HOW TO WRITE HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY!!!AN ESSAY!!!

The power of expression:The power of expression:

The pen is mightier than The pen is mightier than the sword!the sword!

By: Prof. G. Javier Burgos

Essay Writing Skills:Essay Writing Skills:

Wanted For:Wanted For: KS3 SATS examsKS3 SATS examsGCSE coursework and examsGCSE coursework and examsA-level coursework and A-level coursework and examsexamsUniversity coursework and University coursework and examsexamsThe rest of your life!!!The rest of your life!!!

You start with a Question You start with a Question or a Topic:or a Topic:

Then you start breaking it into Then you start breaking it into smaller parts!smaller parts!

IntroductoryParagraph

Main Paragraph 1

Main Paragraph 2

Conclusion

The IntroductionThe Introduction

Start with some broad general information:

•biographical (author)

•historical / social

•contemporary facts

•a definition

•an anecdote

•a personal insight or experience

The IntroductionThe Introduction

Next: start Next: start narrowing your narrowing your

focus to a TOPIC focus to a TOPIC SENTENCE: You SENTENCE: You state what your state what your

topic is and what topic is and what your opinion on your opinion on the topic will be.the topic will be.

Sample Introduction 1Sample Introduction 1

‘‘Macbeth’ is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous Macbeth’ is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. Written in the 16tragedies. Written in the 16thth century, at a time when a century, at a time when a stable monarchy was seen as essential to the functioning stable monarchy was seen as essential to the functioning of society, people were fascinated with what could of society, people were fascinated with what could possibly could go wrong if power was abused. Nothing possibly could go wrong if power was abused. Nothing could be worse than breaking the ‘Great Chain of Being’, could be worse than breaking the ‘Great Chain of Being’, a hierarchy of power starting from God to the monarch to a hierarchy of power starting from God to the monarch to the nobility and going down to the poorest peasant or the nobility and going down to the poorest peasant or beggar. ‘Macbeth’ is the study of one man’s ambition and beggar. ‘Macbeth’ is the study of one man’s ambition and thirst for power and how it annihilates his sense of thirst for power and how it annihilates his sense of morality. I will be comparing and contrasting the morality. I will be comparing and contrasting the character of Macbeth in Act I and Act V. I believe that he character of Macbeth in Act I and Act V. I believe that he starts off as a hero and ends up as the darkest of villains.starts off as a hero and ends up as the darkest of villains.

Sample Introduction 2Sample Introduction 2

Macbeth is a story about a man who is very ambitious and Macbeth is a story about a man who is very ambitious and wants power. He changes from the beginning of the play wants power. He changes from the beginning of the play to the end. Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ because James I to the end. Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ because James I ordered him to. England back then was a society where ordered him to. England back then was a society where power was very important. Women did not have the same power was very important. Women did not have the same position in society as men. There was also something position in society as men. There was also something called ‘The Great Chain of Being’ because the King got his called ‘The Great Chain of Being’ because the King got his power from God and everybody else followed. The story of power from God and everybody else followed. The story of ‘Macbeth’ is actually based on a historical person, who ‘Macbeth’ is actually based on a historical person, who actually lived in Scotland at least eight hundred years actually lived in Scotland at least eight hundred years before Shakespeare’s time.before Shakespeare’s time.

Main ParagraphsMain Paragraphs

Decide what your SUBTOPICS are Decide what your SUBTOPICS are going to be.going to be.

Remember: 1 SUBTOPIC = 1 Remember: 1 SUBTOPIC = 1 PARAGRAPH!PARAGRAPH!

You can have as many main You can have as many main paragraphs as you may need.paragraphs as you may need.

Example subtopics for Example subtopics for ‘Macbeth’ essay:‘Macbeth’ essay:

Paragraph 1: Macbeth’s heroic and Paragraph 1: Macbeth’s heroic and good qualities in Act 1.good qualities in Act 1.

Paragraph 2: Clues of bad things to Paragraph 2: Clues of bad things to come in Act 1.come in Act 1.

Paragraph 3: Similarities in Paragraph 3: Similarities in character between Act 1 and Act 5character between Act 1 and Act 5

Paragraph 4: Differences in Paragraph 4: Differences in character between Act 1 and Act 5 character between Act 1 and Act 5 – how he is shown to be a villain.– how he is shown to be a villain.

Structure of a Main Structure of a Main Paragraph: Paragraph:

You should keep the following You should keep the following structure in mind as you write:structure in mind as you write:

Sentence 1: OpinionSentence 1: Opinion Sentence 2: Quotation which Sentence 2: Quotation which

supports or illustrates your opinionsupports or illustrates your opinion Sentence 3: An explanation of the Sentence 3: An explanation of the

quote and how it proves your quote and how it proves your opinionopinion

Example of how to build Example of how to build your argument:your argument:

Macbeth is a hailed as a hero by King Macbeth is a hailed as a hero by King Duncan for helping defeat the Duncan for helping defeat the Norwegian enemy. This is shown Norwegian enemy. This is shown when Duncan says, ‘……’. Macbeth when Duncan says, ‘……’. Macbeth must have fought and risked his life must have fought and risked his life to such a great extent because he to such a great extent because he must have loved his king and must have loved his king and country, otherwise he would not be country, otherwise he would not be so praised.so praised.

The Last Paragraph!The Last Paragraph!The ConclusionThe Conclusion

Remind your reader why you have been writing this essay!

It’s been a long while since your Topic Sentence! So,

rephrase your Topic Sentence.

Finally: broaden your focus!

Move away from examples, quotes and analysis and make some general conclusions:

•Describe your personal reactions or thoughts

•Connect it to life in the 21st century

•Discuss what you think was the author’s purpose

Sample Conclusion:Sample Conclusion:

I have been discussing how Macbeth I have been discussing how Macbeth started off as a hero and ended up a started off as a hero and ended up a hated tyrant. Such power-hungry people hated tyrant. Such power-hungry people are still around today and continue to are still around today and continue to cause great instability in society. That is cause great instability in society. That is why we continue to have political unrest why we continue to have political unrest and wars and we hear about them daily and wars and we hear about them daily in the news. Sadly, Shakespeare has in the news. Sadly, Shakespeare has shown us that selfish, naked ambition is shown us that selfish, naked ambition is one of humanity’s timeless vices.one of humanity’s timeless vices.

‘‘What is written without effort is What is written without effort is in general read without in general read without

pleasure.’pleasure.’

elt@gmx.uselt@gmx.us