A short lesson by Joey Lehrman for CMIN 201.

1. A Short Lesson on Essays
BY JOEY LEHRMAN

2. Lesson Agenda
• Assignment overview
• How an essay is graded
• Structure of a paragraph
• Proofreading

3. Write 3 paragraphs on 1 of the following
topics:
•Security systems
•E-commerce
•Online learning
•Robotics
•Telecommuting
•Online communities
•Credit cards and other commerce systems
•Automated industrial processes
•Point-of-sale systems
•Weather prediction and reporting systems
•Global positioning systems (GPS)
•Embedded computers in appliances and
equipment

4. Structure of the Essay
First paragraph - a brief discussion on the history of this
technology
Second paragraph - what this technology looks like today
Third paragraph - a prediction on what this technology will look
like in 25 years (be imaginative!)

5. Grading Rubric
• Response to Prompt
• Organization
• Development and Details
• Conventions of English
• Word Choice

6. Grading Rubric
• Response to Prompt
• Organization
• Development and Details
• Conventions of English
• Word Choice

7. Structure of the Essay
First paragraph - a brief discussion on the history of this
technology
Second paragraph - what this technology looks like today
Third paragraph - a prediction on what this technology will look
like in 25 years (be imaginative!)

8. Paragraphs
IT ’S NOT ABOUT THE LENGTH

9. A good paragraph…
• Related ideas
• Fully developed
• Explain and support the ideas

10. Structure of Paragraphs
Introduce the main idea and
then support/explain it.
I. Main idea
II. Supporting details
III. Supporting details
Credit cards weren’t used
much until the 1950s and
1960s with the introduction of
Visa. Originally called the
BankAmericard, the card was
the first to be accepted by
more than just a few
merchants around the country.
By 1970, credit cards were in
wide use around the world.

11. Structure of Paragraphs
Introduce the main idea and
then support/explain it.
I. Main idea
II. Supporting details
III. Supporting details
Credit cards weren’t used
much until the 1950s and
1960s with the introduction of
Visa. Originally called the
BankAmericard, the card was
the first to be accepted by
more than just a few
merchants around the country.
By 1970, credit cards were in
wide use around the world.

12. Proofreading
MAKING A GOOD DRAFT… BET TER!

13. Proofreading Tips
• Read out loud
• Use “Review” features in Microsoft Word
• Clearly show where paragraphs start and end!
• Put away for 1-2 days and then read aloud again!

14. In review…
• Stay on topic
• Keep it brief
• Support and explain your responses

15. Questions?
HTTPS://OWL.ENGLISH.PURDUE.EDU/OWL/RESOURCE/606/01/
O R GO O GL E , “ P URDUE OWL – PA RAGRA P H S”