1. The Components of an Essay English 1- Student Notes

2. The 3 Main Components of Essay Writing  ________________

3. What Does an Introduction Do?  __________________the reader into the essay topic  ___________________ for the topic  Explains and illuminates the ___________________ of the essay  Offers an __________________ for the rest of the paper

4. Introduction: An Introduction is an Ice Cream Cone  Tasty Topping = __________________________  Ice Cream = _______________________________  Cone = _____________________________  Chocolate at the Bottom of the Cone (Nutty Buddy) = __________________

5. Or…  An Introduction is an Inverted or Upside-down Pyramid _______________________ _________________ Info _____________ _____________ Info ____________ Statement

6. Example of an introduction: Attention grabber: The role and importance of the arts in schools exists at the heart of American educational debate. Background information: Proponents of the arts argue that art education is necessary for the development of well-rounded students. More specific background information: Others hold the opinion that educators should primarily focus on raising standardized test scores in core subjects, such as reading and math. Precise thesis statement: Though standardized testing sits squarely under the political microscope of today's society, an education in the arts provides lasting and immeasurable benefits.

7. Using a Vehicle in the Introduction and Conclusion  What is a vehicle?  __________________________________________________________  A vehicle can be a small story or anecdote (to provide an example or make a point relating to the topic), a quote, or an idea  Where do you put a vehicle?  __________________________________________________  To provide greatest effect, a vehicle should be restated or returned to in the conclusion  Where / what type of essay is a vehicle best for?  Personal essays, narrative essays, informal essays  It can be used for formal essays if applicable to the topic and style of the assignment  Why use a vehicle?  It adds interest to the essay; ______________________________  Provides a nice ____________________________  Provides symbolism and adds significance to a topic

8. Body Paragraphs  Support the thesis claim  __________________________________________ __________________________________________  Include evidence and explain ideas  __________________________________________ __________________________________________  Contain a topic sentence  ________________________________________  Contain ______________ that move the reader smoothly from one idea to the next

9. Conclusion  ________________________________________  Leaves the reader with a lasting impression that the author knows the subject and articulates it well  Reconnects to the vehicle in the introduction (if a vehicle was used)  Literary scholars, Strunk and White, state that writers should end with a “strong image, but not an over inflated one. In conclusions, writers should avoid the temptation to be overly profound or state opinions that do not support the topic of the essay” (Chapter 5.6).

10. A Conclusion is a Pyramid _______ _________ ____________________ _____________________ ___________________________ Use different words, but keep the same ideas in the same order Refer back to the introduction and background information Reconnect to the vehicle used in the introduction

11. Conclusion Example: Restated thesis: Thus, arts education provides students with essential skills necessary for success in today’s society. Sum up main points: Though budgets remain tight and the importance of standardized test performance weighs heavily on school districts, the arts must still be integrated within the curriculum. Training in music, speech, drama, as well as painting and sculpture helps build a stronger platform to spur even greater learning in core subjects. Concluding sentence: The arts need not be at the heart of American educational debate; they should be at the heart of a strong American education.