Essay Writing 101Body Paragraphs, Intros, & Conclusions.

RecapLast class, we discussed and practiced the first 5 Habits of Effective Writers:1.Analyze the Prompt

2.Stop and Think3.Brainstorm4.Pick and Choose5.Make a Plan

The EESEC Body Paragraph Model

A solid paragraph should follow this format:

1.ESTABLISH Topic Sentence (Main Point of the Paragraph)

2.EXPLAIN Topic Sentence (Tell me what you mean, or say it again with different words)

3.SUPPORT (Give an example, a quote, or a logical reason to support your point)

4.EXPLAIN Support (2-3 sentences)(Tell me exactly how your last sentence supports your point)

5.CONCLUDE (Restate your main point using different words)

Example of Paragraph Structure(1) Wrestling is the toughest high school sport. (2) No other sport available to students requires as

much physical and mental stamina. (3) For example, wrestlers match every muscle in

their body against their opponent. (4) This requires more overall toughness than any

other sport. It’s not just isolated to one part of the body; wrestling is a whole-body sport.

(5) Therefore, wrestling is tougher than any other high school sport.

Prompt: Explain what the most difficult sport is in high school.

Example: Claim = The theme is that one cannot use logic to become courageous.

Since the theme has to do with courage, one of the best ways to see it revealed is through characterization. In the story, the protagonist, Francis Macomber, suffers from an embarrassing moment of cowardice. For example, while hunting for lion, we see Macomber hesitant to get out of the car, asking, “Why not shoot from where I am?” Upon advancing on the lion, though, we see Macomber’s true nature: “Macomber had not thought how the lion felt… He only knew his hands were shaking and…it was impossible for him to make his legs move” (3). From this, we see a few things. First, Macomber is clearly afraid to hunt the lion, which is ironic as he is on safari voluntarily. Second, Macomber seems rather aware of his cowardice at this moment. He is reflecting on his abilities, and acknowledging his limitations. From this, we can deduce the theme, that courage cannot be manufactured or planned intellectually.

Example with TWO direct quotesClaim = The theme is that one cannot use logic to become courageous.

Since the theme has to do with courage, one of the best ways to see it revealed is through characterization. In the story, the protagonist, Francis Macomber, suffers from an embarrassing moment of cowardice after asking if he can shoot a lion from the safety of the jeep. Pressured to advance on the lion, though, we see Macomber’s true nature: “Macomber had not thought how the lion felt… He only knew his hands were shaking and…it was impossible for him to make his legs move” (3). From this, we see a few things. First, Macomber is clearly afraid to hunt the lion, which is ironic as he is on safari voluntarily. Second, Macomber seems rather aware of his cowardice at this moment. He is reflecting on his abilities, and acknowledging his limitations. Additionally, Macomber shows the futility in thinking oneself courageous when he ______________. This can be seen when he thinks to himself, “How can I prove to my wife I am a man?” (5). This shows Macomber actively assessing his fear and trying to overcome it. Such strategizing suggests that he believes one can simply become courageous if they try hard enough. We know in the end this is not true for him. Therefore, we can deduce the theme, that courage cannot be manufactured or planned intellectually.

Start your rough draft

Make sure to follow the paragraph format:1.Topic Sentence.

Rewrite your THESIS STATEMENT 1/3 of the way down on the page. This will mark the END of your Introduction.

Topic SentencesI am sure that many of you already know what a Topic Sentence is.And the name is pretty self evident:

Topic Sentence = Sentence that tells what your topic or main point isWrestling is the toughest high school sport.

No other sport available to students requires as much physical and mental stamina. Wrestlers match every muscle in their body against their opponent, which requires more overall toughness than any other sport.

Simple Declarative Statement

Being a good parent requires discipline, morals, and respect.

Building a Game Center will greatly benefit our community.

Last Christmas, I had a difficult choice to make.

Short, simple, to the point.

Situation/Stance

In order to be a good parent, one must have discipline, morals, and respect.

Although there are many choices, a Game Center would be best for our community.When I think of the choices I have had to make, the one I made last Christmas was the hardest.

