HOW TO WRITE HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAYAN ESSAY

This session deals with essay This session deals with essay questions from unit assessments questions from unit assessments activities. activities. Take-home essays are due one week Take-home essays are due one week after the objective test (or otherwise after the objective test (or otherwise directed by the teacher). directed by the teacher). In-class essays are due at the end of In-class essays are due at the end of the class period.the class period.

Social Studies Mr. Presley

Lesson ObjectivesLesson Objectives1.1. Construct coherent paragraphs and arrange Construct coherent paragraphs and arrange

paragraphs in logical order and present ideas to paragraphs in logical order and present ideas to achieve overall coherence and logical flow in achieve overall coherence and logical flow in writing.writing.

2.2. Employ basic writing skills proficiently.Employ basic writing skills proficiently.3.3. Compose a five paragraph essay with an Compose a five paragraph essay with an

introduction, main body, and a conclusion with introduction, main body, and a conclusion with the purpose of relaying historical information.the purpose of relaying historical information.

4.4. Review ideas and structure in substantive ways to Review ideas and structure in substantive ways to improve depth of information and logic of improve depth of information and logic of organization.organization.

By the end of the lesson, student will be able to . . By the end of the lesson, student will be able to . .

Directions for the Directions for the Take-home EssaysTake-home Essays

The unit test may include not only an objective The unit test may include not only an objective portion, but also a student-constructed response.portion, but also a student-constructed response.You are to write a logically-organized essay with You are to write a logically-organized essay with a minimum of five-paragraphs.a minimum of five-paragraphs.A five-paragraph essay has an A five-paragraph essay has an introductionintroduction, , three main ideas in a three main ideas in a main bodymain body, and a , and a conclusionconclusion. . All take-home essays are to be handwritten in All take-home essays are to be handwritten in blue or black ink. blue or black ink.

THE INTRODUCTIONTHE INTRODUCTION

The INTRODUCTION is a The INTRODUCTION is a functional paragraph that has functional paragraph that has from four to six sentences. It from four to six sentences. It includes the following:includes the following:

1.1. Introductory Introductory StatementStatement2.2. Thesis StatementThesis Statement3.3. Purpose StatementPurpose Statement4.4. Essay MapEssay Map

THE INTRODUCTIONTHE INTRODUCTIONIntroductory Statement Introductory Statement - The first sentence is - The first sentence is designed to capture the reader’s attention. This may designed to capture the reader’s attention. This may include one of the following:include one of the following:

1.1. A significant or famous quote.A significant or famous quote.2.2. Very short story or narrative, whether fictional Very short story or narrative, whether fictional or non-fictional.or non-fictional.3.3. An interesting thought or provocative An interesting thought or provocative statement.statement.

For testing purposes, I will not require the use of the For testing purposes, I will not require the use of the introductory statement at first; however, I strongly introductory statement at first; however, I strongly suggest you use it by the end of the semester. suggest you use it by the end of the semester.

THE INTRODUCTIONTHE INTRODUCTIONThesis Statement Thesis Statement - The next sentence is to state your - The next sentence is to state your topic of the whole essay; in other words, “What are topic of the whole essay; in other words, “What are you going to talk about?”you going to talk about?”

For testing purposes, you should look at the “For testing purposes, you should look at the “Essay Essay Question”Question” sentence located near the top of the essay sentence located near the top of the essay cover page. You may change the sentence into a thesis cover page. You may change the sentence into a thesis statement by simply rearranging the words and statement by simply rearranging the words and phrases. phrases.

THE INTRODUCTIONTHE INTRODUCTIONPurpose Statement Purpose Statement - A purpose statement is declaring - A purpose statement is declaring what you are going to prepare for the reader: what you are going to prepare for the reader: persuade, inform, or entertain.persuade, inform, or entertain.

For testing purposes, there are some points to For testing purposes, there are some points to consider.consider.

First of all, you are only to inform the reader.First of all, you are only to inform the reader.Secondly, your audience is your teacher. To Secondly, your audience is your teacher. To impress your audience, be formal and respectful in impress your audience, be formal and respectful in your choosing of a language style.your choosing of a language style.Finally, you need to prove how well you understand Finally, you need to prove how well you understand the content. the content.

