By By

Mr. GonzalezMr. Gonzalez

Language Arts Teacher Language Arts Teacher

DORAL MIDDLE SCHOOLDORAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Revised and Edited by Revised and Edited by

Ms. WhiteMs. White

What is an Essay?What is an Essay?

• An essayAn essay is a composition that discusses, describes or explains one topic. It can be serious or funny. It can describe personal feelings or state your opinion, or it can just explain facts.

TYPES OF ESSAYSTYPES OF ESSAYS• An An Expository EssayExpository Essay is one that is one that

explains, analyzes, or shares explains, analyzes, or shares information.information.

☻ How-to essay How-to essay ☻ Informative essay Informative essay

• A A Persuasive EssayPersuasive Essay is one where the is one where the writer presents his or her opinion writer presents his or her opinion and tries to convince the reader to and tries to convince the reader to agreeagree.

☻ Opinion essayOpinion essay☻ Problem-solution essayProblem-solution essay

EXPOSITORYEXPOSITORY VS PERSUASIVEPERSUASIVE •Convinces the reader to

accept a particular point of view, or•Convinces the reader to take a particular action•Often about a controversial issue•Usually begin by stating the belief or the action the reader is to accept•Supports the argument with FRIES•States logical reasons to support the writer’s point of view•Recognizes/refutes an opposing argument•Usually concludes with the strongest argument•Often plays on the emotion of the reader

•Explains something, or•Provides information, or•Clarifies a process, or•Defines a concept•Usually begins with a statement of purpose•Develops with FRIES•Enhances the reader’s understanding of objective•Not dependent on emotion

The BASIC Structure of an EssayThe BASIC Structure of an Essay Paragraph 1Paragraph 1: Introduction- General Statement (Attention Getter)General Statement (Attention Getter)

- Thesis or opinion statement - Thesis or opinion statement - 3 Reasons (blueprint)- 3 Reasons (blueprint)- Concluding and/or transition sentence- Concluding and/or transition sentence

Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: Body- Reason 1(topic sentence)Reason 1(topic sentence) + at least 3 supporting details)- Reason 2(topic sentence)Reason 2(topic sentence) + at least 3 supporting details)- Reason 3(topic sentenceReason 3(topic sentence + at least 3 supporting details)

Paragraph 5Paragraph 5: Conclusion- Statement reflecting back on thesis- Restatement of key points- Concluding Statements

MAKE YOUR ESSAY LIKE A HAMBURGERMAKE YOUR ESSAY LIKE A HAMBURGER WITH LARGE FRIES WITH LARGE FRIES

SSTTAATTIISSTTIICCSS

EEXXAAMMPPLLEESS

IINNCCIIDDEENNTTSS

RREEAASSOONNSS

FFAACCTTSS

(The Top Bun)

Topic Sentence (meat), Detail 1 (lettuce), Detail 2 (tomato), Detail 3 (cheese)

Topic Sentence (meat), Detail 1 (lettuce),Detail 2 (tomato), Detail 3 (cheese)

Topic Sentence (meat), Detail 1 (lettuce),Detail 2 (tomato), Detail 3 (cheese)

(The Bottom Bun)

Thesis Statement + 3 Reasons

FRIESFRIES

The Introduction (The Introduction (The Top BunThe Top Bun))

I.  Introduction

• Introductory statement (Attention Getter):Introductory statement (Attention Getter):– quotationquotation– anecdoteanecdote– interesting factinteresting fact– statisticsstatistics– questionquestion

• Thesis/opinion statementThesis/opinion statement

• Blueprint (three reasons) Blueprint (three reasons)

• Concluding/transition sentenceConcluding/transition sentence

The Body The Body – First Reason Paragraph

• Transition• topic sentence (MEATMEAT)• Three Supporting Details (LettuceLettuce, tomatotomato, cheesecheese))• Remember to addRemember to add FRIESFRIES

– Second Reason Paragraph • Transition • topic sentence (MEATMEAT)• Three Supporting Details (LettuceLettuce, tomatotomato, cheesecheese)• Remember to addRemember to add FRIESFRIES                   

– Third Reason Paragraph • Transition• topic sentence (MEATMEAT)• Three Supporting Details (LettuceLettuce, tomatotomato, cheesecheese)• Remember to addRemember to add FRIESFRIES

                  

The Conclusion (The Conclusion (The Bottom BunThe Bottom Bun))

III. Conclusion– TransitionTransition

– Statement reflecting back on thesisStatement reflecting back on thesis

– Restatement of key pointsRestatement of key points

– Concluding Statements

• Introduction: I am a movie fanatic. When friends want to know I am a movie fanatic. When friends want to know

what picture won the Oscar in 1980 or who played the what picture won the Oscar in 1980 or who played the police chief in Jaws, they ask me. My friends, though, police chief in Jaws, they ask me. My friends, though, have stopped asking me if I want to go out to the movies.have stopped asking me if I want to go out to the movies. Going to the movies has become a hazardous activity for Going to the movies has become a hazardous activity for me.me. The problems in getting to the theater, the theater itself, and the behavior of some patrons are all reasons why I often wait for a movie to show up on TV. I think it is I think it is better to stay homebetter to stay home.

