How to Write an Essay. Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay

Transcription

1 How to Write an Essay Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay

2 What is an Essay A basic essay consists of three main parts: INTRODUCTION 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS A CONCLUSION

3 The Introduction The introduction guides the reader into your paper by grabbing attention and introducing the topic. It should name the title and author of the piece and give a brief description of the plot of the piece. Introduce your essay by having a HOOK!! This is merely a catchy first sentence that will grab the reader s attention Make sure to introduce your topic. Provide a brief synopsis of what your topic is and also remember to include your reference works (i.e.. John Wyndham s The Chrysalids) Where the reader finds the thesis statement, which is the guide to the entire essay. Remember to have a concluding sentence in your introduction.

4 The Thesis Statement A thesis statement is simply an argument that you are going to prove. It is the roadmap for your essay and explains to the reader exactly what you will discuss in your paper. The thesis statement will be the LAST SENTENCE in your INTRODUCTION paragraph. A basic thesis statement contains the topic and the 3 main points to support the topic. For example, prove that Uncle Axel is one of the most important characters in the novel The Chrysalids. Thesis statement: In the novel The Chrysalids Uncle Axel is one of the most important characters as David s best friend, protector and confidant.

5 BODY PARAGRAPHS In a basic 5 paragraph essay, there are 3 body paragraphs that all follow the same structure; but, discuss and prove different points. Each body paragraph should discuss one of the points in your thesis. You are trying to convince the reader that your point is right. Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, point, and proof. Be sure to use transition phrases to connect your ideas. Write a closing sentence. Do this x3

6 WRITING A PARAGRAPH A full and complete paragraph consists of a MINIMUM of 8-10 sentences and follows a specific format: TOPIC SENTENCE (1 st Sentence) The topic sentence reflects which thesis statement point you will be discussing in the body paragraph. You must PROVE your POINT by providing PROOFS (examples) to support your topic sentence. You must COMMENT on each PROOF to further your analysis. Therefore POINT (topic sentence) PROOF & COMMENT (x3) CONCLUDING SENTENCE (last sentence) Each paragraph should end with a final statement that brings together the ideas brought up in the paragraph and emphasizes the main point one last time.

7 Write a paragraph using the following prompt: Explain why Uncle Axel is an important character in the novel. Topic sentence: There are several reasons why Uncle Axel is an important character in the novel, he is the protagonist s best friend, protector and confidant. The topic sentence is followed by body sentences that go into greater detail on the topic.

8 Writing a paragraph (continued) Body Sentences: As David s best friend, he is the only non-deviant that David trusts enough to share his secret of telepathy with. Uncle Axel protects David and the other Chrysalids from people in the community of Waknuk who would like to send them to the Fringes. He does this by keeping David s secret and by killing Alan, who threatened the safety of the Chrysalids. Finally, Uncle Axel gives David advice when he is in trouble and needs the help of an adult. He is trustworthy and loyal, always watching out for David s best interest. Concluding sentence: Clearly, Uncle Axel is important to the novel as he is for the main character David.

9 The Conclusion The conclusion brings together ALL of the main points of the essay. It refers back to and RESTATES the THESIS. The conclusion leaves the reader with a final thought and a sense of closure by resolving any ideas brought up in the essay. #1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW!

10 How to Begin The teacher will provide topic questions which you should brainstorm about. Brainstorming in this case includes finding evidence to support your point. (PROOF) You cannot make a statement about something and not provide evidence that shows that your statement is correct.

11 Try brainstorming in this way Uncle Axel is the most important character in the novel as he advises David, kills Alan to support the group, and teaches David about life beyond Waknuk. Point: Uncle Axel is the advisor to David, guiding him and supporting him. Proof: Uncle Axel says to David, There isn t an easy way out. you have to come to terms with it. You ll have to face it (80). Comment: Therefore, Uncle Axel supports David by showing him how to handle being different from everyone else.

12 Formal Wri*ng Rules Do not use the first or second person (I, my, we, us). Do not use contrac*ons (can t, won t, doesn t). Do not use clichés, metaphors or figures of speech. Avoid saying The essay will discuss... or In my opinion... Avoid using a lot. If you do use it, take care not to repeat it ohen. Avoid redundancy and repe**on. Be specific. Do not use words such as things or many examples. Do not be vague. Always follow MLA format (see below) Always type and double space. Use size 12 pt font, Times New Roman, and standard 1 margins EDIT, EDIT, EDIT! Save your rough work. When wri*ng about literature, always write in the present tense. I.e. The Chrysalids is a book about the future not The Chrysalids was a book about the future. Essays should be submived with one staple in the top leh hand corner. Do not put them in folders or duotangs.

13 MLA Format Essay wriven in 12 pt font, 1 margins No separate *tle page. In the top leh corner of the first page of your essay, write: Your Name Teacher s Name Double spaced Course Code Date SubmiVed Put your last name and page number in the top corner of each page a-er the *tle page. Italicize the *tle of the novel When using quotes, reference the page number in the following way: First quote, use the author s name in the reference. I didn't even no*ce then that it had more than the usual number of toes (Wyndham 6).

14 MLA Con*nued Second quote from the same source, no need for the author s name. I didn t even no*ce then that it had more than the usual number of toes (6). Submit a Works Cited page to show the resources that you have quoted from in your essay. The format for the Works Cited: Write Works Cited centered at the top of a new page. (Ensure your last name and the page number are s*ll included in the top right corner.) Each entry in the works cited should be in alphabe*cal order according to the author s last name. Last name, First name. Title of Book. City published: Publisher, Year.

15 CITY OF EMBER ESSAY TOPICS 1. Compare Lina and Doon. How are they similar? How are they different? How does each impact the other? 2. How does Ember come into being? Why is it built? What are the Builders' plans for the city? How do those plans go wrong? 3. Describe Assignment Day. How are jobs assigned? What's wrong with this method? What could have been done differently? 4. Describe at least three inhabitants of Ember. How are each important to the city? How are each important to other inhabitants?

16 THE OUTSIDERS ESSAY TOPICS 1. Sixteen years on the streets and you can learn a lot. But all the wrong things, not the things you want to learn (p. 122). Discuss this quote from the novel and how it applies to each of the boy s lives. What things did they learn? What things might they have liked to learn? Support your ideas with what you know about the characters through examples from the novel. 2. Write an essay explaining how expectations played a role in the lives of the Socs and the Greasers. How did external and internal expectations influence each group s actions in the novel?

17 THE OUTSIDERS ESSAY TOPICS 3. Write an essay explaining why you believe each of the main Greasers could be considered a hero. Include your own definition of hero in the essay, and be sure to explain how each boy, in his own way, meets your definition. Remember to support your ideas with examples from the novel. 4. Write an essay explaining how the Socs were more of a disgrace and menace to society than the Greasers. Look at how society viewed and treated the two groups. Examine the characteristics of each group, their actions, and the choices each made. Be sure to support your ideas with examples from the novel.