Writing an Essay

Essay Writing Workshop

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DO NOT PANIC!

Today we will learn how to write an essay, step by step!

What is an Essay?
An essay is a written collection of prose, organized and divided neatly into paragraphs Always remember that an essay is a written form of communication and therefore, must be clear, organized and easily understandable to those reading

What is the Purpose of an Essay?

An essay is used to state and support an opinion with proof and explanation Essays can be used to persuade others to agree with your opinion

Why do we write five paragraph essays?

The first paragraph is an introductory paragraph The middle three paragraph are the body paragraphs The last paragraph is the concluding paragraph

1. Introductory Paragraph 2. Body paragraph 1 3. Body paragraph 2 4. Body paragraph 3 5. Concluding paragraph

Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph states and explains a different point to help you prove your opinion
An opinion is always stronger when it has more supporting facts (proof)

Fact

Opinion

Fact is a true statement Facts can be supported, upheld and proven by evidence

An opinion is one individuals personal belief on a subject Everyone is welcome to have an opinion, but not every opinion is based on fact Opinions can be based on what a person has heard from others, and is therefore subject to bias

Fact is Stronger than Opinion

For this reason, make sure that you phrase and word your essays as if they are FACT, not simply OPINION

How will learning how to write an essay help me in the future?

Each Academic/University level English course contains a unit on essay writing You need to write an essay on the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test), and you need to pass the literacy test to graduate high school

Essay and Paragraph Structure

Introduction Paragraph
Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph # 2 Body Paragraph # 3

Concluding Paragraph

Broad Statement
Introduce topic

Introduction Paragraph

Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3

The Point The thesis

Introductory Paragraph
Hook

Begin with a Hook to capture your readers attention It is a general sentence about your topic.

Introduce

Topic

Introduce the topic, the author and the title of the play **Hint use the essay question to guide you**

Three The next sentence should list your three reasons/proofs reasons

THESIS

The Thesis The specific point you are trying to prove

Introductory Paragraph
Hook
Disguises and costumes are a fun way to explore new identities and take on a new persona.

Introduce

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play.

Topic

Three reasons

A) Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot B) Disguises and costumes create humour throughout the play C) Disguises and costumes allow characters to explore different class and gender identities

THESIS Therefore, for these reasons disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Disguises and costumes are a fun way to explore new identities and take on a new persona.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play.

A) Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot B) Disguises and costumes create humour throughout the play C) Disguises and costumes allow characters to explore different class and gender identities

Thesis

Therefore, for these reasons disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Paragraph Format
Disguises and costumes are a fun way to explore new identities and take on a new persona. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play. Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot, create humour and allow characters to explore different class and gender identities. Therefore, for these reasons disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.

Body Paragraphs

Each of the three body paragraphs deals with one of the three reasons/proofs Always remember to present them in the same order: A,B,C Reason/Proof A should always be your weakest argument

Reason/Proof C should always be your strongest argument

Topic Sentence (POINT)

A strong topic sentence clearly stating the reason/proof upon which the paragraph will focus Evidence and Explanation that demonstrates how the reason/ proof supports the point A Concluding sentence that states what youve proven in this paragraph and links the reason/proof back to your thesis

Evidence (PROOF) and Explanation

Concluding sentence

Topic Sentence

Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.

(POINT)

In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian Antonio feels betrayed by his friend:Will you deny me now?/Ist possible that my deserts to you/Can lack persuasion? (3.4.334-336)
Evidence (PROOF) and Explanation

If Viola was not in disguise, Antonio would not mistake her for his friend Sebastian. Mistaken identity causes confusion between Antonio and Viola. Violas disguise as a man is the driving force of conflict within this scene.

Concluding sentence

Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night as they cause confusion between characters and create conflict in the plot.

