The Write Stuff
Why Should I Care About
       Writing?
Why Should I Care About
          Writing?
• Writing is an essential job skill
Why Should I Care About
          Writing?
• Writing is an essential job skill
• Builds your ability to explain complex
  positions
Why Should I Care About
          Writing?
• Writing is an essential job skill
• Builds your ability to explain complex
  positions
• Develops communication and thinking
  skills
Why Should I Care About
          Writing?
• Writing is an essential job skill
• Builds your ability to explain complex
  positions
• Develops communication and thinking
  skills
• Helps give others feedback and helps
  others give feedback to you.
Why Should I Care About
          Writing?
• Writing is an essential job skill
• Builds your ability to explain complex
  positions
• Develops communication and thinking
  skills
• Helps give others feedback and helps
  others give feedback to you.
• Writing expresses who you are as a
  person
5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint
5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint
• Introduction
  – Hook
  – Background
  – Thesis Statement
5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint
• Introduction
  – Hook
  – Background
  – Thesis Statement
• Body Paragraph
  – Topic Sentence
  – Supports
  – Concluding Sentence
5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint
• Introduction
  – Hook
  – Background
  – Thesis Statement
• Body Paragraph
  – Topic Sentence
  – Supports
  – Concluding Sentence
• Conclusion
  – Restate Thesis
  – Summarize
  – Lasting Impression
Introduction Paragraph
  “You never get a second chance to make a first
  impression”
Parts of the
Introduction
Parts of the
     Introduction
• Hook
• Background
  Information
• Thesis
First Things First
• "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive,
  were proud to say that they were perfectly normal,
  thank you very much. They were the last people
  you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or
  mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such
  nonsense.“
First Things First
• "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive,
  were proud to say that they were perfectly normal,
  thank you very much. They were the last people
  you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or
  mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such
  nonsense.“
The Hook
• It should grab your reader’s attention.
    • Quote
    • Vivid description
    • Anecdote
    • Definition
    • Question

•Must transition into the paper’s topic
Hook: Quote
Hook: Quote
• A quote is a
  memorable line from a
  famous figure in
  history.
Hook: Quote
• A quote is a
  memorable line from a
  famous figure in
  history.
• Make sure to include
  author/speaker.
Hook: Quote
• A quote is a
  memorable line from a
  famous figure in
  history.
• Make sure to include
  author/speaker.
• Ex) Mahatma Gandhi
  once said, “Be the
  change you wish to see
  in the world.”
Hook: Quote
• A quote is a
  memorable line from a
  famous figure in
  history.
• Make sure to include
  author/speaker.
• Ex) Mahatma Gandhi
  once said, “Be the
  change you wish to see
  in the world.”
Hook: Vivid Description
• A vivid description
  is like a photo- a
  single snapshot.
  Unlike an
  anecdote, it has no
  plot or action.
• Ex) The sweet
  smell of cotton
  candy floats in the
  air. Bumper cars
  collide in the
  distance. There is
  nothing like the
  county fair.
Hook: Vivid Description
• A vivid description
  is like a photo- a
  single snapshot.
  Unlike an
  anecdote, it has no
  plot or action.
• Ex) The sweet
  smell of cotton
  candy floats in the
  air. Bumper cars
  collide in the
  distance. There is
  nothing like the
  county fair.
Hook: Anecdote
• An anecdote is a
  short story that
  leads the reader
  into your topic.
• Ex) Imagine a
  small child crying
  at the county fair
  because they
  cannot ride the
  rides the big kids
  do. Despite their
  wailing, the parent
  does not budge. In
  a similar fashion…
Hook: Anecdote
• An anecdote is a
  short story that
  leads the reader
  into your topic.
• Ex) Imagine a
  small child crying
  at the county fair
  because they
  cannot ride the
  rides the big kids
  do. Despite their
  wailing, the parent
  does not budge. In
  a similar fashion…
Hook: Definition
• Define a term that
  is closely related to
  your topic. Provide
  a definition that
  your audience may
  not know.
• Ex) Webster’s
  dictionary defines
  sarcasm as, “a witty
  remark used to
  convey insult.”
Hook: Question
• Ask a question to
  draw your reader
  into your paper.
• Ex) Is it true that
  sometimes love is
  not enough to
  overcome difficult
  circumstances? In
  Shakespeare’s
  Romeo and Juliet…
Background Information
• Assume that your reader has never
  read the question
• What does your audience need to
  know?
  – Names
  – Dates
  – Quotes
  – Arguments
• If it is a text, then include the author,
  title and a brief synopsis of the story
Background Info- Examine
         the Prompt
• Superintendent Doug Hammond
  believes that school violence has
  escalated. Due to this he is asking
  Howard County schools to enforce
  random locker checks each quarter.
  Students believe this is an invasion of
  privacy. Write a five paragraph essay
  stating your position on the issue.
What does your audience need
 to know? Look for details…
The Thesis Statement
The Roadmap for Your Essay
• Main argument of your paper

