Overview of how our course will approach the study of writing essays.

A - We study the essay
B - We study the paragraph
C - We study writing style and mechanics
D - We look at different kinds of paragraphs and essays
A - Essays

First

Next
We refer to a model of what essays looks like - see below.

 

 We define and study  parts of the essay - see below.

 

Finally
We create essays using a step by step process and incorporate the information we studied.
B - Paragraphs  
First Next
Since an essay is made up of paragraphs, we will also study paragraphs, referring to a model of what they look like. We define and study  parts of the essay.

Finally
We create paragraphs using a process and incorporating the information we learned.
C - Improving Writing Style & Mechanics
We will look at different  factors within writing and how we can use them to our advantage in our essays.
D - Different kinds of paragraphs and essays
We will define and study paragraphs and essays that are written as narratives, compare & contrast, ......

 

A - The Five Paragraph Essay

 The Five Paragraph Essay Model 

We define and study its various parts
1. Topic and Goals of the  Essay
(Consider this to be a part of the essay)

1A. Thesis Statement
  • What is the definition of an essay?
  • What is the topic?
  • What are the goals of this essay?
  • What is the purpose of an essay?

2. Essay Title

 Define & Study the Title
3. Introduction Paragraph
  • General Statements
  • Thesis Statement

 

 Define & Study the Introduction Paragraph
4. Transition device between paragraphs Define & Study Transition Devices

and

Define & Study the Body Paragraphs
5. Body Paragraph # 1
  • Topic Sentence
  • Support
  • Support
  • Support

 
Transition Device device between paragraphs
Body Paragraph # 2
  • Topic Sentence
  • Support
  • Support
  • Support

 
Transition device between paragraphs
Body Paragraph # 3
  • Topic Sentence
  • Support
  • Support
  • Support

Transition device between paragraphs

6. Concluding Paragraph

  • Topic Sentence

  • Restatement or summary of the main points; final comment

 

 Define & Study the Concluding Paragraph

 

Process for creating Essays
1. The Topic - Writing a preliminary thesis
  • Deciding what the essay is about.
  • Focusing on the topic.
  • Creating a statement that tells the essay topic and what is going to be said about it.

2.  Prewriting - Developing ideas for the essay

  • Brainstorm

  • Map

  • Freewriting

3. Creating an outline - Organizing ideas for the essay

4.  Creating a first draft -

5. Revising and editing your first raft

6. Writing a final thesis and final paper

 

 

 

 

 

B - The Paragraph: building block of the essay

Main Parts of a Paragraph
Topic Sentence -
Controlling Idea		 Define & Study the Topic Sentence & controlling ideas
Supporting Details Define & Study the Supporting Details
Transitions between ideas Define & Study Transitions
Conclusion Define & Study the Conclusion

Steps For Writing A Paragraph

  1. Plan

  2. Write Topic Sentence

  3. List Supporting Information

  4. Write A Concluding Statement (optional)

  5. Revise And Write In Paragraph Form

 

 

C - Improving Writing Style
  • Sentence size
  • Reduction of words
  • Audience - The Reader
  • Attitude of writer towards subject matter
  • Person: First, Second, Third