1. A Quick Overview English Language Arts
Essay Writing
A Quick Overview
English Language Arts

2. What is an essay?
An extended piece of writing in which an author explores a subject in detail.

3. What are the different types of Essays?
An essay may be classified as:
Narrative – relates a story about an event or experience. (The Monday Morning Essay)
Descriptive – describes a person, place, event, object, or process such as a character sketch.
Expository – explains information about an event, process, issue or topic such as a magazine article about refining oil
Persuasive – writing meant to convince an audience to think in a certain way or to take a particular action.

4. Essay Structure An essay, generally, has 3 distinct parts:
Introduction
Body
Conclusion

5. Introduction Introduce the subject
Think of the 5W’s and the basic background info
‘Hook’ your reader in with a great opening sentence, statistic, scenario etc.
Must be suited to essay type: I.E. Persuasive vs. Narrative

6. Introduction Does your writing need a thesis?
Thesis - is the main argument of a piece of writing.
If writing persuasively, preview the 3 supporting reasons/arguments in your introduction
Use transitional words: First, Second, Third

7. Body 3 Body paragraphs that support your thesis
Begin each with a topic sentence, which highlights what the paragraph will focus on.
Use specific examples to support what you are saying (Remember, use the appropriate POV)
End with a transitioning sentence that takes the reader to the second paragraph’s focus.

8. Conclusion Sum up the main idea (Thesis) Restate any important points
Offer a philosophical/reflective idea to leave with your reader
Sometimes, it is effective to leave your reader with a question:
Ex: How can we expect our world to change if everyone thinks: “What can I do?”

9. “Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”