1. MW English 475: Final Essay 20 points= 7.5% of your grade
Written in Class on
Wednesday, 5/18, 2:15-4:45

2. Due at the Final Essay 4 with your late paper pass
(optional) Revised essay + Original graded essay packet
(optional) Campus Event Extra Credit
Due at the Final

3. Supplies You’ll Need to Bring
Large green book
Something to write with (Pen or pencil ok. Dark colors preferred.)
Notes from class and/ or Reflections notes
Reflections
Dictionary/ thesaurus (Electronic ok)
Music/ headphones
Supplies You’ll Need to Bring

4. Tips for Writing In-Class Essays
QW: Consider a past experience with an in- class essay or working/ writing under pressure. What are some things that helped you? What are some things you should avoid?
Tips for Writing In-Class Essays

5. Tips for Writing In-Class Essays
Sleep
Have a coffee/ water, eat before and put earphones/ earplugs in
Brainstorm to help you figure out what you’re going to write about (Reflections methods: freewriting, bubble/ clusters, list)
Write yourself a quick outline
Bring in past essay to use as a reference
Don’t pay attention to your classmates. Stay in your own bubble.
Budget your time: plan how long you’re going to spend on each part of the essay/ each part of the process.
Skip lines: If you get stuck, skip that part and go back to it. Also skip lines for editing
Take 5-10 minutes at the end to proofread.
Tips for Writing In-Class Essays

6. Budget Your Time 2.5 Hours= 150 minutes
5-10 minutes: Read it (Mark the main task—what do you have to address for this paper?)
15 minutes: Brainstorm
20 minutes: Outline (Thesis, main points/ topic sentences, specific examples/ details)
45 minutes- 60 minutes: Draft
15-20 minutes: Revise (Do your paragraphs relate back to your thesis? Do you have transitions? Do you have conclusion sentences? Do you have specific examples?)
15-20 minutes: Proofread (Commas, run-ons/ fragments, grammar, spelling)
Budget Your Time

7. Structure and Content Checklist
Introduction : Hook, transition (background info, introduce your topic), thesis statement
Thesis statement: Topic/ position and forecasts the main points of your body paragraphs
Topic sentences: Introduce the main point of the paragraph and link back to the thesis, transition
Conclusion sentences: Tie back to your topic sentence or your thesis, transition to the next paragraph
Body paragraphs should include specific details and examples, personal experiences, anecdotes (stories). First person is necessary (I, me, my).
Conclusion: Restate thesis, do more than summarize (what’s the moral of the story? What do you want readers to learn? What’s the larger insight?)
Structure and Content Checklist

8. Possible Essay Questions (8 Possible, 4 on the exam)
If this is your first semester/ first year at Chaffey, describe how it went. Did it meet your expectations?
How have you grown as a writer or student over the semester/ year?
Consider your goals for the next 5 years. What steps will you need to take to achieve these goals?
Possible Essay Questions (8 Possible, 4 on the exam)

9. Possible Essay Questions (8 Possible, 4 on the exam)
Who or what motivates you to continue your education? Why? In what ways?
What sacrifices have you made to continue your education? How do you feel about these?
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself about school and education?
Possible Essay Questions (8 Possible, 4 on the exam)

10. Possible Essay Questions (8 Possible, 4 on the exam)
What is one obstacle you overcame this semester? How did you overcome it? What did it teach you/ show you about yourself?
What is one thing you are most proud of this semester? Why? What does it show about you?
Possible Essay Questions (8 Possible, 4 on the exam)

11. Final Reminders Prepare:
Review your previous essays, your class/ book notes, handouts from class or the LSC.
Spend some time thinking about the questions here and our discussion today.
Take care of yourself before/ during finals week: feed yourself, sleep, and do something to relax/ something you enjoy.
Final Reminders

12. Final Reminders The day of the final:
Get here early to give yourself time to relax/ eat/ get a greenbook
Keep in mind the writing process and your time budget. (You can have notes with you.)
Take a deep breath, relax, and stay positive. Remember, you’ve been preparing for this all semester!
Final Reminders

13. Finals Week Office Hours
Thursday (5/12) 2:00-4:00 Tuesday (5/17) 10:00-11:30 Wednesday (5/18) 12:30-2
Finals Week Office Hours