► General StatementsGeneral Statements

► Thesis StatementThesis Statement

► BlueprintBlueprint

► Concluding SentenceConcluding Sentence

Sample Essay: The Hazards of MoviegoingSample Essay: The Hazards of Moviegoing

Sample Essay: The Hazards of MoviegoingSample Essay: The Hazards of Moviegoing

Body: Supporting Paragraph # 1Body: Supporting Paragraph # 1

First of allFirst of all, just getting to the theater presents difficulties, just getting to the theater presents difficulties.. Leaving a home equipped with a TV and a video recorder isn't an Leaving a home equipped with a TV and a video recorder isn't an attractive idea on a humid, cold, or rainy night.attractive idea on a humid, cold, or rainy night. Even ifEven if the weather the weather cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the theater down a cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the theater down a congested highway, followed by the hassle of looking for a parking congested highway, followed by the hassle of looking for a parking space.space. And thenAnd then there are the lines.there are the lines. AfterAfter hooking yourself to the hooking yourself to the end of a human chain, you worry about whether there will be end of a human chain, you worry about whether there will be enough tickets, whether you will get seats together, and whether enough tickets, whether you will get seats together, and whether many people will sneak into the line ahead of you. many people will sneak into the line ahead of you.

► ► Transitional WordsTransitional Words

► ► Topic Sentence (Reason 1)Topic Sentence (Reason 1)

► ► Supporting Detail # 1Supporting Detail # 1

► ► Supporting Detail # 2Supporting Detail # 2

► ► Supporting Detail # 3Supporting Detail # 3

Sample Essay: The Hazards of MoviegoingSample Essay: The Hazards of Moviegoing

Body: Supporting Paragraph # 2Body: Supporting Paragraph # 2 FurthermoreFurthermore, , once you have made it to the box office and once you have made it to the box office and

gotten your tickets, you are confronted with the problems of the gotten your tickets, you are confronted with the problems of the theater itselftheater itself. IfIf you are in one of the run-down older theaters, you must adjust to the musty smell of seldom-cleaned carpets. Escaped springs lurk in the faded plush or cracked leather seats, and half the seats you sit in seem loose or tilted so that you sit at a strange angle. EvenEven, , the newer twin and quad theaters offer their the newer twin and quad theaters offer their own problems. Sitting in an area only one-quarter the size of a own problems. Sitting in an area only one-quarter the size of a regular theater, moviegoers often have to put up with the sound of regular theater, moviegoers often have to put up with the sound of the movie next door. This is especially jarring when the other the movie next door. This is especially jarring when the other movie involves racing cars or a karate war and you are trying to movie involves racing cars or a karate war and you are trying to enjoy a quiet love story.enjoy a quiet love story. ButBut, whether the theater is old or new, it whether the theater is old or new, it will have floors that seem to be coated with rubber cement. By the will have floors that seem to be coated with rubber cement. By the end of a movie, shoes almost have to be pried off the floor end of a movie, shoes almost have to be pried off the floor because they have become sealed to a deadly compound of because they have become sealed to a deadly compound of spilled soda, hardening bubble gum, and crushed Jujubes.spilled soda, hardening bubble gum, and crushed Jujubes.

► ► TransitionsTransitions ►►Topic SentenceTopic Sentence ►►Supporting Detail # 1Supporting Detail # 1

► ► Supporting Detail # 2Supporting Detail # 2 ►►Supporting Detail # 3Supporting Detail # 3

Sample Essay: The Hazards of MoviegoingSample Essay: The Hazards of Moviegoing

Body: Supporting Paragraph # 3Body: Supporting Paragraph # 3

FinallyFinally, some of the patrons are even more of a problem than some of the patrons are even more of a problem than the theater itselfthe theater itself. Little kids race up and down the aisles, usually in Little kids race up and down the aisles, usually in giggling packs. Teenagers try to impress their friends by talking giggling packs. Teenagers try to impress their friends by talking back to the screen, whistling, and making what they consider to be back to the screen, whistling, and making what they consider to be hilarious noises. Adults act as if they were at home in their own hilarious noises. Adults act as if they were at home in their own living rooms and comment loudly on the ages of the stars or why living rooms and comment loudly on the ages of the stars or why movies aren't as good anymoremovies aren't as good anymore. AndAnd people of all ages crinkle people of all ages crinkle candy wrappers, stick gum on their seats, and drop popcorn tubs candy wrappers, stick gum on their seats, and drop popcorn tubs or cups of crushed ice and soda on the flooror cups of crushed ice and soda on the floor. AlsoAlso, they cough and they cough and burp, squirm endlessly in their seats, file out for repeated trips to burp, squirm endlessly in their seats, file out for repeated trips to the rest rooms or concession stand, and elbow you out of the the rest rooms or concession stand, and elbow you out of the armrest on either side of your seat. armrest on either side of your seat.

