1. Writing an Effective Essay (After you’ve prepared)
Essay Tests
Writing an Effective Essay
(After you’ve prepared)

2. Preparation Entails Elaborate Rehearsal!
Your Goal: Be able to organize your thoughts and ideas rapidly
Predict
Plan
Practice…recite, write, compare

3. Seven Steps of Essay Testing
Skim test and jot down ideas
Plan your time
Read prompts thoroughly
Plan your answer
Organize your essay for cohesiveness
Write a conclusion
Proofread your answer

4. # 1 Skim Test & Jot Down Ideas
Write your name on the test
Look over the entire test to get an overview
Jot down ideas as they come to you
Unload information that you want to be sure to remember

5. # 2 Plan Your Time Take a few minutes to read over the entire test
Divide your time between answering questions and proofreading
Devote more time to the questions with the highest point value
Start with the question you are most prepared to answer

6. # 3 Read Prompts Thoroughly
Determine exactly what you are being asked to do
Underline directional verbs
Circle important terms
Number the items you are being asked to address

7. Describe important differences in growth and development of plants and animals. What parts of animals grow/develop most similarly to plants? How does the function of these parts affect their growth and development?

8. 1.Describe important differences in growth and development of plants and animals. 2.What parts of animals grow/develop most similarly to plants? 3.How does the function of these parts affect their growth and development?

9. # 4 Plan Your Answer
Create an outline or map as a blue print for the organization of your essay
Thesis Statement
Main points for each paragraph
Supporting details
Refer to your outline or map frequently to stay on topic

10. Writing a Thesis Statement
Turn the essay prompt into a question:
The reviewer states, “Black Elk Speaks accurately reflects Native American lifestyle.” Argue for or against this opinion.
In what way does Black Elk Speaks accurately and inaccurately reflect Native American lifestyle?

11. Thesis Statement Continued…
Write the answer to the question. Include the topic, what you’re saying about it, and a brief description of your support.
Black Elk Speaks accurately represents Native American lifestyle through its attention to cultural detail, its use of Native American words, and its direct quotes from Black Elk.

12. # 5 Organize Your 5 Paragraph Essay
First paragraph – Thesis Statement
Second paragraph - Main Point
Support
Third paragraph - Main Point
Fourth paragraph - Main Point
Conclusion

13. Organize Your 1 Paragraph Essay
Topic Sentence
Main point # 1 + supporting points
Main point # 2 + supporting points
Main point # 3 + supporting points
Concluding Sentence

14. Example of a well organized essay
Black Elk Speaks accurately represents Native American lifestyle through its attention to cultural detail, its use of Native American language, and its direct quotes from Black Elk.
The book is immersed in the cultural details of the Oglala Sioux from their daily routines to spiritual rituals…
Native American words which more precisely reflect the belief and perspectives of the Oglala Sioux are represented throughout the book….
Black Elk’s voice reaches out to the reader through numerous quotes….
Conclusion…

15. #6 Write the Conclusion Address the question, “So what”.
Summarize your point
Reflect on implications or recommendations

16. # 7 Proofread Your Essay Check to see if you stayed on the topic
If you find you digressed, neatly cross out the words or paragraphs.
Add important information
Draw an arrow and continue on the back side of the page to maintain neatness.
Check sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation.