ESSAY WRITINGESSAY WRITING

Tips and TricksTips and Tricks

TitleTitle

When you are finished writing your essay you When you are finished writing your essay you should give it a should give it a 2 part title2 part title..

1) Something catchy1) Something catchy2) A specific explanation2) A specific explanation

Nature or Nurture?Nature or Nurture?An analysis of the themes of good and evil in An analysis of the themes of good and evil in

William Golding’s William Golding’s Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies

Introduction: TopicIntroduction: Topic

General (hook)General (hook)

Specific (thesis)Specific (thesis)

Subtopics (blueprint)Subtopics (blueprint)

(don’t forget to include the (don’t forget to include the TitleTitle and and Author’s Name in your introduction)Author’s Name in your introduction)

The The HookHook:: Motivating the readerMotivating the reader

First sentence of your essay.First sentence of your essay.

An interesting fact or statisticAn interesting fact or statistic A personal anecdoteA personal anecdote A questionA question A quotationA quotation

ThesisThesis

SHOULDSHOULD

Be an assertion not just a Be an assertion not just a fact. (CLAIM + REASON fact. (CLAIM + REASON so should include so should include because, or due to)because, or due to)

Pass judgment. Pass judgment. Pass the ‘so what’ test.Pass the ‘so what’ test. Be specific and express Be specific and express

ONE idea.ONE idea. Reappear within every Reappear within every

body paragraph. (Like a body paragraph. (Like a chorus!)chorus!)

SHOULD NOTSHOULD NOT

Include the word ‘I’.Include the word ‘I’. Include vague verbs: Include vague verbs:

seems, appears, think, seems, appears, think, believe.believe.

Include abstract attributes: Include abstract attributes: good, bad, important.good, bad, important.

Include abstract qualifiers: Include abstract qualifiers: maybe, perhaps.maybe, perhaps.

Thesis – How to . . .Thesis – How to . . .

If topic is assigned as a question:If topic is assigned as a question: Answer the question! Be sure to use the same Answer the question! Be sure to use the same

vocabulary.vocabulary.

If topic is assigned generally or is not If topic is assigned generally or is not assigned:assigned:

Brainstorm / FreewriteBrainstorm / Freewrite Narrow down a main ideaNarrow down a main idea Pass judgment on that ideaPass judgment on that idea

BlueprintBlueprint

The blueprint should consist of one or The blueprint should consist of one or two sentences outlining the major points two sentences outlining the major points to come.to come.

If possible, attempt to justify the order of If possible, attempt to justify the order of your points from the beginning.your points from the beginning.

Avoid terms such as: in this essay, the Avoid terms such as: in this essay, the following paragraphs, etc. Don’t draw following paragraphs, etc. Don’t draw attention to yourself!attention to yourself!

TransitionsTransitions: Flow between ideas: Flow between ideas

Transitions are words which define the Transitions are words which define the connections between your ideas.connections between your ideas.

Sequence: firstly, secondly, finallySequence: firstly, secondly, finally Comparison: however, in contrast,on the other handComparison: however, in contrast,on the other hand Demonstration: for example, for instanceDemonstration: for example, for instance Addition: also, furthermore, in additionAddition: also, furthermore, in addition Consequence: therefore, henceConsequence: therefore, hence

SECsSECs: Flow within ideas: Flow within ideas

Statement (what is your exact point)Statement (what is your exact point)

Example (demonstrate your point)Example (demonstrate your point)

Commentary (explain how your example Commentary (explain how your example proves your point)proves your point)

Quotations (1)Quotations (1)

Short quotations (less than 4 lines) are Short quotations (less than 4 lines) are integrated directly into the text and are integrated directly into the text and are only separated by quotation marks.only separated by quotation marks. We are left to wonder whether or not the We are left to wonder whether or not the

boys knew they were killing a human. After boys knew they were killing a human. After all, the narrator claims to have heard the all, the narrator claims to have heard the beast “crying out against the abominable beast “crying out against the abominable noise” (168).noise” (168).

Quotations (2)Quotations (2)

For longer quotations (longer than 4 lines), For longer quotations (longer than 4 lines), separate them from the text by indenting and separate them from the text by indenting and single spacing the quotation. No quotation single spacing the quotation. No quotation marks are needed.marks are needed. Roger’s degeneration is noted by the repetition of Roger’s degeneration is noted by the repetition of

the original stonethrowing incident when hethe original stonethrowing incident when he

took up a small stone and flung it between took up a small stone and flung it between the the twins, aiming to miss. They started and twins, aiming to miss. They started and Sam only Sam only just kept his footing. Some source of just kept his footing. Some source of power began power began to pulse in Roger’s body (194).to pulse in Roger’s body (194).

Conclusion: Most important Conclusion: Most important TIPTIP

Say what you are Say what you are going to saygoing to say..

Say itSay it..

Say what you Say what you saidsaid..

Tips and HintsTips and Hints

Did you separate all contractions?Did you separate all contractions? Did you find synonyms for all Did you find synonyms for all

taboo words? (book, good, bad, taboo words? (book, good, bad, thing)thing)

Did you write in the present tense?Did you write in the present tense?