Elements of a Great Essay

1. Great Essays Elements of a Great Essay Tips for the Novice Writer Great Writing Does Not Just Happen Great Writing Requires Planning Great Writing Takes Time Great Writing Demands Practice

2. Session Outline Sentence Structure Powerful Paragraphs Thesis Sentence/Premise Structuring the Essay Word Choice Editing Your Work What is the Point? • Point of Writing is to Communicate a Message or Idea • Before First Word is Written Consider Your Point

3. Sentence Structure What is a Sentence? Great Sentences lead to Great Paragraphs • Expresses a Complete Thought • Contains a Subject, Verb, and an Object Examples Technology is an ever-changing component in education. Teachers are being pushed, and in many instances, mandated to use technology not only for accountability and accounting purposes, but also to enhance the learning environment.

4. Powerful Paragraphs Ingredients • Topic Sentence • Supporting/Clarifying Statements/Data/Statistics • Summary/Transition Examples Mr. Jones states that instant feedback and exposure to the world, allows students to learn to evolve with an ever changing world and with changing technology . He feels that lack of exposure to technology is harmful for students .

5. Thesis Sentence What is it? • Underlying point or premise of the essay • Most important argument being made • Ultimate message being made Examples Each day there grows  an important need that we must keep up with trends and ideas for new technology, not only to keep our students engaged, but to provide them with new opportunities to keep up with an ever changing, an ever growing technological world, and to apply that knowledge in that world   

6. Essay Organization “Tell ‘em what’chagoin to tell ‘em; Tell ‘em; Tell ‘em what’cha told ‘em” • Introductory Paragraph • Contains thesis statement • Outlines main points • Body • Major points explained, arguments explained • Data provided to support arguments/opinions • Conclusion • Summarizes main point • Restates the thesis • Shows how logical to accept the essay’s premise

7. Word Choice Don’t Use A Bushel Full of Words For A Thimble Full of Thought. • Heart of the sentence • Choose words carefully to convey precisely what you mean Suggestions • Clear and concise • Avoid generalities, most schools • Avoid the use of meaningless clichés • Don’t choose words that make you sound intellectual • Who are you trying to impress? • Not me, I think your wonderful already! • Avoid repetition-if one word conveys the meaning don’t use two.

8. Edit Your Work You cannot always see your own mistakes. • As you review, your brain will fill in missed words • Your brain will correct misspelled words. Suggestions • Ask a friend to read it and point out errors • Put the essay aside for a few days and then review it • You will find errors that you missed before • Ask the friend if the essay makes sense? • They don’t have to understand the topic to answer this question. • You may need to write, and re-write a portion of the essay several times to get it just right

9. Conclusion Remember • Great writing doesn’t just happen, requires planning • Great writing takes time and demands practice Work Session • Take your technology coordinator interview essay out • Email it to a colleague • Ask them to review it and make suggestions • Review the suggestions and begin revising your essay accordingly