©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc EXPLORING WRITING: PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS JOHN LANGAN 3 RD EDITION Chapter 16 Writing the Essay
©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Steps in Writing an Essay Use the same steps in essay-writing that you used in writing paragraphs. 1. Begin with a point, or thesis. 2. Support the thesis with specific evidence. 3. Organize and connect the specific evidence. 4. Write clear, error-free sentences.
©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Step 1: Begin with a Point, or Thesis Like a topic sentence, a thesis includes a topic. the writer’s attitude, opinion, idea, or point. You will probably have to narrow your topic. Tips for an effective thesis statement: Avoid announcing the subject; write a statement. Avoid statements that are too broad. Avoid statements that are too narrow. Develop only one idea.
©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Step 2: Support Thesis with Specific Evidence An informal outline may help. Use specific details rather than vague generalities. Use adequate details – enough to support your point.
©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Step 3: Organize and Connect the Evidence Choose a method of organization: Time order--details are listed as they occur in time. Emphatic order--puts emphasis on the most interesting or important detail by placing it in the final supporting paragraph. Use transitional words which include: Addition, time, space, change-of-direction, illustration, and/or conclusion signals Use transitional (or linking) sentences between paragraphs. Use other connecting words which include: Repeated words, synonyms, and pronouns
©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Step 4: Write Clear, Error-Free Sentences Rewrite using: Parallelism Consistent point of view Specific words Concise words Varied sentences Active verbs
©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Review Questions Briefly summarize each step in writing an essay. How do each of these steps help you write an effective essay? What advice would you give to a student who feels anxious about essay-writing?