Writing an EssayEssay Writing Workshop

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Today we will learn how to write an essay, step by step!

What is an Essay?

An essay is a written collection of prose, organized and divided neatly into paragraphs

Always remember that an essay is a written form of communication and therefore, must be clear, organized and easily understandable to those reading

What is the Purpose of an Essay?

An essay is used to state and support an opinion with proof and explanation

Essays can be used to persuade others to agree with your opinion

Why do we write multi-paragraph essays?The first paragraph is an introductory

paragraph

The middle paragraph(s) are body paragraphs

The last paragraph is the concluding paragraph

1. Introductory Paragraph

2. Body paragraph 1

3. Body paragraph 2

4. Body paragraph 3

5. Concluding paragraph

Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph states and explains a different point to help prove/support your opinion.

An opinion is always stronger when it has more supporting facts (proof)

Fact Opinion

Fact is a true statement

Facts can be supported, upheld and proven by evidence

An opinion is an individual’s personal belief on a subject

Everyone is welcome to have an opinion, but not every opinion is based on fact

Opinions can be based on what a person has heard from others, and is therefore subject to bias

Fact is Stronger than Opinion

For this reason, make sure that you phrase and word your essays as if they are FACT, not simply OPINION

How will learning how to write an essay help me in the future?

You need to write essays in many classes in high school and college.

Writing is “thinking on paper;” if you can write well, odds are you also think/reason well.

Essay and Paragraph Structure

Introduction Paragraph

Body Paragraph #1

Body Paragraph # 2

Body Paragraph # 3

Concluding Paragraph

Introduction Paragraph

Hook Statement

Introduce topic

Reason 1

Reason 2

Reason 3

The thesis

Introductory Paragraph

Hook

• Begin with a Hook to capture your reader’s attention. • It is a general sentence about your topic.

Introduce

Topic

• Introduce the topic, the author, and the title if applicable. Hint: use the essay question or writing prompt to guide you.

Three reasons

• The next sentence should list your three reasons/proofs

THESIS

• Thesis: The specific point you are trying to prove

Introductory Paragraph Option 1

Hook

• Disguises and costumes are a fun way to explore new identities and take on a new persona.

Introduce

Topic

• Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play.

Three reasons

• A) Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot • B) Disguises and costumes create humour throughout the play • C) Disguises and costumes allow characters to explore different class and gender identities

THESIS

• Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Introductory Paragraph Option 2

Hook

• Disguises and costumes are a fun way to explore new identities and take on a new persona.

Introduce

Topic

• Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play.

The 3-

Point

Thesis

• Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot, create humor throughout the play, and allow characters to explore different class and gender identities;

Combine

s reasons w/thesis

• therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Paragraph Format Option 1Disguises and costumes are a fun way

to explore new identities and take on a new persona. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play. Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot, create humor and allow characters to explore different class and gender identities. Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Paragraph Format Option 2Disguises and costumes are a fun way

to explore new identities and take on a new persona. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play. Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot, create humor and allow characters to explore different class and gender identities; therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Body Paragraphs Each of the three body paragraphs deals

with one of the three reasons/proofs

Always remember to present them in the same order: A,B,C

Reason/Proof A should always be your weakest argument

Reason/Proof C should always be your strongest argument

Topic Sentenc

e(POINT)

• A strong topic sentence clearly stating the reason/proof upon which the paragraph will focus

Evidence

(PROOF) and

Explanation

• Evidence and Explanation that demonstrates how the reason/ proof supports the point

Concluding

sentence

• A Concluding sentence that states what you’ve proven in this paragraph and links the reason/proof back to your thesis

Topic Senten

ce(POINT)

• Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.

Evidence

(PROOF) and

Explanation

•In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian

•Antonio feels betrayed by his friend:“Will you deny me now?/Is’t possible that my deserts to you/Can lack persuasion?” (3.4.334-336)

•If Viola was not in disguise, Antonio would not mistake her for his friend Sebastian. Mistaken identity causes confusion between Antonio and Viola. Viola’s disguise as a man is the driving force of conflict within this scene.

