Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Writing an essay is like building a house. Writing an essay is like building a house. A PowerPoint Presentation created by Susan Stofflet [2010], Cherry Hill East High School, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. You wouldn’t start to build a house by constructing the roof, would you?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Writing an essay is like Writing an essay is like building a housebuilding a house
Writing an essay is like Writing an essay is like building a housebuilding a house
A PowerPoint Presentation created by Susan Stofflet [2010], Cherry Hill East High School, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
You wouldn’t start to build a house by You wouldn’t start to build a house by constructing the roof, would you?constructing the roof, would you?
You wouldn’t start to build a house by You wouldn’t start to build a house by constructing the roof, would you?constructing the roof, would you?
How would you know what shape and sizeHow would you know what shape and size
to make your roof ?to make your roof ?
You wouldn’t start to build a house by You wouldn’t start to build a house by constructing the roof, would you?constructing the roof, would you?
How would you know what shape and sizeHow would you know what shape and size
to make your roof ?to make your roof ?
How could you keep it from falling over?
You wouldn’t start to build a house by You wouldn’t start to build a house by constructing the roof, would you?constructing the roof, would you?
How would you know what shape and sizeHow would you know what shape and size
to make your roof ?to make your roof ?
What function would it serve ?
How could you keep it from falling over?
It’s the same with an essay….It’s the same with an essay….
First you need a foundation….
built on solid, level ground,
made of a durable material,
like cement…
capable of supporting all the great
plans you have for your dream house.
The name of the “foundation” for The name of the “foundation” for your essay is ayour essay is a
CLAIM OR THESIS
STATEMENT
CLAIM OR THESIS STATEMENT
Just like your house, you want it to Just like your house, you want it to be strong, well-constructed, and be strong, well-constructed, and able to support all of the ideas you able to support all of the ideas you have for this project.have for this project.
CLAIM STATEMENT
Just like your house, you want it to Just like your house, you want it to be strong, well-constructed, and be strong, well-constructed, and able to support all of the ideas you able to support all of the ideas you have for this project [essay]have for this project [essay]
But, just like the roof, without purpose or support, the foundation is a long way from being a house.
You have some work to do…
THESIS STATEMENT
A house isn’t very useful until it is divided into different rooms to fit the different purposes you will demand of it-
a place to eat, a place to sleep, a place to watch TV, etc.
bedroom
Living room
They are called BODY They are called BODY PARAGRAPHSPARAGRAPHS
An ESSAY needs divisions, too.An ESSAY needs divisions, too.
THESIS STATEMENT
BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
BODY PARAGRAPH
Just as each room is slightly different, so is each Just as each room is slightly different, so is each body paragraph different.body paragraph different.
THESIS STATEMENT
BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
BODY PARAGRAPH
Each room is different andEach room is different and
each body paragraph is each body paragraph is different.different.
THESIS STATEMENT
BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
BODY PARAGRAPH
But, they do have But, they do have similarities in the way they similarities in the way they are structured…are structured…
Each room has a door Each room has a door
Each room has a door …..Each room has a door …..each body each body paragraph is indented to mark the paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”“way in”
Each room has a door …..each body Each room has a door …..each body paragraph is indented to mark the “way paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”in”
Each room has a purposeEach room has a purpose
Each room has a door …..each body Each room has a door …..each body paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”
Each room has a purpose…..Each room has a purpose…..each body each body paragraph has a topic sentence that paragraph has a topic sentence that explains its purposeexplains its purpose
Each room has a door …..each body Each room has a door …..each body paragraph is indented to mark the paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”“way in”
Each room has a purpose…..each body Each room has a purpose…..each body paragraph has a topic sentence that paragraph has a topic sentence that explains its purposeexplains its purpose
Each room has a unique size and Each room has a unique size and arrangement that fits its purpose…arrangement that fits its purpose…
Each room has a door …..each body Each room has a door …..each body paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”paragraph is indented to mark the “way in”
Each room has a purpose…..each body Each room has a purpose…..each body paragraph has a topic sentence that paragraph has a topic sentence that explains its purposeexplains its purpose
Each room has a unique size and Each room has a unique size and arrangement that fits its purpose…arrangement that fits its purpose…
SO DOES EACH BODY PARAGRAPHSO DOES EACH BODY PARAGRAPH
The way that you define the rooms, the The way that you define the rooms, the arrangement of furniture, the tone, the finishing arrangement of furniture, the tone, the finishing
touches…touches…
These are the writing skills that you bring to the construction of your body paragraph.
your choice of evidence
your choice of evidence
your variety of vocabulary
your choice of evidence
your variety of vocabulary
your writing STYLE!