Paragraph Format
Point: Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night. Proof:

In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian. Since Viola is disguised as a man and looks like her twin Sebastian, Antonio easily mistakes the two characters. Antonio sees who he believes to be Sebastian in the midst of a duel and offers to fight on his friends behalf. Viola does not recognize Antonio and is confused as to why this stranger is fighting for her. Although Viola is grateful, she is confused when Antonio asks Cesario to return his purse he left Sebastian.

Quotation: Antonio feels hurt and betrayed and asks his friend Will you deny me now?/Ist possible that my deserts to you/Can lack persuasion? (3.4.334-336). Explanation: Antonio has done a lot for Sebastian since arriving in Illyria. He rescues Sebastian from the shipwreck, stays with him in Illyria despite the dangers and gives Sebastian money. When Cesario does not recognize Antonio it creates conflict between Cesario and Antonio. Antonio feels hurt and betrayed while Viola is confused as she does not understand what is going on. If Viola was not in disguise, Antonio would not mistake her for his friend Sebastian. Mistaken identity causes confusion between Antonio and Viola. Violas disguise as a man is the driving force of conflict within this scene. Concluding sentence: Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night as they cause confusion between characters and create conflict in the plot.

Firstly,

Body Paragraph #1

Topic Sentence (point) Proof Explanation Conclusion

Secondly, in addition, also, additionally

Body Paragraph #2

Topic Sentence (Point) Proof Explanation Conclusion

Thirdly, lastly

Body Paragraph #3

Topic Sentence (Point) Proof Explanation Conclusion

Transition words between paragraphs

Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night. Secondly, disguises and costumes create humour throughout the play.
Lastly, disguises and costumes allow characters to explore different class and gender identities.

Concluding Paragraph
Restate thesis

Concluding Paragraph

Restate your three points

Finish with a broad concluding sentence about the topic

Thesis

Begin by restating your thesis or the point you attempted to prove in your essay

Points

The next sentence should restate your three reasons/proofs: A,B,C

Concluding sentence

Finish with a broad concluding sentence about your topic in general

 Therefore, disguises and costumes are used throughout William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night and are crucial components in the play.

Thesis

Disguises and costumes cause mistaken identity within the play causing confusion between characters and creating conflict in the plot. Also, disguises and costumes add humour in the play in particular through dramatic irony.

Points

Finally, through disguises and costumes characters in the play are permitted to explore gender and class categories which they would otherwise not be permitted to do.

Concluding sentence Disguises and costumes are used throughout the play Twelfth Night and
are crucial to the entertainment of the play.

Paragraph Format

Therefore, disguises and costumes are used throughout William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night and are crucial components in the play. Disguises and costumes cause mistaken identity within the play causing confusion between characters and creating conflict in the plot. Also, disguises and costumes add humour in the play in particular through dramatic irony. Finally, through disguises and costumes characters in the play are permitted to explore gender and class categories which they would otherwise not be permitted to do. Disguises and costumes are used throughout the play Twelfth Night and are crucial to the entertainment of the play.

Tips for Writing Formal Essays

Do not use personal pronouns (I, we, you) These suggest your essay is an opinion instead of factual Write in Present tense Do not use rhetorical devises or creative writing skills Do not use contractions (Cant, wont, couldnt) Do not use slang or informal language

Tips for Writing Formal Essays

Avoid using vague language (be specific) In an essay do not simply summarize your novel/play (assume that whoever is reading knows the novel/play well) In your body paragraph, be as detailed and specific as possible when explaining and supporting your evidence and quotations Use transition words to move smoothly from one idea to the next (in addition, lastly, for example, therefore) NEVER bring up new information in your closing paragraph

How do you feel about essays?

Lets write one as a Team!

