Desert Sands Presents:

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Write An Essay







Writing an Essay
Essay Writing Workshop

Is this you?!
DO NOT PANIC!
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 five paragraph
essays?
The first paragraph is an introductory
paragraph

The middle three paragraphs are the 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 you prove 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 one
individuals 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?







Each Academic/University level English
course contains a unit on essay writing

You need to write an essay on the CAHSEE
(California High School Exit Exam ) to
graduate high school

Essay and Paragraph Structure
Introduction
Paragraph
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph # 2
Body Paragraph # 3
Concluding
Paragraph
Introduction
Paragraph
Broad Statement

Introduce topic


Reason 1

Reason 2

Reason 3



The Point
The thesis
Introductory Paragraph
Hook
Begin with a Hook to capture your readers attention
It is a general sentence about your topic.
Introduce
Topic
Introduce the topic **Hint use the essay question to
guide you**
Three
reasons
The next sentence should list your three
reasons/proofs
THESIS
The Thesis
The specific point you are trying to prove
Introductory Paragraph
Hook

When I was 14 my best friend was eaten by a
Jackalope.
Introduce
Topic

Jackalope attacks are a growing threat that affect the safety of citizens
in the Antelope Valley.
Three
reasons
A) There has been a steady increase of Jackalope related deaths.
B) Jackalopes are effective breeders with a hunger for human flesh.
C) Most citizens of the A.V. do not even believe that Jackalopes exist.
THESIS
For these reasons Jackalope attacks are
an increasing threat to our community.
Have I got your
attention now?

Got the Idea ?


Do you see where I am going with this?

Got the Point?

When I was 14 my best friend was eaten by
a Jackalope.
Jackalope attacks are a growing
threat that will affect the safety of
citizens in the Antelope Valley.

A)There has been a steady increase
of Jackalope related deaths.
B)Jackalopes are effective breeders
with a hunger for human flesh.
C) Most citizens of the A.V. do not
believe in Jackalopes
Thesis
Therefore, for these reasons Jackalope attacks are an increasing
threat to our community.
Paragraph Format
When I was 14 my best friend was eaten
by a Jackalope.
Jackalope attacks are a growing threat that
will continue affect the safety of citizens of the
Antelope Valley.
There has been a steady increase of Jackalope
related deaths. Jackalopes are notorious
breeders with an insatiable thirst for human
flesh. Unfortunately Most citizens of the A.V. do
not believe in Jackalopes
For these reasons Jackalope attacks are an
increasing threat to our community.



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 Sentence
(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
youve proven in this paragraph and links
the reason/proof back to your thesis
Topic Sentence
(POINT)

A)There has been a steady increase of Jackalope related deaths.

Evidence (PROOF)
and Explanation
In 1945 there was one reported death and a subsequent hunting party was sent
out in response.(1945, AVTimes, pg.1)

In 1965 there were 8 deaths, only two of which were reportedly ever resolved to
the publics satisfaction. ( 1965, AVReporter, pg. 8)


By 2003 the number of deaths had escalated to 85, but no actions had been
taken to resolve the issue. (2003, AVSnoop, pg.15)

Concluding
sentence

Therefore, there has been a steady increase of Jackalope related deaths.
Did I prove my Point?
Paragraph Format
Point:
Firstly, there has been a dramatic increase in Jackalope related deaths over
the years.

Proof:
In 1945 there was only one recorded death. In 1965 that number had
increased to 8. By 2011 there had been 85 people had been killed by the deadly
Jackalope. Estimates for 2013 put the death toll over 100.

Quotation:
According to an eye witness to the death of a young man named Eueben Fulled in
2003, the Jackalope, Came tearing out of them there bushes faster than a heard
of buffalo riding a steam train. There must been a hundra of em, and poor Eueben
why he was just walking down the road payin no mind when them there abits
swarmed over him like a flood of furry teeth and there werent nothin left of ol
Euben after they passed but a few teeth and a pinky toe. ( AVSnoop, 2003)

Explanation:
This is not the only record of Jackalope swarms devouring people, and only
a few patterns have emerged. The victims are always facing east when they are
devoured. The time of death is always between the twilight hours of 6:00pm and
9:00pm. Lastly, people have reported a strange piercing cry on the wind minutes
before an attack takes place. Over the years deaths matching the Jackalope
attacks have steadily increased, as have reportedly the Jackalopes numbers.
Concluding sentence:
Therefore, there has been a steady increase of Jackalope related deaths.




Body
Paragraph
# 1
Body
Paragraph
# 2
Body
Paragraph
# 3
Topic Sentence
(point)
Proof
Explanation
Conclusion




Topic Sentence
(Point)
Proof
Explanation
Conclusion



Topic Sentence
(Point)
Proof
Explanation
Conclusion
Firstly,



Secondly, in
addition, also,
additionally






Thirdly, lastly










Transition words between
paragraphs
Firstly, There has been a dramatic
increase in Jackalope related deaths over the
years.
Secondly, Over the years deaths
matching the Jackalope attacks have steadily
increased, as have reportedly the Jackalopes
numbers.
Lastly, Sadly most Jackalope attacks are
poorly covered and very few members of the
community are aware of the Jackalopes and
the threat they represent.
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 should restate your
three reasons/proofs: A,B,C
Concluding
sentence
Finish with a broad concluding sentence
about your topic in general
Thesis
For these reasons Jackalope attacks are an increasing
threat to our community.
Points
A) There has been a steady increase of
Jackalope related deaths.
B)Jackalopes are notorious breeders with an
insatiable thirst for human flesh.
C) Most citizens of the A.V. do not even
believe in Jackalopes
Concluding
sentence

Jackalope attacks are a rampant threat that will
continue to grow and affect the safety of citizens in the
Antelope Valley.
Paragraph Format

For these reasons Jackalope attacks are an
increasing threat to our community. There
has been a steady increase of Jackalope
related deaths. Jackalopes are notorious
breeders with an insatiable thirst for
human flesh.Sadly Most citizens of the A.V.
are still uninformed about Jackalopes.
Jackalope attacks remain a threat that will
continue to grow and affect the safety of
the citizens of the Antelope Valley unless
there is a rise in public awareness.





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 (Cant, wont,
couldnt)

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?
Now its your turn!
Its time for you take the process
into your own hands!

You will be given a topic and asked
to make an Introductory Paragraph.


It is said that the hardest
part of a journey is taking
the first step!
an Essay
Remember :

Topic: Example: Mandatory Civil Service for all Canadians in their
eighteenth year.

Reasons/Proofs: Example:
Already exists in many other countries around the world
In this economy, it is a good way to get some job experience
A good way for Canadians to do something worthwhile for their country

Introductory Paragraph: Example:
The topic of civil service is not one that enters the mind of many
teenagers as they approach the time at which they are required to make
those life altering decisions that affect everyone. However, there are
many benefits to considering this issue. Mandatory civil service at the age
of eighteen is an admirable idea because [A] it already exists in many
countries around the world, [B] it would allow teenagers to gain valuable
job experience and [C] it is an excellent way for individuals to do
something worthwhile for their country. For these reasons, [Thesis
statement] civil service should be mandatory for all Canadians in their
eighteenth year.

Essay Question

One of the big issues in the United States
is whether or not the nation should
legalize marijuana.

Consider the impact of Marijuana on
health, the economy and social situations.
Using three specific examples argue
whether or not marijuana should be
legalized and how that choice would affect
our country today.

Brainstorm:
Broad Statement:

Introduce Topic (use the essay question to guide
you):

Reasons/Proofs

A)

B)

C)

Thesis:
Thank you