1. Think of yourself as a builder and the essay is the structure

2. Basic Structure  Introduction Body Conclusion

3. Introduction  The function of the intro is to introduce the subject and come to the point The American buggy race is a thing of the past, but its spirit is not. It lives on today at the thousand drag strips, where teen-age boys now race their hotrods just as their grandfathers one raced their horse-drawn rigs. The boy behind the wheel of that roaring modern buggy, however, has a great deal more that his grandfather's daring spirit. He has a machine built mainly with his own hands and a head full of technical knowledge that grandpa never even dreamed about. Every race he drives is not only a contest but a test- a test of his knowledge as well as his skill as a driver. Like his grandfather, he will race every challenger, but today’s drag-racing teenager is primarily an automotive engineer, as eager to test his theories as to win races.

4. Intro con’t  An intro opens with a broad, general statement- a good opener is your opinion.  “Some say Math is chicken soup for the soul”  Narrow down to the thesis  Don’t overwhelm your audience with loud distracting information  Thesis is the last sentence.  Many times you have to come back to the intro once you have written the body.  Get something down and a good solid thesis.

5. Intro assignment  Using your thesis from your homework last week. Write a four sentence introduction and include your thesis at the end. Underline your thesis. 5 sentences total.

6. The Body or Middle  This is your argument, this is the most powerful part of an essay  Use your opinion to create each paragraph in your body. Thesis: Tackle football is a complex sport because you have to memorize plays, learn the routes and know all the rules. P2P2 P1 P3

7. Body Con’t  State your first thesis opinion.  Write 3 supporting details.  Use transition words.  One concluding sentence that sums up your first sentence.

8. Body assignment  Write a body for your intro.  5 sentences in length.

9. Conclusion  Sums up the essay  Starts with the point  Rewrite you introduction! Using different words of course  Write a strong final statement. Something that will stay with the reader. ○ One this is certain, the drag racer is a product of his times. The society he lives in has been shaped by the automobile, and drag racing is as natural to him as buggy racing was to his grandfather. Society might as well learn not only to accept him but to appreciate his talents. He’ll be around as long as we keep moving on wheels. And that is likely to be a very long time indeed.

10. Conclusion assignment  Write your conclusion  Use a transition word  Thesis  Three broad statements that tie to the body. Take one per paragraph  One final statement.

11. Follow the RULES  Write in strict 3 rd person  Be direct  Leave out the word “there”  FOLLOW THE STRUCTURE!!!  Believe you can, and you will!!!!