Building an Essay… First, Pre-write– its important! Consider the prompt and decide how you want to organize your essay. Consider the prompt and decide how you want to organize your essay. How will you hook the reader? (You may want to go back to this after writing your thesis statement.) How will you hook the reader? (You may want to go back to this after writing your thesis statement.) What is your thesis or main idea? Write a thesis statement to guide your essay. What is your thesis or main idea? Write a thesis statement to guide your essay. What are your supporting details? Can each expand into a paragraph? What are your supporting details? Can each expand into a paragraph?

How to begin… What type of hook or lead will you use to engage the reader? What type of hook or lead will you use to engage the reader? Consult the handout for ideas. Consult the handout for ideas. Do you want to start with a statistic? Some interesting facts? An anecdote? Do you want to start with a statistic? Some interesting facts? An anecdote?

Then, give some background on your topic. Why is this topic important? What supporting ideas will you use in your essay? Why is this topic important? What supporting ideas will you use in your essay? Dont give too much detail in the introductory paragraph– just enough to pique interest. Dont give too much detail in the introductory paragraph– just enough to pique interest.

End your introductory paragraph by stating your thesis. The thesis or main idea for your essay is best placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis or main idea for your essay is best placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. All paragraphs that follow will back up the thesis statement. All paragraphs that follow will back up the thesis statement. Lets look at the prompt… Lets look at the prompt…

Writing Situation Writing Situation Your principal is considering adding a new class to the connections schedule. She is taking recommendations from the student body. Your principal is considering adding a new class to the connections schedule. She is taking recommendations from the student body. Writing Prompt Writing Prompt (Expository) (Expository) Ms. Lyons has chosen you to select a connections class to solve the problem of student apathy. Describe the class and how will motivate apathetic students. Ms. Lyons has chosen you to select a connections class to solve the problem of student apathy. Describe the class and how will motivate apathetic students. (Persuasive) (Persuasive) Write a letter persuading your principal to incorporate your idea for a new connections class into the schedule. Focus on the potential for this class to contribute to the overall future success of the student body. Write a letter persuading your principal to incorporate your idea for a new connections class into the schedule. Focus on the potential for this class to contribute to the overall future success of the student body.

Your task… Write an introductory paragraph for the persuasive prompt. Write an introductory paragraph for the persuasive prompt. Write an introductory paragraph for the expository prompt. Write an introductory paragraph for the expository prompt. *The paragraphs will begin with different hooks and will have different thesis statements. Some background information might be similar.

Next, use the key ideas that support your thesis statement to craft body paragraphs. Each paragraph will detail one of your supporting ideas. For example, I chose Abnormal Psychology as my connections class. For the persuasive prompt, I mentioned that students could learn about new terms, concepts, and case studies. My body paragraphs will discuss each of those ideas.

1 st Body paragraph In the beginning, students will need learn the basic terminology of Abnormal Psychology. Phrases like personality disorder, coping strategies, and dual diagnosis will seem unfamiliar. However, understanding the language of human behavior will enable middle schoolers to better understand complex concepts.