the essay - a plan for starting

Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net

The Essay Plan

Drafting


What is “Essay”A group of paragraphs with a beginning (introduction), middle (body) and end (conclusion) presenting a cohesive, coherent, and well developed examination or analysis of a topic.


Introductory paragraphBody (supporting) paragraphs

Concluding paragraph

Traditional Essay Structure


Steps for Essay1. Write Intro2. Write Body3. Write Conclusion4. Title5. Combine


Another Way1. Working Thesis2. Body Paragraphs3. Introduction4. Conclusion5. Put Together


Best Way?There is NO BEST way.

Whatever works for YOU is YOUR process.

Every essay is different.


Two StepsOrganize your supporting ideas: choose an appropriate method of organization.

Write an essay plan: place your main and supporting ideas in an essay plan.


Organization BasicsChronological

–TimeEmphatic

–ImportanceSpace

–Top Bottom/ Left Right / Front Back

UP!


Time Order…Details are arranged in sequence

which occurred.Can be effective for the following:

–Narrating a story–Explaining how to do something

–Describing an event


Time Transitions…after that firstlast eventuallyin the beginning meanwhilesuddenly finallylater nextafter then


Emphatic Order …Arranges the details in a logical

sequence.Some examples

–Least to most important–General to specific–Least appealing to most appealing


Emphatic Transitions…above all firstin particular principallyClearly the most

importantespecially lastof course most importantly moreover the least

important


Spatial OrderProvides Visualization for Specific

Space.Some examples

– Top to bottom– Bottom to top– Left to right– Right to left– From far to near– From near to far


Spatial Transitions…above beneathnearly on topbehind closer intoward on the bottombelow underon the left farther out


Mixed OrganizationEssays often use more than one Within a time order essay about a journey, a paragraph devoted to a particular place might use spatial order.


The Essay Plan

Think Topic Sentence Outline!!


Why a Plan?Can help you organize Thesis Statement and Supporting Ideas (TS) before writing.

Saves time REQUIRED for each essay!!


Key Steps1.Writing a thesis

statement2.Developing the

supporting ideas in body paragraphs

18


Ask YourselfDoes my thesis statement express the main idea of the essay?

Does each body paragraph topic sentence support the thesis statement?

Are my ideas well organized?


Thesis Should …1. Be a Complete Sentence.

Many students who love Halloween for lots of reasons.


1. Be a Complete Sentence

Thesis: There are many students who love Halloween for lots of reasons.


Thesis Should …2. Have a controlling idea

This essay will be about my country.


2. Have a controlling idea

Thesis: People want to live in America for the many freedoms it offers.


Thesis Should …3. Be Supportable

Too Broad: There are millions of reasons to be interested in the environment.

Too Narrow: People litter.


3. Be Supportable

Thesis: Three things can help improve the environment.


Thesis Should …4. Make Valid Interesting Points

Vague: Modern social networking can be dangerous.


Obvious: The Internet has made communication easier.


Invalid: The Internet is destroying the world.


4. Make Valid Interesting Points

Thesis: The internet has become a powerful presence in modern life affecting relationships and economics.


Thesis Should …5. Be Readily Identifiable – Usually last sentence of Introduction

For OUR class, this is where thesis goes!!!!!


6. Not Have GRAMMAR Errors.

Most important sentence in essay shouldn’t have errors!!!

Thesis Should …


Revising Thesis1.Ask yourself if you can support your thesis with at least 3 ideas.

2.To bring life to a thesis statement, make sure your thesis can answer the why, what, and how questions.


Supporting Ideas

Topic Sentences Paragraphs


Thesis SupportThesis Statement Must Be Supported the Body Paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs Must Develop and Prove the Thesis Statement.


Topic Sentence …Is the Main Idea of Paragraph.

Has a Controlling Idea.Has Supporting Details and Examples

Supports Thesis Statement


Types of Topic SentencesTopic Sentence

FirstUsually

Topic Sentence Near Beginning Sometimes

Topic Sentence LastOccasionally

Topic Sentence Implied

Rarely


For More InformationEmail Mrs. C

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the essay - a plan for starting

Education