THE INTRODUCTIONTHE INTRODUCTIONEssay Map Essay Map - This sentence outlines your main ideas - This sentence outlines your main ideas that you plan to talk about. The following are good that you plan to talk about. The following are good introductory phrases of an essay map sentence:introductory phrases of an essay map sentence:

1.1. The following areThe following are. . . :. . . :2.2. These areThese are. . . :. . . :

For testing purposes, you should look at the “For testing purposes, you should look at the “Rubric”Rubric” section located near the center of the essay cover page. section located near the center of the essay cover page. Under the subheading of “ Under the subheading of “ContentContent,” you will find the ,” you will find the main ideas listed in order for you to write.main ideas listed in order for you to write.

THE MAIN BODYTHE MAIN BODYThe MAIN BODY is composed The MAIN BODY is composed of topical paragraphs that work of topical paragraphs that work together to answer the thesis.together to answer the thesis.It will consists of the three main It will consists of the three main ideas (in a minimum of three ideas (in a minimum of three paragraphs). paragraphs). The main idea is directly stated The main idea is directly stated in a topic sentence.in a topic sentence.All other sentences in the All other sentences in the paragraph support the main paragraph support the main idea.idea.

Each main idea will focus on a single topic with examples, Each main idea will focus on a single topic with examples, details, and specific data.details, and specific data.

Your organization method is based on the subject matter’s Your organization method is based on the subject matter’s genre:genre:

For history classes, you should follow a chronological For history classes, you should follow a chronological order - you need to trace the sequence of events that order - you need to trace the sequence of events that describe the topic.describe the topic.For other social studies classes, you should follow a For other social studies classes, you should follow a topical order - you need to explain the topic by topical order - you need to explain the topic by comparison-contrast (discovering similarities and comparison-contrast (discovering similarities and differences between topics), critical (summarizing the differences between topics), critical (summarizing the point of view in a text), or expository (thorough point of view in a text), or expository (thorough explanation of a topic).explanation of a topic).

For testing purposes, you are provided the main ideas. You For testing purposes, you are provided the main ideas. You must use your notes for the essay.must use your notes for the essay.

THE MAIN BODYTHE MAIN BODY

These paragraphs are similar to the writing paragraphs you do in These paragraphs are similar to the writing paragraphs you do in class. To review, these paragraphs involves four basic concepts:class. To review, these paragraphs involves four basic concepts:

TheThe topictopic is the main idea of the paragraph. This is usually no is the main idea of the paragraph. This is usually no more than one to two sentences long.more than one to two sentences long.TheThe restrictionrestriction gives a specification, or sub idea, of the general gives a specification, or sub idea, of the general topic. It describes, explains, or clarifies the topic to vindicate topic. It describes, explains, or clarifies the topic to vindicate the point. Because the standard is three sub ideas for every one the point. Because the standard is three sub ideas for every one main idea, this spans usually three to six sentences long.main idea, this spans usually three to six sentences long.TheThe illustrationillustration is an example that provides evidence, whether is an example that provides evidence, whether a quote, statistic, personal experience, or documented case. a quote, statistic, personal experience, or documented case. This varies from one sentence to several sentences.This varies from one sentence to several sentences.TheThe conclusionconclusion is a rephrasing of the topic sentence that wraps is a rephrasing of the topic sentence that wraps up the paragraph. This should be no more than one to two up the paragraph. This should be no more than one to two sentences long.sentences long.

THE MAIN BODYTHE MAIN BODY

Remember, a complete sentence has a subject Remember, a complete sentence has a subject (main noun), a predicate (a verb), and expresses a (main noun), a predicate (a verb), and expresses a complete thought. complete thought.

Punctuation needs to be correct in order to establish Punctuation needs to be correct in order to establish complete sentences, so don’t forget to make sure complete sentences, so don’t forget to make sure your grammar and mechanics are satisfactory.your grammar and mechanics are satisfactory.

Be sure to include transition sentences in order to Be sure to include transition sentences in order to keep the essay flowing properly. Transitions are keep the essay flowing properly. Transitions are sentences that provide a link from one paragraph to sentences that provide a link from one paragraph to another.another.

THE MAIN BODYTHE MAIN BODYThere are some points to consider when writing your essay:

I. Define the components and issues of basic economics.I. Define the components and issues of basic economics.A. MAIN IDEA - Economic DecisionsA. MAIN IDEA - Economic Decisions_________________________ is a central concept in economics. _________________________ is a central concept in economics.

