Mr. ForgetfulMr. ForgetfulLearns How to Write an EssayLearns How to Write an Essay

How do you begin to write an How do you begin to write an introduction paragraph?introduction paragraph?

Step #1: Step #1: Most essays begin with a general Most essays begin with a general statement (generalization). This statement (generalization). This sentence typically acts as the topic sentence typically acts as the topic sentence for the paragraph. sentence for the paragraph. Everything in that paragraph flows Everything in that paragraph flows with the topic sentence…fits into the with the topic sentence…fits into the paragraph.paragraph.

Step #2:Step #2: Next, the supporting detail sentences are Next, the supporting detail sentences are

written to narrow the topic.written to narrow the topic. A thesis statement is similar to a topic A thesis statement is similar to a topic

sentence. It is a general statement that sentence. It is a general statement that tells the reader what you will be writing tells the reader what you will be writing about. It is usually at the end the first about. It is usually at the end the first paragraph. It sums up the whole paper.paragraph. It sums up the whole paper.

The introduction should also hook the The introduction should also hook the reader. This means that the introduction reader. This means that the introduction should draw the reader in. It should make should draw the reader in. It should make the reader want to read more of the essay.the reader want to read more of the essay.

What are Body Paragraphs?What are Body Paragraphs?

The second part of the essay is called the The second part of the essay is called the bodybody. In a five-paragraph essay, the body . In a five-paragraph essay, the body is made of 3 paragraphs. This is the main is made of 3 paragraphs. This is the main part of your essay. part of your essay.

Like the supporting detail sentences, these Like the supporting detail sentences, these paragraphs provide the support to your paragraphs provide the support to your introduction paragraph and to your thesis introduction paragraph and to your thesis statement. They fill the essay with details statement. They fill the essay with details and examples.and examples.

What is the Conclusion Paragraph? What is the Conclusion Paragraph?

In this paragraph the writer should In this paragraph the writer should briefly restate what they have briefly restate what they have written in the four previous written in the four previous paragraphs. paragraphs.

Example of an Introduction Example of an Introduction ParagraphParagraph

Have you ever forgotten about a very Have you ever forgotten about a very important date such as a wedding or important date such as a wedding or birthday? Well, unfortunately Mr. Forgetful birthday? Well, unfortunately Mr. Forgetful has. Mr. Forgetful was one of those people has. Mr. Forgetful was one of those people who would forget about his birthday unless who would forget about his birthday unless it was written down on his calendar, and it was written down on his calendar, and he would forget his name unless he he would forget his name unless he practiced saying it at least four times a practiced saying it at least four times a day to himself. day to himself. Mr. Forgetful was the type Mr. Forgetful was the type of guy who would forget about dinner with of guy who would forget about dinner with the governor, his first day of college, and the governor, his first day of college, and even his own sister’s wedding day. even his own sister’s wedding day. (Thesis (Thesis Statement)Statement)

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #1 One important date Mr. Forgetful forgot about One important date Mr. Forgetful forgot about

was his supper with the governor.was his supper with the governor. (Topic (Topic Sentence) The supper was at Mr. Forgetful’s Sentence) The supper was at Mr. Forgetful’s house at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The governor house at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The governor ceremoniously arrived at Mr. Forgetful’s house ceremoniously arrived at Mr. Forgetful’s house hoping for a grand evening to help his political hoping for a grand evening to help his political career. Forgetful answered the door wearing an career. Forgetful answered the door wearing an old shirt, oily pants and some worn out sneakers. old shirt, oily pants and some worn out sneakers. Mr. Forgetful told the governor that he was sorry Mr. Forgetful told the governor that he was sorry and quickly changed his clothes. Then, to try to and quickly changed his clothes. Then, to try to smooth things over with the governor, he took smooth things over with the governor, he took him out to eat at McDonald’s. The governor was him out to eat at McDonald’s. The governor was not impressed. Mr. Forgetful could not believe not impressed. Mr. Forgetful could not believe how forgetful he was.how forgetful he was.

