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Essay Writing and Revision

Essay Writing and Revision. Drafting : Writing the Essay Introduction Grabs audience’s attention Contains the thesis Thesis States essay’s topic, purpose, point of view Specific , powerful words - not general or vague May change during revision process Probable that it will.

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Essay Writing and Revision

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  1. Essay Writing and Revision Drafting: Writing the Essay Introduction Grabs audience’s attention Contains the thesis Thesis States essay’s topic, purpose, point of view Specific, powerful words -not general or vague May change during revision process Probable that it will

  2. Drafting: Part II • Body paragraphs • Contain a Claim/argument • May contain Counterclaim/counterargument • Conclusion • Ties essay together • May restate thesis (not verbatim) • May restate main points of essay (not verbatim) • Gives a satisfying ending • Furthers introduction

  3. Revision: Reviewing the Draft The Introduction • Catchy introduction? • Clear and specific thesis? • Transitions • Transitions for each paragraph? • Smooth and free flowing? • Tie contiguous paragraphs together?

  4. Revision: Part II Body Paragraphs • Topic sentences • Make sense when read together? • Support thesis? • Logical order? • Supporting sentences • Support topic sentence? • Logical order?

  5. Revision: Part III The Conclusion • Conclusion • Complements introduction when read together? • Furthers ideas in essay? • Ties essay together? • Provides a satisfying ending?

  6. Revision: Here we go! General tips • GOOD REVISION TAKES TIME! • Plan to write at least three (3) drafts • 1st draft… Focus on the BIG stuff • Overall organization of essay • May revisit this step several times • 2nd draft… Concentrate your efforts • Edit • 3rd draft… Get nitpicky • Proofread

  7. Revision: Editing Punctuation, Grammar, Spelling, Mechanics • Check: • Spelling • Grammar • Subject/verb agreement • Search for PERFECT word • Dictionary • Thesaurus • Search for STRONGverbs • Cut extraneous material

  8. Revision: Proofreading • Final Check • Take a break before proofing. • Do not rush it. • Read your essay aloud. • Read your essay slowly. • Have an unbiased pair of eyes look your essay over.

  9. Some General Tips • Always take time between revision sessions to distance yourself from your work. • Ask instructors/unbiased readers what mistakes YOU commonly make and then LOOK FOR THOSE when revising. • Use hard copies or save in a new file to revise. • Never know when you might need to look at what you originally wrote

  10. Your Tasks • Identify Weak Verbs! • Find alternatives or rewrite the sentence • NO sentence may begin with the same 1st word as any other sentence!

  11. WEAK Verbs: Example

  12. Weak Verbs: Revision • The most common verb in the English language is "to be" (is, was, were, am, etc.). • You will use the verb "to be" multiple times in your essays. However, if too many of your sentences rely on "to be," you're sapping your essay of energy. • “More than anyone else, my brother deserves credit for my achievements in high school. I can trace my successes in academics and music back to my brother's subtle influence.”

  13. To Begin Revising • Collect your essays into a pile at your table. • If you did not arrive with a rough draft, see Mr. Johnson – you’re headed to the library! • You will work on your essay or the wiki page prompts for 30 minutes and then return to class • Review the essay you receive, marking any duplicate first words and any weak verbs.

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