3. How To Be a Star

4. How do I write an Exciting Expository Essay? First, consider the PROMPT carefully Do not rewrite or write about quote. Do not write about the “Think” part Only write about the “Write” part

5. Consider the PROMPT carefully You must answer the prompt CLEARLY and SPECIFICALLY. Don’t simply write about forgiveness (or whatever the subject is) And don’t simply give examples of forgiveness. Explain and give examples of WHY IT IS IMPORTANT.

6. Next, Come up with some GREAT ideas! BRAINSTORM! Try to think of original ideas, clever ideas. What can you write that will be different and better than everyone else? (maybe not the first thing that pops into your head) Original Examples! Original Quotes! Descriptions! Definitions! Statistics! Observations! Personal Examples!

7. Thesis Without a thesis, your writing will be difficult and unorganized (like wondering through a wilderness of thoughts with no map) Your thesis guides the way for the rest of your writing It should state WHAT your position is and WHY it is true

8. Thesis Here are some not so good examples: Well, in this essay, I will tell you the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is very important part of everyone’s life. These answer WHAT but not WHY. Here is a good example: Forgiveness is important to everyone's life, because it allows you to move beyond things that hold you down. This answers both WHAT and WHY.

9. Examples Examples are the proof for your thesis. They must be strong, realistic, relevant, and original. They will make up the “BODY” (middle) paragraphs. Personal Experience Historical or Current Events Famous or Knowledgeable People Characters from Literature Avoid using hypothetical examples in your body (middle) paragraph, like “you” or “somebody”

10. Now Organize! Choose the best, most original examples to support your thesis. Decide what order in which they will appear in your essay. Thesis Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Include statistics, quotes and other details. Try to choose examples that work well together. Each example must clearly support your thesis

11. Now Organize! Each example has a paragraph all to itself. You should have 2-3 examples to support your thesis. Include details and BE ORIGINAL! Introduction & Conclusion Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Quality Not Quantity Don’t try to include a lot of examples. Instead, focus on 2-3.

12. The Lead! The lead (the first exciting sentence) is not necessarily the first thing that you think of. You will probably need to come up with the rest of your ideas first. So what should you begin with? Something original and exciting!

13. The Lead! Absolutely not a good idea for a lead! Introducing yourself My name is Billy, and this is my paper. Asking a lame question Have you ever had to forgive someone? Your Thesis Forgiveness is good because… Your opinion I think that forgiveness is important.

14. The Lead! Good Lead Ideas Introduce one of your examples: (complete the example in the conclusion) At the time, I though that I would never forgive her… An original quote that you know by heart: Martin Luther King Junior once said, “Let no man pull you down low enough to hate him.” He understood the importance of forgiveness. An interesting question: When does forgiveness become impossible? Sometimes our anger makes it hard to forgive, but… Or something that we didn’t think of because it is actually original

15. The Conclusion! Good Lead Ideas Your conclusion should say basically the same thing as your introduction, but in a way that sounds finalized. Do not introduce new examples in your conclusion Your essay should FILL UP THE WHOLE PAGE!

16. Now Write! This is an ACADEMIC essay, so you must use ACADEMIC writing. DO NOT write as you would speak with your friends. Write as if you are trying to appear very intelligent. Use higher vocabulary, create complex and compound sentences, and use bold transition words like HOWEVER and MOREOVER. and USE CORRECT GRAMMAR!

17. Grammar Grammar is the fastest way to judge your writing. You need to know how to correctly punctuate sentences! Avoid the 3 Big Essay Killers Run-On Fragment Comma Splice (Comma Homicide) In my opinion it is good to forgive because everyone deserves a second chance if you don’t give people a second chance then they will never be able to… Forgiveness is very important. And it is good too. When I was young my sister broke my toy, I did not want to forgive her.

18. Grammar Remember all that stuff we learned about commas, semicolons and combining sentences? Now is the time to know and use it! Take some time to review on your own, especially if you have had grammar trouble before. Review Sentence rules, FANBOYS, AAAWWUBBIS, Appositives, Capitalization, Prepositions, Semicolons, etc…

19. Now Write! Paragraphs are not optional! (ever) They look like this: Paragraphs should be indented. This is where a paragraph ends.

20. Now Write! Paragraphs are not optional! (ever) NOT like this:

21. Now Write! Avoid using simplistic and formulaic (lame) transitions. They do not connect ideas together

22. Now Write! Transitions should show how your ideas are connected from one paragraph to another.

23. Edit Now that it is written, you must EDIT is for mistakes. Read it several times out loud quietly. Pay attention to where you may not have punctuated your sentences correctly. Also check for spelling mistakes and word errors. Use the dictionary for help. (Like writing “and” instead of “an” or “It’s” instead of “its”) (Their, There, or They’re) (Verb Agreement)

24. Now go Be a Star!