Essay Writing

The E.O.I. “Monster”

YOU CAN SUCCEED!!!

YOU CAN BEAT THE MONSTER

and make it painless

by following a few simple steps and “rules”.

Typical 5-paragraph essay

Introduction with topic sentence

Body Paragraph with point & 3 facts/supports

Body Paragraph with point & 3 facts/supports

Body Paragraph with point & 3 facts/supports

Conclusion

BEFORE you begin writing:

*You should read your prompt at least “three” times.

Why??? To make sure you understand mode & prompt

*You should make an outline. Why??? You are graded on

organization.

Think P.A.C.O.

• P-What is your purpose?

• A- Who is your audience?

• C- Content --What are your ideas for details, facts, or reasons?

• O- Organization --Think

how you want to structure your paper.

Modes of Writing

• Expository--explain, tell how• Descriptive—describe (all 5

senses)• Persuasive---persuade or

convince• Narrative-- tell about a time

when, tell a story• Reflective—”reflect” back

and write about a special moment or memory

What is a narrative essay?

Has chronological order and sequence of events.

• Has action.

• Has conflicts or problems.

• Has dialogue.

• Has characters.

• Has a definite beginning, middle and end.

• Tells a story.

Do you think there is a love story

here?

• WRITE A STORY or

• TELL ABOUT A TIME, or

• TELL WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

What are the key words that show a prompt is narrative?

You and your friend find a big box that is labeled “Do Not Open.” Your friend wants to open the box. Write a story about what happens next.

Tell about a time when you made a serious mistake.

Two little girls found a wallet on the sidewalk. Tell what happened next.

Use this type of web for

a Narrative

S TO R Y TITL E

E ven t

E ven t

E N D IN G

E ven t

E ven t

In trod u c tion

CLIMAX

How to get your story rolling

• Begin by describing a character.

LaDarius Smith, a star on our school basketball team, is very lucky.

Get the story rolling with dialogue

“What’s that smell?”

the sophomores complained.

“Finish your experiment and we’ll head outside to get away from it,” said their teacher.What punctuation goes

with the words said?Did you say quotation marks? You’re right!

Get the story rollingProvide a “where” with

prepositional phrases:

• Near the park• Below the surface of

the water• In Chicago• Throughout the

crowded room• Inside the lunchroom

Here’s an excellent beginning from a real student…

• It was an early Tuesday morning in Tokyo, Japan. The sun started to rise over Juan Lee’s house. Boom! Juan Lee and his friend Jen went to see what was with all of the commotion. Then the door came crashing down. It turned out that Juan’s Aunt Lee kicked the door down.

How does he start his story? How does he grab interest?

Prompt:Think about a time when something

unexpected happened. Write a narrative essay in which you tell about an unexpected event that happened to you or someone you

know. Be sure to include specific details

so that your reader can follow your story.

*Try to get the reader involved in your story. *Use bright, strong, touchy images and

expressions (“bright,” not in the meaning you are going to say that the sun is shining brightly, but in the sense the images you are using touch the soul

of your reader).*Use dialogue!

*Don’t be afraid to joke. *Don’t be afraid to sound funny or extraordinary.*Do not be afraid to question traditional views.

*If you believe you have something new to say – say it.

Now… your turn…

Write a narrative about a person or

character who overcame an obstacle or

a difficult situation. The character must

be a person from history or from

literature, movies, or television.

What is a descriptive essay?

– DESCRIBES an object or place

_use as many of your five senses as you can

*sight

*hear

*smell

*taste

*touch

High School Descriptive Prompts

1. Think about your favorite season, and then write an essay describing that season. Include sensory details so that a reader can imagine what it is like to experience the season, and make sure it is clear from your description why this season is your favorite.

2. Think of a time when you experienced a rainstorm. In a composition, use sensory details to describe what the rainstorm was like so that a classmate could clearly imagine the experience.

3. Most people have a place where they feel comfortable and relaxed. Think of a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Picture it in your mind. In a composition, describe this place for your classmates so that they can imagine what it is like and how you feel there.

What is an expository essay?

• …Gives facts.

• …Explains.

• …Gives steps in a

process.

• …Presents ideas in

logical order or correct

sequence.

What are the key words that show it is an expository prompt?

Most people enjoy some type of music. Think about your favorite type of music and explain why you like that particular type of music.

Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at times. Explain how you would direct a lost man to get back to the interstate highway from your neighborhood.

Tell how to make a hamburger.

YOU WILL FINDTHESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT

EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.

Sample Prompts:

1. Write an essay explaining the importance of being able to see a situation from another person's point of view.

2. Write an essay explaining why it is important to forgive.

3. Music plays an important role in every culture and in every individual's life. Write an essay explaining the role music plays in your culture or in your own life.

4. Write an essay explaining what makes a great leader.

exam p les

e lab ora tion

exp lan a tion

K E Y ID E A

exam p les

e lab ora tion

exp lan a tion

KEY IDEAD(details)

P (reasons)E (facts/steps)

ConclusionS um m arize the pointsyou m ade in the essay

go back to the introduction

exam p les

e lab ora tion

exp lan a tion

K E Y ID E A

exam p les

e lab ora tion

exp lan a tion

KEY IDEAD(details)

P (reasons)E (facts/steps)

exam p les

e lab ora tion

exp lan a tion

K E Y ID E A

exam p les

e lab ora tion

exp lan a tion

KEY IDEAD(details)

P (reasons)E (facts/steps)

Introduce your topicGive 3 details, reasons, facts or steps in a process

You w ill ta lk about in your paper.

1ST PARAGRAPH

2ND PARAGRAPH 3RD PARAGRAPH 4TH PARAGRAPH

5TH PARAGRAPH

Introduction

Reason #1

(Evidence #1)

Reason #2

(Evidence #2)

Reason #3

(Evidence #3)

Example

Explanation/Commentary

Elaboration

Example

Elaboration

Example

Elaboration

Conclusion= Transitions

OR

Explanation/Commentary

Explanation/Commentary

What is a persuasive essay?

• You are asked to prove something.

• Give reasons why.• Present

arguments against your reasons. Show them to be false.

• Take a stand • Ask or call for an

action.

What are the key words that show it’s a persuasive prompt?

1. Your city council is considering a proposal that would ban the use of cell phones in privately owned businesses such as restaurants, movie theaters, and retail stores. Violators would be subject to a fine. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter in which you convince the city council to support your position, giving strong evidence for your reasons.

Persuasive Prompt

2. In some countries every young person must serve two years of military service. Should we have a similar policy in the United States? Write an essay stating your position on this issue and supporting it with convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.

Persuasive Prompt3. Your state legislature is considering a

bill that would require a person to

earn a high school diploma before he or she

could receive a driver's license. What is your

position on this issue? Write a letter to

convince your state legislature to accept

your point of view.

YOU WILL NOTICE THE WORDS PERSUADE, CONVINCE OR TELL WHY SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.