Writing an Essay

Basic StructureIntroduction

Body

Conclusion

The Introduction

• Grabs the reader’s attention• Helps the reader understand the topic• States the focus of your essay (thesis)

Grabbing the reader’s attention

• Use of figurative language• Use a strong example• Set up the topic so that the reader

can connect to the essay

Example Introduction

Imagine waking up one lazy Sunday morning. Your hair looks like a bird’s nest and you haven’t brushed your teeth. You tell yourself that you will probably not run into anyone you know.

Yet, if you were a celebrity, your every move would be documented by the paparazzi and this short trip to the grocery store could result in having pictures of yourself looking your worst all over the Internet, TV magazines.

Although fame can affect a person’s life in many positive ways, the stress and pressure of being famous often affects people in negative ways.

Thesis

One or two statements that communicate the focus of your essay = the main idea of your essay

Supporting Details

The thesis should be backed up by supporting details.

Supporting Details

Supporting details must:

• relate to the topic• support the thesis• Be organized in a way that makes sense (one

detail should flow to the next; they should be related somehow)

Transitions

Transitions

Transitions indicate that you are about to change direction; they help your reader move easily from one idea to the next.

Transitions

Furthermore, since celebrities are always in the spotlight, they are expected to always look their best.

Transitions

FirstSecond NextLastFinally

To organize a list of steps or to indicate sequence

Transitions

Building a position:

FurthermoreAdditionally/in additionAlsoAs well asMoreoverConsequentlyAs a result

The Conclusion

The conclusion helps the reader understand how your points prove your thesis to be correct.

Don’t be repetitive! Find a creative way to sum up your most important points.

The ConclusionExample:

As you can see, being famous is not all about the money and the glory. Celebrities are watched all the time and criticized for every choice they make. Unfortunately, the pressure and stress caused by striving for perfection, in combination with being constantly in the public eye, can cause some celebrities to face serious consequences, including death.

The Expository Essay

The purpose of the expository essay is to explore or explain an issue or idea.

Writing Process: Brainstorming• First, determine your thesis• Next, come up with at least THREE

supporting details for your thesis

Writing Process: Planning

Organize your supporting details in a way that makes sense and that moves from the least important detail to the most important one.

Example:• Loss of Privacy• Pressure to be perfect• Stress leading to unhealthy behaviors

Today’s Prompt

Symbols are a simple way to represent a complex idea. Think about three symbols that represent your culture. Now write to explain why you chose each one.

Step 1

Brainstorm possible symbols: keep in mind that the symbols should be related.

Step 2

Decide in which order you want to present the symbols

Step 3

Write your thesis – Why did you choose these three symbols?

Together, how do they represent your culture?

Example Thesis:

Food is an important part of Nicaraguan culture and that is why the tortilla, gallopinto and cacao are good symbols of the culture.

Example Thesis:

When most people think of America, they think about freedom, and that’s why the Statute of Liberty, the eagle and the Liberty Bell are strong symbols for American culture.