1. The Five Paragraph Essay
This is EXCITING stuff 

2. Warm-Up Answer the following questions about The Catching in the Rye:
What surprised you?
What did you like?
What did you dislike?
What topic/theme/idea do you know the most about?

3. Characteristics of Strong Critical Essays
Strong critical have:
Unity: All of the supporting details and body paragraphs maintain focus on a thesis development.
Support from the text: Evidence is the best way to prove your point.
Coherence: Individual paragraph structure is intentional as well as the order of the paragraphs. Paragraphs can go in order of:
The examples (support from the text) used
Weakest to strongest point

4. Choosing a Topic Pick a topic that. . . Is interesting.
You are passionate about.
You know about.

5. Thesis Statement A thesis statement is. . . One sentence.
The central argument, focus and guiding point of the essay.
Specific and focused; it moves the essay in one direction, and it give the essay something to build on.
Located in the opening paragraph (the introduction).

6. Thesis Statement Examples
Poor: The four children in my family have completely different personalities. [This statement may be true, but would anyone but the children's parents really be fascinated with this essay topic?] Better: Birth order can influence children's personalities in startling ways. [The writer is wiser to offer this controversial statement, which is of more interest to readers than the one above; the writer can illustrate her claims with examples from her family, and from other families, if she wishes.

7. Thesis Statement Examples
Poor: My opinion is that the federal government should devote more money to solar energy research. * Better: The federal government should devote more money to solar energy research. Note: there is no need to say “In my opinion”—It’s YOUR essay, we (the readers) know that it is your opinion.

8. In the text. . .
Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events are portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and, Still I Rise. Her written works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family, and passionate optimism.

9. STOP
Using the information from your warm-up, choose a topic and write your own thesis statement!
Write at least two to “try on for size”
If you finish or get temporarily stuck (and I am helping someone else), please work on your vocabulary.
Once you have written your two statements, make sure they meet the above requirements.

10. Paragraph Composition
Paragraphs should have:
7-10 sentences.
A transition sentence (at the beginning), middle and end.

11. Introduction Purpose: To introduce the main topic of your essay.
It should contain
A catchy opening line. (Do not start with, “In this essay)
Relevant background
Your thesis statement

12. Body Paragraph Each of your three body paragraphs should have:
A transition sentence
Topic sentence
A topic sentence is the heart of your paragraph that directly links back to and support your thesis
Support from the text

13. Conclusion The conclusion should. . .
Restate the thesis in a new, deeper way.
Demonstrate something new that came to light in your composition.
Not end with “In this essay. . . “ or “So that is the end of my paper.”

14. Why Outline
The outline is important because it is the ROAD MAP for your essay.
It gives you a vision for what examples to use when, and how they will tie in together.
Delays gratification—In other words, you get hardest work out of the way first.

15. Now. .
Get Started!