1. Session 4: Writing Applications (Writing Essays)
Test Taking Tips #4
Essay-Writing Tips
The 5-Paragraph Structure
Brainstorming, Drafting, and Revising

2. Test-Taking Tips #4
Sleep well the night before the test and eat breakfast on the morning of the test. You need energy to keep you going!
On the essay portion, read the prompt carefully. Think about what it asks you to do before starting to brainstorm
Use the planning page to brainstorm ideas before writing.
Revise and proofread your essay when you are done. You can always erase and rewrite what is messy or misspelled. The grader needs to be able to read what you write.

3. Which test-taking tip will help you most?
Look back at all four slides of test taking tips and decide your three favorite tips.
Turn to the person sitting next to you and share your responses. How will you use those tips on the test?

4. Essay Writing… it’s not as bad as you may think!
This is your chance on the test to share your own voice and ideas!
Make sure you “talk to the text” on the question itself, and underline exactly what the questions is asking.
Brainstorm first! Getting your ideas on paper will make you less nervous and help your essay become more clear and specific.
Break your thoughts into groups, called paragraphs! If you write one long paragraph, you will get one low score .

5. On your paper, talk to this essay topic (TtT!)
How do I start?
Step 1: Talk to the question and make sure you know what it is asking you to do (put it in your own words if that helps)
Exp: Write an essay discussing whether or not you would recommend your school to other teenagers.
On your paper, talk to this essay topic (TtT!)

6. Brainstorm For Against Choose the best method for brainstorming
Pro/Con Chart
Spider/bubble brainstorm
Check page for other ideas
Anything else that works for you!
Now brainstorm about the topic: Write an essay discussing whether or not you would recommend your school to other teenagers.
For
Against

7. What belongs in the introduction paragraph?
A hook to draw the reader in
Background information about the topic
Thesis statement

8. What is a hook?
A hook is the attention-grabbing first sentence of your essay.
We call it a hook because you are trying to “hook” the reader in.
Hooks can include:
A question
An interesting statement, fact, or quote
A thought-provoking idea
Whatever you choose, it should be on-topic and appropriate for your audience!

9. Give us an example…
For an essay on whether or not to recommend OFL, a hook could include:
“Why do so many people leave high school before they graduate?”
“Many students interviewed at OFL say they prefer OFL to their previous school.”
“Independent study is not right for everyone, but many students do better working on their own.”

10. What is background information?
Background information is anything your reader needs in order to understand what you are talking about in your thesis and essay.
Assume the reader of your essay is a smart person who doesn’t know much about your topic.
Exp: “Opportunities for Learning is an independent study school that many students choose if the traditional school is not working for them.”

11. What is a Thesis Statement?
Book defines as “Clearly expressed main idea about a topic”
Put another way, the point you are trying to prove in your essay.
The most clear thesis statements include your three main arguments
Exp: “Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because the teachers are caring, the centers are safe and clean, and students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.

12. Where do I put my Thesis Statement?
The thesis statement is almost always at the very end of the first (introduction) paragraph.
The information in your introduction goes from general (hook) to specific (thesis)
Thesis Statement

13. Putting the introduction together…
Independent study is not right for everyone, but many students do better working on their own. Opportunities for Learning is an independent study school that many students choose if the traditional school is not working for them. Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because the teachers are caring, the centers are safe and clean, and students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.

14. What goes in the body paragraphs?
In the most organized essays, the body paragraphs match the order of the thesis, explaining each with more information:
Exp: Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because 1 the teachers are caring, 2 the centers are safe and clean, and 3 students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.

15. The Body Paragraphs Introduction Conclusion Body paragraph 1
Thesis: Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because the teachers are caring, the centers are safe and clean, and students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.
Introduction
Body paragraph 1
The teachers are caring
The centers are safe and clean
Body paragraph 2
Students can earn credits at a faster pace
Body paragraph 3
Conclusion

16. The Body Paragraphs Example:
Within the body paragraphs is where all your ideas and examples are used. You can brainstorm these first, and then bring them together within each body paragraph.
Example:
Body ¶ 2: The centers are safe and clean
The bathroom is always clean and orderly
Students feel safe because there are never fights at the center
Desks are clean and no one tags on them.

17. Conclusion Wraps up your essay, restating your main ideas in new words
Adds up the evidence from your essay to make your final point.
Think back to the hamburger: The final bite (last sentence) of your essay should be delicious! It should leave your reader with a good understanding of your main point.

18. Shape of the Conclusion
The information in your conclusion goes from specific (restatement of your thesis in new words) to more general (bigger ideas about the topic)

19. Now fill in the information on the planning chart for the OFL essay…
Introduction
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
Conclusion

20. Choose an essay question
Choose an essay question between pages 211 and 230 (but read all of them!) and answer it using the brainstorming, planning chart, then writing method.
Use the rubric on page _ of your packet to evaluate yourself before turning the essay into your teacher.

21. All Homework Due!! Session 1: Pages 3-9, 11-14, 17-22, 25-34
Session 2: Pages 42-47; 58-64; 75-77; (Jeff Story); ; ;
Session 3: Page , , , , Measuring Up; Essay, page 212
Vocabulary Flashcards for all bolded words p