Introductory Paragraph
Introductory Paragraph and Thesis Statement The first sentence [or two] in your introductory paragraph should always be a hook sentence to get your audience interested in reading your essay. The next sentence should list your three reasons/proofs. These should be ordered from weakest to strongest (or at least important to most important) to make sure the audience want s to keep reading your essay. The thesis statement is the most important part of your essay. It is a specific statement that expresses your opinion about a topic without using the words I believe or I think Your thesis statement should only be one sentence long Your thesis statement is always the last sentence of your introductory paragraph

Introductory Paragraph
Sample Introductory Paragraph Topic: Mandatory Civil Service for all Canadians in their eighteenth year. Reasons/Proofs: Already exists in many other countries around the world In this economy, it is a good way to get some job experience A good way for Canadians to do something worthwhile for their country Introductory Paragraph: The topic of civil service is not one that enters the mind of many teenagers as they approach the time at which they are required to make those life altering decisions that affect everyone. However, there are many benefits to considering this issue. Mandatory civil service at the age of eighteen is an admirable idea because [A] it already exists in many countries around the world, [B] it would allow teenagers to gain valuable job experience and [C] it is an excellent way for individuals to do something worthwhile for their country. For these reasons, [Thesis statement] civil service should be mandatory for all Canadians in their eighteenth year.

Essay Question
One of the social elements William Shakespeare explores in Twelfth Night is the issue of just and fair treatment of others. Consider Sir Toby and his treatment of other characters in the play. Using three specific examples from the play, argue whether or not Sir Toby treats other characters fairly or if he takes advantage of the relationships and interactions he has with others.

Brainstorm:
Broad Statement: Introduce Topic*use the essay question to guide you*:

Reasons/Proofs
A)

B)
C)

Thesis:

Introductory Paragraph

The Body Paragraphs

The Body Paragraphs The body of an essay contains three paragraphs. Each paragraph deals with one of the three reasons/proofs from your introductory paragraph. Remember, you must always keep your reasons/proofs in the same order. Therefore, write about them in the same order as you did in the introductory paragraph. At the beginning of each body paragraph, use a transition word to remind the reader which paragraph theyre reading. At the beginning if the first paragraph, use the word First or Firstly At the beginning of the second paragraph, use the word Second or Secondly At the beginning of the third paragraph, use the word Third, Thirdly, or Finally.

Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should follow the structure bellow: Sentence #1 Topic sentence stating the Reason/Proof dealt with in the paragraph Sentence #2 Offer a piece of evidence to support your reason/proof Middle Sentences In your own words, explain how your evidence supports or proves the reason/proof Last sentence Concluding sentences summarizing the paragraphs reason/proof and connecting it back to the thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs
Brainstorming: Topic Sentence #1 Concluding Sentence #1

Topic Sentence #2 Concluding Sentence #2

Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence #3

Concluding Sentence #3

Concluding Paragraph
First Sentence The first sentence in your concluding paragraph should restate the thesis statement. DO NOT repeat the thesis exactly the same way you stated it in the introductory paragraph. Never begin your concluding paragraph with, In this essay, I have proven that Middle Sentences Rephrase (but DO NOT copy) the three reasons/proofs. If the reasons/proofs are short and brief, this can be accomplished in one sentence. Otherwise, restate each in its own sentence, each beginning with an appropriate transition word/statements.

Concluding Paragraph
Last sentence Finish your essay with a profound general statement that leaves your audience thinking about the point of your essay. This may take more than one sentence. Never, never, never, even in your wildest dreams, in spite of peer pressure, introduce new information in the concluding paragraph

Concluding Paragraph
There are several different reasons why compulsory civil service for all eighteen-year-old Canadians is a beneficial idea. First, many other successful countries in the world already do it, so Canada can look to their examples. Secondly, young Canadians would have the opportunity to gain valuable job experience for themselves, often doing things that they would never be able to do in their hometowns. Lastly, it would give Canadians the chance to contribute to the development of their country. Given our freedoms and lifestyle opportunities, it only makes sense to give something back to the country that makes it all possible. It is an easy concept to understand, and on that can make a world of a difference.

Concluding Paragraph
Brainstorming: First Sentence: (Restate Thesis) Middle Sentences: rephrase Reasons/Proofs A) B) C) Last Sentence: Profound general statement

Concluding Paragraph

And that is how it is done!