ESSAY WRITING Review Spring Semester 2010 Student Support Services (SSS) Presents for Participants..

WELCOME & OBJECTIVE Welcome To This “Essay Writing Review” Presentation. Essays can be both artistic and scientific creations. Learning to follow a Blueprint (development pattern or plan) is one approach to writing a clear, focused paragraph or essay. The Objective of this presentation is to teach students basic paragraph-formatting strategies that is fundamental to focused essay writing.

Some Types of Essays... Argumentative (Take a Stand) Narratives (Tell a Story/Organized Retelling of Events) Comparison/Contrast (Similarities and Differences) Definition (Putting words into a framework/context) Descriptive (Objective and Subjective Details/Reporting) Literary Analysis (Discussing literary themes and how literary elements support them) Process Analysis (Writing instructions in steps and using appropriate transitions)

BASIC ESSAY CONSTRUCTION Blueprint Three Basic Parts of an Essay I. Introduction – starts broadly, usually with an interesting topic sentence and narrows to the thesis statement. II. Body– Explores and details the thesis. Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence that is related to the thesis. Each body paragraph needs supporting evidence. Each body paragraph needs appropriate transitions and a concluding statement related to the topic sentence. III. Conclusion – Restates the thesis. May summarize or evaluate body paragraphs contents without adding new information or supporting evidence.

Basic ESSAY BLUEPRINT (CONT) General Essay Construction (Blueprinting) Introduction Conclusion ~ A Blueprinted Thesis Statement = (A) Transition Word + (B) Clear Statement of Opinion or Main Premise + (C) Indications of Body Paragraphs’ Topic Sentences ~ Blueprinted Thesis Example: In Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece Modern Times, "The Little Tramp" symbolizes three simple human values that are threatened by industrialism - - leisure, self-reliance, and compassion. Transition Words Help Establish a Logical Flow of Ideas and Support Reading Comprehension.

Every Paragraph needs a TOPIC SENTENCE Evaluating a Topic Sentence Does the Topic Sentence declare one point of focus? Does the Topic Sentence relate to the thesis? Does the Topic Sentence begin at or near the beginning of the paragraph? Do the Topic Sentence and previous paragraph(s) logically relate to one another? Is the Topic Sentence an independent clause with a clear subject and verb? (No Fragments or Run-ons)

Basic ESSAY BLUEPRINT (CONT) INTRODUCTION Paragraph – the first part of an essay -- Topic Sentence (impact through expression of wisdom or fact) -- Supporting Sentences – Explain why topic is important or relevant. -- Blueprinted Thesis Statement (Transition + Opinion or Premise + Detail to indicate body paragraph topic sentences, content or organization strategy)

Note on THESIS BLUEPRINTING Example of a Blueprinted Thesis: In Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times, "The Little Tramp" symbolizes three simple human values - - leisure, self-reliance, and compassion -- that industrialism threatens. A blueprinted thesis specifically states the focus of each body paragraph and indicates the content of body paragraph topic sentences that will follow. The thesis may include a transition signal or introductory phrase.

Basic ESSAY BLUEPRINT (CONT) Every paragraph should have (1) a topic sentence, (2) transition words, (3) supporting statements, (4) supporting details or evidence, and a (5) concluding sentence. BODY PARAGRAPHS – the second part of an essay

ESSAY BODY Paragraphs (Supporting Evidence) Evidence -- is anything a writer or speaker uses to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Four Types of Evidence - Anecdote (an example) - Testimonial (an eye-witness account or personal observation) - Statistics (numerical data derived through research) - Analogical Evidence (a comparison) Sources “Evidence.” Wikipedia.Org. Retrieved September 24, 2006, from org/wiki/Evidence. Seech, Z. (2006). Writing Philosophy Papers. “Four Types of Evidence.” Retrieved September 25, 2006, from

ESSAY BLUEPRINTING (CONT) -- Restated Thesis -- Summarizing Sentences -- Discuss implication(s) or make evaluative statements, if appropriate CONCLUSION – the third part of an essay

Bibliography, Works Cited or Reference (Last page) NOTE: If you cite any sources within your essay, you must complete a works cited, bibliography or reference entry for each source. Complete a works cited page if you are writing a paper that requires you to use MLA format. Complete a reference page if you are required to construct a paper using APA format. Some instructors may require you to complete a bibliography page which is essentially the same as a reference or works cited page.

PRACTICE EXERCISE Using the information you have learned in this presentation, please complete the handout. See staff for handout. Now, write a focused paragraph. The workshop facilitator can guide you through the process if you need help.

Presentation developed by: Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist 109 Shackelford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL Phone: ; / PPT Developed Troy University Troy, Alabama Student Support Services Buffie Edwards, Coordinator 109 Shackelford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL Phone: ; Contact Information

CONCLUSION... Please return this presentation storage to SSS staff when you are done. SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful information. Have a great learning experience here at Troy University.