College Essay Basics

 Your “working thesis statement” is in progress– you may revise it as your thinking changes  The thesis statement declares your unique perspective on the subject you are writing about  Usually a single sentence which contains two main parts: the subject + a specific feeling or a particular feature of that subject = an effective thesis statement  Example: Divorce significantly impacted my life in such a way that it did not tear my family apart, but rather allowed for an even stronger, meaningful relationship between me and my parents. Developing a “working thesis statement”

 Start general and end specific– draw readers into the essay with important ideas related to the subject, then state the thesis and lead readers into the main part of the text  Introduce the subject with…  Interesting background information  An interesting/unique quote  A descriptive story  A series of questions  Remember: you WILL return to your opening when you revise/edit to add style and creativity. Focus on simply getting your ideas on paper!! The Opening Paragraph

 1. Address a topic  2. Communicate a specific idea about the topic  3. Develop that idea with supporting details/elaboration  Begin your paragraphs with clear topic sentences which tell readers what your subject is and what you plan to say about it in the paragraph– IF ANY WORDS OR IDEAS DO NOT EXPAND ON THE IDEA IN THE TOPIC SENTENCE, THEY DO NOT BELONG IN THE PARAGRAPH! FOCUS!!  Example: A young person’s identity is ever-changing and confusing (limited topic), but my parents’ divorce was an opportunity to figure out who I truly was (specific idea).  Maintain consistent use of tense (past or present)  Use transitions to improve flow of ideas Writing Focused Paragraphs

 Present each main point, expand upon each with supporting examples, and offer additional analysis or commentary as necessary– fully develop your thesis in the body of your essay. ELABORATE while maintaining FOCUS! Developing your Main Points

 First– review (tie together) important points main in the essay  Then– reinforce or stress your main point  Finally– reassert the thesis  In your essay’s final lines, expand the scope of the essay by making a connection between it and your experience, or between the essay and life in general (the big picture) Writing the Closing

 Add, cut, and rearrange information as needed!  Is your essay organized? Does it flow? Is it clear? FOCUSED?  Does the opening draw the reader in and state your thesis? Have you supported your main points with effective examples and analysis? Does the closing tie up loose ends and help readers appreciate the significance of your essay?  Consider style in your writing– Word variety? Sentence variety? Tone? Unique voice?  Grammar, mechanics, usage– polish! Improving your Writing!