Write Fast!

1. Write Fast! Demystifying The 5 Paragraph Essay

2. You know the scene. You’re asked to write an essay on a topic, book, event, etc. Suddenly your mind goes blank, your palms start sweating, and you stare blankly at the screen. What Do You Do?

3. The 5 Paragraph Essay • Contrary to what you might think, writing an essay is not that difficult once you master the steps involved. • Today we’re going to learn how to organize your thoughts, identify main points, create a thesis, and submit a sound 5 paragraph essay. • I believe each of you can do this!

4. Why We Write • We write for many reasons; for fun, to express ourselves, to explain, to persuade, etc. • Most writing for school is known as expository writing. • We’ll be discussing EXPOSITORY writing today.

5. Expository Writing The purpose of most expository writing is to communicate ideas or answer questions. • Gives information about a topic • Explains ideas • Gives directions • Shows how to do something

6. The Essay Format

7. Step 1: Get Organized!It’s important to organize your thoughts. Consider using a diagram to organize your main points and the facts you will use to prove them. Helping the Environment Recycle Reduce Consumption Reuse

8. The THESIS Statement • Your thesis statement will have three parts. • The first part states the topic. • “The American Revolution…” • The second part states an point. • “…was caused by…” • The third part includes the facts you will use to prove your point. • “…the lack of representation for colonists, high taxes, and a deep desire for self-rule.” • “The American Revolution was caused by the lack of representation in Parliament, high taxes, and a deep desire for self-rule.”

9. A Good Paragraph Each paragraph should be no less than three sentences and follow this format. • Topic Sentence • Three Examples • Conclusion “Watching television is enjoyable but it can also be harmful. Many children develop short attention spans as a result of too much television. Also, television can be distracting and keep children from accomplishing their goals. For these reasons, television should be limited each day.”

10. The Body of the Essay

11. Putting It All Together Step 1: Analyze the question to find the MAIN TOPIC. Brainstorm ideas. Step 2: Outline your essay. Identify the main points that fit into the topic. Step 3: Create a thesis statement based on your main points. Step 4: Outline Again. Identify the facts you will use to support your main points. Step 5: Write the Essay. Step 6: Take a break! Walk away and do something else. Step 7: Proof read your essay for errors. Read it out loud!

12. Let’s Do This Together • Prompt: Using your knowledge of literature, answer the following question. How does an author create a mood of suspense in their writing? Consider writing style, plot, and characterization.

13. Main Topic: How an author creates a mood of suspense.

14. Thesis Statement In their writing, authors establish suspense through the setting, descriptive words, and the characters in that are portrayed.

15. The Setting • Descriptive Words • Characters • A dark and stormy night • A gloomy castle • The cold wind • The door creeks open • “Dark and stormy” • “Gloomy” • “Cold” • The man is full of anger. • The female is distrusting and suspicious. • The children are sleeping restlessly This is the “proof” for my three body paragraphs which will serve to prove my thesis statement.

16. Let’s Review • Don’t’ stress, plan and execute! • All essays should have 5 basic paragraphs. • Outline your points first! • The introductory paragraph should include a thesis statement which outlines your main point. Turn the question into a statement and answer it! • The 2nd-4th “body” paragraphs include your three main points and proof to support each point. Use topic sentences to start each body paragraph. • A good conclusion will not just repeat the introduction, but will give insight into WHY your points matter. • Proof read and check for clarity before submitting.