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Essay Writing is Fun!

Essay Writing is Fun!. Writing as Process. Pre-Writing Activities Essay Structure Essay Structure and Flow Revision. Before You Start to Write.

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Essay Writing is Fun!

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  1. Essay Writing is Fun!

  2. Writing as Process • Pre-Writing Activities • Essay Structure • Essay Structure and Flow • Revision

  3. Before You Start to Write Hole in My Life is a memoir. Like most life stories, it does not have a ready made, clear cut theme. However, commonalities and lessons learned are apparent in the book. • Freewrite:What are the themes of Hole in My Life? • Brainstorm:What are the themes of Hole in My Life? • Outline:Pick a theme and outline an essay. We’ll talk more about the structure of an essay tomorrow, but you outline should include an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

  4. Essay Structure • Introduction: Introduce the thesis statement, set up the body paragraphs and include a “grabber.” • Thesis Statement: In all likelihood will be something like, “A theme of Hole is…” or “The theme of Hole is…” • Body Paragraphs: These support your thesis. One idea per paragraph! • Conclusion: Sum up your message and wrap it in a nice little bow.

  5. Essay Structure & Flow • One Idea per Paragraph: A paragraph is a unit of writing. It should contain one main idea, especially in a formal essay. • Transitions: Between sentences and paragraphs transitions assure the essay flows from beginning to end. • Examples: Moreover, On the other hand, Nonetheless, Additionally, However, While, Therefore and many, many more! • Active Voice: While this is technically not a persuasive paper, you are still trying to explain and support your point (your thesis statement, in fact). Active voice is much more effective than passive voice. • Word Choice:There is always a better word – a mayonnaise word. A thesaurus is your friend.

  6. Reverse Outline Tomorrow we will work on revision, but now is the time to discuss an important strategy. Reverse Outlining is used in order to insure each paragraph has one idea and also that your essay flows. It works like this: • Read a draft of your essay. • In the margin next to each paragraph write a one or two word summary of the main idea of the paragraph. • If it has more than one idea – Whoopsey! You’ll have to split it up later. Make an indication if you intend to do so. • When you have finished review the margin notes. Does the essay flow from one idea to the next? Should the order be changed? Do you need additional paragraphs? Are any superfluous? • Time to revise! 7

  7. Revision • Self Editing: You should revise initially on your own. You know best what you wish o say. • Peer Editing: Another or several other pairs of eyes offer a fresh perspective and often find readability errors you might miss. A peer can also read the essay out loud to you so that you may evaluate how it sounds. • Conventions:When the essay is organized and reads well, then you can work on fixing the grammar, punctuation and spelling. • Readability: Before worrying about conventions, it is best to first proofread and revise for readability • MLA: Go to “The Owl” on Purdue University’s website for definitive MLA rules. Google: owl MLA .

  8. Readability Worksheet • Does the essay flow? Done  • Comment: 2. Does the intro grab your attention? Done  • Comment: 3. Is the thesis statement easily identifiable? What is it? Done  4. Does the intro inform the reader of the supporting rationales (the body paragraphs) for the thesis statement? Done  • Comment: 5. Do the body paragraphs support the thesis statement? Done  • Comment: 6. Does each paragraph contain only one main idea? Done  • Comment: 7. Are there good transitions between paragraphs? Are there good transitions between sentences? Done  • Comment: 8. Does the conclusion sum up the ideas of the essay? Done  • Comment: 9. Does the conclusion wrap up the essay and confirm the thesis statement? Done  • Comment: 10. Does the essay flow? Done  • Comment: 11. Is the essay clear? Done  • Comment: 12. Evaluate the word choice in the essay. Could the author use better, stronger words? Done  • Comment:

  9. Conventions Worksheet • 1. Is the first page formatted correctly?Done  • Comment: • 2. Are the quotations properly introduced, framed and cited? Done  • Comment: • 3. Do the signal words of the in-text citations match the first words of the corresponding entry on the Works Cited page? Done  • Comment: • 4. Are the in-text citations in proper form? Done  • Comment: • 5. Is the Works Cited page in proper form? Done  • Comment: • 6. Are there any punctuation errors? Done  • Comment: • 7. Are there any spelling errors? Done  • Comment: • 8. Are there any grammatical errors? Done  • Comment:

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