HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY Ms. Sansalone 8 th Grade English Click here to go to the next slide

Formatting Title Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion Brainstorming Revision Click here for QUIZ Click on any part of the essay to learn more about it !

 Define Purpose: pick a topic that interests you and that you will have a lot of information to use.  Brainstorm Ideas: write down all your possible topics. If you can’t think of any, think of what interests you. BRAINSTORMING  Evaluate Topics: think about how you feel, how much information you can get, if it fits the type of essay. (persuasive, informative, etc.) Back to Main Menu

 Page Header (name and page number, upper right of every page)  Title Page (title, author’s name, institutional affiliation)  Abstract (topic, questions, conclusions, main points)  References (contributors name, sort alphabetically by authors name, double spacing throughout)  Document Settings (1 inch margins; double spaced; 12-point)  Page Header (name and page number, upper right of every page)  Title Block (assignment info and an informative title)  Citations (no comma between the author and page number; commas and periods go outside of inline quotes)  Work Cited List (lots of tricky details! sort alphabetically by author, not by the order the quotes appear in your paper) FORMATTING APA Format MLA Format Back to Main Menu

TITLE  Determine your audience  Should indicate a narrow topic of the paper  Should reflect your style and your substance  Should be a noun phrase, not a sentence of noun clause Bad Titles: - Should violent TV be banned? - Why TV promotes violence. - Violence on TV: Should we be worried? Better Titles: -The Social Impact of Television -Violence Controlling Television - Violence in the United States - Some Possible Consequences of Televised Violence Back to Main Menu

REVISION  When everything is completed go back and read over paper.  Check for: Grammar Mistakes Spelling Errors Word Choices If it makes sense to the reader If the sentences flow smoothly Click here to go Main Menu

INTRODUCTION  Should be 5-8 sentences long  Topic sentence: Attention grabber  Make sure to have supporting details. At least 3! These ideas will be used to help write the body paragraphs  Includes thesis: Tells the reader what the essay is going to be about Your point of view of the topic The name of the work and author Very important aspect of paragraph Back to Main Menu

BODY PARAGRAPHS  EACH BODY PARAGRAPH WILL HAVE THE SAME STRUCTURE Start with transition sentence and topic sentence Use one of your main ideas from your introduction Elaborate on the idea with supporting points Quotes, page numbers, sources. Back to Main Menu

CONCLUSION  Summing up all the information and points to your reader.  3 or 4 strong sentences that describe your feelings about the topic and reviewing your main points.  DO NOT word for word restate your introduction Back to Main Menu

QUIZ!  What is the most important item you need to have a good introduction paragraph? a)Thesis b)Supporting details c)Topic Sentence

A)  Thesis: CORRECT! The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction paragraph because it tells the reader what is going to happen in your paper and the main ideas. Click here for Final Slide

B)  Supporting Details: TRY AGAIN! This is an important aspect but not as important. This gives the reader only details about the paper. Click here to TRY AGAIN

C)  Topic Sentence: TRY AGAIN! The topic sentence is one of the important aspects but there is another aspect that is crucial for the introduction paragraph. Click here to TRY AGAIN

CONGRATULATIONS!  You made it through the “How to Write An Essay” lesson  Now, you have the tips and pointer on how to write a great essay! Click here to go back to Title Page