Effective Essay

Elements

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

#1: Attention

Grabber

Attention Grabber Strategies

#2: Focus Statement

TOPIC:Causes of the Great Depression

FOCUS STATEMENT:There have been many theories as to the causes of the Great Depression.

THESIS STATEMENT:The gap between the rich and the poor, exorbitant spending during the 1920’s,

and the Stock Market crash of 1929 all contributed to one of the

worst periods in United States history.

#3: Thesis

Statement

Purpose + Support = Thesis Statement

#4: Topic

Sentences

Basic Thesis: The legal driving age should be raised to

18.

Thesis Support: a) teens can be reckless

b) they need more practice

c) they like to show off for friends

Topic Sentences:

a) Teenagers have a reputation for being reckless and dangerous when

behind the wheel.

b) Teens need at least three years of practice driving with a learner’s

permit before they are given a license.

c) Teens have been known to pack a car full of friends and drive too

fast, often without seatbelts.

Thesis Statement Topic Sentence

● Summarizes the main

point or claim of

entire essay

● Last sentence(s) of

introduction

● Summarizes the main

point or claim of main

body paragraph

● First sentence of main

body paragraphs

#5: Evidence

PIE Paragraph

PIE Paragraph

Point: A clear statement of the main claim of

the paragraph

Information: Concrete evidence that supports the

main claim

Explanation: Explanation of the significance of the

provided information

PIE Paragraph

Point: Information: Explanation:

● Choose one arguable point

to prove per paragraph

● Topic sentence

● Prove the claim in your

topic sentence with

evidence

● Short direct quotes

● Data from reputable

sources (facts, statistics,

polls)

● Personal experience (real

life stories, anecdotes,

examples, observations)

● Relevant examples from pop

cultures (song lyrics,

movies, TV)

● Representations in mass

media (newspapers,

magazines, television)

● Interpret, analyze, explain

the information, opinions,

or quotes included

● Examine some consequences,

results, implications,

ramifications of the

information given to

audience

● Make it clear why audience

should care or be

concerned

● Clarify ambiguous ideas or

information

● Comment on the credibility

of the information; discuss

its biases, assumptions,

logic

● Relate information to

thesis

#6:

Transitions

Changes Ahead

Transitional Words

& Phrases List