Concluding

sentence

• Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in Twelfth Night because they create confusion between characters and lead to conflict in the plot.

Paragraph FormatPoint:

Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.

 Proof:

In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian. Since Viola is disguised as a man and looks like her twin Sebastian, Antonio easily mistakes the two characters. Antonio sees who he believes to be Sebastian in the midst of a duel and offers to fight on his friend’s behalf. Viola does not recognize Antonio and is confused as to why this stranger is fighting for her. Although Viola is grateful, she is confused when Antonio asks Cesario to return his purse he left Sebastian.

 Quotation:

Antonio feels hurt and betrayed and asks his friend “Will you deny me now?/Is’t possible that my deserts to you/Can lack persuasion?” (3.4.334-336).

 Explanation:

Antonio has done a lot for Sebastian since arriving in Illyria. He rescues Sebastian from the shipwreck, stays with him in Illyria despite the dangers and gives Sebastian money. When Cesario does not recognize Antonio it creates conflict between Cesario and Antonio. Antonio feels hurt and betrayed while Viola is confused as she does not understand what is going on. If Viola was not in disguise, Antonio would not mistake her for his friend Sebastian. Mistaken identity causes confusion between Antonio and Viola. Viola’s disguise as a man is the driving force of conflict within this scene.

 Concluding sentence:

Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in Twelfth Night because they create confusion between characters and cause conflict in the plot.

Body Paragraph # 1

Body Paragraph # 2

Body Paragraph # 3

Topic Sentence (point)Proof ExplanationConclusion

Topic Sentence (Point)ProofExplanationConclusion

Topic Sentence(Point)Proof ExplanationConclusion

Firstly,

Secondly, in addition, also, additionally

Thirdly, lastly, finally

TRANSITIONS

Use transition words between paragraphs

Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.

Secondly, disguises and costumes create humour throughout the play.

Finally, disguises and costumes allow characters to explore different class and gender identities.

Concluding Paragraph Restate thesis

Restate your three points

Finish with a broad concluding sentence about the topic

Concluding

Paragraph

Thesis

• Begin by restating your thesis or the point you attempted to prove in your essay

Points

•The next sentence(s) should restate your three reasons/proofs: A,B,C

Concluding sentence

• Finish with a broad concluding sentence about your topic in general

Thesis

• Disguises and costumes are used throughout William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, and they are crucial components in the play.

Points

•Disguises and costumes lead to mistaken identities within the play creating confusion between characters and causing conflict within the plot.

• Also, disguises and costumes add humor in the play in particular through dramatic irony.

• Finally, through disguises and costumes characters in the play are permitted to explore gender and class categories which they would otherwise not be permitted to do.

Concluding

sentence

• Without the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play, Twelfth Night, audiences would not find the play nearly so entertaining.

Paragraph Format

Disguises and costumes are used throughout William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, and they are crucial components in the play. Disguises and costumes lead to mistaken identities within the play causing confusion between characters and creating various conflicts within the plot. Also, disguises and costumes add humor to the play in particular through dramatic irony. Finally, through disguises and costumes, characters in the play are permitted to explore gender and class categories which they would otherwise not be permitted to do. Without the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play, Twelfth Night, audiences would not find the play nearly so entertaining.

Tips for Writing Formal Essays

Do not use personal pronouns (I, we, you) These suggest your essay is an opinion instead of factual

Write in Present tense

Do not use rhetorical devises or creative writing skills

Do not use contractions (Can’t, won’t, couldn’t)

Do not use slang or informal language

Tips for Writing Formal Essays

Avoid using vague language (be specific)

In an essay do not simply summarize your novel/play (assume that whoever is reading knows the novel/play well)

In your body paragraph, be as detailed and specific as possible when explaining and supporting your evidence and quotations

Use transition words to move smoothly from one idea to the next (in addition, lastly, for example, therefore)

NEVER bring up new information in your closing paragraph

How do you feel about essays?

And that is how it is done!