Essay Writing

Read the Question & Recognize the task Read the question 3-5 times to make sure you understand what it is asking you to do. Many questions require you to answer more that one part. If a time period, region or subject are given stick to it.

Brainstorm Look at the question and underline the main point(s) Gather information – list everything you can think of about the topic Must support your answer with facts –Nobody cares what you feel; only what you can prove with facts!

Categorize/Organize ESPN Chart – Economic, Social, Political, & eNvironment. E P S N

THESIS STATEMENT Restate the Question. Give 3 points you will discuss in essay. – Example: How are the climate of the US and Canada alike and different? –Thesis Statement: The climates of the US and Canada are alike and different in the following ways…(give 3 points)

5 Paragraph Format Introduction (Thesis is last sentence) Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Conclusion

Tips Make an argument – take a side & support it with facts. Get to the point. Avoid misspelled words. Avoid rhetorical questions. Use active voice. The subject is doing the action. End simply & cleanly.

Do not write 1 sentence paragraphs A PARAGRAPH IS 3-5 SENTENCES

NO 1 st (I) or 2 nd (you) PERSON I don’t care what you think! what do you know? Give me the FACTS!

Let’s Practice Question 1 How are the climates of Canada and the United States alike and different?

Question 2 In what ways did early settlers alter their physical environment?