Writing Essays. . .

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Writing Essays. . .

• . . . 5 Part Form

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Disclaimer!!!

• This is ONE model of essay writing -- a good one,
  but not the only one!
• Variations exist regarding
• Method of citing
• Use of first person
• Form of the introduction
• Use of present tense, etc.
• Your teacher may give special instructions.
  Follow them!

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What is an Essay?

• Essay Purpose

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Essay Purpose

• An essay is a form of writing in which you try to
  prove a point or support an opinion (thesis)
• You must give reasons for your ideas, and
  evidence to back up what you say
• You must give the sources of your evidence if you
  use them!

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A Report is Different

• In a report, you are presenting information that
  you have collected on a topic
• You are not necessarily supporting a point/an
  opinion

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Opinions

• EVERYTHING you write is an opinion, whether it is
  a persuasive essay, an opinion essay, or a
  research essay
• It becomes convincing only when you back up your
  opinion!!

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Opinions

• There are opinions, and then there are opinions .
  . .
• You may be entitled to your opinion, but
• Your opinion needs to be supported if you plan on
  convincing anyone else!!!

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Support Opinions With

• Facts
• Specific reasons
• Logical arguments
• Specific examples
• Support of experts
• Quotations
• NOT just because YOU say so!!!

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How Should I Write My Essay?

• Essay Style

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Essay Style Formal
u

• An essay is not a chat room!

• Write in full sentences, not point form
• Never use slang, dialect, or short forms
• Avoid contractions
• Use did not instead of didnt
• Use would have instead of wouldve or, even
  worse, would of!!!

lol
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Essay Style Objective

• Use third person, unless your teacher gives you
  permission to use first person
• Use
• he, she, it, they, those, them (3rd)
• Do not use
• you, your (2nd)
• I, me, we, us, myself (1st)

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How Do I Set Up My Essay?

• Essay Organization

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Introduction
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Opening Comments

• Introduce your topic in general terms
• Get the interest of your readers
• Example
• Students in public high schools are allowed to
  choose the clothes that suit their personality
  and make them feel comfortable. Catholic
  students, however, are denied this choice.

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Thesis

• A thesis is made up of two parts
• Statement
• Plan
• The statement is what you are trying to prove
• The plan is your list of proofs/ reasons/arguments

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Examples
States the obvious!

• Students in Catholic high schools wear uniforms.
• Why should high school students have to wear
  uniforms?
• Students should not have to wear uniforms because
  I think they are ugly.

Not a statement.
Not provable!
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Examples

• Students in high school should not have to wear
  uniforms because they are too expensive, they are
  uncomfortable, and they limit students right to
  self-expression.

• Students in high school should not have to wear
  uniforms because they are too expensive, they are
  uncomfortable, and they limit students right to
  self-expression.

Good!
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Examples
It is a good policy for high school students to
wear uniforms because this prevents them wearing
gang related clothing, it gives them a sense of
belonging, and it stops people from judging
others based on the way they dress.

• It is a good policy for high school students to
  wear uniforms because this prevents them wearing
  gang related clothing, gives them a sense of
  belonging, and stops people from judging others
  based on the way they dress.

Good!
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Body Paragraphs
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Topic Sentences

• Every time you start a new paragraph (argument)
  you must start with a topic sentence that reminds
  the reader of your reason
• Use key words from the thesis

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Examples

• Thesis Students in high school should not have
  to wear uniforms because they are 1. too
  expensive, they are 2. uncomfortable, and they 3.
  limit students right to self-expression.
• Topic Sentences
• Special uniforms cost much more than regular
  clothing
• The uniforms students are required to wear are
  very uncomfortable
• If all students are forced to dress the same this
  violates their freedom of expression

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Evidence

• After the topic sentence, you give reasons,
  details, examples, and quotations that prove your
  point
• Your opinion is only as good as the evidence that
  backs it up!!

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Conclusion
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Conclusion

• Start the conclusion by restating your thesis and
  arguments
• Finish up with
• Summary comments
• Application
• Suggestion for further thought

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Citing Sources

• Dont Plagiarize!!

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The Catechism Works Cited

• Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic
  Church. Ottawa Canadian Council of Catholic
  Bishops, 1994.
• Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic
  Church. New York Image, 1995.

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Or

• Catholic Church.  Catechism of the
• Catholic Church.  2nd ed.  Vatican
• Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2000.
• There are many versions!
• http//www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
• http//www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

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In-Text citation of The Catechism

• The one God is triune in nature and consists of
  three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  (Catechism 1280). Because of this
• Direct quotation
• Note cite section or paragraph instead of page
  number.

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In-Text citation of The Catechism

• Because God consists of three persons, Father,
  Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism 1280) we always
  end our prayers by saying
• Paraphrase
• Note cite section or paragraph instead of page
  number.

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In-Text Citation of Movies

• Include the work in the text lead up, not in a
  parenthetical reference
• E.g.
• Terry Gilliams film 12 Monkeys portrays James
  Cole as a Christ figure who is willing to
  sacrifice his life to save humanity.

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Works Cited

• 12 Monkeys. Dir. Terry Gilliam. Perf.
• Bruce Willis, Madeline Stowe,
• Brad Pitt. DVD. Paramount,
• 1998.

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(No Transcript)
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In-Text Citation of Web Sites A

• Local Hero teaches about the importance of
  respecting the environment, Any movie that can
  raise the consciousness of its audience without
  preaching is a rarity, and this beautiful film
  manages to do just that. (Internet Movie
  Database 8). In view of this, all

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Citing IMDb

• Internet Movie Database. Local Hero.
• 2008. 3 March 2008. lthttp//imdb.
• com/title/tt0085859/gt

Date of site, then date you accessed the site.
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Works Cited
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Works Cited
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Good Luck!