How to Write an A+ SOL Essay

Fill in these steps under “Brainstorm”: Step One: Attack the prompt. What is the prompt asking you to write about? Step Two: Consider various options for your essay. Step Three: Choose a side / option / position. Step Four: Decide what main points you will use to support your position.

Copy the following as notes The thesis statement is one sentence that states the main idea of an essay. The thesis statement of an essay is located at the end of the introduction. It is the last sentence in the first paragraph. The thesis statement should include the subject of the essay, your position, and your main reasons. These three reasons will become your three body paragraphs.

In your guided notes, copy the following for Introduction Your introduction should include the following Attention Getter (1 sentence) Background information, explanation, considering both sides, etc. (3 – 5 sentences) Thesis Statement (1 sentence)

Attention-Getter Possibilities Shocking Statement or Interesting Fact: Surprise the reader and create suspense by presenting an attention-getting situation. Every year, hundreds of teens find themselves in trouble late at night. Definition: Begin with a definition, either from a dictionary or one you write. A curfew is a regulation that requires a child to be home at a certain time. Problem: Briefly suggest a problem that you will solve in the piece. People are always looking for ways to make the world safer for teens. Discuss the Public Perception of the Topic: Briefly describe how some people think about this topic. Many people are concerned about the safety and behavior of teenagers these days. Anecdote: For essays in which first-person perspective is appropriate, a personal story (about yourself or someone else) can be an effective beginning. Last year, I was walking home from a friend’s house at 10pm when something happened that I will never forget. Borrow a sentence from the prompt: Take a sentence from the prompt to provide background information on the topic. A city council is debating the adoption of a 10PM weekday curfew and a midnight weekend curfew for teenagers.

PEPSI Body Paragraphs Point – the main idea or topic sentence. Creating a curfew for teenagers would be ineffective. Explanation – one or two sentences saying what you mean by your Point. These sentences should explain your point and only your point. Some people might say that the curfew would keep kids from engaging in inappropriate activities. However, it would really just change the time or location in which they engage in inappropriate activities. Proof – three sentences giving examples, quotations, and illustrations that support your Explanation. These sentences should talk about your explanation and only your explanation. For example, members of city council might think that a curfew would keep teens from drinking alcohol and attending parties. However, even with the curfew, teens could choose to drink and go to parties in the afternoon or early evening. They could also engage in these activities at a friend’s house, and they would not be breaking curfew as long as they were not out on the streets. Signal – word or phrase that indicates your paragraph is about to end. Examples: thus, therefore, clearly, in the end Thus In Other Words – rewording of your Point. It would ultimately be ineffective for city council to try to enforce a curfew for teens.

PEPSI Body Paragraph Creating a curfew for teenagers would be ineffective. Some people might say that the curfew would keep kids from engaging in inappropriate activities. However, it would really just change the time or location in which they engage in inappropriate activities. For example, members of city council might think that a curfew would keep teens from drinking alcohol and attending parties. However, even with the curfew, teens could choose to drink and go to parties in the afternoon or early evening. They could also engage in these activities at a friend’s house, and they would not be breaking curfew as long as they were not out on the streets. Thus, it would ultimately be ineffective for city council to try to enforce a curfew for teens.

Counterclaims A counterclaim is a point that someone who disagrees with you might make. In your essay, you should address counterclaims and show why your opinion is still strong. 1) It may be true that ______. However, ______. Example: It may be true that teens often get into trouble at night time. However, making a curfew will not prevent them from getting into that trouble. 2) Some people might say that ____. However, ___. Example: Some people might say that teens often get into trouble at night time. However, I would argue that the time of day has little influence on teens’ behavior. In your SOL essay, you should discuss at least ONE counterclaim. Practice

Conclusion In the conclusion of your essay, you should do the following: Restate your thesis in a new way. Wrap up your main points; connect them in some way. End with a call to action or final convincing statement.

Revise After you write your essay, read it silently to yourself. Make any revisions necessary to improve the sound and quality of your writing. Spelling? Word Choice? Its/It’s, weather/whether, there/their/they’re, then/than Missing words? Indentation? Capitalization? Can you make it more descriptive or interesting? If one of your body paragraphs is really weak, cut it out. On the SOL, it is better to have a really good 4-paragraph essay than a weak 5-paragraph essay.

PEPSI Paragraph (for body paragraphs) – Write this clearly in your notebook Point – the main idea or topic sentence. Explanation – one or two sentences saying what you mean by your Point. These sentences should explain your point and only your point. Proof – three sentences giving examples, quotations, and illustrations that support your [Explanation]. These sentences should talk about your explanation and only your explanation. Signal – word or phrase that indicates your paragraph is about to end. Examples: clearly, truly, to be sure, so, thus, in the end, undoubtedly. In Other Words – rewording of your Point.