Essay Writing

Where to Begin Thesis: Sentence Statement of what your

paper will be about. The theme is the thesis, Prove it!

Introduction Most important part of the paper. Rules or essay writing: 1. All formal essays are in 3rd person. No I, me,

you, my, we, us, our, etc. 2. May NOT use “In this paper” or “in conclusion” 3. Do NOT use “this quote shows” Hook- first 1 or 2 sentences that grab the reader’s

attention.

Intro Cont… Hook: Grabs the reader’s attention. Can

be: Rhetorical Question Quote Strong Statement Short Narrative

Intro Cont… After the hook, you need a transitional

sentence Then, the thesis Finally, you need a preview-what are your

three body paragraphs about?

Intro Paragraph ExampleHook> If a kid tried to steal your purse, would you

bring him home for dinner? Mrs. Bates Washington Jones would. Thesis In his story “Thank you M’am,” Langston Hughes illustrates that generosity can be found in the most surprising places. Preview After examining that characters, symbols, and setting, it will be obvious how surprising people can be.

Body Paragraph Topic Sentence: Explains what the paragraph is about. Ex:

Mrs. BWJ is an excellent example of the surprising generosity of people.

Set up: Explains what is going on in the story before your quote.

3 quotes per body paragraph displaying your theme Inference: Explains how your quote illustrates your theme. Clincher: Wraps up the paragraph:

Ex: Obviously, Mrs. BWJ is an incredibly caring woman. Ex: Not only does the reader see how surprising generosity can

be in Mrs. BWJ, but one can also see her giving nature displayed in the symbols.

How do I Pick a Quote? Your Quote must back up your thesis:

“Here take this ten dollars” (Hughes 51). “Then we’ll eat” (Hughes 53). “Why are you stealing purses?” (Hughes 55). “Where are your parents?” (Hughes 54). “Go wash your face” (Hughes 52). “Have some cake” (Hughes 53).

Set ups: Your set up put your quote in context:

After Roger washed his face, Mrs. LBWJ said, When they had finished eating, she said, As Roger turned to leave he told her, DON’ DO THIS:

Mrs. LBWJ told Roger to wash his face. Mrs. LBWJ gave Roger money.

Inferences How does my quote illustrate my theme?

Even though Mrs. LBWJ is poor, she is kind enough to share her food

Ten dollars is a lot of money for Mrs. LBWJ, but she is willing to give it to Roger

DON’T DO THIS: This quote shows that Mrs. LBWJ is kind to give

Roger ten dollars.

A Badly Done Set: Mrs. LBWJ gives Roger ten dollars. “Here

is ten dollars” (Hughes 54). It was generous of Mrs. LBWJ to give Roger ten dollars.

A Well Done Set: After dinner, Mrs. LBWJ tells Roger, “Take

this ten dollars” (Hughes 54). Even though she is poor, she is still willing to help Roger.

Conclusion Example

Transition Dilla and Jim’s love is incredible. Thesis Restatement In order to experience true love, one must be prepared to sacrifice. Clincher Are you up to the challenge of loving that completely?

Transitional Words Also Next Still Then Besides However Indeed Instead Moreover Never the less Otherwise In other words

Therefore Accordingly Consequently Further more Meanwhile As a result For example For instance In addition In fact That is On the other hand

4 Types of Sentence1. Simple Sentence - One subject, One verb, one

main idea.

Example: Mrs. Dixon is gorgeous.

2. Compound sentence - Two complete sentences connected by a: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Example: Mrs. Dixon is fabulous, and Mrs. Eldridge has a dent in her head.

4 Types of Sent. Cont’d3. Complex sentence - One complete sentence and

one dependent clause. Example: Because Mrs. Eldridge is fabulous,

Mrs. Dixon is jealous. 4. Compound Complex sentence: Two complete

sentences, and one dependent clause. Example: When Abby locks Brittany in the

locker, Brittany, Ches, and Abby laughs.

Comma Rules Always put a comma before a FANBOYS when a

complete sentence follows. Comma follows a dependent clause when it is at

the beginning of the sentence, but no comma is needed when it’s at the end.

Items in a series are always separated by a comma but the comma before the FANBOYS is optional.

Comma Rules Cont’d All introductory information is set off by a comma. Commas separate multiple adjectives before a

noun. Any non essential describing information in a

sentence is surrounded by commas. Ex: Alphonse, who is fat and disgusting, was

arrested. All the cows who stole cars were arrested.

Underlining and Quotations Underline BIG stuff: Books, Newpapers,

Magazines, CDs, Epic Poems, Movies, TV Shows, and Plays.

Quotation marks around smaller stuff that goes into the BIG stuff: Articles, Short Stories, Poems, Episodes, Chapters, Acts, Songs.