Body Paragraph #2Body Paragraph #2 Another important date Mr. Forgetful Another important date Mr. Forgetful

forgot about was his first day of college.forgot about was his first day of college. (Topic Sentence) He didn’t realize he (Topic Sentence) He didn’t realize he forgot about going to school until his forgot about going to school until his friend, Mr. Busy, asked him why he wasn’t friend, Mr. Busy, asked him why he wasn’t in school. Mr. Forgetful told him that he in school. Mr. Forgetful told him that he didn’t know how he forgot, and he would didn’t know how he forgot, and he would never forget about school again. Because never forget about school again. Because of his forgetfulness, Mr. Forgetful learned of his forgetfulness, Mr. Forgetful learned he would have to make up his class work he would have to make up his class work after school or else he would not be able after school or else he would not be able to continue in college.to continue in college.

Body Paragraph #3Body Paragraph #3 The worst thing of all happened to Mr. The worst thing of all happened to Mr.

Forgetful; he forgot his own sister’s Forgetful; he forgot his own sister’s wedding!wedding! (Topic Sentence) His sister called (Topic Sentence) His sister called him just before the wedding was to begin, him just before the wedding was to begin, and she was furious! She couldn’t believe and she was furious! She couldn’t believe he could forget about her wedding. He he could forget about her wedding. He didn’t know how he could have forgotten didn’t know how he could have forgotten one of the most important things in his one of the most important things in his sister’s life. He hurried, and he dressed sister’s life. He hurried, and he dressed himself. He arrived four minutes late. His himself. He arrived four minutes late. His sister was still mad, but finally forgave him sister was still mad, but finally forgave him because he got there so quickly.because he got there so quickly.

ConclusionConclusion

As you can see, Mr. Forgetful is very As you can see, Mr. Forgetful is very forgetful! He tries to write things forgetful! He tries to write things down to remember them. Can you down to remember them. Can you believe he forgot his dinner with the believe he forgot his dinner with the governor, his first day of college and governor, his first day of college and his own sister’s wedding? Don’t you his own sister’s wedding? Don’t you feel sorry for Mr. Forgetful? Maybe feel sorry for Mr. Forgetful? Maybe he should take a class on how to he should take a class on how to improve his memory. What do you improve his memory. What do you think?think?

Look at the following thesis statements and decide if they Look at the following thesis statements and decide if they are good statements. Can you explain why the thesis are good statements. Can you explain why the thesis

statement is good or not?statement is good or not?

Poor Thesis Statement #1:Poor Thesis Statement #1: "There is an attendance policy for "There is an attendance policy for composition courses at UCF." composition courses at UCF." This simply states a fact, rather than a stance on an issue.This simply states a fact, rather than a stance on an issue.

Poor Thesis Statement #2Poor Thesis Statement #2: "The attendance policy for : "The attendance policy for composition courses at UCF is fantastic." composition courses at UCF is fantastic." This implies a stance towards an issue, but the word "fantastic" is This implies a stance towards an issue, but the word "fantastic" is not specific.not specific.

Better Thesis StatementBetter Thesis Statement: "The attendance policy for : "The attendance policy for composition courses at UCF should be continued because it composition courses at UCF should be continued because it encourages student responsibility, discourages procrastination, encourages student responsibility, discourages procrastination, and contributes to academic success." and contributes to academic success." This statement takes a clear stance, with specific reasons. It also This statement takes a clear stance, with specific reasons. It also offers a plan of action: the policy should be continued. offers a plan of action: the policy should be continued.

   

Topics for Five Paragraph EssayTopics for Five Paragraph Essay

How will advances in technology shape the How will advances in technology shape the 21st century? Will the new technology 21st century? Will the new technology bring positive changes, negative changes, bring positive changes, negative changes, or both? or both?

What changes do you expect in the next What changes do you expect in the next 100 years? Will life be better? 100 years? Will life be better?

What do you plan to do after you earn What do you plan to do after you earn your high school diploma? Go to college, your high school diploma? Go to college, trade school, etc.trade school, etc.

Why did you return to school this year?Why did you return to school this year?