When each room [BODY PARAGRAPH] When each room [BODY PARAGRAPH] is completely furnished…is completely furnished…
You are ready for that roof !You are ready for that roof !
STRONG THESIS
Only two parts of your essay are Only two parts of your essay are missingmissing
STRONG THESIS
STRONG THESIS
An INTRODUCTORY
Paragraph
STRONG THESIS
An INTRODUCTORY
Paragraph
and a
CONCLUDING Paragraph
The INTRODUCTORY ParagraphThe INTRODUCTORY Paragraph
STRONG THESIS
The INTRODUCTORY ParagraphThe INTRODUCTORY Paragraph
is the one that makes your house is the one that makes your house inviting, attractive, inviting, attractive,
STRONG THESIS
The INTRODUCTORY ParagraphThe INTRODUCTORY Paragraph
is the one that makes your house is the one that makes your house inviting, attractive, inviting, attractive,
STRONG THESIS
and prepares your guests for what they will enjoy once they are inside.
If your house looks cold and uninviting, you may not have many visitors.
The same is true for your essay.
Use the components of the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH,
creative opening & background,
to lure your reader into the body of your essay.
Use the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH to establish the tone and style.
Lead the reader STEP-BY-STEP into the content of the essay itself.
Don’t forget to remind the reader that your essay has a…
THESIS STATEMENT
STRONG, WELL-BUILT FOUNDATION and
many more exciting
surprises
inside.
All that’s left is the
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH.It’s like a HUGE housewarming
party to show your dream house to
your friends.
Peer at the gardens.
Tour all of the rooms, moving easily from one to the next.
AND THEN… spend time admiring the house, summarizing the process, and celebrating the
masterpiece that you have built. Viola ! You have a concluding paragraph!
Ooops, you might want to consider a brief termite
inspection
[PROOFREADING for errors] !
LET’S REVIEW…
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES]
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES,
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES,
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY]
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES, SUPPORTING EVIDENCE, COMMENTARY]
4. We created an inviting entrance
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES, SUPPORTING EVIDENCE, COMMENTARY]
4. We created an inviting walkway
[INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH]
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES, SUPPORTING EVIDENCE, COMMENTARY]
4. We created an inviting walkway [INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH]
5. We celebrated our accomplishment
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES, SUPPORTING EVIDENCE, COMMENTARY]
4. We created an inviting walkway [INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH]
5. We celebrated our accomplishment
with a CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
LET’S REVIEW…
1. We built a foundation [THESIS STATEMENT]
2. We divided the house into rooms
[BODY PARAGRAPHS]
3. We furnished the rooms [TOPIC SENTENCES, SUPPORTING EVIDENCE, COMMENTARY]
4. We created an inviting walkway
[INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH]
5. We celebrated our accomplishment
[CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH]
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when “BUILDING” an essay.
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENTTOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCESUPPORTING
EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCESUPPORTING
EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
TOPIC SENTENCE
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCESUPPORTING
EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
TOPIC SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
TOPIC SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCECOMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
TOPIC SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCECOMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
TOPIC SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
NOW, let’s see how those steps look when you are “BUILDING” an essay.
THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCECOMMENTARY
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
TOPIC SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
DID YOU NOTICE…
DID YOU NOTICE…
That just like the house…
DID YOU NOTICE…
That just like the house…the essay is not constructed from the roof down.
JUST LIKE THE FINISHED HOUSE…
You don’t see the order of the steps that went into the building,
Just the beautiful house,
sturdy on its strong foundation.
Party, anyone??
“Writing an Essay is like Building a House”Susan Stofflet,
Cherry Hill East High School
