FREE WRITE

How much are you

influenced by advertising?

MOCK ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

Instructions:
Create a Mock Essay similar to Cucumbers are Gross (on ANY topic of your choice) in which

you MAKE UP sources, quotations, etc. (no real research required). In your mock essay be sure
to include at least one of each of the following quotes, as well as the other criteria listed
below:
Short (direct) quotation
Long (direct) quotation (correctly placed into a quote block)
Paraphrase from an outside source
An introduction with a hook, background information, and an underlined thesis statement
Works Cited page using the correct MLA formatshould include a list of citations from at least

four sources
A. one website
B. one book
C. one newspaper or magazine article
D. one online database.

It s okay if your essay ends rather abruptlyyou arent writing the entire essayjust the

introductory paragraph and what is necessary to complete the assignment criteria (ex. 2
paragraphs), PLUS a Works Cited page, double-spaced. Humor is encouraged and appreciated!

MOCK ESSAY

Introduction 3 Things
1. Hook
2. Background Information
3. Thesis Statement

1. HOOK
What is it? An essay hook is the first one-two
sentences of your essay, its introductory part, which
serves to grab a readers attention and let him decide
whether he wants to continue reading this essay or
not.
Creating a Hook
A. Start with a question.
B. Use descriptive words.
C. Leave it a mystery. Give your readers just enough to
make them curious.
Ex. A cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with
pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for
nothing.

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background information to the topic of your essay
Serves to act as a bridge linking the reader to the essay

topic
Ex. As Samuel Johnson illustrates so clearly in the quote
above, the cucumber is a disgrace to food everywhere.
Studies nationwide have found the cucumber to be the
most disliked of all vegetables (Emout 22). In a study I
myself conducted, 90% of respondents said they would
never even grow the vegetable in their garden, for fear of
its terrible qualities spreading to their other vegetables.

3. THESIS STATEMENT
What is a thesis?: The sentence that captures
your position on the main idea of the paper. It is
the argument of your paper!
-the main idea, central message of your paper
- the information in the body of your paper
supports the thesis
-1-2 Sentences long

BODY
Short (direct) quotation
Long (direct) quotation (correctly placed into a

quote block)
Paraphrase from an outside source
Write as much as is necessary to complete the
citations
(probably 1.5-2 pages)

 Short (direct) quotation

One of the most important factors in

determining a foods success or
failure in popularity is its
consistency (Right 104).

 Long (direct) quotation (correctly placed into

a quote block)
Basically, the cucumber incorporates water
into the construction of its inner and outer
skin. In doing so, the hydrocarbons from the
cucumber plant only partially bind to one
another due to the magnetic interference from
the extra water molecules. This partial binding
creates the unusual texture experienced when
a person bites into a cucumber, and adds to
the intense flavor. (Fine 433)

 Paraphrase from an outside source

Studies nationwide have found the

cucumber to be the most disliked of
all vegetables (Emout 22).

WORKS CITED
Works Cited page using the correct MLA format

should include a list of citations from at least

four sources
A. one website
B. one book
C. one newspaper or magazine article
D. one online database.

PEER EDIT
Instructions: Exchanged your mock paper with someone in the
class. Read over your peers paper and edit for..
Basic Paper Format (spacing, title format) (2)
Short (direct) quotation (2)
Long (direct) quotation (correctly placed into a quote block)
(2)
Paraphrase from an outside source (2)
An introduction with a hook, background information, and an
underlined thesis statement (3)
Works Cited page using the correct MLA formatshould
include a list of citations from at least four sourcesone
website, one book, one newspaper or magazine article, and
one online database. (9)