Writing Essays. . .Writing Essays. . .

. . . 5 Part Form. . . 5 Part Form

Disclaimer!!!Disclaimer!!!

This is ONE model of essay writing -- a good one, but not the only one!

Variations exist regarding Method of citing Use of first person Form of the introduction Use of present tense, etc.

Your teacher may give special instructions. Follow them!

This is ONE model of essay writing -- a good one, but not the only one!

Variations exist regarding Method of citing Use of first person Form of the introduction Use of present tense, etc.

Your teacher may give special instructions. Follow them!

What is an Essay?What is an Essay?

Essay PurposeEssay Purpose

Essay PurposeEssay Purpose

An essay is a form of writing in which you try to prove a point or support an opinion (thesis)

You must give reasons for your ideas, and evidence to back up what you say

You must give the sources of your evidence if you use them!

An essay is a form of writing in which you try to prove a point or support an opinion (thesis)

You must give reasons for your ideas, and evidence to back up what you say

You must give the sources of your evidence if you use them!

A Report is DifferentA Report is Different

In a report, you are presenting information that you have collected on a topic

You are not necessarily supporting a point/an opinion

In a report, you are presenting information that you have collected on a topic

You are not necessarily supporting a point/an opinion

OpinionsOpinions

EVERYTHING you write is an opinion, whether it is a persuasive essay, an opinion essay, or a research essay

It becomes convincing only when you back up your opinion!!

EVERYTHING you write is an opinion, whether it is a persuasive essay, an opinion essay, or a research essay

It becomes convincing only when you back up your opinion!!

OpinionsOpinions

There are opinions, and then there are opinions . . .

You may be entitled to your opinion, but…

Your opinion needs to be supported if you plan on convincing anyone else!!!

There are opinions, and then there are opinions . . .

You may be entitled to your opinion, but…

Your opinion needs to be supported if you plan on convincing anyone else!!!

Support Opinions With…Support Opinions With…

Facts Specific reasons Logical arguments Specific examples Support of experts Quotations NOT just because YOU say so!!!

Facts Specific reasons Logical arguments Specific examples Support of experts Quotations NOT just because YOU say so!!!

How Should I Write My Essay?

How Should I Write My Essay?

Essay StyleEssay Style

Essay Style: FormalEssay Style: Formal

An essay is not a chat room!An essay is not a chat room!

1.Write in full sentences, not point form

2.Never use slang, dialect, or short forms

3.Avoid contractions:

• Use “did not” instead of “didn’t”

• Use “would have” instead of “would’ve” or, even worse, “would of”!!!

lol

u

Essay Style: ObjectiveEssay Style: Objective

Use third person, unless your teacher gives you permission to use first person

Use: he, she, it, they, those, them (3rd)

Do not use: you, your (2nd) I, me, we, us, myself (1st)

Use third person, unless your teacher gives you permission to use first person

Use: he, she, it, they, those, them (3rd)

Do not use: you, your (2nd) I, me, we, us, myself (1st)

How Do I Set Up My Essay?

How Do I Set Up My Essay?

Essay OrganizationEssay Organization

IntroductionIntroduction

Opening CommentsOpening Comments

Introduce your topic in general terms Get the interest of your readers Example:

Students in public high schools are allowed to choose the clothes that suit their personality and make them feel comfortable. Catholic students, however, are denied this choice.

Introduce your topic in general terms Get the interest of your readers Example:

Students in public high schools are allowed to choose the clothes that suit their personality and make them feel comfortable. Catholic students, however, are denied this choice.

ThesisThesisA thesis is made up of two

parts:StatementPlan

The statement is what you are trying to prove

The plan is your list of proofs/ reasons/arguments

A thesis is made up of two parts:StatementPlan

The statement is what you are trying to prove

The plan is your list of proofs/ reasons/arguments

ExamplesExamples

Students in Catholic high schools wear uniforms.

Why should high school students have to wear uniforms?

Students should not have to wear uniforms because I think they are ugly.

Students in Catholic high schools wear uniforms.

Why should high school students have to wear uniforms?

Students should not have to wear uniforms because I think they are ugly.

States the obvious!

Not a statement.

Not provable!

ExamplesExamples

Students in high school should not have to wear uniforms because they are too expensive, they are uncomfortable, and they limit students’ right to self-expression.

Students in high school should not have to wear uniforms because they are too expensive, they are uncomfortable, and they limit students’ right to self-expression.

Good!

Students in high school should not have to wear uniforms because they are too expensive, they are uncomfortable, and they limit students’ right to self-expression.

ExamplesExamples

It is a good policy for high school students to wear uniforms because this prevents them wearing gang related clothing, gives them a sense of belonging, and stops people from judging others based on the way they dress.

It is a good policy for high school students to wear uniforms because this prevents them wearing gang related clothing, gives them a sense of belonging, and stops people from judging others based on the way they dress.

Good!

