1. Get out 1 new piece of paper to jot down some notes. Title them:
How to Start an Essay
Get out 1 new piece of paper to jot down some notes. Title them:
How to Start an Essay

2. What NOT to do: DON’T start with a question! DON’T start with a sound!
DON’T say “I’m going to tell you about…”
DON’T start by repeating the prompt!
DON’T talk to the reader!

3. Start your essay 1 of 2 ways:
Peak
Picture

4. Peak *Most exciting part of the story (mountain peak = climax!)
Jump your reader into the middle of a story and leave them at the climax wanting more!

5. Prompt: Convince your principal. that we should keep sports,
Prompt: Convince your principal that we should keep sports, even with limited funds.
Peak
Student Example:
I slowly exhaled as I began dribbling the volleyball, gaining my momentum. I took a step forward and threw the ball lightly into the air with my left hand. I gracefully swung my right hand to the ball, hitting it and causing a thud. I watched with amazement as the ball flew over the net and landed forcefully on the ground. This victory wouldn’t be possible if the school eliminated sports.

6. Peak
Practice using
Practice Prompt: In order to save money, your principal is thinking about eliminating school sports. Think about the advantages and disadvantages of eliminating sports as compared to the cost involved. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Now, persuade your principal to eliminate or keep school sports. Give reasons to support your position.
*Now, think about how you would start this essay using Peak! Jot down a few sentences for the beginning of your essay! *

7. Picture
Paints a picture in the reader’s mind through sensory images (see, hear, smell, taste, touch)

8. Prompt: Convince your principal that we should keep field trips, even with limited funds.
Picture
Student Example:
Adrenalin is snaking through my bloodstream, almost like I drank four Monster energy drinks. I can’t sit here tearing at my patience any longer. Metal bars twist over us as we are getting ready to take off on the ride of our lives. I stared down at the 30-story track that we’d soon drop down at 200 miles per hour. Band class had paid off this time. Our end-of-the-year field trip would be one that I would not soon forget.

9. Picture Practice using
Practice Prompt: In order to save money, your principal is thinking about canceling all field trips for the remainder of the year. Think about the advantages and disadvantages of school field trips as compared to the cost involved. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Now, persuade your principal to continue or discontinue school field trips. Give reasons to support your position.
*Now, think about how you would start this essay using Picture! Jot down a few sentences for the beginning of your essay! *

10. Review for Essay Starters:
What are the 2 ways you can
start an essay? 1. 2.
Which one seems easier
to you so far?
Why does that one seem
easier to you?