Preparing for Your Exit Essay By: Adriana Lechuga

When You Receive Your Essay Topic Brainstorm And/Or Make An Outline Brainstorm And/Or Make An Outline Decide On a Thesis Statement i.e. Decide On a Thesis Statement i.e. (Your Position, Argument, Stand On the Topic)

Writing the Introduction Introduction Should Have About 3-5 Sentences Introduction Should Have About 3-5 Sentences Begin with a general statement that introduces us to the topic Begin with a general statement that introduces us to the topic Your last sentence in the introduction should be your thesis statement Your last sentence in the introduction should be your thesis statement

Bad thesis statement examples 1. This essay is about the death penalty. 2. The death penalty is bad. 2. The death penalty is bad.

Good thesis statement Example: I am against the death penalty because it is expensive, unjust, and cruel. Example: I am against the death penalty because it is expensive, unjust, and cruel. This thesis statement is correct because it takes a stand & gives supporting reasons This thesis statement is correct because it takes a stand & gives supporting reasons

Every body paragraph must have: A topic sentence (topic sentences often start with transition words) A topic sentence (topic sentences often start with transition words) About 5-7 sentences About 5-7 sentences Details & Examples Details & Examples Concluding sentences that link it to the next paragraph Concluding sentences that link it to the next paragraph

Details and Examples Remember that all of your details and examples must support/clarify your position. Do not go off topic or lose focus Remember that all of your details and examples must support/clarify your position. Do not go off topic or lose focus Examples can be personal or based on things you saw on television, read in the newspaper, etc. If you run out of examples, make up your own.

Final reminders about body paragraphs Do not have more than 4 or less than 2 body paragraphs Do not have more than 4 or less than 2 body paragraphs Aim for three reasons and make your best reasons last. Aim for three reasons and make your best reasons last.

The conclusion Should be 3-5 sentences Should be 3-5 sentences Begin with a restatement of your thesis Begin with a restatement of your thesis Branch out to more general, concluding ideas you want to leave with your reader Branch out to more general, concluding ideas you want to leave with your reader

IMPORTANT!!

Pay attention to time, since this is a timed exam you don’t want to run out of time and leave your essay incomplete Pay attention to time, since this is a timed exam you don’t want to run out of time and leave your essay incomplete

Leave at least five minutes to read through your essay when you’re done. This is when you can correct any obvious surface, grammar errors you may have made

While the Writing Center cannot help you with your specific essay topic, we can give you general suggestions and handouts that are helpful! While the Writing Center cannot help you with your specific essay topic, we can give you general suggestions and handouts that are helpful! Feel free to ask any questions you may have Good Luck!!