It is a good policy for high school students to wear uniforms because this prevents them wearing gang related clothing, it gives them a sense of belonging, and it stops people from judging others based on the way they dress.

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Topic SentencesTopic Sentences

Every time you start a new paragraph (argument) you must start with a topic sentence that reminds the reader of your reason

Use key words from the thesis

Every time you start a new paragraph (argument) you must start with a topic sentence that reminds the reader of your reason

Use key words from the thesis

ExamplesExamples Thesis: Students in high school should not

have to wear uniforms because they are 1. too expensive, they are 2. uncomfortable, and they 3. limit students’ right to self-expression.

Topic Sentences: 1. Special uniforms cost much more than

regular clothing…2. The uniforms students are required to

wear are very uncomfortable…3. If all students are forced to dress the same

this violates their freedom of expression…

Thesis: Students in high school should not have to wear uniforms because they are 1. too expensive, they are 2. uncomfortable, and they 3. limit students’ right to self-expression.

Topic Sentences: 1. Special uniforms cost much more than

regular clothing…2. The uniforms students are required to

wear are very uncomfortable…3. If all students are forced to dress the same

this violates their freedom of expression…

EvidenceEvidence

After the topic sentence, you give reasons, details, examples, and quotations that prove your point

Your opinion is only as good as the evidence that backs it up!!

After the topic sentence, you give reasons, details, examples, and quotations that prove your point

Your opinion is only as good as the evidence that backs it up!!

ConclusionConclusion

ConclusionConclusion

Start the conclusion by restating your thesis and arguments

Finish up with…Summary commentsApplicationSuggestion for further thought

Start the conclusion by restating your thesis and arguments

Finish up with…Summary commentsApplicationSuggestion for further thought

Citing SourcesCiting Sources

Don’t Plagiarize!!Don’t Plagiarize!!

The Catechism: Works Cited

The Catechism: Works Cited

Catholic Church. Catechism of the

Catholic Church. Ottawa: Canadian

Council of Catholic Bishops, 1994.

Catholic Church. Catechism of the

Catholic Church. New York: Image,

1995.

Catholic Church. Catechism of the

Catholic Church. Ottawa: Canadian

Council of Catholic Bishops, 1994.

Catholic Church. Catechism of the

Catholic Church. New York: Image,

1995.

Or…Or…

Catholic Church.  Catechism of the

Catholic Church.  2nd ed. 

Vatican:

Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2000.

There are many versions!http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Catholic Church.  Catechism of the

Catholic Church.  2nd ed. 

Vatican:

Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2000.

There are many versions!http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

In-Text citation of The Catechism:

In-Text citation of The Catechism:

“The one God is triune in nature and consists of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Catechism 1280). Because of this…

Direct quotation Note: cite section or paragraph

instead of page number.

“The one God is triune in nature and consists of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Catechism 1280). Because of this…

Direct quotation Note: cite section or paragraph

instead of page number.

In-Text citation of The Catechism:

In-Text citation of The Catechism:

Because God consists of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism 1280) we always end our prayers by saying…

Paraphrase Note: cite section or paragraph

instead of page number.

Because God consists of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism 1280) we always end our prayers by saying…

Paraphrase Note: cite section or paragraph

instead of page number.

In-Text Citation of MoviesIn-Text Citation of Movies Include the work in the text lead up,

not in a parenthetical reference E.g.:

Terry Gilliam’s film 12 Monkeys portrays James Cole as a Christ figure who is willing to sacrifice his life to save humanity.

Include the work in the text lead up, not in a parenthetical reference

E.g.:

Terry Gilliam’s film 12 Monkeys portrays James Cole as a Christ figure who is willing to sacrifice his life to save humanity.

Works CitedWorks Cited

12 Monkeys. Dir. Terry Gilliam. Perf.

Bruce Willis, Madeline Stowe,

Brad Pitt. DVD. Paramount,

1998.

12 Monkeys. Dir. Terry Gilliam. Perf.

Bruce Willis, Madeline Stowe,

Brad Pitt. DVD. Paramount,

1998.

In-Text Citation of Web Sites A

In-Text Citation of Web Sites A

Local Hero teaches about the importance

of respecting the environment, “Any

movie that can raise the consciousness of

its audience without preaching is a rarity,

and this beautiful film manages to do just

that.” (Internet Movie Database ¶8). In

view of this, all …

Local Hero teaches about the importance

of respecting the environment, “Any

movie that can raise the consciousness of

its audience without preaching is a rarity,

and this beautiful film manages to do just

that.” (Internet Movie Database ¶8). In

view of this, all …

Citing IMDbCiting IMDb

Internet Movie Database. Local Hero.

2008. 3 March 2008. <http://imdb.

com/title/tt0085859/>

Internet Movie Database. Local Hero.

2008. 3 March 2008. <http://imdb.

com/title/tt0085859/>Date of site, then date you accessed the site.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Works CitedWorks Cited

Good Luck!Good Luck!