Essay Writing

Preparing your in class essay

Introduction
Your introductory paragraph needs to do three
things
1.Briefly Introduce the topic
2.Get the readers attention with a hook or
interesting point
3.Have a solid thesis statement which provides
three points you will discuss

Introduction
Do Not:
1.Write a long summary of the text youre using. An
essay should be your opinion not a recap.
2.Start making your argument in your introduction.
This is what your body paragraphs are for.
3.Write in first person. Most formal essays use third
person. You can state your opinion without using
I. Well talk more about this in a minute.

An Example
Shakespeares famous tragedy Romeo & Juliet
revolves around two young lovers who cannot
understand the hatred of an older generation. This
eventually leads to the tragic death of the two young
heroes, whose love was so strong that they chose to die
rather than live their lives apart. Although Romeo &
Juliet seems to celebrate young love, this is not the
main theme of the story. Instead, it is a cautionary tale
which demonstrates the dangers of hatred. By
examining the plays opening scenes, the conflict
between Romeo and Tybalt, and the struggles of Friar
Lawrence, it becomes clear how hatred shaped the
heartbreaking conclusion of Shakespeares masterpiece.

Your Turn
Can you find the hook or interesting point
that grabs the readers attention?
Can you find where the topic is introduced?
Where is the thesis statement and what are
the three topics that will be discussed in this
essay?
Notice that the writer doesnt use I but still
expresses an opinion.

 Shakespeares famous tragedy Romeo & Juliet

revolves around two young lovers who cannot
understand the hatred of an older generation. This
eventually leads to the tragic death of the two young
heroes, whose love was so strong that they chose to
die rather than live their lives apart. Although Romeo
& Juliet seems to celebrate young love, this is not the
main theme of the story. Instead, it is a cautionary
tale which demonstrates the dangers of hatred. By
examining the plays opening scenes, the conflict
between Romeo and Tybalt, and the struggles of Friar
Lawrence, it becomes clear how hatred shaped the
heartbreaking conclusion of Shakespeares
masterpiece.

The Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a one sentence summary
of your essay which tells the reader what your
essay is about and in what order you will talk
about each topic.
The thesis statement usually occurs at the end
of your introduction

The Thesis Statement

In our example paragraph the thesis statement is:
By examining the plays opening scenes, the
conflict between Romeo and Tybalt, and the
struggles of Friar Lawrence, it becomes clear how
hatred shaped the heartbreaking conclusion of
Shakespeares masterpiece.
This shows my reader that I will talk about:
1.The Plays opening Scene
2.The conflict between Romeo and Tybalt
3.The struggles of Friar Lawrence
They will also be discussed in that order

What is wrong here?

Romeo

and Juliet is a tragic love story about two

young lovers who lived in Verona in Italy in the Middle
Ages. Romeo belongs to the Montague family while
Juliet is a Capulet and their parents would not allow
them to associate with each other as the families are
bitter enemies. The opening of the play is memorable
because there is a fight. The feud between the families
has lasted for centuries. One member of the Capulet
family, Tybalt, wants to keep the feud going but Romeo
is not interested because he is in love with Juliet. One
of the turning points in the play is in Act Three where
Romeo is drawn into a fight against his will and kills
Tybalt. This is also a memorable part of the play.

Body Paragraphs
For this style of essay you will normally have 2-3 body
paragraphs. One paragraph for each of the topics in
your thesis statement.
Remember from our example:
1.The Plays opening Scene
2.The conflict between Romeo and Tybalt
3.The struggles of Friar Lawrence
This shows topics for body paragraph #1, #2 and #3

The T.E.A. Paragraph

Each of your body paragraphs should follow T.E.A.
T- Topic: Each body paragraph has one topic
E- Example: You should have at least one example or
quote for each body paragraph to support your
ideas/argument.
A- Analysis: For each example you must have an analysis
or explanation of why your example is important. Explain
how this example relates to your point.

The T.E.A. Paragraph

Each body paragraph can have only one
topic.
However you can have more than one
example and analysis. I dont recommend
more than 2 per paragraph until you have
practiced this.

Romeo and Juliet experience immense joy upon first meeting, an

encounter that leads to happiness, but also much risk as their love
grows stronger. Before even meeting at Lord Capulet's party, Juliet
is clearly amazed upon seeing Romeo from across the room, and
Romeo experiences similar attraction when he first speaks to Juliet.
Before even returning home from the feast, Romeo impulsively
decides that he must see Juliet immediately, and he enters her
property, risking his life in the process. Here, both Romeo and Juliet
agree to give up their names and admit their love for one another, a
love they are willing to pursue blindly despite the hatred between
their families. Shortly before they are wed, Romeo boldly states
that he does not fear the consequences oftheir forbidden marriage,
as their love is strong enough to overcome any obstacles they may
encounter. As Act II draws to a close, Romeo and Juliet are in a state
of excitement, despite therisks associated with their being
together, a clear sign that their love has led to immense happiness
but also an absence of consideration for the difficulties they will
soon endure due to their forbidden romance.

Find the Elements of TEA

With a partner or on your own find the Topic,
Examples and Analyses in this paragraph.

Conclusion
Your conclusion should not introduce new
ideas
Your conclusion is a summary of your main
points
This is a last opportunity to remind your
reader what your argument is and why your
ideas are important.

Compare and Contrast

For a compare/contrast essay there are a couple of
different options:
1.You can have a mix of compare and contrast in each
body paragraph.
Example: A paragraph about the students with
compare/contrast. Then a new paragraph about the
teachers with compare/contrast.
2. You can write a paragraph just for contrast. Include
all contrasts. Then write another body paragraph just
for comparing. Include all comparisons.