The Personal Essay An essay is an “attempt” to persuade someone to your opinion on a subject. It is an opinion derived from your own experiences in life (unlike the summary essay which asks for your opinion about a piece of literature). The structure of essays are in three parts: Introduction Body Conclusion

Thesis The thesis is the main point of the essay. In a personal essay it Usually appears in the first or second paragraph. But not always. (We will look at an essays that contain a thesis at the beginning and those that contain the thesis later in the essay). The body contains material (descriptions and examples) to support the thesis. Note: you must have a thesis, but you are not writing the personal essay to persuade readers to change their minds about something. It is not a persuasive essay.

A good essay is like a wheel Examples Thesis Bent or loose or broken spokes make for a weak wheel. A bad essay would be a mere collection of spokes.

A Good Essay: Informs A good essay demonstrates: clarity unity conciseness coherence emphasis AND Entertains

A Topic is Not a Thesis Smoking Smoking is for rebels. Smoking is widespread among young people. Smoking and creativity go together. A Thesis must be a statement expressing an opinion

Smoking is an example of how students try to fit in, an instinct to appear cool and acceptable, it is a way to look like a rebel. Smoking reveals the human instinct for freedom. It is the refusal of “common sense” and authority. It shows That an individual is free to do whatever they want, in spite of society’s rules. Extended Thesis

Ways to Construct a Personal Essay 1.Narrative: story as illustration of thesis 2. Description:the power of imagery 3. Cause & Effect: giving reasons why 4. Example: describe something clearly

Essay Writing Tips Find a thesis and stick to it. Avoid the passive voice; use the active voice Root the essay in specifics; don’t stay in the clouds.

Pre-Writing: 4 questions Why am I writing? How big is my topic? What message am I sending? Who is my audience?

Introductions: Possibilities Reveal the thesis (thesis statement) Background information Anecdote Quotation or allusion Sensory images A striking comparison or contrast Figures of speech Unusual/puzzling statement

Conclusions Reference to introduction Question? Drawing conclusions Quotation summary Revealing significance Contrast