It is the study of the _______________________________. It is the study of the _______________________________. _________________________ means not having sufficient _________________________ means not having sufficient _________________________ to produce enough to _________________________ to produce enough to _____________________________________________. _____________________________________________. Alternatively, _________________________ implies that not all of Alternatively, _________________________ implies that not all of society's _________________________ can be attained at the society's _________________________ can be attained at the _________________________._________________________.______________________ and ______________________ are ______________________ and ______________________ are ______________________ because of the limited availability of ______________________ because of the limited availability of ______________________ (the ______________________) along ______________________ (the ______________________) along with the limits on our ______________________ and our with the limits on our ______________________ and our ______________________ skills. ______________________ skills. Where ______________________ are ______________________ it Where ______________________ are ______________________ it is necessary for ______________________ to make is necessary for ______________________ to make ______________________ as to how they are allocated and used. ______________________ as to how they are allocated and used.

______________________ is the most important alternative that is given up ______________________ is the most important alternative that is given up as a result of a specific economic decision. as a result of a specific economic decision.

The ______________________ of purchasing of an The ______________________ of purchasing of an ______________________ may be that an eighteen-year-old boy ______________________ may be that an eighteen-year-old boy cannot afford to attend college. cannot afford to attend college. The ______________________ of using all of one’s The ______________________ of using all of one’s ______________________ to practice to become a tennis star may ______________________ to practice to become a tennis star may be that _________________________________________________.be that _________________________________________________.

______________________ refers to the acceptance or ______________________ refers to the acceptance or ______________________ of less of one thing to get more of something else ______________________ of less of one thing to get more of something else (e.g., ________________________________, ____________________ (e.g., ________________________________, ____________________ ___________________________________________________________).___________________________________________________________).

The most basic ______________ in the ___________________ is The most basic ______________ in the ___________________ is what you do with your _________________. what you do with your _________________. In any given period, _____________________________________.In any given period, _____________________________________.The limitation of ______________________ that you can only be in The limitation of ______________________ that you can only be in one place at any given _____________________ (above the one place at any given _____________________ (above the _____________________ level) places a ____________________ on _____________________ level) places a ____________________ on what you may be able to do with your ____________________.what you may be able to do with your ____________________.

1. Each division of the main idea is called a sub idea.

2. Be sure to summarize each sub idea. Do not focus on one and skip the others.

3. Verify that you include specific names of people, dates, locations, and issues or events relevant to the main idea. In other words, do not simply write the first sentence of each sub idea.

SAMPLE FROM NOTE PACKETTHE MAIN BODYTHE MAIN BODY

When writing the main body, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

THE CONCLUSIONTHE CONCLUSION

The CONCLUSION is a The CONCLUSION is a functional paragraph that has functional paragraph that has five to eleven sentences. It five to eleven sentences. It includes the following:includes the following:

1.1. Restatement of the Restatement of the ThesisThesis 2.2. Summary of Main Summary of Main IdeasIdeas 3.3. Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks

THE CONCLUSIONTHE CONCLUSIONRestatement of the Thesis - This a generic way of This a generic way of saying you are about to wrap up the essay. Simply saying you are about to wrap up the essay. Simply put, it is paraphrasing your thesis statement. put, it is paraphrasing your thesis statement.

For testing purposes, you need to rephrase your test For testing purposes, you need to rephrase your test question that you wrote in your introduction. question that you wrote in your introduction.

THE CONCLUSIONTHE CONCLUSIONSummary of the Main Ideas - These sentences sums These sentences sums up your main ideas as a sort of review for the reader. up your main ideas as a sort of review for the reader. Generally, you may use one to three sentences for Generally, you may use one to three sentences for each main idea you explained.each main idea you explained.

For testing purposes, write a sentence that summarizes For testing purposes, write a sentence that summarizes the events of each main idea. This may be an the events of each main idea. This may be an opportunity to provide reasonable opinions about your opportunity to provide reasonable opinions about your thoughts on the subject.thoughts on the subject.

THE CONCLUSIONTHE CONCLUSIONConcluding Remarks - This is the last sentence or This is the last sentence or two that ends the essay on a thoughtful end. two that ends the essay on a thoughtful end. Remember, the purpose of an essay is not to make the Remember, the purpose of an essay is not to make the reader think, but to rethink. reader think, but to rethink.

For testing purposes, do not simply write “This ends For testing purposes, do not simply write “This ends my essay.” Write a sentence that promotes how you my essay.” Write a sentence that promotes how you interpret the essay question. interpret the essay question.

As we end this As we end this session . . .session . . .Don’t forget to do it: A week is

a long time, and this assignment is half your test grade.

Despite the essay’s importance, PLEASE, don’t fret over this assignment. Focus on doing a little each day, and you will get it done.