• It introduces the reader to the rest of
  your paper

• No thesis statement?
So What’s the Formula?
Recipe for a Good Thesis

_______________ because ________________ ,
________________ , and ________________ .
Recipe for a Good Thesis

 Arguable Point                 Reason
_______________ because ________________ ,
 #1
________________ , and ________________ .
    Reason #2                    Reason
 #3
Give Me an Example
Smoking should be illegal because
it can kill you, can harm those
around you, and it is addictive and
difficult to stop once started.
Now it’s Your Turn!!!
Body Paragraphs (3)

• Topic Sentence

• Support (Quotes)

• Concluding
  Sentence
Topic Sentence
• A topic sentence       • Ex.) One reason
  tells the reader         why schools
  what the paragraph       should not enforce
  is going to be           random locker
  about.                   checks is because
• Use it to help           it is an invasion of
  remind the reader        student privacy.
  what your paper is
  trying to prove
  (thesis)
• It should have a
  subject, a verb, and
  a controlling idea.
Supporting Sentences
• This is where you give more
  information about your topic.
• Ask yourself: How can I prove this is
  true? What examples can I give?
• Three supports per paragraph
If you use quotes as
       support
    Don’t forget…
Adding Quotes- Lead-In
• According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in
  his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark
  Knight sold more tickets in its opening
  weekend than any other movie in
  history” (Jones 252).

• Always introduce quotes
• with a lead-in
• Quotes can’t stand alone.
Adding Quotes- State Quote
• According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in
  his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The
  Dark Knight sold more tickets in its
  opening weekend than any other movie in
  history” (Jones 252).

• State quote exactly as you see it.
• Use quotation marks to show it is
  borrowed words.
Adding Quotes-
     Parenthetical Citations
• According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in
  his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark
  Knight sold more tickets in its opening
  weekend than any other movie in
  history” (Jones 252).

• A parenthetical citation shows where
  the information is from.
• Give author and page number.
• No comma. Punctuation follows
  citation.
Adding Quotes-Explain
            Quote
• According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in
  his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark
  Knight sold more tickets in its opening
  weekend than any other movie in
  history” (Jones 252). This quote illustrates
  that The Dark Knight is the ultimate super
  hero movie because of the mass appeal it
  brought to the super hero film genre.
Concluding Sentences
• A concluding sentence explains what
  your paragraph is about.
• Use as a bridge between paragraphs
• Not only
  ________________________________ but
  __________________________________
Concluding Sentences
• A concluding sentence explains what
  your paragraph is about.
• Use as a bridge between paragraphs
• Not only
  ________________________________ but
   does recycling help the environment
  __________________________________
Concluding Sentences
• A concluding sentence explains what
  your paragraph is about.
• Use as a bridge between paragraphs
• Not only
  ________________________________ but
   does recycling help the environment
  __________________________________
  it is also a quick way to make extra money.
Conclusion Paragraph
• Restate thesis. Use new words (points
  in same order)
• Summarize main points of essay.
  Remind reader what you said.
• End with a lasting impression. Give
  reader something to think about after
  finishing essay.
And That is How you Write
       an Essay!


          …Now go off
         and “Ace” that
            paper!