► ► TransitionsTransitions ►►Topic SentenceTopic Sentence ►►Supporting Detail # 1Supporting Detail # 1

► ► Supporting Detail # 2Supporting Detail # 2 ►►Supporting Detail # 3Supporting Detail # 3

Sample Essay: The Hazards of MoviegoingSample Essay: The Hazards of Moviegoing

Conclusion:

All in allAll in all,, after arriving home from the movies one night, I after arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was not going to be a moviegoer anymoredecided that I was not going to be a moviegoer anymore. I was tired I was tired of the problems involved inof the problems involved in getting to the moviesgetting to the movies , dealing with the dealing with the theater itself,theater itself, andand some of the patronssome of the patrons. Because of thatBecause of that, I arranged to have cable TV service installed in my home. I may now see movies a bit later than other people, butbut I'll be more relaxed watching box office hits in the comfort of my own living room.

►Transitions

►Statement reflecting back on thesis

►Restatement of key point # 1

►Restatement of key point # 2

►Restatement of key point # 3

►Concluding statements

ARE YOU READY TO WRITE YOUR ARE YOU READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN ESSAY?OWN ESSAY?

BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR ESSAY, BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR ESSAY, YOU NEED TO READ AND YOU NEED TO READ AND

UNDERSTAND THE PROMPT UNDERSTAND THE PROMPT YOU ARE GIVEN.YOU ARE GIVEN.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OFTHERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OFPROMPTS, BUT WE WILL ONLY DISCUSS PROMPTS, BUT WE WILL ONLY DISCUSS

TWO OF THEM.TWO OF THEM.

• EXPOSITORY EXPOSITORY PROMPTSPROMPTS

AND

• PERSUASIVE PERSUASIVE PROMPTSPROMPTS

A PROMPT HAS TWO PARTS:A PROMPT HAS TWO PARTS:

• The Writing Situation:The Writing Situation:

• The Directions For Writing:The Directions For Writing: •Helps you to think of a main

idea for your essay and directs you to write about it.

•Introduces the topic

SAMPLE PROMPTSAMPLE PROMPT::• Writing Situation:Writing Situation: The principal at your school wants to plan an activity to welcome

students back to school at the beginning of next school year.• Directions For Writing:Directions For Writing: Think about a welcoming activity that would be fun for the a welcoming activity that would be fun for the

studentsstudents. Now write to convinceto convince your principal to choose your idea for a

welcoming activity.

WHAT IS THE GENERAL TOPIC OF THE ESSAY? - A welcoming activity that would be fun for the A welcoming activity that would be fun for the

studentsstudents.

WHAT TYPE OF ESSAY WILL YOU WRITE? - PersuasivePersuasive REMEMBERREMEMBER

IN A PERSUASIVE PROMPT,IN A PERSUASIVE PROMPT, YOU WILL FIND THE WORDS YOU WILL FIND THE WORDS PERSUADEPERSUADE, , CONVINCECONVINCE OR OR TELL WHYTELL WHY SOMEONE SOMEONE SHOULDSHOULD DO DO SOMETHING.SOMETHING.

SAMPLE PROMPT:SAMPLE PROMPT:Writing SituationWriting Situation::Everyone has something valuable that he or she would like to put in a trunk Everyone has something valuable that he or she would like to put in a trunk for the future.for the future.

Directions for WritingDirections for Writing::Think about Think about something valuable that you would like to put in a trunk for the something valuable that you would like to put in a trunk for the future.future.Now write to Now write to explainexplain to your readers why you would like to put that in a trunk to your readers why you would like to put that in a trunk for the future.for the future.

WHAT IS THE GENERAL TOPIC OF THE WHAT IS THE GENERAL TOPIC OF THE ESSAY?ESSAY?-Something valuable that you would like to put in a trunk for the future.-Something valuable that you would like to put in a trunk for the future.

WHAT TYPE OF ESSAY WILL YOU WRITE?WHAT TYPE OF ESSAY WILL YOU WRITE?

-Expository.Expository.

REMEMBERREMEMBER

IN AN EXPOSITORY PROMPT, YOU WILL FIND THE WORDSIN AN EXPOSITORY PROMPT, YOU WILL FIND THE WORDSEXPLAINEXPLAIN, , TELL HOWTELL HOW, OR , OR TELL WHYTELL WHY..