1. A Graduate Level, American Experience By Eliza Wells
The Writing Process
A Graduate Level, American Experience
By Eliza Wells

2. Structure and Organization
When an instructor says that they want your essay to be “organized” or “structured”, what do they really mean?
American writing likes to leave no room for interpretation for the reader
5 Paragraph Essay (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion)
Thesis in the 1st paragraph of the essay, preferably the last sentence
General Specific  General
Spell out all connections between paragraphs, concepts, and conclusions that you make.

3. Introduction Body paragraphs Conclusion
Start with a general statement about the topic or a way that your ideas/concepts relate to the physical world or culture
Introduce the text/author being discussed (if applicable)
Thesis statement
“Here’s the argument that I’m going to make/prove/discuss”
Start with a topic sentence
End with a concluding sentence
Make connection to previous body paragraphs and to the thesis
Use your sources
Moving between general and specific
“I’m proving my argument”
Start specific in wrapping up what you just proved.
End general with a broad idea for the audience to consider related to your topic
“See, I just proved my argument. Remember how I did that?”

4. Thesis Statements
Taking an idea from a text or situation (specific) and applying it to a concept in the world (general) 1. Keeps the author (you) organized and focused. 2. Makes a statement that can be debated and matters. 3. Provides a “road-map” or outline to your readers of your argument. There are many formulas and templates available, but know that as long as you are doing these 3 things, you are making a thesis statement.

5. What / Active Verb or Connective Word / Concept
What occurs in a Film/Text/Idea, or what you are making a statement about/arguing.
Active Verb (What is the thing you are focusing on doing) or connective word (what you are arguing is so, because)
Concept is a general, overarching idea/theme that is a part of the world or our culture OR the reasons why your “what” is true.
These will be the most unique and justify why your extremely specific and sometimes erratic seeming claim matters or should be taken seriously!
These can also be your list of examples/evidence to support your claim.

6. Connective Words Active Verbs Conveys Because Represents Such asBy
Given _____, _____ should
Because _____, ______
Active Verbs
Conveys
Represents
Portrays
Suggests
Insinuates
Results in
Creates
Indicates
Symbolizes
Analyzes
Proves
Fosters

7. EXAMPLES: High levels of alcohol consumption have detrimental effects on your personal health, such as weight gain, heart disease, and liver complications. Retirees should relocate to Florida, where 75% of Americans choose to settle, because you will afford yourself the opportunity to develop a wide array of friendships. The Internet serves as a means of expediently connecting people all across the globe, fostering new friendships and an exchange of ideas that wouldn't have occurred prior to its inception. Given the grueling surgery and lifelong changes they endure, kidney donors should be financially compensated for their act of self-sacrifice.

8. Topic Sentences “Focus Sentences” with 2 main purposes:
1. Keep the author (you) organized and focused.
2. Help the readers follow your argument
How should it do these things?
Relate back to the thesis of the essay
Relate to the examples in the paragraph
Contain a topic and controlling idea

9. EXAMPLES:
“There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world.”
“To be an effective CEO requires certain characteristics.”
Your topic is what you’re writing about
Your controlling idea is a connection of your topic to your details, which will make up your body paragraph
The controlling idea portion can include a number, but it doesn’t need to.

10. Concluding Sentences
For each paragraph, the reader should be able to identify what your key points are based on the concluding sentence. Remember, it should not include any information that was not discussed in the paragraph.
Occurs at the end of a paragraph
Review main points mentioned in a paragraph
Restate the topic sentence
Do not introduce new ideas or topics
Includes transitionary word or phrase

11. Transition words and phrases!
Thus
In conclusion
Finally
Therefore
Lastly
As expressed
For this reason
Overall
In general
As a result

12. Conclusion Starts specific with thesis statement → general
Do not state your thesis exactly the same as you did in the introduction
Do not introduce new information
Summarize main points
You already proved your thesis, now just talk about how you proved it.
End with a thoughtful general statement to make your readers think about how your argument relates to more general concepts in the world

13. Writing Process Videos & Cartoons
(short) (long, blog posts) (7:30)

17. The Writing Process…
Is a process. Probably.