Essay Structure and

Format . Master Copies

10 Steps for Teaching Essay Structure and Format

1. Using a strong model essay, ask the following questions: a_ What is the first thing you notice on the page?

(title, paragraphs, etc...)

b. How many paragraphs? How do you know tbese are

paragraphs? (5, they are indented). c. What is the first paragraph called? (intra)

d. What is the second (third and fourth) paragraphs

called? (body)

e. What is the last paragraph called? (conclusion)

2. Read the model essay. silently. a. What is it about?

3. Read the essay aloud to students and discuss the following ~

a. What is the writer's position on this topic? b. How do you know? c. Where can you find details that support her position?

4. Review the terminology and structure of the essay. Color- code the parts of the essay using highlighters .

- Find the title: highlight in blue

Intra: Find the grabber: highlight in green

Find the topic of the essay: highlight in pink Find the thesis: highlight in yellow

Body: Find the main idea in each body paragraph and highlight in yellow.

Find the details that support the main idea and highlight in orange.

DahonJZoroya LACOE,2003

Conclusion Find the restatement of the topic and highlight in pink.

Find the thesis and highlight in yellow.

Find the clincher and highlight in green.

5_ Distribute the outline template and have students complete the information.

6. Repeat the process with another strong model.

7. Repeat the process on a weak model. Elicit responses as

to why the various pieces are weak or missing, etc...

8. Hold students accountable for knowing the basic structure and terminology_Give the quiz on essay format.

9. Allow for students to demonstrate understanding of structure and format by giving a final model essay for students to mark up independently. Students can either fHJ in the outline template or highlight and identify the major components on the actual essay (as completed in step #4).

10. Begin wo rk on writing effective grabber, top ic, and clincher statements. (See pocket) .

(Dal£on/Zoroya LACOE,2003

Name Date _

Essay Structure Terms

term definition

Name Date _

Essay Structure Terms

DefinitionTerm

1. the nome of a composition 1. title

2. grabber 2. the first sentence of an essay -it gets the reader's attention and

interest

3. tells generally what the essay will be about

3. topic

4. a sentence that tells the position, opinion or argument of the essay

4. thesis

5. main idea 5. a statement that supports the thesis

6. details 6. evidence and eXQmples that support Q

main idea

7. clincher 7. the last sentence of an essay -it leaves the reader with Q lasting

impression

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Model #1

School Uniforms: To Be or Not To Be?

Teenagers identify with the music and fashion of their generation. It helps to create their identity. Many schools are choosing school uniforms Q5 a way to control todoy's teens and to build Q sense of school community. This is wrong. School uniforms should not be enforced in America's public schools.

First of all, uniforms give a false sense of equality in schools. It gives them the idea that the school is united and the students are all basically equal. This is

not true because wealthy students can still buy these blue and white outfits at Nordstroms and Macy's. The poor kids still shop at Kmart and everyone knows the difference. Uniforms don't remove social status levels in schools. There are better ways to address the issues of equality among students than enforcing a school uniform policy.

Secondly, school uniforms also take away student choice. Teachers and parents want kids to be who they are and yet they push school unIforms. Teenogers want to be creative through the clothes that they choose to wear, Clothing shows a certain image and teens need to be able to try out different imoges as they figure out who they are.

Finally, schoof uniforms prevent teenagers from relating to the peers of their generation. Ask any adult what the music and s1yle of their generation was and they wi 1\ have on answer. These are things thot stay with people throughout their lifetime. Music and fashion are a big part of each generation and to deny students the opportunity to experience that in school is wrong.

So as you con See, it would be wrong to force uniforms in America's public schools. School should be about discovery - of both the world and ourselves. Uniforms don't send this message of discovery - they support the idea that conformity is more important. Is that the message that America's youth shou"d be getting?