Two Parts: Tell the situation, then tell your

stance.

Start your rough draft

Make sure to follow the paragraph format:1.Topic Sentence2.Expand/Elaborate. Give some

background info (i.e. “context”)3.Support with DIRECT EVIDENCE4.Explain Support (2-3 sentences)5.Conclude OR TRANSITION to 2nd

Quote.

Rewrite your THESIS STATEMENT 1/3 of the way down on the page. This will mark the END of your Introduction.

Transitioning Between BPs You cannot write 3 paragraphs in isolation. You

are being assessed on how you TRANSITION.

This is relatively easy. Follow these steps:1. Acknowledge what you have just proven in previous

BP2. Use a transitional phrase or word 3. INSERT TOPIC SENTENCE (Declarative)

This automatically makes for a Complex sentence, and aids the reader in following your argument.

Intros and ConclusionsYou’ll be writing your Introduction as an EXIT ticket today…

Introductions

Get the reader’s attention Introduce the topic Thesis: what will be proven? How?

IntroductionsStart with a HOOK: General statement.

End with Thesis: “Get to the POINT”

• Transition to topic.

• Introduce title and author• Give some background

(context)

Let’s Try it out

Write a Hook: Can be a question.▪ Have you ever considered if “Snow White” was

an irrelevant story in today’s world? Can be a theme or truth about life▪ American culture discards old traditions for new

ones all of the time. Can be a quote from a famous person. ▪ John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your

country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Example

Everyone makes mistakes he or she regrets later in life.

Transition to Topic

Write a sentence or two to explain your first sentence. This is still general…don’t mention your

specific topic. You can:▪ Provide general examples of your hook’s

topic.▪ Restate or clarify your hook.▪ Answer your own question.

Example

Everyone makes mistakes he or she regrets later in life. This is how we learn about our selves, and define our values. These experiences are often found in poetry.

TOPIC?

So…what are you writing about? Use the following to introduce:▪ For example▪ For instance▪ One example is▪ Etc…

Be specific.

Example

Everyone makes mistakes he or she regrets later in life. This is how we learn about our selves, and define our values. These experiences are often found in poetry. For example, in the poem “Deer Hit” by Jon Loomis, the speaker regrets killing a deer after being irresponsible.

Thesis!

X = A + B + C OR, A + B + C = X What are you arguing? What THREE WAYS are you going to

prove?

Do not use “I” (as in “I believe” or “I think.”)

Final Introduction

Everyone makes mistakes he or she regrets later in life. This is how we learn about our selves, and define our values. These experiences are often found in poetry. For example, in the poem “Deer Hit” by Jon Loomis, the speaker regrets killing a deer after being irresponsible. The poem expresses the theme that single moments in our life can be a burden forever. This is shown through the use of metaphors, similes and imagery.

Conclusions Turn that Intro Upside Down!

Restate Thesis (Not exactly…RE-WORD!) Summarize each of your three points (A,

B, C) End with a take home message…

ZINGER!▪ What do you want the reader to think about,

based on your research? Start with the point…end general.

Conclusion

The motif of guilt helps to drive the plot of The Crucible, leaving us to consider the theme that guilt can make people go to extremes. This is seen in the way Giles Corey’s guilt of endangering his friend leads to his own death. Also, we saw how Proctor’s guilt drives his decision to die with dignity. And lastly, the power of guilt is shown in Mary Warren’s abandonment of Proctor, in favor of Abigail. Indeed, guilt is a powerful emotion. It shows the best and worst of humanity, and--sadly--leads us to momentary lapses of reason.

1Everybody knows what guilt feels like. 2It is a motivating emotion that can drive people to do amazing--or crazy--things, simply to alleviate the feeling. People can sacrifice their reputations, or injure others’, in the process. Many will do whatever it takes to sanitize their guilty conscience. 3The motif of guilt is no better examined than in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. 4In it, Miller proves the theme that a guilty conscience drives people to extreme decisions. This can be seen through the actions of Giles Corey, John Proctor, and Mary Warren.

Intro Conclusion