2. ESSAY PLANNING

3. WHY DO WE WRITE ESSAYS?
Essays are an important communication tool that develop writing skills quickly They are a very common assessment tool used by schools Essays are now the main form of assessment for VCE and university. You are expected to follow simple rules and conventions and this Power Point presentation will help you to gain the basic skills you need.

4. SAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC
Jai’s parents will not allow him to attend his best friend’s party on the weekend. Write an essay that makes the case that he should be permitted to go.

5. PARTS OF AN ESSAY There are three main parts of an essay
Each part may comprise of more than one paragraph
Part 1 – Introduction
Part 2 – Body paragraphs
Part 3 - Conclusion

6. PART 1
INTRODUCTION – An introduction generally consists of three main parts
1 – Thesis statement – a statement related directly to the topic (use other words)
2 – Background/supplementary information
3 – Essay map sentence

7. 1. THESIS STATEMENT
The thesis statement restates the essay question or topic using different words
The thesis statement makes clear your contention.
Thesis statement –
There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he should be permitted to go.

8. 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This sentence (or more) provides context and background information about the thesis/topic.
Background Information
The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves.

9. 3. Essay Map Sentence
An essay map sentence lists the 3 or more main ideas your paragraphs will explore in the order in which they appear in the essay
Jai should be permitted to attend because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward.

10. WHAT DOES THE INTRO LOOK LIKE WHEN PUT TOGETHER?
There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he deserves to go. The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves. Jai should be permitted to attend because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward.
Thesis – Background Info – Essay Map sentence

11. PARTS OF AN ESSAY There are three main parts of an essay
Each part may comprise of more than one paragraph
Part 1 – Introduction
Part 2 – Body paragraphs
Part 3 - Conclusion

12. = T*E*E*L PART 2 BODY PARAGRAPHS
The number of body paragraphs used depends on the number of valid, strong arguments you have to make
For the sake of this lesson we will use 3
Each body paragraph is comprised of:
A. Topic sentence
B. Explanation
C. Evidence
D. Link
= T*E*E*L

13. = T*E*E*L A - TOPIC SENTENCE
The topic sentence expresses your first idea
Remember that the essay map sentence said:
Jai should be permitted to attend because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward.
Therefore the first body paragraph will be about responsibility
Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices.
= T*E*E*L

14. = T*E*E*L B - EXPLANATION
This sentence explains and elaborates on your topic sentence but does not provide evidence
Jai has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday.
= T*E*E*L

15. C - EVIDENCE
This is the section where you include several points of evidence
In this case the writer needs to provide evidence that Jai is responsible
He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team.
= T*E*E*L

16. D - LINK
This sentence should link your paragraph back to the topic sentence or thesis
These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices.
This linking sentence concludes the paragraph by pointing out that the evidence provided indicates that the writer can be trusted which was the point of the paragraph.
= T*E*E*L

17. WHAT DOES THE WHOLE PARAGRAPH LOOK LIKE?
Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices. Jai has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday. He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team. These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices.
TOPIC SENTENCE – EXPLANATION – EVIDENCE – LINK
= T*E*E*L

18. BODY PARAGRAPHS ONE IS NEVER ENOUGH!
There is no rule about how many paragraphs should be written but don’t forget to observe the word count if the teacher asks for a minimum. Other than that you need one paragraph per main idea.

19. WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
PART 3 - CONCLUSION
Summarise the essay content.
Gives no new information.
Restates your view in different words.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
Don't repeat yourself. The worst type of conclusion is the one that merely repeats what has already been said. Your conclusion should not include new information to your paper.
Jai should be permitted to go to Andrew’s party on the weekend. He is often responsible for the care of others which is evidence of his trustworthiness. Supervision at the party will be more than adequate and he has earned a break after a long semester of study. The decision to ban Jai from attending the party should be reconsidered.

20. HOW DOES THIS LOOK AS A MAP?

21. THE WHOLE ESSAY PUT TOGETHER
Topic - ‘Jai’s parents will not allow him to attend his best friends party on the weekend. Write an essay that makes the case that he should be permitted to go’
There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he deserves to go. The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves. Jai should be permitted to go because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward.
Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices. He has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday. He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team. These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices.
The party will be safe and well supervised. It will be held at Andrew’s home where Jai spends a lot of his time. Andrew’s parents will be present at the party as well as several other adults. His parents are happy to call attendees to confirm that they will be supervising and will be present at all times. They also guarantee that there will be no alcohol provided and anyone who brings it will be asked to leave. Mr and Mrs Cliff have planned for a safe and well managed party.
Jai has worked hard at school this year and deserves a reward for his efforts. He is a hardworking young man who applies himself to his studies. Jai’s school results are evidence of his work ethic and he is always happy to help others when they need it. He volunteers in the college peer tutoring program where he donates his time to help students who struggle in the classroom. He balances schoolwork with an after-school job and still finds time for friends. Jai is a dedicated young man who deserves a chance to relax with friends and a break from his study schedule.
Jai should be permitted to go to Andrew’s party on the weekend. He is often responsible for the care of others which is evidence of his trustworthiness. Supervision at the party will be more than adequate and he has earned a break after a long semester of study. The decision to ban Jai from attending the party should be reconsidered.

