1. Copyright © 2018 C. Wade Naney
What Is an Essay?
Begin
Copyright © 2018 C. Wade Naney

2. An essay is all of these and more.
It’s one more assignment my teacher gives me? a
It’s the point of view of a particular person? a
It’s a formal letter (sometimes)? a a
It’s a disciplined method of expressing an idea?
An essay is all of these and more.

3. So, why do I need to know all this stuff about essays?
Writing essays develops important skills for communicating your thoughts and ideas effectively.
It teaches you how to be persuasive.
(to get your way)
It makes your letters, resumes, test responses, and everything else you write more effective.
So, why do I need to know all this stuff about essays?
It leads to higher grades in high school and makes success in college possible.
It could lead to a more successful future career.
$$$$$$$
(and a more lucrative one)

4. Essay Definition
Assayer’s
Scale
The word essay is derived from assay (Latin, by way of
Old French, for “to determine the value of” —or— “to weigh”).
The purpose of an essay is to add “weight” to the writer’s view on a subject.
A formal academic essay is a multi-paragraph composition presenting
the writer’s view on or understanding of a particular subject.

5. J The Essay Assignment Essay assigments may be of a variety of types:
Persuasive: essential skill for college-bound students!
Argumentative: to present one side on an issue, as in an opening for a debate
Others: Descriptive — Informative —Narrative — Compare/Contrast — Process — and still more...

6. What form does an essay take?
The Essay Assignment
What form does an essay take?
A high school English class assignment can usually be completed in four (4) to six (6) paragraphs ( words). J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
The paragraphs are of three types:
Introduction — 1paragraph
Body — multiple paragraphs
Conclusion — 1paragraph

7. The Essay Assignment
The introduction tells the reader what the essay is about. J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
It contains the thesis statement.
This sentence captures the reader’s attention while expressing the purpose of the essay.
It is usually the first or last sentence of the introductory paragraph.
All other sentences expand on or lead to the idea in the thesis statement.

8. The Essay Assignment
The body paragraphs develop specific subtopics that reinforce the main topic. J
Choosing subtopics is the first step after picking a main topic and thesis statement.
The
Structure
of an
Essay
Write down four (4) or more ideas that can support the thesis.
Arrange the ideas in order of importance or, if appropriate, in chronological order.
Decide on the number of subtopics to include in the essay.
Choose at least two (2)—preferably three (3) or more—of the strongest.

9. The Essay Assignment
The final paragraph brings the essay to its logical conclusion.
It includes: J
A restatement of the thesis statement.
(stated in different words)
The
Structure
of an
Essay
Think of this as a reminder of what the essay is about.
Allusions, in the form of a summary of the subtopics in the body paragraphs.
A sentence that brings the topic to a logical closure.
It brings together—it does not repeat.

10. How many types of essay can you name?
What Is an Essay
— REVIEW —
How many types of essay can you name? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
possible answers:
persuasive
informative
argumentative
narrative
descriptive
compare/contrast
process

11. Name the three types of paragraph you will find in every essay.
What Is an Essay
— REVIEW —
Name the three types of paragraph you will find in every essay. J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
introduction
body
conclusion

12. What is the most important sentence in the introductory paragraph?
What Is an Essay
— REVIEW —
What is the most important sentence in the introductory paragraph? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
the thesis statement

13. J What Is an Essay — REVIEW —
What is the function of the thesis statement? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
It captures the reader’s attention.
It states the purpose of the essay.

14. J What Is an Essay — REVIEW —
What is the first step after deciding upon the topic and thesis? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
listing four (4) or more subtopics to support the thesis

15. J What Is an Essay — REVIEW —
What is the function of the body paragraphs? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
They develop the subtopics to reinforce the main topic.

16. J What Is an Essay — REVIEW —
In what order should the subtopics be arranged? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
in order of importance or, if appropriate, in chronological order

17. J What Is an Essay End — REVIEW —
What three (3) things are found in the conclusion paragraph? J
The
Structure
of an
Essay
1. a restatement of the thesis statement
2. allusions to the subtopics
3. a closure sentence
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