Sample Essay: Compare different parts with the guide you were given in class. Sample Prompt: Based on research stating boys and girls learn differently, the Utah School Board has decided to separate males and females into different schools. Do you agree or disagree?

Hook=BrownBackground=OrangeClaim=Black 1 st reason in claim: red2 nd reason in claim: blue3 rd reason in claim: green Imagine attending an all boy school, or an all girl school, and never having an opportunity to make friends with members of the opposite sex. Would that cut down on the circle of friends one may have? Our Utah School Board is thinking about separating males and females into different schools. This is based on research claiming that boys and girls learn differently. The school board believes that having separate schools for girls and boys would make it easier to teach using methods that are specifically focused towards what works best for each gender. While the school board is trying to do what is best for each student, there are some serious drawbacks to their plan. Therefore, it would not be a good idea to separate girls and boys into separate schools because it will cause problems with busses, make dances awkward, and it will deprive students of socializing.

Transition: purple Topic sentence with first reason: red Evidence to back up the reason: blackCited evidence from a source: pink First of all, separating boys and girls into different schools will cause a lot of problems with bussing. The school board would have to provide funding to buy and operate twice as many busses because they would have to pick up boys and girls separately and take them to different schools all at the same time. Right now, if there is a bus assigned to a certain neighborhood, they pick up all students in that neighborhood and deliver them to the school. If there was a separation in the sexes, two busses would have to be assigned to the same area; one for the boys and one for the girls. In Utah, we are always hearing about the shortages in funds for schools; wouldn’t this add to those money problems? School busses make up 30% of all school costs throughout the school year, according to Dennis Allred in his article, “Trouble with School Transportation”. Would the school board be able to change that number to 60%? Bussing would be a very big problem to overcome.

Transition: purple Topic sentence with 2nd reason: blue Evidence to back up the reason: blackCited evidence from a source: pink Secondly, separating boys and girls into different schools would make school dances very awkward. School dances are something that many students look forward to during their school years. It is a time for students to meet with friends and enjoy each others company in a social situation. Dances are exciting, as one waits to find out who will ask them to dance…will it be someone they know or a completely new ‘somebody’? If students were separated into all boy or all-girls schools, what would happen to this fun after-school activity? It would not be as fun if our school dances were not with members of the opposite sex. In fact, they would be rather pointless and boring. As the famous song, by Whitney Houston, goes: “I want to dance with somebody”, and that would be hard to do if students were not given a choice to dance with someone of the opposite sex.

Transition: purple Topic sentence with 3rd reason: greenEvidence to back up the reason: black Cited evidence from a source: pinkCounterclaim: yellow-orange Last of all, by separating boys and girls into different schools, students will be deprived of a social experience. In her article, “The Problem with Adolescents”, Mallory Rich describes the importance of allowing students to socialize with as many different people as possible. She writes, “By giving students opportunity to meet a variety of people in different circumstances, it allows them to mature; making connections that will aid them as they go into the workplace. If we hinder these opportunities, less adolescents will be prepared to work with people who are different (than they are) in their future careers.” It is important for students, of all ages, to come to understand and befriend people who are different than they are. There are some who think we should separate girls and boys because while girls can learn in quiet settings, sitting down and doing work; most boys need to be ‘hands on’ and actively working while they are learning. Yet, why can’t teachers use both methods of teaching and learning with both boys and girls? Wouldn’t girls benefit from more active learning and boys benefit from learning to sit still and listen to lectures? Yes, boys and girls DO learn differently. They also think differently, speak differently and look at the world around them in different ways. If students are not allowed to socialize with members of the opposite sex, doesn’t that hold them back when they eventually will have to work with, speak with and think with future co-workers who will not all be of the same sex?

Transition: purple Restate claim with different words: Dark Blue Explanation of why your point is so important: Dark Green Final punch sentence: Dark Pink In conclusion, the choice to separate girls and boys into separate schools would be more harmful than helpful to the students here in Utah. By separating students by gender, the school board will increase the need for extra money to put into bussing. They would isolate students away from friends they may have and the social experiences they could learn from both from extra-curricular activities, like dances, as well as everyday situations in class. It is essential students learn to work with people of the opposite gender because they will have to do so in the workforce. The Utah School Board needs to re-think their plan to segregate students into different schools. It would end up being more harmful than helpful in the long-run. Boys and girls must be allowed to attend the same schools, as it will prepare them for a brighter future.

