BUILDING A BETTER ESSAY: BLUEPRINT TO HOUSEWARMING

I built the whole house without even a blueprint! It looks pretty good, doesn’t it! Who says you have to have a plan?

Oh… it says “Read the directions carefully before you begin to assemble the…”

Writing an essay is just like the process of building a house. It takes a great deal of planning, work, fixing up the things that are done incorrectly, re-doing the things about which the clients change their minds, more planning, more work, more mistakes, more re-doing, etc. to build a house.

Building a house properly requires the following: A Process A Blueprint A Punch List (the list of repairs and finish work required to complete a large project, such as the construction of a house)

Building Process - Planning, Executing, Modifying, Correcting, Selling Writing Process – Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing The Blueprint - The organizational pattern for every part of the whole Four Square – The organizational pattern for every paragraph in the essay The Punch List – The list of what needs to be done and has been accomplished The Rubric – The list of what needs to be done and has been accomplished Building Process vs. Writing Process

Expository Writing - A Process: How to do something How to make something How something happens How something works How something happened in history (a report) What happened in someone’s life (a biography) How to get somewhere,accomplish something, reach a goal, play a sport

Compare/Contrast (How things are similar and/or different) Problem/Solution (What the problem is/was and what the solution is/was/should be) What happened in a piece of literature (a review) How to pursue a hobby or job

How do I write an expository essay on “How to Build a House”? Simple! Building a house is a process, isn’t it? So…just use the writing process!

THIS IS PREWRITING!

We want to build a new house. Our apartment is too small, and our doggy is unhappy! We need ideas, a blueprint, and an architect. I like trees…

THIS IS DRAFTING!

The contractor called me to pour the concrete foundation. He put me on hold forever to talk to the architect…

The walls are up. The contractor called me to connect the floor plumbing to the wall pipes. This wrench is way too small…

We don’t call this “leaking”; we call this “normal atmospheric condensation.”

THIS IS REVISION!

REVISE! Add trees to the yard; the dog wants more trees! Trees. I need trees.

REVISE! This paint color looks much better! Sometimes you don’t know what you want until you see it!

THIS IS EDITING! OOPS…

EDIT! Bedroom wallpaper was hung in bathroom!

EDIT! Dude, fix this outlet; there’s no electricity to it!

THIS IS PUBLISHING!

Let’s have a housewarming party and show off our new house! Arf! Bow wow! I am happy!

First… Brainstorm… blueprints plans ideas architect contractor framer electrician light fixtures plumber bricklayer roofer landscaper decorator painter trees back yard neighbors the lot backhoe front end loader sidewalks flower beds open house windows bedrooms family room

…then try to figure out some logical way to divide it up into paragraphs.

Trans.: In the first place Plan the building project Safety Builder must plan ahead Architect Blueprints Contractor Schedules all tradespeople Trans.: Now it is time for the actual building of the house... Do the project in a logical order Floor Plumbing, H&A Walls Wiring, cabinetry, brick Roof Insulation, shingles Trans.: Finally, the decorating Finish the project beautifully Inside the house Paint, stain, wallpaper Outside of the house Lighting fixtures, paint Landscaping Trees, flower beds As one can see, building a house can be challenging, exciting, and satisfying if the builder plans the project carefully, executes the project logically, and finishes the project beautifully. Building a house is challenging.

Paragraph 1 (Introductory Paragraph) DRAFT! Building a house is a challenging job. The builder must plan carefully, do the actual building projects in logical order, and then decorate the home beautifully. This is how a house becomes a home!

Paragraph 1 (Introductory Paragraph) DRAFT! Building a house is a challenging, exciting, and satisfying occupation. The builder must plan the project carefully and execute the project in a logical order; then he must decorate and landscape the home divinely. It is in this manner that a mere house becomes a warm, cozy, loving home!

Paragraph 2 DRAFT! In the first place, the home must be envisioned or “planned” before it can be built. The builder and the homeowners talk to the architect about the plans, or “blueprint.” The homeowners choose a building site, and the builder works with the backhoe operator to clear and level the site. Finally, the builder or contractor schedules the tradespeople to do the various jobs, ensuring that safety is a priority. All of this takes a great deal of planning.

Paragraph 3 DRAFT! Now it is time for the actual building of the house, and the different jobs must be completed in a logical order. First, the plumbing must be laid in place in the floor before the concrete slab can be poured. Heat and air vents are also part of the flooring system. Next, the walls emerge as the framers nail 2 x 4’s together to form walls that hold cabinets, enclose wiring, and support brick. At last, the roof is shingled and the insulation is put in the attic. Most of the house is finished.

Paragraph 4 DRAFT! Finally, the soft touches will add beauty to brick, stone, and wood. Inside the house colorful paint choices, warm wood stain colors, and lively wallpaper patterns add cheerfulness to the interior. Outside, stately lighting fixtures are complemented by lovely landscaping in the forms of trees and multiple flower beds. Contrasting paint colors on the exterior of the home make looking at it a pleasure. It is as beautiful outside as it is inside.

Paragraph 5 - Conclusion DRAFT! As one can see, building a home can be challenging, exciting, and satisfying if the builder plans the project safely and carefully, makes logical decisions about the order of the jobs, and then decorates and landscapes appropriately. The process of building is hard work, but if it is done correctly, a house can become a home.