1. Building an Essay… First, Pre-write– its important! Consider the prompt and decide how you want to organize your essay. Consider the prompt and decide how you want to organize your essay. How will you hook the reader? How will you hook the reader? What is your thesis or main idea? Write a thesis statement to guide your essay. What is your thesis or main idea? Write a thesis statement to guide your essay. What are your supporting details? Can each expand into a paragraph? What are your supporting details? Can each expand into a paragraph?

2. How to begin… What type of hook or lead will you use to engage the reader? What type of hook or lead will you use to engage the reader? Consult the handout for ideas. Consult the handout for ideas. Do you want to start with a statistic? Some interesting facts? An anecdote? Do you want to start with a statistic? Some interesting facts? An anecdote?

3. Then, give some background on your topic. Why is this topic important? What supporting ideas will you use in your essay? Why is this topic important? What supporting ideas will you use in your essay? Dont give too much detail in the introductory paragraph– just enough to pique interest. Dont give too much detail in the introductory paragraph– just enough to pique interest.

4. End your introductory paragraph by stating your thesis. The thesis or main idea for your essay is best placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis or main idea for your essay is best placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. All paragraphs that follow will back up the thesis statement. All paragraphs that follow will back up the thesis statement. Lets look at the prompt… Lets look at the prompt…

5. Writing Situation Your principal is considering adding a new academics class to the connections schedule. This class must be academic; it cannot be a sport or hobby. Some examples of an academic connection are astronomy, genetics, creative writing, psychology, sociology, or journalism. There are many more possibilities. Choose one. Ms. Lyons is taking recommendations from the student body. Writing Prompt (Expository) Use your expert voice (Expository) Use your expert voice Ms. Lyons has chosen you to select an academic connections class to solve the problem of student apathy. Describe the class and how it will motivate apathetic students. You will address apathy as a problem and your class as the solution.

6. Your first task… ~ Write an introductory paragraph for the expository prompt. Ms. Lyons, choosing Basic Psychology as an addition to the connections schedule was a wise decision. This class will not only combat the growing problem of student apathy, but it will allow students to understand why apathy occurs. Middle school students have a natural curiosity about the workings of the mind. Now, young scholars will have a captivating experience as they navigate their way through the mysteries of human behavior exploring psychological terms, concepts, and case studies.

7. Next, use the key ideas that support your thesis statement to craft body paragraphs Each paragraph will detail one of your supporting ideas. For example, in my introductory paragraph, I explained that in Basic Psychology, students would learn about new terms, concepts, and case studies. My first body paragraph will discuss the importance of learning the terms.

8. 1 st Body Paragraph In the beginning, students will need to tackle the terminology of Basic Psychology. Phrases like phobia, personality disorder, and coping strategy will seem foreign at first. [Add example using phobia.] However, learning the vocabulary of psychology will provide a foundation for further understanding. Familiarity with the language of human behavior will enable middle schoolers to better navigate complex concepts.