What does it look like all put together?

Imagine attending an all boy school, or an all girl school, and never having an opportunity to make friends with members of the opposite sex. Would that cut down on the circle of friends one may have? Our Utah School Board is thinking about separating males and females into different schools. This is based on research claiming that boys and girls learn differently. The school board believes that having separate schools for girls and boys would make it easier to teach using methods that are specifically focused towards what works best for each gender. While the school board is trying to do what is best for each student, there are some serious drawbacks to their plan. Therefore, it would not be a good idea to separate girls and boys into separate schools because it will cause problems with busses, make dances awkward, and it will deprive students of socializing. First of all, separating boys and girls into different schools will cause a lot of problems with bussing. The school board would have to provide funding to buy and operate twice as many busses because they would have to pick up boys and girls separately and take them to different schools all at the same time. Right now, if there is a bus assigned to a certain neighborhood, they pick up all students in that neighborhood and deliver them to the school. If there was a separation in the sexes, two busses would have to be assigned to the same area; one for the boys and one for the girls. In Utah, we are always hearing about the shortages in funds for schools; wouldn’t this add to those money problems? School busses make up 30% of all school costs throughout the school year, according to Dennis Allred in his article, “Trouble with School Transportation”. Would the school board be able to change that number to 60%? Bussing would be a very big problem to overcome. Secondly, separating boys and girls into different schools would make school dances very awkward. School dances are something that many students look forward to during their school years. It is a time for students to meet with friends and enjoy each others company in a social situation. Dances are exciting, as one waits to find out who will ask them to dance…will it be someone they know or a completely new ‘somebody’? If students were separated into all boy or all-girls schools, what would happen to this fun after-school activity? It would not be as fun if our school dances were not with members of the opposite sex. In fact, they would be rather pointless and boring. As the famous song, by Whitney Houston, goes: “I want to dance with somebody”, and that would be hard to do if students were not given a choice to dance with someone of the opposite sex. Last of all, by separating boys and girls into different schools, students will be deprived of a social experience. In her article, “The Problem with Adolescents”, Mallory Rich describes the importance of allowing students to socialize with as many different people as possible. She writes, “By giving students opportunity to meet a variety of people in different circumstances, it allows them to mature; making connections that will aid them as they go into the workplace. If we hinder these opportunities, less adolescents will be prepared to work with people who are different (than they are) in their future careers.” It is important for students, of all ages, to come to understand and befriend people who are different than they are. There are some who think we should separate girls and boys because while girls can learn in quiet settings, sitting down and doing work; most boys need to be ‘hands on’ and actively working while they are learning. Yet, why can’t teachers use both methods of teaching and learning with both boys and girls? Wouldn’t girls benefit from more active learning and boys benefit from learning to sit still and listen to lectures? Yes, boys and girls DO learn differently. They also think differently, speak differently and look at the world around them in different ways. If students are not allowed to socialize with members of the opposite sex, doesn’t that hold them back when they eventually will have to work with, speak with and think with future co-workers who will not all be of the same sex? In conclusion, the choice to separate girls and boys into separate schools would be more harmful than helpful to the students here in Utah. By separating students by gender, the school board will increase the need for extra money to put into bussing. They would isolate students away from friends they may have and the social experiences they could learn from both from extra-curricular activities, like dances, as well as everyday situations in class. It is essential students learn to work with people of the opposite gender because they will have to do so in the workforce. The Utah School Board needs to re- think their plan to segregate students into different schools. It would end up being more harmful than helpful in the long-run. Boys and girls must be allowed to attend the same schools, as it will prepare them for a brighter future.

If you are confused: Look through the next few slides. It is a very simplified version of an essay. If you need to start at this point (because you have not been taught essays up to this moment in school), that is fine. Work your way up to more advanced essays. The important thing is to get the format down!

Introduction (the 1 st reason, the second reason, the 3 rd reason) Paragraph Two – The 1 st reason Paragraph Three – The 2 nd reason Paragraph Four – The 3 rd reason Conclusion (the 1st, the 2nd, the third)

Example: Prompt: What is your favorite holiday? Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the Fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday.

Paragraph Two – The 1 st Point First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best.

Paragraph Three – The 2 nd point Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses through the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together.

Paragraph Four – The 3 rd point Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day.

Conclusion (The 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd) The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

Let’s put it all together!

My Favorite Holiday Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday. First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal – juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best. Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses in the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together. Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day. The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.