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Essay Vocabulary. An essay is… . An answer to the teacher-given question Your opinion Supported by evidence to prove your opinion At least three paragraphs long Always focused on what it is proving. An essay is not…. A story Off-topic Written in slang
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An essay is… • An answer to the teacher-given question • Your opinion • Supported by evidence to prove your opinion • At least three paragraphs long • Always focused on what it is proving
An essay is not… • A story • Off-topic • Written in slang • A hurried assignment (unless you are asked to do a timed-essay) • Easy--but will become easier with practice
Paragraphs • Paragraphs are sections of an essay that are indented • Introduction Paragraph • Body Paragraph (s) • Conclusion • In the indentation space, number the paragraphs on the final draft example.
Introduction -(1st Paragraph) • The first paragraph of the essay • Hook • TAG • Bridge • Summary • Thesis
Hook • The hook is the opening of the introduction. • A hook’s purpose is to grab the reader’s attention. • Always avoid questions. Instead, try using: a famous quotation, astrong statistic, or imagine a world where… • Label the hook with a hook *Be sure whatever you decide to use matches the overall argument.
Bridge • The bridge connects the hook into the argument of the essay. • Label the bridge with a bridge
T.A.G. • The TAG stands for Title, Author, Genre (what type of writing is it- fiction, non-fiction, etc. • Label the title with a T • Label the author with an A • Label the genre with an G
Plot Summary • Plot Summary: 1-2 sentences telling what is the novel/story about • Underline the plot summary
Thesis • A thesis is your answer to the question the teacher has asked you and is what you’re proving in your essay. • It is your argument that includes subpoints which map out the body paragraphs. • Highlight the thesis in yellow
Body Paragraph(s) – Middle Paragraphs • Topic Sentence • Chunks • Concluding Sentence
Topic Sentence • The topic sentence will state one of the subpoints from your thesis • It will introduce that body paragraph • Label the topic sentence with a T.S. • Highlight with the green highlighter
Lead-in (Context) • The Lead-in answers the- • Who is in the quote? • What is happening around the quote? • When does it happen? • Where does it happen? • Label the Lead-in LI
Concrete Detail (CD) • The Concrete Detail is the evidence that proves your thesis and relates to your topic sentence. • This is in “quotation marks” and is followed by the (page number) in parenthesis • Much like the concrete outside, a Concrete Detail cannot be changed. • Circle the quotation marks around the Concrete Detail • Label the Concrete Detail with CD
Commentary (CM) • The Commentary is your opinion. It explains how the CD proves your argument/thesis. • There are always at least two sentences of Commentary following each CD. • CMs are sometimes called: • Interpretation • Explanation • Opinion • Justification • Analysis • Label the Commentary with CM • Remember, there is always a minimum of 2 CM
Chunk’s “magic formula”: • It’s a ratio. 1 LI:1 CD:2 CM • This means that for every Concrete Detail, there needs to be two Commentaries to explain how the CD proves the essay’s argument. • One piece of this formula in an essay is called a chunk.
CHUNK • Lead-in (Context) • Concrete Detail (Evidence) • Commentary (Analysis)
Concluding Sentence • The concluding sentence will wrap up your body paragraph • Restate the topic sentence and transition to the next body paragraph • Highlight with the pink highlighter
Conclusion • This is the last paragraph of the essay • Restate the thesis in different words • End with a final thought!
Formula for a body paragraph… • Topic sentence- What is body paragraph about? • Lead-in– An example of _______ occurs _______: • Concrete Detail-- “ “(page #). • Commentary- This shows… • Commentary- This also demonstrates… • Lead-in– Another example of… • Concrete Detail “ “ (page #). • Commentary This shows… • Commentary- This also demonstrates… • Closing Sentence– Restate the topic sentence
Just one more thing… • Even though an essay is your opinion, you should never use the personal pronoun “I” in your essay. If your name is on the paper, then I know the opinions in the paper are yours. • NEVER use: I, you, we, us our, me, etc. • Use: One, an individual, or people instead • All verbs need to be in the present tense; the piece of literature is still alive!
Don’t worry! • Everyone feels stressed when learning to write essays. It’s difficult, but you’ll get better with practice. I promise!