Knowing the difference between types of essays and being able to write effectively all three types of essays will be essential to your success in English My goal is that by the end of the next 2 weeks your writing improves, your confidence improves and you enjoy writing more than you did… Essays are NOT a one size fits all approach…

10 th GRADE Essay Guidelines Personal Narrative Literary PersuasiveExpository When?9 th Grade STAARSAT STAAR Why/PurposeSHARE your Life and Experiences CONVINCE (To take a stand and prove a point) EXPLAIN, INFORM, DESCRIBE, GIVE INFORAMTION. WordingI, Me, Us (First Person) Certainly, clearly, agree/disagree, (3 rd Person) The author, the text, first, last, (3 rd Person) ContentPersonal experiences, stories. VOICE, Description, Imagery TEXT EVIDENCE, Proof (CONCRETE EXAMPLES), explanation TEXT EVIDENCE, CONCRETE EXAMPLES (from text, author), explanation

STAAR ESSAY KNOWS: Need to Knows: You are allowed 26 Lines to write the essay. (NO DOUBLE LINING). You will write 3 essays, 1 expository and 1 persuasive and one extra. Quality OVER Quantity – Quick introduction, good concrete examples in the body, strong and quick conclusion. The rubric is on a scale of 4. WE WANT 3 and 4’s! The essay was the lowest scoring on average for the 9 th grade students last year.

EXAMPLE of the Written Essay Page for STAAR. You will have 4 paragraphs on this page! INTRO (2-3 lines) FOCUS AND THESIS STATEMENT GO HERE BODY P#1 BODY P#2 CONCLUSION (1-2 lines) Write small, but neat

Which image matches what type of essay and why?

Example Prompts: Personal Narrative: – “Write about a time you were faced with a challenge” – ITS ALL ABOUT YOU IN THE NARRATIVE. TELL A DESCRIPTIVE STORY.

Example Prompts Persuasive: – Prompt: "That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which gives everything its value.“ - Thomas Paine Assignment: Do we value only what we struggle for? Plan your response, and then write an essay to explain your views on this issue. Be sure to support your position with specific points and examples. (You may use personal examples or examples from your reading, observations, or, knowledge of subjects such as history, literature, science.)

Example Prompts Another Persuasive: Read the following quotation. Authentic patriotism is not about you, what you believe or what you think is right.... Authentic patriotism isnot an opinion. It is an action. —Stephen Kiernan Think carefully about the following statement. Some people define themselves by what they believe, while others allow their actions to speak for them. Write an essay stating your position on which is more important: what a person thinks orwhat a person does. Be sure to — state your position clearly use appropriate organization provide specific support for your argument choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

Example Prompts Expository: Read the information in the box below. In 1955 medical researcher Jonas Salk introduced an effective polio vaccine. At the time polio was considered the biggest threat to public health, yet Salk refused to profit by patenting the vaccine because he was more concerned with preventing disease than with personal gain. Although many people work to benefit themselves, some people choose to put others first. Think carefully about this statement. Write an essay explaining whether people should be more concerned about others than about themselves. Be sure to — clearly state your thesis organize and develop your ideas effectively choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

Examples – Hypothetical vs. Concrete Hypothetical Definition - adj. 1. having the nature of a hypothesis (guess) 2. assumed or thought to exist Made up EXAMPLE: “If students had more choice in class, they would take more ownership of their work.” Concrete Definition – adj. constituting an actual thing or instance; real: a concrete proof of his sincerity. Real Life Events / Proof Current Events, Historical Events, and Literary Examples. EXAMPLE: “In 2004, a teacher at Washington High School decided to let students choose what they wanted to write their research paper on. As a result….

Examples – Hypothetical vs. Concrete Hypothetical If just one man who stand up for his beliefs, things would change. I think racism is something that should be fought nonviolently. Concrete In 1849 Thoreau published a work titled, “Civil Disobedience,” in which he explains an instance where Martin Luther King refused to pay a poll tax that supported slavery. Although he spent time in jail for his actions, his nonviolent protest led to a larger movement and freedom for many.

Examples – Hypothetical vs. Concrete Hypothetical If our school had a dress code, students would loose their individuality. A hungry student will most likely be less focused, than one who ate breakfast. Concrete A high school in Washington now requires all student to wear a uniform and pays for all of their clothes. While this helps some students, data shows that the number of students excited about their school and school spirit has dwindled.

Persuasive: – A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college. Expository: – Write an essay explaining why past failures are important to our present HOMEWORK: To be completed via NetSchool Journal Titled “Concrete Examples” (Individual Assignment) USE CLASS TIME, YOU ONLY HAVE TO FINISH WHAT DOESN’T GET DONE Given the following topics, list and explain 2 concrete examples that you would you use to back your stance? You may use the class wiki for help today.