HOW TO WRITE A FORMAL ACADEMIC ESSAY

ESSAY WORKSHOP

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

• Type of essay• Research / Expository / Persuasive / Narrative / Reflection

• Format• Starrett = MLA (Honors 9 / Honors Lit. 11)• Rotella = APA (Honors 10 / A.P. 12)

• Length requirement• You can not write a successful formal academic essay in under

5 paragraphs• Font / Size • Times New Roman / 12 pt.

• Title / Title Page• Always title your essay creatively and appropriately• Not… 1st Semester Essay • MLA does not require a specific title page, nor do I.

• Spacing• Typically double-spaced, unless instructed otherwise

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

• Organization• Header (located on front page only – top left corner)• Name• Class• Date Submitted

• Title (underneath header, and centered above essay)• Introduction – 1st paragraph• Body – 2nd-4th paragraph (or more)• Conclusion – 5th paragraph (at least)• Works Cited (start on a new page)

INTRODUCTION

• Intro Material • Hook (1st one or two sentences = 1st impression)• Begin with an attention-grabbing anecdote, quote or surprising

statement. Try to draw your reader in immediately, before you set up your thesis statement.

• Background information – lead up to thesis

• Thesis Statement• This sentence will identify the purpose and direction of the paper

for the reader• Think of your thesis as a mini-summary of your paper. If you only

had time to explain your paper in one sentence, the thesis statement would be it.• Often answers why and/or how?• Must be debatable• Should be contained in one sentence that is concise, to the point, and

written clearly • This should be the next to last or very last sentence of your

introduction

INTRODUCTION

• Thesis Statements Examples:• A BAD Thesis • Mountain climbing is a great experience.

• Umm…. Why?

• An OK Thesis• Mountain climbing can have a significant impact on one’s life.

• The question remains… why? This thesis is less general than the first one, but still has yet to answer why it’s impactful.

• An EXCELLENT Thesis• Mountain climbing can have a significant impact on one’s life due to

the lesson one learns regarding overcoming any obstacle as long as the effort is put forth. • This thesis is specific, interesting, and leaves room for the writer to go

into detail about the experience in their body paragraphs.

• Three-Part Thesis Statement• Mountain climbing can have a significant impact on one’s life

because it can reveal courage, teach teamwork, and provide an appreciation for nature.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

• Two Parts: each body paragraph should have the following:• Main Ideas and Details• You can have as many body paragraphs as you need points to argue –

you should typically have no fewer than 3, though.

• Main Ideas• Each body paragraph should begin with a one sentence main idea. • Each main idea should support the thesis statement clearly and obviously. • Each main idea should be different. • Even though the main ideas are all different, they should all be slightly

related (through their support of the thesis).

• Details• Following each main idea, you should have examples and support that

proves both your main idea and thesis to fill up each body paragraph. • You can have as many details as you feel necessary, as long as you

cover the topic thoroughly.• This is where your in-text citations come in. If you are using someone

else’s words or thoughts – even if paraphrasing or summarizing – you must cite it!

CONCLUSION

• Wrap-up material• Your last paragraph should be a concluding paragraph. • Again, do not state anything similar to “In conclusion…” • Just wrap up the essay without mentioning you are wrapping

it up!

• You should include the following information in the wrap-up: • Summary of main points• Restatement of thesis statement • Answer any questions you think the reader might have at

this point.

WORKS CITED

• If required to do so, works cited pages are attached to the end. • The format of the works cited depends on the

format of the paper• MLA and APA have different requirements.

• The works cited always starts on a new page and is placed at the end of your essay.

GENERAL RULES

• In a research or expository essay, never refer to yourself or address the reader directly. • Do not use 1st person (I, me, myself, we, us) or 2nd (you)• You may only use 1st person if the topic is a reflection or narrative.

• Always use third-person pronouns (he, she, they, it)

• Never NEVER NEVER say…• In this essay I will discuss • In conclusion

• Use formal language• Do not use contractions• Do not use slang (“dough” for money) or idioms (“hit the

road”)• Write in a respectful and serious tone

• Use vocabulary you know• Do not just right click on a word, and choose a random

synonym that you don’t know. It doesn’t always work!

GENERAL RULES

• Choose vocabulary wisely• Words such as: stuff, things, like, good, great, etc. should

NEVER be used! • Choose words carefully – they can change the meaning of

an entire sentence. However, choose words that are specific enough for the sentence to be as clear as possible.

• You may be encouraged or required to include quoted material. • Direct quotations (someone’s quote word for word)• Indirect quotations (summarizing, paraphrasing, etc)• EITHER WAY, YOU MUST CITE IT!

INTRODUCTION PRACTICE

• Fix these thesis statements: 1. Summer camp is beneficial. 2. Mountain biking is a good form of exercise.3. Flagstaff is a nice city. 4. Fishing is a fun and exciting sport.5. Michael Moore makes horrible movies.6. Fall is the best season of the year. 7. Edgar Allen Poe is an important author.

INTRODUCTION PRACTICE

• Peer Editing: • Check to see how well your classmate’s thesis statements

are written: • is one complete sentence. • has vocabulary that is specific, rather than vague. (Eliminate

“good,” “great,” “stuff,” “things,” etc.)• is one which is specific and one which takes a stand. • is arguable and justifies discussion.• does not express too many ideas, but sticks to one particular

theory or idea.• will have ample evidence to support it in body paragraphs. • needs to be clear and concise.