting Ideas Be relevant to the topic Give specific details, facts, or statistics to “prove” the main idea of the paragraph Be descriptive and interesting Explain or refine ideas/terms that may be unclear to the reader

Ingredient #3: Transitions Help the essay flow Link one idea to another: each sentence should connect to the one before but should still introduce new material Strengthen ideas

Ingredient #4: Closers Restate the main idea of the paragraph – USING DIFFERENT WORDS Remind the reader of the writer’s feelings toward the topic Appear at the end of the paragraph After the closer it should only be natural for the paragraph to come to a close

In General… Unity: each paragraph should only have ONE idea Coherence: each paragraph should make sense (transitions!) Adequacy: each paragraph should have a fully- developed topic (needs to be more than two-three sentences)

Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence: introduce the topic of the paragraph and how it relates to the thesis – there should be NO question as to what the paragraph is about  THE TOP PIECE OF BREAD Supporting Details: PROVE the main point in relation to the thesis  THE MEAT Quote: should relate directly to your supporting details (and thus your topic sentence)  THE “EXTRAS” Closer: draws the paragraph to a close – should tie closely with topic sentence  THE BOTTOM PIECE OF BREAD

Body Paragraphs Example: One reason it is evident that Miss Maudie believes differently from the rest of her community is by how she interacts with others. While many of the adults frown upon the children’s antics, Miss Maudie celebrates their curiosity and innocence and greatly respects them. After Tom Robinson was found guilty, the kids were very upset; Miss Maudie had them over for cake the following morning and talked with Jem: “I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step” (246). Because Miss Maudie was able to see the positive in an otherwise horrible situation and furthermore show that optimism to the children, they are able to see the possibility for a different future.

Body Paragraphs Make sure your quote is cited correctly: – “I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step” (246). Quote Page Number in Parentheses Period (outside of parentheses)

Transitions The essay must flow smoothly and coherently You may use simple transitions such as “one reason,” “another reason,” and “the final reason,” BUT… Be more creative and look for different transitions

What are Conclusions? Are interesting Leave the reader with a strong sense of what the paper was about Leave the reader with something to think about Are lively and keep the reader involved Can relate to the introduction to give the reader a sense of order Must be at least three sentences

What Aren’t Conclusions? Don’t leave the reader hanging Don’t insult the reader by telling him/her what you just wrote Don’t summarize your essay

Conclusion Restate your thesis statement in DIFFERENT words Leave the reader in awe of your wisdom!

Conclusion Example: Many characters in Maycomb exhibit qualities characteristic of the time period, but Miss Maudie Atkinson stands apart from her peers and is ready for a positive change. At one point in the book, Miss Maudie says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (90), and it is clear that she is not talking about birds but is instead discussing equality, fairness, and respect of all individuals with the children. Through this instance and additional interactions with others, the conflicts she faces, and others’ views of her, Miss Maudie Atkinson is identified as not only the most progressive individual but also the most positive influence and best teacher in To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Big No-No’s Do not say, “ This essay is about… ” Do not use 1 st or 2 nd person point-of-view – I, we, me, us, you, etc. Do not use contractions: spell out “does not” instead of “ doesn’t ” Do not use slang Do not make grammar mistakes regarding rules we have discussed – you WILL be required to correct them WRITE LIKE THIS

The Big Yes-Yes’s Double-space your essay Write in 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial, Century Gothic) Title your paper – centered underneath heading and before your introduction Head your paper (top left): – Name – Teacher – Class – Due date

The Big Yes-Yes’s Ishmael Beah Ms. Bollinger English I June 2, 2011 The Magnificent Miss Maudie Despite common belief and stereotype, not all individuals in the South in 1935 were racist. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows that the majority of Maycomb was very conservative but that there were characters such as Miss Maudie Atkinson who stood against the rest… HEADING TITLE ESSAY