1. Elements and Expectations
Writing an Essay
Elements and Expectations

2. Introductory Paragraph
The Hook – The attention grabber. A profound statement that gets the reader interested. This can be:
A statement
An analogy
An anecdote
A question, etc.
Provide sufficient background information, name of author, name of story. Just keep in mind that this is an INTRO, so you don’t want it to be too overcrowded.

3. Introductory Paragraph - Thesis
Claim – The answer to the question.
Thesis Statement – This is the LAST sentence in the intro paragraph. It is very clear and concise and will explicitly state each key point that will be mentioned in the essay. For a short essay, this should be ONE sentence. In this essay, you will have THREE key points; therefore, they should be mentioned in the thesis statement.

4. Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence – This is the FIRST sentence in EACH of your body paragraphs. The topic sentence is like a MINI THESIS statement and will identify what is going to be talked about in that INDIVIDUAL paragraph.
Body Paragraph #1 – Key point #1
Body Paragraph #2 – Key point #2
Body Paragraph #3 – Key point #3

5. Direct Quote
Direct quotes should be written in MLA format. Since ALL of the quotes that you will be using in your essay only come from ONE story, your citation will ONLY include the page number. DO NOT PUT “p.” or “pg.”
Example: “The dull, rhythmic tramp of the soldiers’ boots formed the background to Goldstein’s bleating voice” (13).
You will include at least ONE quote in EACH body paragraph, totaling THREE direct quotes.

6. Direct Quote
Direct quotes should be written in MLA format. Since ALL of the quotes that you will be using in your essay only come from ONE story, your citation will ONLY include the page number. DO NOT PUT “p.” or “pg.”
Example: “The dull, rhythmic tramp of the soldiers’ boots formed the background to Goldstein’s bleating voice” (13).
You will include at least TWO quotes in EACH body paragraph, totaling SIX direct quotes.

7. Explanation of Direct Quote
For each direct quote, you must provide your own ORIGINAL explanation as to HOW the quote supports your argument.

8. CONCLUSION
Use appropriate Transition Words at the beginning of your paragraphs to provide an even flow to your essay.
Your conclusion should start with a transition word, and the first statement should be a re-statement about your thesis.
Counterclaim – A counterclaim is a statement that goes against your thesis. You make this statement, then explain how it is wrong. You do this by restating your main points.
Your essay should end with a concluding statement that ties up all loose ends.

9. TIPS
ALL formal writing is in THIRD PERSON ONLY. That means that the words: you, we, me, I, etc. are NOT used.
No contractions (aren’t = are not)
The beginning of each paragraph MUST be indented.
Have an interesting title!
You put quotation marks around the names of short stories – DO NOT UNDERLINE.
Do not skip a line/leave a line blank between paragraphs.
A FINAL draft is written in BLUE or BLACK ink pen, single spaced, and only on the FRONT sides of pages.
Draw a line through any mess ups.
ALL drafts MUST be submitted for full credit.

10. BEGIN
Your Module Assessments are worth TWO assessment grades (200 test points). NO PHONES are allowed during this time. If I notice a phone out, you will receive ONE warning and 10 points off. If I see it again, you lose your chance to complete your module assessment and receive 0/200 points. If you would like for me to hold onto your phone so you aren’t tempted, I will put it in my drawer.