1. Essay Writing

2. Introduction Begin with a thesis statement – needs to answer the how and why questions. Example of a thesis: William Shakespeare, author of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, highlights the mistreatment of women in his text in order to evoke a sympathetic reaction from his audience.

3. Introduction continued… After stating the thesis statement, state your three points/ideas/reasons – it depends on the type of prompt given. For an analysis essay, you would state your points. After listing all three points, summarize the introduction with a summary statement. A good way to summarize is to begin with the following: In summary, In brief, etc…

4. So, what makes up an effective introduction? Thesis statement Three points Summary statement An introduction should be short and should contain no more than five sentences. Four would be acceptable as well.

5. Body Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 For any body paragraph you write, follow the formula below. Main Idea Fact Thoughts Summary Statement A body paragraph should include a minimum of 8 sentences (a body paragraph should be much longer than an introduction – it just makes sense since the body paragraph contains the meat of the essay, the details if you will).

6. Body Paragraphs continued… When writing a main idea in the body paragraph, avoid beginning with An example of… or First of all, etc… Find a more creative way of introducing your main idea. Beginning with Although or Whenever or Not only or If would be effective ways to start.

7. Body Paragraphs continued… After stating the main idea, it makes sense to introduce the quote. Avoid listing a quote without a transition. An effective way to introduce a quote is as follows: After being stabbed numerous times, Caesar still manages to utter, “Et tu, Brute” (III.i.45).

8. Body Paragraphs continued… How to introduce a Shakespearean quote Since you’ll be citing from Shakespeare, you’ll need to keep the following in mind: When citing three lines or less, keep the quote within the paragraph. For example: In the text, Brutus realizes he has been defeated when he states, “Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius./ Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes./ Our enemies have beat us to the pit”(V.v.25-27).

9. Body Paragraphs continued… When citing four or more lines, separate the quote from the paragraph. See example below: In the drama, Brutus is found trying to persuade Strato to help him commit suicide: I prithee Strato, stay thou by thy lord. Thou art a fellow of a good respect; Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it. Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? (V.v.49-53) Notice how when separating a quote from the paragraph, quotation marks are not needed.

10. Body Paragraphs continued… Now come the thoughts After citing the quote, then you need to explain it in detail and tie it with the main idea of the body paragraph. This is your analysis. This is where you provide your thoughts and stretch your mind.

11. Body Paragraphs continued… After the thoughts comes the summary statement After providing your thoughts on the quote, provide a summary statement before moving onto the next body paragraph.

12. In a Nutshell Each body paragraph must contain the following: Main Idea Fact/quote Thoughts about the quote Summary Statement

13. Conclusion Last paragraph in the essay Must contain the following Restated thesis Restated points End on a powerful note (What did you learn? When answering this question, do not state I learned…)

14. Good Writing Practices For formal essay assignments like the one you will be writing, follow the rules below: Avoid 1 st and 2 nd persons (I, me, our, you, your, etc…) Avoid contractions (wouldn’t, can’t, don’t, etc…) Use present tense verbs when discussing the action in the text, e.g., hears, speaks, states, exclaim, runs, communicates as opposed to heard, spoke, stated, exclaimed, ran, and communicated.

15. 9 th Grade Essay Writing Prompt When speaking with the public, what is Mark Antony’s aim in using different forms of rhetoric, specifically pathos, ethos, and logos? Discuss each rhetorical form in detail and explain Antony’s overall goal in using all three. You will need to provide, at the very least, three quotes from the text.

16. Example of an Introduction In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, a critical character, employs pathos, ethos, and logos in his famous speech in order to win the public’s favor. When using pathos, Antony rouses an emotional reaction from the audience. In using ethos, he is able to demonstrate his creditworthiness. In applying logos, Antony provides his audience with the necessary facts to support his position. In summary, Mark Antony cunningly exploits all three of these rhetorical devices in his oration with every intention to sway the masses.

17. Main Idea for the First Body Paragraph In using pathos, Mark Antony strikes such an emotional chord within the Roman citizens that they blindly follow his lead without question. For instance,