Transcript ISU Essay Writing - Mrs. Werner- English

ISU Essay Writing
Formal Structure
Proper body paragraph structure
including:
• a transitional word or phrase
•a topic sentence stating the first point
•an explanation of the topic
•a quotation; primary or secondary
•an explanation of how the quotation
proves your point
•a summary statement
Formal Structure cont’d
• Formal language only
no slang
no informal language
no contractions –write cannot, not can’t
no personal pronouns- in my opinion or I
believe
Formal Structure cont’d
Proper grammar, sentence structure and
MLA format-use the library homepage, click
on either MLA Concordia, Purdue or use
the Citation Machine
Write in the present tense- Atticus Finch is
not a good parent.
Introductory Paragraph
• Begin with a hook that generates interest
in the general topic of your essay
• Introduce the novel and the author
• Relate the topic to your novel in more
specific terms
• State your thesis. It may be one long
sentence but more likely it may take
several sentences to state all the points
you intend to prove
•Begin with a hook that generates interest in the general topic of
your essay
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus is a statement that
demonstrates the differences between the sexes. However, one commonality
is the belief that parenting is the most difficult job for an adult. Children are
unique in personality, learning abilities and physical growth. Parents also are
unique in their child rearing strategies Some parents are strict disciplinarians
with many rules and high expectations while other parents believe an
individual’s growth is healthier in an environment with flexibility, creativity and
space to make errors and learn from them. Like children, parents also may
be distinctive in that households may contain one or both parents to nurture
the family.
•Introduce the novel and the author
Atticus Finch is a single father in a home with two children, in the
novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
•Relate the topic to your novel in more specific terms
On the surface, Atticus’ parenting style is casual and informal. He is close
with his children but does not devote much time to their upbringing,
instead leaving them in the capable hands of his nanny.
State your thesis. It may be one long sentence but more
likely it may take several sentences to state all the points
you intend to prove.
Atticus appears to be a caring and devoted father in most circumstances but he also
demonstrates some near fatal parenting errors that make him a less than ideal father.
Atticus takes too many risks with his own life, especially when he goes alone to
protect Tom Robinson from the mob. Atticus undermines Scout’s teacher over the
reading issue when he should have discussed the problem with the teacher to
maintain the respect Scout should have for her teacher now and in the future. Atticus
does not make a proper attempt to shield his children from the topic of his case. His
children are not mature enough to know about an issue like rape. Although he did not
permit them to watch the trial, he certainly did not make it clear to the children or their
caregiver to keep them ignorant of the situation. Atticus is a beloved character
however he is not an ideal parent.
Sample Intro Paragraph
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus is a statement that demonstrates the
differences between the sexes. However, one commonality is the belief that parenting is the most
difficult job for an adult. Children are unique in personality, learning abilities and physical growth.
Parents also are unique in their child rearing strategies Some parents are strict disciplinarians with
many rules and high expectations while other parents believe an individual’s growth is healthier in
an environment with flexibility, creativity and space to make errors and learn from them.
Like children, parents also may be distinctive in that households may contain one or both parents
to nurture the family. Atticus Finch is a single father in a home with two children, in the novel To
Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. On the surface, Atticus’ parenting style is casual and informal.
He is close with his children but does not devote much time to their upbringing, instead leaving
them in the capable hands of his nanny. Atticus appears to be a caring and devoted father in most
circumstances but he also demonstrates some near fatal parenting errors that make him a less
than ideal father. Atticus takes too many risks with his own life , especially when he goes alone to
protect Tom Robinson from the mob. Atticus undermines Scout’s teacher over the reading issue
when he should have discussed the problem wit the teacher to maintain the respect Scout should
have for her teacher now and in the future. Atticus does not make a proper attempt to shield his
children from the topic of his case. His children are not mature enough to know about an issue like
rape. Although he did not permit them to watch the trial, he certainly did not make it clear to the
children or their caregiver to keep them ignorant of the situation. Atticus is a beloved character
however he is not an ideal parent.
Is this thesis statement
A. Weak
B. Average
C. Strong
Why is this a strong thesis
statement?
A. It is provable
B. It is arguable
C. It is worth proving. It passes the so what
test
D. All of the above