1. Building an Essay Questions to ask yourself and steps to take… Writing Notes #2

2. What is the prompt/reason for writing this essay? You need to understand the purpose of your writing before going forward with any essay. Ex: Is Oedipus a tragic hero?

3. What is your general response to the prompt question? Yes/No/Maybe Before you write anything, you need to firm up what your basic answer to the prompt question (hopefully a one-word answer, but don’t be afraid to take a nuanced approach).

4. Why is that your answer? After providing a basic answer to the prompt question, you need to develop a more detailed response. Brainstorm or free-write any ideas connected to or conflicting with your answer. Then organize these thoughts into subtopics.

5. How can I support my answer? Just because you have an answer or opinion on a topic does not make you an authority on that topic. You should assume that there are multiple ways of answering an essay prompt, and you should realize that there are no correct answers, just well and poorly- supported ones. Now you need to add sources of relevant facts and data to your brainstorm/free-write reasoning.

6. How do I organize my ideas and sources into an essay? Using an outline. Outlines come in a variety of shapes and sizes:

7. Graphic Organizers

8. Graphic Organizers Con’t. Basic 5-paragraph outline: I. Introduction A. Thesis Statement (basic opinion or answer) 1. Subtopic 1 2. Subtopic 2 3. Subtopic 3 II. First Body Paragraph A. Restate Subtopic 1 1. Supporting detail or example 2. Supporting detail or example B. Transition III. Second Body Paragraph A. Restate Subtopic 2 1. Supporting detail or example 2. Supporting detail or example B. Transition IV. Third Body Paragraph A. Restate Subtopic 3 1. Supporting detail or example 2. Supporting detail or example B. Transition V. Conclusion A. Synthesis of subtopics as they relate to thesis

10. Any Questions? Here is the assignment: Answer the following prompt by following the steps outlined in this presentation: 1- Give a general answer to the prompt. 2- Brainstorm any ideas you have about your answer and the prompt topic. 3- Compile any research (facts and data) tat you have to support your ideas about the topic. 4- Organize your ideas and details/examples into a formal outline. The prompt: Is democracy a good form of government? Is it better or worse than a theocracy or monarchy? What about authoritarian or socialistic societies? Defend your answer with three major points.