1. The document provides guidance for writing a group essay, including meeting to outline the essay using provided questions, writing the essay using academic language, and editing the work for cohesion. 2. It emphasizes organizing the essay with an introduction including a thesis statement, 3-5 body paragraphs about topics introduced in topic sentences and elaborated with examples, and a conclusion summarizing main points. 3. When working in a group, it recommends combining reflections organized following the essay format, documenting thoughts about the topic and experience, and using careful language choices about opinions and subjects.

1. Writing a Group Essay LAD
1. Meet with your group. Write an outline of
the essay using the following questions as a
guide:
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• Why did we choose the topic?
• What did we learn?
• Did the writing process change our HOURS
perspective about the topic? Mondays – Thursdays
• How was your experience working 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Reflective
within the team? Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• As a group, if you could improve any
aspect of the written activity, what
would it be and why? WEB
Essay
http://www.sagrado.edu/lad/
2. Write the essay. Use academic language. http://www.facebook.com/clcsagrado
Avoid confessional writing or diary entries.
3. Edit your work. Check for grammar and BLOG
spelling. If various people wrote individual http://languagecenterusc.wordpress.com
Quick Guide
parts of the essay, make sure all paragraphs fit
together as a cohesive unit by using transitional E-MAIL
words or phrases.
lad@sagrado.edu
LAD is an innovative, educational program of the
University of the Sacred Heart. Its objective is to
promote effective oral and written skills so that
Don’t fear writing.
participating students may perform successfully in
their academic and professional careers.
Remember:
“Practice makes Our Mission
perfect”. To promote effective oral and written skills by using
real life situations within the context of various
disciplines.
Our Mission is
Your Challenge

2. Reflective Essay Organization DO NOT CITE WIKIPEDIA
To organize your essay, break it into pieces:
The reflective essay requires you to express “Students shouldn't
even be tempted to use
your thoughts about a particular subject. It is
1
Wikipedia as an original
your opportunity to offer your views about source.”
what you have learned about a specific topic. Introduction: one paragraph © Wikimedia Foundation, Inc
Jim Redmond, Wikipedia
Include general statements about your Administrator and Editor
Reflective Essay: Group Work topic and one sentence that tells the
(2007)
reader what you will argue in the essay.
When writing an essay as a group, you This sentence is called the thesis
should try to: statement. How to write a thesis statement?
“A short statement, usually one sentence that
 Combine reflections in an organized
2
summarizes the main point or claim of an essay,
manner, following the essay format.
 Document the group’s: Body: 3-5 paragraphs research paper, etc. and is developed, supported,
and explained in the text by means of examples
- thoughts about the topic
Each paragraph should talk about one and evidence. The thesis statement gives your
topic. This topic is introduced in the topic paper direction, is focused and specific to your
sentence. The paragraphs should contain topic, and is located near the end of the
Language: three to five sentences that elaborate on introduction.” www.dictionary.com
this topic with examples and further
It is important that you pay attention to your details. Use transitional words or phrases Example of a Thesis Statement:
language choices when working as a group. to add coherence and clarity to your essay. After learning about stem cell research, half the
Here are some guidelines: team thought it is beneficial and half believed it is
unethical.
3
st
Pronouns: 1 person plural (we, us, our,
ourselves) Conclusion: one paragraph The essay with this thesis statement will cover two
Subjects: “the group”, “the team”, “Pedro main points in the body:
and I” The conclusion should always provide a
Individual opinions: Mention the name: summary of your main points. It should 1) Why half the team thought stem cell research
rd
Example: “Juan thought that…” or use the 3 never discuss new information. Restate is beneficial.
person singular pronoun (he, she) the ideas you discussed in the essay. 2) Why the other half of the team believed it is
Example: “We chose this topic because…
unethical.
However, Sandra explained that… She then
realized…”
Remember:
 Copy and pasting information from the Internet or any source without proper citations is considered plagiarism.
 Use quotation marks (“…”) when copying exact words from a source in your work and include the name/s of the author/s.
 Include the references that you used in your composition on the Reference page.