AN ESSAY?

How does a RESESEC become …

RESESEC• A RESESEC is just a mnemonic device for

helping you to write an answer to anOPEN RESPONSE question.

-- in class this year-- in class (beginning of next year)-- on MCAS

How many paragraphs?

How many paragraphs are in an essay?

What do I do first?

• Read the question.• Read the question again.• Make sure you know what they are asking.• Jot down what goes in the TAG.

-- T = Title-- A = Author-- G = Genre

How does a RESESEC fit an essay?

• R – Restate the question in the form of an answer.

-- Introduce topic (hook).-- Give definitions or background.-- End with your THESIS (including key words from the question, TAG).

• This should be NO SHORTER than 3 (THREE) sentences.

• E -- After giving a TOPIC SENTENCE (baby THESIS – includes key words), give an EXAMPLE in the form of a direct quote. You may need to explain the background first. This quote is then correctly integrated and attributed:Ex. – Casy tells Tom, “You make me sick” (19).

• S-- SUPPORT, or explain how this line

relates (or supports) the thesis. Explain any and all implications of the quote and how it relates to the THESIS.

How does a RESESEC fit an essay?

• But there are 3 (THREE) body paragraphs in an essay! So you repeat the last step 3 (THREE) times using different topic sentences and different pieces of evidence (QUOTES).

• Use TRANSITIONS (words and phrases) to link your paragraphs together smoothly. Exs.:Again, Next, Later, Also, Another, However,

Although, Unfortunately, etc.

How does a RESESEC fit an essay?

• C – CONCLUSION – In a RESESEC, you only need one sentence. Now, you need at least three. Think – what have you learned

about your main idea? Anything new? Does guessing at what may come next related to your thesis? Remember, thisis your last chance to impress the reader!

How does a RESESEC fit an essay?

Things to Avoid Like the Plague

• No use of personal pronouns (I, we, you, us)-- This is FORMAL writing; be professional

• Incorrect grammar – PROOFREAD!• Lack of logic/ lack of organization.• Messy handwriting/ use of pencil.• Incorrect quote integration/attribution.• Misspellings, esp. of character names.