HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY This session deals with essay questions from unit assessments activities. Take-home essays are due one week after the objective test (or otherwise directed by the teacher). In-class essays are due at the end of the class period. Social StudiesMr. Presley

Lesson Objectives 1. Construct coherent paragraphs and arrange paragraphs in logical order and present ideas to achieve overall coherence and logical flow in writing. 2. Employ basic writing skills proficiently. 3. Compose a five paragraph essay with an introduction, main body, and a conclusion with the purpose of relaying historical information. 4. Review ideas and structure in substantive ways to improve depth of information and logic of organization. By the end of the lesson, student will be able to..

Directions for the Take-home Essays The unit test may include not only an objective portion, but also a student-constructed response. You are to write a logically-organized essay with a minimum of five-paragraphs. A five-paragraph essay has an introduction, three main ideas in a main body, and a conclusion. All take-home essays are to be handwritten in blue or black ink.

THE INTRODUCTION The INTRODUCTION is a functional paragraph that has from four to six sentences. It includes the following: 1.Introductory Statement 2.Thesis Statement 3.Purpose Statement 4.Essay Map

THE INTRODUCTION Introductory Statement - The first sentence is designed to capture the reader’s attention. This may include one of the following: 1.A significant or famous quote. 2.Very short story or narrative, whether fictional or non-fictional. 3.An interesting thought or provocative statement. For testing purposes, I will not require the use of the introductory statement at first; however, I strongly suggest you use it by the end of the semester.

THE INTRODUCTION Thesis Statement - The next sentence is to state your topic of the whole essay; in other words, “What are you going to talk about?” For testing purposes, you should look at the “Essay Question” sentence located near the top of the essay cover page. You may change the sentence into a thesis statement by simply rearranging the words and phrases.

THE INTRODUCTION Purpose Statement - A purpose statement is declaring what you are going to prepare for the reader: persuade, inform, or entertain. For testing purposes, there are some points to consider. First of all, you are only to inform the reader. Secondly, your audience is your teacher. To impress your audience, be formal and respectful in your choosing of a language style. Finally, you need to prove how well you understand the content.

THE INTRODUCTION Essay Map - This sentence outlines your main ideas that you plan to talk about. The following are good introductory phrases of an essay map sentence: 1.The following are... : 2.These are... : For testing purposes, you should look at the “Rubric” section located near the center of the essay cover page. Under the subheading of “Content,” you will find the main ideas listed in order for you to write.

THE MAIN BODY The MAIN BODY is composed of topical paragraphs that work together to answer the thesis. It will consists of the three main ideas (in a minimum of three paragraphs). The main idea is directly stated in a topic sentence. All other sentences in the paragraph support the main idea.

Each main idea will focus on a single topic with examples, details, and specific data. Your organization method is based on the subject matter’s genre: For history classes, you should follow a chronological order - you need to trace the sequence of events that describe the topic. For other social studies classes, you should follow a topical order - you need to explain the topic by comparison-contrast (discovering similarities and differences between topics), critical (summarizing the point of view in a text), or expository (thorough explanation of a topic). For testing purposes, you are provided the main ideas. You must use your notes for the essay. THE MAIN BODY

These paragraphs are similar to the writing paragraphs you do in class. To review, these paragraphs involves four basic concepts: The topic is the main idea of the paragraph. This is usually no more than one to two sentences long. The restriction gives a specification, or sub idea, of the general topic. It describes, explains, or clarifies the topic to vindicate the point. Because the standard is three sub ideas for every one main idea, this spans usually three to six sentences long. The illustration is an example that provides evidence, whether a quote, statistic, personal experience, or documented case. This varies from one sentence to several sentences. The conclusion is a rephrasing of the topic sentence that wraps up the paragraph. This should be no more than one to two sentences long. THE MAIN BODY

Remember, a complete sentence has a subject (main noun), a predicate (a verb), and expresses a complete thought. Remember, a complete sentence has a subject (main noun), a predicate (a verb), and expresses a complete thought. Punctuation needs to be correct in order to establish complete sentences, so don’t forget to make sure your grammar and mechanics are satisfactory. Punctuation needs to be correct in order to establish complete sentences, so don’t forget to make sure your grammar and mechanics are satisfactory. Be sure to include transition sentences in order to keep the essay flowing properly. Transitions are sentences that provide a link from one paragraph to another. Be sure to include transition sentences in order to keep the essay flowing properly. Transitions are sentences that provide a link from one paragraph to another. THE MAIN BODY There are some points to consider when writing your essay:

I. Define the components and issues of basic economics. A. MAIN IDEA - Economic Decisions _________________________ is a central concept in economics. It is the study of the _______________________________. _________________________ means not having sufficient _________________________ to produce enough to _____________________________________________. Alternatively, _________________________ implies that not all of society's _________________________ can be attained at the _________________________. ______________________ and ______________________ are ______________________ because of the limited availability of ______________________ (the ______________________) along with the limits on our ______________________ and our ______________________ skills. Where ______________________ are ______________________ it is necessary for ______________________ to make ______________________ as to how they are allocated and used. ______________________ is the most important alternative that is given up as a result of a specific economic decision. The ______________________ of purchasing of an ______________________ may be that an eighteen-year-old boy cannot afford to attend college. The ______________________ of using all of one’s ______________________ to practice to become a tennis star may be that _________________________________________________. ______________________ refers to the acceptance or ______________________ of less of one thing to get more of something else (e.g., ________________________________, ____________________ ___________________________________________________________). The most basic ______________ in the ___________________ is what you do with your _________________. In any given period, _____________________________________. The limitation of ______________________ that you can only be in one place at any given _____________________ (above the _____________________ level) places a ____________________ on what you may be able to do with your ____________________. 1.Each division of the main idea is called a sub idea. 2.Be sure to summarize each sub idea. Do not focus on one and skip the others. 3.Verify that you include specific names of people, dates, locations, and issues or events relevant to the main idea. In other words, do not simply write the first sentence of each sub idea. SAMPLE FROM NOTE PACKET THE MAIN BODY When writing the main body, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

THE CONCLUSION The CONCLUSION is a functional paragraph that has five to eleven sentences. It includes the following: 1. Restatement of the Thesis 2. Summary of Main Ideas 3. Concluding Remarks

THE CONCLUSION This a generic way of saying you are about to wrap up the essay. Simply put, it is paraphrasing your thesis statement. Restatement of the Thesis - This a generic way of saying you are about to wrap up the essay. Simply put, it is paraphrasing your thesis statement. For testing purposes, you need to rephrase your test question that you wrote in your introduction.

THE CONCLUSION These sentences sums up your main ideas as a sort of review for the reader. Generally, you may use one to three sentences for each main idea you explained. Summary of the Main Ideas - These sentences sums up your main ideas as a sort of review for the reader. Generally, you may use one to three sentences for each main idea you explained. For testing purposes, write a sentence that summarizes the events of each main idea. This may be an opportunity to provide reasonable opinions about your thoughts on the subject.

THE CONCLUSION This is the last sentence or two that ends the essay on a thoughtful end. Remember, the purpose of an essay is not to make the reader think, but to rethink. Concluding Remarks - This is the last sentence or two that ends the essay on a thoughtful end. Remember, the purpose of an essay is not to make the reader think, but to rethink. For testing purposes, do not simply write “This ends my essay.” Write a sentence that promotes how you interpret the essay question.

As we end this session... Don’t forget to do it: A week is a long time, and this assignment is half your test grade. Despite the essay’s importance, PLEASE, don’t fret over this assignment. Focus on doing a little each day, and you will get it done.