1. Welcome to class! When you come in… Today we are… Activities…
Grab your composition notebook from the shelf
Today we are…
learning to identify the correct structure of an expository essay--an introduction that ends with a thesis statement, body paragraphs that begin with topic sentences, a conclusion that makes a connection to greater meaning--in preparation for outlining our own expository essays next class.
Activities…
Notes on essay structure and introduction
Introduction example and practice
When you leave you should be able to…
write a thesis statement that is informative, not persuasive, and lets the reader know exactly what I will be discussing in my essay.
begin to outline an essay that meets the structural requirements listed above.
Homework…
If you did not finish your introduction paragraph in class, it must be completed before next class!

2. Quick Literary Device Review
Alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of subsequent words
Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore.
Remember, you will be responsible for knowing metaphor, simile, personification, allusion, and alliteration.

3. For the next three class periods…
We will be working on writing an essay in class!  Yay!
This essay will be a major grade.
It is important that you STAY ON TASK, and accomplish what you need to each class period, so that you can turn your essay in when it is due.
Tutoring will be MANDATORY if you fall behind.

4. Open your notebook to Writing Strategies.
You are going to take notes. You only need to write down what I have underlined.
These notes will be important for the rest of the year, so today is the day to take FANTASTIC notes.

5. The structure we will learn today will guide every essay you write for the rest of your life. Woo!
Although we are preparing to write an analytical essay today, the notes you take on structure will also guide your STAAR expository essay, any essay you face on an AP exam, and every other piece of non-literary writing you complete in this class or any other class until the end of time. It’s that awesome.
An organized structure is one of the most important components of a successful essay (or any other piece of writing).

6. Introduction A strong essay begins with an introduction.
The introduction gives the title and the author of the work you are discussing (if relevant), and provides any necessary background information, or context, that your reader needs to understand the remainder of your essay.
The last sentence of your introduction is always a THESIS STATEMENT.

7. The thesis statement
Your thesis statement is the most important sentence in your entire essay.
It is simply your answer to the question being asked. (similar to the first sentence in a short answer response)
It is a statement that tells your reader SPECIFICALLY what you are going to discuss in your essay.
I can usually judge the success or failure of an entire essay by simply reading the thesis statement. It should be a clear and direct response to the prompt.
Today we will talk about thesis statements for this essay!

8. Body Paragraphs Body paragraphs begin with TOPIC SENTENCES.
Topic sentences are like mini thesis statements. They tell your reader specifically and clearly what you are going to discuss in each paragraph.
Your topic sentences should clearly link back to, and support your original thesis statement!
Body paragraphs then introduce and analyze examples that support your topic sentences.
In an anaytical essay, these examples will be quotes from the text you are discussing. Your analyzed examples are the true “meat” of your essay.

9. Conclusion
Your conclusion generally begins with a restatement of your main argument, although simply repeating your thesis statement is a no no.
Instead, focus on explaining WHY your argument is important. What are the bigger implications? Your conclusion should answer the question…
SO WHAT?!

10. Let’s review… Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion
BACKGROUND INFO
THESIS
STATEMENT
Introduction
Gives general background information, or context, for your reader
Ends with a thesis statement that clearly explains what your essay will discuss
Body Paragraphs
Begin with a topic sentence that links back to your thesis
Include well-explained examples that support that topic sentence
Conclusion
Begins with an eloquent, insightful restatement of your primary argument
Ends by answering the question, “So what?” or making a connection to a bigger picture
TOPIC SENTENCE
Example with analysis
THESIS
STATEMENT
SO WHAT?

11. A few final reminders Just like in a short answer response…
No 1st or 2nd person (maintain academic voice)
All quotes from the text should be integrated into sentences

12. Your prompt
Read Juliet’s soliloquy on page In what ways do the literary devices in this passage contribute to Shakespeare’s purpose? You may discuss characterization or theme
Characterization (What does the metaphor show us about the character’s personality?)
Theme (What message or lesson can be learned from the metaphor?)

13. Some background information.
Juliet has just discovered that Romeo killed her cousin Tybalt, and has been banished from the city. (Romeo was trying to get revenge, because Tybalt killed Romeo’s close friend Mercutio.)
Juliet’s father has ordered her to marry Paris, but Juliet is already married to Romeo! She decides that she will go to Friar Laurence for help!
Friar Laurence gives her a potion. The plan: When Juliet drinks it, she will appear to be dead. Her family will bury her, and Romeo will come and rescue her when she wakes up. The two will run away together, and live happily every after.
The scene we are about to read takes place when Juliet is deciding whether or not she should go through with this plan. 

14. Read the Passage
Go to my teacher website to download the passage AND outline
As you read, highlight any literary devices you notice happening within the text.
(examples: simile, metaphor, allusion, personification, irony, alliteration, etc.)

15. Let’s plan some thesis statements!
Take a moment and think about what you want to write about in this essay.
(Review the passage, and your annotations.)
What quotes do you think you want to talk about?
What do these quotes show?
Your evidence, or quotes, will guide your thesis statement.

16. You could split your paragraphs based on…
How you set up your body paragraphs depends on the evidence you plan to use – I’m showing you this first because it may determine how you write your thesis statement.
You could split your paragraphs based on…
Different literary devices that show the same thing
One on metaphor
One on simile
Different things the devices show about Juliet
One thing the devices show
Different aspects of a theme
Different purposes in using literary devices
One on characterization
One on theme
The possibilities are endless! It all depends on what you are trying to prove!

17. What will my thesis look like?
Read Juliet’s soliloquy on page In what ways do the literary devices in this passage contribute to Shakespeare’s purpose? You may discuss characterization, theme, or another purpose if you ask me for approval.
It will look exactly like the first sentence of a short answer! What do you want to talk about?
In Juliet’s soliloquy on page 72, Shakespeare uses ____________________ (device) and _________________ (device) to show that___________________________________________.
In Juliet’s soliloquy on page 72, Shakespeare uses ______________ (device) to show that Juliet is both ____________________ and _______________.
Try to fill in the thesis statement blank on your outline.

18. Now…
Let’s work on filling in the body paragraph blanks on our outline…
Make sure to finish the outline and submit turnitin.com by midnight Oct. 28 or it’s a late grade. Do your best to finish in class, so you don’t have homework. Please put your journals on the shelf before the bell rings for your next class.