1. Understanding
How to Write
an Essay

2. Parts of an Essay
Essays, like sandwiches, are divided into different parts. These parts are the:
Introduction
Body
Conclusion

3. Introduction
The introduction opens the essay. It is a short paragraph – usually about THREE sentences.
The last sentence of your introduction is your thesis statement.
A thesis statement is a sentence (or two) that states what you are going to do in your essay. It is a kind of signpost—something that tells you where to go—or a map that shows the reader what direction your essay will take.

4. The Body
The Body is the main part of the essay. It is divided into two or three paragraphs, giving details and examples.
Each paragraph in the body is between FIVE and SEVEN sentences long.
Never write just one long paragraph.

5. Conclusion
The Conclusion is the end of the essay. It is a short paragraph – about THREE sentences.
It often has the same idea as the Introduction, only in different words.
The conclusion will never add new information!

6. Essay Topic Thesis Statement:
Discuss how Edgar Allen Poe uses symbols to develop his theme in “The Masque of the Red Death”—no one can escape death.
Thesis Statement:
Edgar Allen Poe uses symbols in “The Masque of the Red Death” to develop the theme that no matter how hard one tries, no one can escape death.

7. First Body Paragraph
Topic sentence: Poe uses characters to show how pointless and vain it is to attempt to avoid death.
For example,
This shows that
This is important because

8. Revise and Edit
Re-read your introduction paragraph and your first body paragraph.
Use a different color pen or pencil to edit your paper.
Check for mistakes: grammar, spelling, capitalization, sentence structure, indention, etc.
Change the passive voice to the active voice: look for all the “to be” verbs (am, is, are, was, were…) and change them to active verbs. (Ask for help!)
Work quietly on your own paper and when the timer goes off, place your edited paper into the back pocket of your portfolio.

9. Second Body Paragraph
Topic sentence: Poe’s use of setting and its characteristics also illustrates the uselessness of trying to keep death away.
For instance,
This shows that
This is important because

10. Conclusion
Thesis restated: Poe’s use of symbolic objects helps to develop the theme that no one is safe from death.
(End with something dynamic like a famous quote, a movie quote, or lyrics to a song of the same theme. Be sure to tell where the quote came from.)
EXAMPLE:
The English poet, John Donne, wrote: “Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal when it comes.” More than 200 years later, Poe’s mad sense of style and incredible imagination allow him to paint a vivid and unforgettable image with words to express that same message. Poe’s use of symbolic objects helps to develop the theme that no one is safe from death.

11. Revise and Edit
Re-read your second body paragraph and your conclusion paragraph.
Use a different color pen or pencil to edit your paper.
Check for mistakes: grammar, spelling, capitalization, sentence structure, indention, etc.
Change the passive voice to the active voice: look for all the “to be” verbs (am, is, are, was, were…) and change them to active verbs. (Ask for help!)
Work quietly on your own paper and when the timer goes off, place your edited paper into the back pocket of your portfolio.