Name ______________________________________

Date______________________

Enders Game Essay Writing Packet

Due: Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Your assignment is to write a 5-paragraph persuasive essay on the following topic:
Do you believe that Enders Game is an anti-war (against war) novel, or do you
think that it shows that war is sometimes necessary? Choose a side to argue
and use quotes to support your reasoning.
Choose your side (circle one):
o

Enders Game is an anti-war novel that shows the evils of war.

Enders Game is a pro-war novel. It shows that sometimes war is necessary.

Lesson and Activity 1: Writing a Thesis Statement

What does a thesis statement do?
It is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from
the rest of the paper.
It directly answers the question asked of you.
It makes a claim that others might dispute (i.e. you are arguing a side)
It is usually a single sentence at the end of your introduction. The rest of the paper,
the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader
of the logic of your argument.
1. Brainstorm a list of everything you can think of that makes Enders Game an anti-war
novel OR a pro-war novel, depending on what side you are arguing. Use examples from the
book that prove your point:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

2. Then, choose the three STRONGEST pieces of proof from your list and write them here.
These are your three main points:
o
o
o
3. Finally, you are going to put all of these pieces together.
YOUR OPINION + YOUR THREE MAIN POINTS= YOUR THESIS STATEMENT
Complete this sentence with your three reasons to create a thesis:

Enders Game is an anti/pro-war novel because

______________________________________________________________,
______________________________________________________________, and
______________________________________________________________,
This is your thesis statement! You will now argue your three points in three body
paragraphs, each of which line up with your three main points.

Lesson and Activity 2: Writing the hook and introduction.

1. A hook is the opening sentence to your essay. It should pull the reader in and get them
interested in your topic. Some ideas for your hook include:
1. Use a relevant and interesting quote from the book, or from somewhere else.
Ex: Aeschylus once said, In war, truth is the first casualty.
2. Present a current event that is related to your topic.
Ex: Although there are many wars and conflicts in the world, none are on as large a
scale as in Enders Game.
3. Ask a question BE CAREFUL. Do not use YOU in your question.
Ex: Does war really accomplish peace?
4. Define a term that is relevant to your topic.
Ex: War is a prolonged conflict carried out by states or countries.
My hook:
___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Next, introduce your topic and the novel. Pretend your reader has not read the book.
Somewhere in this section should be the title of the book (underlined) and the author. Be
careful: you do not need to summarize the whole book for your reader! Just the basics!
3. Finally, the last line of your introduction should be your thesis statement.
My introduction: 1. Hook 2. Background information 3. Thesis statement

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Lesson and Activity 3: Topic Sentences and Transition Words

1. A topic sentence is the first sentence your body paragraph. It tells the reader what you
will be discussing in that paragraph.
2. Each of your three topic sentences should match each of your three main points in your
thesis.
Re-write your main points (from thesis)
ou
o
o
o
3. Each topic sentence should start with a transition word.
Transition words to start paragraphs:
First
Furthermore
Lastly
Aside from

Second
Next
In addition
Additionally

Third
Similarly
Moreover
On top of that

Finally
As well as
Whats more
Apart from that

Example thesis: Heroes should be 1. strong, 2. fair and 3. willing to sacrifice themselves.
Example Topic sentences:
1. First, heroes should be strong not only physically, but mentally and morally as well.
2. Whats more, heroes should be fair and just.
3. Finally, heroes should be willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
*This is just an EXAMPLE to show you how topic sentences work!!*
You will write your topic sentences in the next section.

Lesson and Activity 4: Outlining and supporting details

You are now going to create an outline, or plan, for your essay. It will include your thesis,
your topic sentences, and your supporting details.
Supporting details are examples from the novel that prove your point. Without strong and
relevant supporting details, your essay will fall apart!

My Essay Outline
I. Thesis with three main points: (re-write here)

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
II. Body Paragraph One Point (from thesis) :_____________________________________
Topic sentence (refer to previous page):

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Supporting details from novel that prove this point:
1.
2.
3.
III. Body Paragraph Two Point:

_________________________________________________

Topic sentence:

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Supporting details from novel that prove this point:
1.
2.
3.
IV: Body Paragraph Three Point:

_________________________________________________

Topic sentence:

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Supporting details from novel that prove this point:
1.
2.

3.

Lesson and Activity 5: Finding strong supporting quotes

Now that you have identified supporting details that you are going to use in your essay, it is
time to find quotes from the novel that show your supporting details in action. You need at
least 2 quotes per topic. That means 2 quotes per body paragraph.
o

Topic one: (from thesis)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quote #1 and page number:

Quote #2 and page number:
Quote #3 and page number:

Topic two: (from thesis)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quote #1 and page number:

Quote #2 and page number:
Quote #3 and page number:

Topic three: (from thesis)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quote #1 and page number:

Quote #2 and page number:
Quote #3 and page number:

Lesson and Activity 6: Writing your conclusion.

1. To write an effective conclusion, you need to begin restating your thesis statement. You
can change the wording around if you want to, but your three main points should still be in
the same order as in your introduction.
2. Next you are going to re-state your main points, explaining once again what makes them
important. You are simply summarizing your essay and helping it to feel finished.
3. Lastly, leave your reader with a new thought to ponder or perhaps a different quote,
definition, or question than your hook. Kind of like an end hook!
My conclusion: 1. Thesis statement 2. Summary 3. End Hook

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You are done with your essay packet! On Wednesday, I will check this packet and you
will get the go-ahead to start typing your essay.