22. TEEL – TOPIC SENTENCES
Topic - ‘Jai’s parents will not allow him to attend his best friends party on the weekend. Write an essay that makes the case that he should be permitted to go’ There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he deserves to go. The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves. Jai should be permitted to go because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward. Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices. He has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday. He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team. These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices. The party will be safe and well supervised. It will be held at Andrew’s home where Jai spends a lot of his time. Andrew’s parents will be present at the party as well as several other adults. His parents are happy to call attendees to confirm that they will be supervising and will be present at all times. They also guarantee that there will be no alcohol provided and anyone who brings it will be asked to leave. Mr and Mrs Cliff have planned for a safe and well managed party. Jai has worked hard at school this year and deserves a reward for his efforts. He is a hardworking young man who applies himself to his studies. Jai’s school results are evidence of his work ethic and he is always happy to help others when they need it. He volunteers in the college peer tutoring program where he donates his time to help students who struggle in the classroom. He balances schoolwork with an after-school job and still finds time for friends. Jai is a dedicated young man who deserves a chance to relax with friends and a break from his study schedule. Jai should be permitted to go to Andrew’s party on the weekend. He is often responsible for the care of others which is evidence of his trustworthiness. Supervision at the party will be more than adequate and he has earned a break after a long semester of study. The decision to ban Jai from attending the party should be reconsidered.

23. TEEL - EXPLANATION
Topic - ‘Jai’s parents will not allow him to attend his best friends party on the weekend. Write an essay that makes the case that he should be permitted to go’ There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he deserves to go. The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves. Jai should be permitted to go because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward. Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices. He has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday. He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team. These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices. The party will be safe and well supervised. It will be held at Andrew’s home where Jai spends a lot of his time. Andrew’s parents will be present at the party as well as several other adults. His parents are happy to call attendees to confirm that they will be supervising and will be present at all times. They also guarantee that there will be no alcohol provided and anyone who brings it will be asked to leave. Mr and Mrs Cliff have planned for a safe and well managed party. Jai has worked hard at school this year and deserves a reward for his efforts. He is a hardworking young man who applies himself to his studies. Jai’s school results are evidence of his work ethic and he is always happy to help others when they need it. He volunteers in the college peer tutoring program where he donates his time to help students who struggle in the classroom. He balances schoolwork with an after- school job and still finds time for friends. Jai is a dedicated young man who deserves a chance to relax with friends and a break from his study schedule. Jai should be permitted to go to Andrew’s party on the weekend. He is often responsible for the care of others which is evidence of his trustworthiness. Supervision at the party will be more than adequate and he has earned a break after a long semester of study. The decision to ban Jai from attending the party should be reconsidered.

24. TEEL - EVIDENCE
Topic - ‘Jai’s parents will not allow him to attend his best friends party on the weekend. Write an essay that makes the case that he should be permitted to go’ There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he deserves to go. The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves. Jai should be permitted to go because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward. Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices. He has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday. He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team. These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices. The party will be safe and well supervised. It will be held at Andrew’s home where Jai spends a lot of his time. Andrew’s parents will be present at the party as well as several other adults. His parents are happy to call attendees to confirm that they will be supervising and will be present at all times. They also guarantee that there will be no alcohol provided and anyone who brings it will be asked to leave. Mr and Mrs Cliff have planned for a safe and well managed party. Jai has worked hard at school this year and deserves a reward for his efforts. He is a hardworking young man who applies himself to his studies. Jai’s school results are evidence of his work ethic and he is always happy to help others when they need it. He volunteers in the college peer tutoring program where he donates his time to help students who struggle in the classroom. He balances schoolwork with an after- school job and still finds time for friends. Jai is a dedicated young man who deserves a chance to relax with friends and a break from his study schedule. Jai should be permitted to go to Andrew’s party on the weekend. He is often responsible for the care of others which is evidence of his trustworthiness. Supervision at the party will be more than adequate and he has earned a break after a long semester of study. The decision to ban Jai from attending the party should be reconsidered.

25. TEEL - LINK
Topic - ‘Jai’s parents will not allow him to attend his best friends party on the weekend. Write an essay that makes the case that he should be permitted to go’ There is a party on the weekend that Jai is not allowed to attend but he deserves to go. The party will be held at his best friend Andrew’s house on Saturday. Many of his friends from school and Volleyball will be there and Andrew has booked a band that everyone loves. Jai should be permitted to go because he is responsible, the party will be supervised and he has worked hard and deserves a reward. Jai is a responsible person and should be trusted to look after himself and make good, safe choices. He has demonstrated his reliability many times and would continue to do so on Saturday. He often babysits for his sister which shows he is capable of responsibility. He volunteers on the YMCA holiday program and helps coach the junior soccer team. These are all positions of responsibility and are evidence that Jai can be trusted to make good choices. The party will be safe and well supervised. It will be held at Andrew’s home where Jai spends a lot of his time. Andrew’s parents will be present at the party as well as several other adults. His parents are happy to call attendees to confirm that they will be supervising and will be present at all times. They also guarantee that there will be no alcohol provided and anyone who brings it will be asked to leave. Mr and Mrs Cliff have planned for a safe and well managed party. Jai has worked hard at school this year and deserves a reward for his efforts. He is a hardworking young man who applies himself to his studies. Jai’s school results are evidence of his work ethic and he is always happy to help others when they need it. He volunteers in the college peer tutoring program where he donates his time to help students who struggle in the classroom. He balances schoolwork with an after-school job and still finds time for friends. Jai is a dedicated young man who deserves a chance to relax with friends and a break from his study schedule. Jai should be permitted to go to Andrew’s party on the weekend. He is often responsible for the care of others which is evidence of his trustworthiness. Supervision at the party will be more than adequate and he has earned a break after a long semester of study. The decision to ban Jai from attending the party should be reconsidered.