1. Writing organizers for essays
Essay Writing
Writing organizers for essays

2. An essay is… A series of paragraphs written to support a single claim.
A claim (introduction)
Body paragraph 1 proving the claim
Body paragraph 2 proving the claim
Body paragraph 3 proving the claim
Restated claim (conclusion)

3. An essay has three parts…
An introductory paragraph containing the claim (may also contain interest-catching information)
The body
(may be more than one paragraph)
A concluding paragraph restating the claim (may also have other “wrapping up” information)
A claim (introduction)
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
Restated claim (conclusion)

4. The claim appears in two places:
The introduction (a separate paragraph even if it is one sentence!)
Example: Autumn is the best time of year.
The conclusion (a separate paragraph even if it is one sentence!)
It should be worded differently than in the intro and may contain a transition word.
Example: Clearly, autumn is my favorite season.

5. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that supports the claim
FORMULA=
Claim
Topic sentence/body paragraph
Restated claim
EXAMPLE:
Autumn is the best time of year.
Nature is especially interesting in the fall.
Fall sports are some of my favorites.
Going back to school makes fall exciting.
Clearly, autumn is my favorite season.

6. Each topic sentence should have a transition word.
Claim
Topic sentence/body paragraph
Restated claim
Autumn is the best time of year.
First, nature is especially interesting in the fall.
Second, fall sports are some of my favorites.
Finally, going back to school makes fall exciting.
Clearly, autumn is my favorite season.

7. Each body paragraph should contain explanations, examples, and evidence.
First, nature is especially interesting in the fall.
Leaves change colors
Cool looking frost
Unpredictable weather
Sixth grade snow day in October

8. Each body paragraph should contain explanations, examples, and evidence.
Second, fall sports are some of my favorites.
Cross country this year
BSU Bronco games
Tailgate parties with my family

9. Each body paragraph should contain explanations, examples, and evidence.
Finally, going back to school makes fall exciting.
Meeting new friends
Seeing old friends
All new classes
Getting to know teachers
Being in a new building
Different lunch hour

10. Put together all the pieces… intro +body +conclusion =essay

11. An essay writing organizer looks like a stack of paragraph writing organizers