The write stuff essay

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Why Should ICare About Writing?
  • 3.
    Why Should ICare About Writing? • Writing is an essential job skill
  • 4.
    Why Should ICare About Writing? • Writing is an essential job skill • Builds your ability to explain complex positions
  • 5.
    Why Should ICare About Writing? • Writing is an essential job skill • Builds your ability to explain complex positions • Develops communication and thinking skills
  • 6.
    Why Should ICare About Writing? • Writing is an essential job skill • Builds your ability to explain complex positions • Develops communication and thinking skills • Helps give others feedback and helps others give feedback to you.
  • 7.
    Why Should ICare About Writing? • Writing is an essential job skill • Builds your ability to explain complex positions • Develops communication and thinking skills • Helps give others feedback and helps others give feedback to you. • Writing expresses who you are as a person
  • 8.
  • 9.
    5 Paragraph EssayBlueprint • Introduction – Hook – Background – Thesis Statement
  • 10.
    5 Paragraph EssayBlueprint • Introduction – Hook – Background – Thesis Statement • Body Paragraph – Topic Sentence – Supports – Concluding Sentence
  • 11.
    5 Paragraph EssayBlueprint • Introduction – Hook – Background – Thesis Statement • Body Paragraph – Topic Sentence – Supports – Concluding Sentence • Conclusion – Restate Thesis – Summarize – Lasting Impression
  • 12.
    Introduction Paragraph “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Parts of the Introduction • Hook • Background Information • Thesis
  • 15.
    First Things First •"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.“
  • 16.
    First Things First •"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.“
  • 17.
    The Hook • Itshould grab your reader’s attention. • Quote • Vivid description • Anecdote • Definition • Question •Must transition into the paper’s topic
  • 18.
  • 19.
    Hook: Quote • Aquote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history.
  • 20.
    Hook: Quote • Aquote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history. • Make sure to include author/speaker.
  • 21.
    Hook: Quote • Aquote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history. • Make sure to include author/speaker. • Ex) Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
  • 22.
    Hook: Quote • Aquote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history. • Make sure to include author/speaker. • Ex) Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
  • 23.
    Hook: Vivid Description •A vivid description is like a photo- a single snapshot. Unlike an anecdote, it has no plot or action. • Ex) The sweet smell of cotton candy floats in the air. Bumper cars collide in the distance. There is nothing like the county fair.
  • 24.
    Hook: Vivid Description •A vivid description is like a photo- a single snapshot. Unlike an anecdote, it has no plot or action. • Ex) The sweet smell of cotton candy floats in the air. Bumper cars collide in the distance. There is nothing like the county fair.
  • 25.
    Hook: Anecdote • Ananecdote is a short story that leads the reader into your topic. • Ex) Imagine a small child crying at the county fair because they cannot ride the rides the big kids do. Despite their wailing, the parent does not budge. In a similar fashion…
  • 26.
    Hook: Anecdote • Ananecdote is a short story that leads the reader into your topic. • Ex) Imagine a small child crying at the county fair because they cannot ride the rides the big kids do. Despite their wailing, the parent does not budge. In a similar fashion…
  • 27.
    Hook: Definition • Definea term that is closely related to your topic. Provide a definition that your audience may not know. • Ex) Webster’s dictionary defines sarcasm as, “a witty remark used to convey insult.”
  • 28.
    Hook: Question • Aska question to draw your reader into your paper. • Ex) Is it true that sometimes love is not enough to overcome difficult circumstances? In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet…
  • 29.
    Background Information • Assumethat your reader has never read the question • What does your audience need to know? – Names – Dates – Quotes – Arguments • If it is a text, then include the author, title and a brief synopsis of the story
  • 30.
    Background Info- Examine the Prompt • Superintendent Doug Hammond believes that school violence has escalated. Due to this he is asking Howard County schools to enforce random locker checks each quarter. Students believe this is an invasion of privacy. Write a five paragraph essay stating your position on the issue. What does your audience need to know? Look for details…
  • 31.
  • 32.
    The Roadmap forYour Essay • Main argument of your paper • It introduces the reader to the rest of your paper • No thesis statement?
  • 33.
  • 34.
    Recipe for aGood Thesis _______________ because ________________ , ________________ , and ________________ .
  • 35.
    Recipe for aGood Thesis Arguable Point Reason _______________ because ________________ , #1 ________________ , and ________________ . Reason #2 Reason #3
  • 36.
    Give Me anExample Smoking should be illegal because it can kill you, can harm those around you, and it is addictive and difficult to stop once started.
  • 37.
  • 38.
    Body Paragraphs (3) •Topic Sentence • Support (Quotes) • Concluding Sentence
  • 39.
    Topic Sentence • Atopic sentence • Ex.) One reason tells the reader why schools what the paragraph should not enforce is going to be random locker about. checks is because • Use it to help it is an invasion of remind the reader student privacy. what your paper is trying to prove (thesis) • It should have a subject, a verb, and a controlling idea.
  • 40.
    Supporting Sentences • Thisis where you give more information about your topic. • Ask yourself: How can I prove this is true? What examples can I give? • Three supports per paragraph
  • 41.
    If you usequotes as support Don’t forget…
  • 42.
    Adding Quotes- Lead-In •According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). • Always introduce quotes • with a lead-in • Quotes can’t stand alone.
  • 43.
    Adding Quotes- StateQuote • According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). • State quote exactly as you see it. • Use quotation marks to show it is borrowed words.
  • 44.
    Adding Quotes- Parenthetical Citations • According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). • A parenthetical citation shows where the information is from. • Give author and page number. • No comma. Punctuation follows citation.
  • 45.
    Adding Quotes-Explain Quote • According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252). This quote illustrates that The Dark Knight is the ultimate super hero movie because of the mass appeal it brought to the super hero film genre.
  • 46.
    Concluding Sentences • Aconcluding sentence explains what your paragraph is about. • Use as a bridge between paragraphs • Not only ________________________________ but __________________________________
  • 47.
    Concluding Sentences • Aconcluding sentence explains what your paragraph is about. • Use as a bridge between paragraphs • Not only ________________________________ but does recycling help the environment __________________________________
  • 48.
    Concluding Sentences • Aconcluding sentence explains what your paragraph is about. • Use as a bridge between paragraphs • Not only ________________________________ but does recycling help the environment __________________________________ it is also a quick way to make extra money.
  • 49.
    Conclusion Paragraph • Restatethesis. Use new words (points in same order) • Summarize main points of essay. Remind reader what you said. • End with a lasting impression. Give reader something to think about after finishing essay.
  • 50.
    And That isHow you Write an Essay! …Now go off and “Ace” that paper!