Take out Take out book and book and read for SSRread for SSR
BODERPBODERPHow to Write an How to Write an Essay Like a Pro.Essay Like a Pro.
The Purpose of an EssayThe Purpose of an EssayTeachers assign essays Teachers assign essays
to see if you can:to see if you can:
1) Present your 1) Present your thoughts in an thoughts in an organized wayorganized way
2) Apply what you’ve 2) Apply what you’ve read to other read to other situations, or your situations, or your own life.own life.
B = BrainstormB = BrainstormThe first step to writing an essay is to The first step to writing an essay is to
BrainstormBrainstorm..
Ways to brainstorm:Ways to brainstorm:
1) Bulleted list1) Bulleted list
2) Web outline2) Web outline
3) Draw a picture3) Draw a picture
4) Write a brain-dump quick-write.4) Write a brain-dump quick-write.
5) Walk around the room talking out loud 5) Walk around the room talking out loud to yourself about the topic (don’t do this to yourself about the topic (don’t do this during class).during class).
6) Talk about the topic with someone else.6) Talk about the topic with someone else.
O = OutlineO = OutlineYou You OutlineOutline your essay for two reasons: your essay for two reasons:
1) To fit the format of your assignment 1) To fit the format of your assignment (example: Five paragraph essay).(example: Five paragraph essay).2) To make sure you have enough ideas 2) To make sure you have enough ideas to write your essay.to write your essay.
If you realize you do not have enough If you realize you do not have enough information for the essay, go back to information for the essay, go back to the Brainstorm step.the Brainstorm step.
D = DraftD = Draft
The The DraftDraft is the first version of your is the first version of your essay that is written in the format essay that is written in the format that your teacher has assigned.that your teacher has assigned.
- It is not complete.- It is not complete.
- It will be changed.- It will be changed.
- It looks like an essay, but it - It looks like an essay, but it isn’t (yet).isn’t (yet).
E & R = Edit & ReviseE & R = Edit & ReviseAfter you finish writing your Draft, you After you finish writing your Draft, you need to need to Edit & ReviseEdit & Revise your work. your work.
1) Look back at the original writing 1) Look back at the original writing prompt and ask yourself if you’ve really prompt and ask yourself if you’ve really answered the questions.answered the questions.
2) Look back at your brainstorming, and 2) Look back at your brainstorming, and ask yourself if you’ve presented your ask yourself if you’ve presented your ideas in the best possible way.ideas in the best possible way.
3) Have at least two other people read 3) Have at least two other people read your essay and offer ideas and your essay and offer ideas and suggestions.suggestions.
E & R = Edit & ReviseE & R = Edit & Revise
4) Spell check!4) Spell check!
5) Grammar check!5) Grammar check!
6) Have at least two other 6) Have at least two other people read your essay and people read your essay and offer ideas and suggestions.offer ideas and suggestions.
7) Re-write the essay to make 7) Re-write the essay to make these changes.these changes.
P = Proof-ReadP = Proof-ReadFinally, Finally, Proof-ReadProof-Read your your
essay.essay.1) This is the last time you 1) This is the last time you will read your essay, so will read your essay, so read slowly and carefully.read slowly and carefully.2) Check the directions for 2) Check the directions for the essay one more time to the essay one more time to make sure you didn’t miss make sure you didn’t miss anything.anything.3) Make any last minute 3) Make any last minute changes, and turn in your changes, and turn in your essay!essay!
Email Where I’m From/Where Email Where I’m From/Where I’m Going PoemsI’m Going PoemsMake sure Where I’m Going Make sure Where I’m Going Will Fit in Your FrameWill Fit in Your FrameUse 9 or 10 point fontUse 9 or 10 point fontPut poem in frame…may use Put poem in frame…may use construction paper to keep construction paper to keep poem steadypoem steady
5 Paragraph 5 Paragraph Essay FormatEssay Format
#1 - Introduction#1 - IntroductionStarts with a “Starts with a “hookhook” to make the reader ” to make the reader
want to read the rest of the essay.want to read the rest of the essay.ex- “Dogs are not just ‘man’s best friend.’ In this ex- “Dogs are not just ‘man’s best friend.’ In this savage and unforgiving world, dogs are man’s only savage and unforgiving world, dogs are man’s only friend.friend.
2-4 sentences discussing the topic in 2-4 sentences discussing the topic in general.general.ex- “Throughout history, dogs have been mankind’s ex- “Throughout history, dogs have been mankind’s constant companions. They hunt, protect, ….”constant companions. They hunt, protect, ….”
A A thesis statementthesis statement that states your 3 that states your 3 main arguments.main arguments.ex- “Dogs are great pets because they help owners ex- “Dogs are great pets because they help owners get exercise and are loyal and friendly.”get exercise and are loyal and friendly.”
Paragraphs 2, 3, & 4Paragraphs 2, 3, & 4Paragraph TwoParagraph TwoStart with a topic sentence.Start with a topic sentence.
ex- “Dogs help their owners get exercise in a ex- “Dogs help their owners get exercise in a variety of ways.”variety of ways.”
Now support that statement with at Now support that statement with at least 3 supporting details.least 3 supporting details.ex- “Many dog owners jog with their pets.”ex- “Many dog owners jog with their pets.”
Paragraphs 3 & 4Paragraphs 3 & 4 follow the same follow the same format, using the other two main format, using the other two main arguments from your thesis arguments from your thesis statement.statement.
#5 Conclusion#5 Conclusion
Your Conclusion paragraph will:Your Conclusion paragraph will:
Restate your thesis statement.Restate your thesis statement.
Deal with any possible arguments Deal with any possible arguments against your thesis statement.against your thesis statement.
Summarize all the main arguments. Summarize all the main arguments.
