Essay Tips and Writing

Tips . . . LANGUAGE ~ Use language appropriate to your

educational level!!! Don’t ‘over-simplify’ things!

DEVELOPMENT ~ Use SPECIFIC & RELEVANT details about the topic you are writing about! Avoid vague generalizations and plot summary

Avoid I, WE, YOU . . .

Avoid contractions and abbreviations

NEVER refer to your own essay!

Spelling and Grammar count!!!

In Class Non-Fiction Essay We have now read three non-fiction essays

All three of the essays are on different topics, and each have a different purpose, tone, level of diction and use different literary elements (figurative language).

Choose one of the essays we have just read, and using your non-fiction worksheet as a guide, answer the following question in a well-developed four paragraph essay:

How does the non-fiction author convey their position (theme) and purpose?

Thesis The answer to this question will be your thesis . . .

For example:

“RJ Heathorn, in his non-fiction essay “Learn with Book” conveys the theme that society often overlooks the simple things in life, such as books, in favor of the next technological gadget. Heathorn employs verbal irony, a satirical tone and technological diction in order to convey his idea.

The thesis goes at the END of your introduction

Essay format, continued . . .

1st Body paragraph: Irony and Figurative Language

2nd Body paragraph: diction and tone

Conclusion . . . Restate thesis, reiterate main points, end in a general manner

You must incorporate two quotations from the non-fiction selection into your essay!

Introductions Thesis goes at the end

Start generally with:

~ A Question

~A Startling Statement

~A quote

~ A descriptive sentence.