A guide to improving the quality of essay writing with tips and examples. For all grade levels. From a National Hall of Fame teacher.

1. Writers' Square
Presents

2. Golden Rules of Essays:
Writing Between the Lines
By
National Hall of Fame Teacher Alan Haskvitz
reacheverychild@yahoo.com

3. Common Core Related Literacy
● Support claims with relevant evidence.
● Use narrative techniques.
● Show relationships among experiences.
● Use relevant descriptive details to convey
experiences and events.
● Provide a conclusion that reflects on the
narrated experiences or events.
N.B. (nota bene) Knowing your audience is
more crucial in persuasive writing than any
other type of essay.

4. Ten or So Golden Rules
Rule One: Think about the purpose of your
writing. What will the reader think?
Between the lines is where the reader learns to
care about your message
That is the Craft of Writing

5. Rule Number Two: Make it Sing

6. If You Have Something to Say Don't Say it
FEEL ITFEEL IT
Hook your reader. Let the words draw them into
the story. Choose them carefully.
“Don't tell me the moon is shining, show me
the glint of light on broken glass.”
― Bernard Cornwell

7. You Have to Make it Matter

8. Next Rule: Read the Rules
Rules are designed to make the competition fair
and to provide a framework to help structure your
entry. It is not only important in this competition,
but in life.

9. Brainstorm and ResearchBrainstorm and Research
Spend time thinking about possible story ideas.
Write them down. Bounce them off of others and
ask for their thoughts before starting to write.
“My parents are best because they buy me
things” may be true, but perhaps spending more
time researching might reveal how that became
possible and better craft the essay.

10. Outline,
1. Outline
a. Outline
The biggest weakness of an entry was to find that
it wandered. Spend time on the outline knowing
that you can change it.
The outline is a map to help you reach your goal.
It also helps keep your writing on track.
Remember that each sentence should add
depth to your work.

11. What is Your Audience
You are not writing an essay for a friend.
You are writing it for strangers. Picky strangers.
Remember an essay isn't a diary entry.
The essay exists to communicate feelings.
Relevance keeps the audience reading.
Having them care is your goal.

12. Proofread
Don't depend on a spelling checker.
Read it over as soon as you are finished.
Let the essay sit a day or two and read it again.
Read it two ways. First, backwards, word by word,
checking your spelling.
Next, read it forward checking context and
grammar.

13. The Brown Leaf Syndrome
Regardless of how nice the plant (essay) is the
buyer may pass it by because it has one brown
leaf (error). Good proofreading can keep your
essay green.

14. Avoid Pronouns and Repetitions
Use purposeful dialogue by rethinking each word
to give more understanding to the reader.
Try to make pronouns add life to the characters,
setting, and plot. Example:
“He came into the store.” OR
“Young, scared, and wearing torn jeans, the
blond haired youngster cautiously entered...”
Remember that each word should be like
adding sprinkles to ice cream.

15. Don't Procrastinate

16. Stay Focused Using Your Voice
Don't get sidetracked.
Set a reasonable goal.
Keep the end in mind.
Remember to keep the “voice”
consistent.
The essay should reflect your style and
be your own words.

17. Tie it Together: Closure
● Bring your writing craft essay to a close by
rewording your hypothesis.
Don't try to be flashy, but show a command of
the language.
Try and make every word move the essay
forward.
You have reached the end of the Golden Rules
of essay writing essay. (see slide one)

18. Slide One
Golden Rules of Essays:
Writing Between the Lines
By
National Hall of Fame Teacher Alan Haskvitz

19. Reading Between the Lines

20. Thank you and Good Luck (Fu)

21. Thank you
Alan Haskvitz
reacheverychild@yahoo.com