Essay Writing 101

1. Essay Writing 101 Please take Cornell Notes

2. Introduction • The introduction consists of a • Hook • Connection to precis • Precis (includes author and title) • Thesis statement • Thesis is ALWAYS the last sentence in your introduction paragraph

3. Hooks • Hook is a • Question • Anecdote • Startling fact or question • Quotation • Background information

4. Connection • Explains or says more about the hook

5. Topic / Literature • Tells the reader • Type of Literature • short story, poem, essay, novel, play, etc. • Title of the piece • Julius Caesar, Night, “All Summer in a Day” • Author or Explains the topic

6. Thesis statement is ALWAYS the last sentence in the first paragraph Thesis Statement consists of Central Idea: arguable position on the topic Method of Development: 3 ways to prove your claim Each of these three turn into a body paragraph Thesis Statement

7. Introduction Sample When I was young, I wanted nothing more than to beat my older sister at any game she played. I would go as far as stealing her tap shoes so that she could not practice. Sibling rivalry can drive brothers and sisters to commit reprehensible acts. They may feel anger, resentment, or jealousy and want to lash out at anyone nearby. In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, Brother wanted to create the brother he never had even though it meant sacrificing Doodle to achieve his goal. Brother learns that sacrifice, pride, and love are hard lessons to learn as a child.

8. Each body paragraph proves one of your methods of development. ALWAYS work to use the 2 chunk format as a base for your writing TS – Topic Sentence Links to MD with key words CD – Concrete Detail Quote or specific examples CM – Commentary Analysis of CD. Explains the so what CM CD CM CM CS – Concluding Sentence Closing Sentence in Paragraph Body Paragraphs

9. Last paragraph in the essay. It is all commentary, gives the essay a finished feeling Conclusion Tips Summarize, review, or restate the thesis in different words Echo methods used in the introduction Make an appeal for action Relate the essay to the listener’s interests Concluding Paragraph

10. Directions: On a separate sheet paper, please do the following: Pick one prompt and copy it down. Underline the 2 or three things the prompt is asking you to do. Create a Thesis statement Make an outline of what your essay will look like. Follow the 2 chunk format. Prompt # 1 Throughout our lives, we have all observed places change. Sometimes we regard these changes as positive ones and sometimes as negative ones. Think of a place you know well that has changed. In a well-developed, five paragraph essay, compare and contrast the place as it is now and use to be, and say how you feel about those changes. Prompt # 2 Modern heroes often do not exemplify the values of past generations. Many people today look up to rock stars, famous athletes, and crime fighters rather than military officers, government officials, or characters from literature. Pick one person who is regarded as a hero. This person may be living or dead, real or fictional, from any walk of life. In a well-developed, five paragraph essay, analyze his or her appeal and say how you feel about that persons qualities. Prompt # 3 Authors often create characters who go against the grain of society in either positive or negative ways. These characters may do so because of beliefs they hold, goals they have, or motivations. From a piece of literature you have studied, choose a character who has rebelled against society in either a positive or a negative way. In a well-developed, multiparagraph essay, identify the character, describe the reasons for the rebellion, and analyze the effects of that character’s actions Now you try