Essay Writing

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Essay Writing
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Persuasive Essay

• Purpose - makes a claim about a topic and
  justifies this claim with specific evidence
• The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal,
  an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or
  an interpretation.
• Goal - to convince the intended audience that the
  claim is true based on the specific evidence
  provided

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Breaking It Down, Step-by-StepI. Read
and Dissect the PromptII. BrainstormIII.
Create Thesis StatementIV. Layout/Outline Essay
StructureV . Write Rough Draft including 1.
Introduction 2. Body Paragraphs 3.
ConclusionVI. Revise and EditVII. Produce
Final Copy
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I. Read and Dissect the Prompt
? Carefully read the complete prompt
Writing Situation Your local school board is
seeking ideas to improve your school. These ideas
will be discussed during meetings with students,
teachers, parents, administrators, and other
interested parties. The changes proposed by
students will be seriously considered since
students are the reason for the schools
existence. Choose one change which would improve
the school for all students. Directions for
Writing Write a persuasive essay explaining why
your suggested change will be an improvement for
your school. Give reasons to support your
suggestion.
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I. Read and Dissect the Prompt
? Now, read the prompt again underlining
important points. ? Synthesize what is being
asked of the writer. What is the conflict? Who is
the audience?
Writing Situation Your local school board is
seeking ideas to improve your school. These ideas
will be discussed during meetings with students,
teachers, parents, administrators, and other
interested parties. The changes proposed by
students will be seriously considered since
students are the reason for the schools
existence. Choose one change which would improve
the school for all students. Directions for
Writing Write a persuasive essay explaining why
your suggested change will be an improvement for
your school. Give reasons to support your
suggestion.
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Writing Situation Your school district has
proposed saving money by eliminating
extra-curricular sports (football, basketball and
baseball) from the high school program. Think
about the possible effects of cutting sports from
the school program. Decide whether you are for or
against this proposal. Directions for Writing
Write an essay in which you persuade the reader
whether extra-curricular sports should be cut or
maintained in the school. Defend your position
with specific reasons supported by several
detailed examples.
Practice I. Read and Dissect the Prompt
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Writing Situation Your school district has
proposed saving money by eliminating
extra-curricular sports (football, basketball and
baseball) from the high school program. Think
about the possible effects of cutting sports from
the school program. Decide whether you are for or
against this proposal. Directions for Writing
Write an essay in which you persuade the reader
whether extra-curricular sports should be cut or
maintained in the school. Defend your position
with specific reasons supported by several
detailed examples.
Practice I. Read and Dissect the Prompt
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II. Brainstorm
? Recognize any side of the argument to identify
the side you can BEST argue. Dont rule out any
ideas at this point! ? As you think of supporting
ideas for each side, write those ideas down, so
you may easily sift through them to formulate the
position you want to argue.
Give a two-hour break in the school day
Allow students to use cell phones at lunch and
between classes
Improvements for School
Build an indoor water park on the campus
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II. Brainstorm
Writing Situation Your school district has
proposed saving money by eliminating
extra-curricular sports (football, basketball and
baseball) from the high school program. Think
about the possible effects of cutting sports from
the school program. Decide whether you are for or
against this proposal. Directions for Writing
Write an essay in which you persuade the reader
whether extra-curricular sports should be cut or
maintained in the school. Defend your position
with specific reasons supported by several
detailed examples.

Reasons Not to Cut Sports
Reasons to Cut Sports
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III. Create Thesis Statement
Based on your audience and the strength of your
evidence, choose your position and develop your
thesis statement.
The thesis statement is the most important
sentence in the entire essay as it serves as a
map of the entire essay The thesis statement -
must be specific must be a single
sentence must be a statement must outline all
content discussed in the body of the
essay must be supported by specific evidence
in body of the essay must have parallel
structure
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III. Create Thesis Statement

• The thesis statement
• is presented at the end of the introduction and
  is restated at the beginning of the conclusion.
• Your ideas may change as you write the rough
  draft if so, revise the thesis statement to
  reflect exactly what is discussed in the essay.

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School Improvement Brainstorm Chosen Position
Give a two-hour break during the school day
Reasons why the school should give a two-hour
break
Work off campus
eat lunch off campus
rest/take mental break
Socialize with friends
attend study hall
participate in extra-curricular activities
Help out at home
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III. Create Thesis Statement
Choose one change which would improve the school
for all students. Directions for Writing Write
a persuasive essay explaining why your suggested
change will be an improvement for your school.
Give reasons to support your suggestion.

• Thesis Statement - The school board should add a
  two-hour break during the school day to allow
  time for rest, extracurricular activities, and
  additional academic support.

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III. Create Thesis Statement
Writing Situation Your school district has
proposed saving money by eliminating
extra-curricular sports (football, basketball and
baseball) from the high school program. Think
about the possible effects of cutting sports from
the school program. Decide whether you are for or
against this proposal. Directions for Writing
Write an essay in which you persuade the reader
whether extra-curricular sports should be cut or
maintained in the school. Defend your position
with specific reasons supported by several
detailed examples.



Reasons to Cut Sports
Reasons Not to Cut Sports
T
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IV. Layout/Outline Essay StructureYour thesis
statement outlines the structure/content of your
essay. Look -
Body Paragraph 1
The school should add a two-hour break in the
school day to allow time for rest,
extracurricular activities, and additional
academic support.
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
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IV. Layout/Outline Essay Structure IV.
Layout/Outline Essay Structure

• Then, add a counter-argument as the final body
  paragraph.
• A counter-argument is an opposing point of view
  (argument against a position- in this case,
  against your position).
• In persuasive writing, the counter-argument is an
  argument against the thesis statement which is
  refuted (proven wrong).

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Why include a counter-argument?

• It proves to the reader the writer is objective
  (has considered both sides of the argument), and
  as a result, the writer is credible
  (trust-worthy).
• By including AND refuting a counter-argument, you
  strengthen your position outlined in the thesis
  statement.

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IV. Layout/Outline Essay Structure
Body Paragraph 1

• The school should
• add a two-hour break in the school day to allow
  time for rest, extra-curricular activities, and
  additional academic support.
• Counter-argument

Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
Body Paragraph 4
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Introduction with Thesis Statement The school
should add a two-hour break in the school day to
allow time for rest, extra-curricular
activities, and additional academic support.
Body Paragraph One Topic Sentence A two-hour
break would provide students the opportunity to
rest prior to the second half of the school day.
Body Paragraph Two Topic Sentence Students
could participate in extra-curricular activities
if the school added a two-hour break during the
school day.
Body Paragraph Three Topic Sentence During a
two-hour break in the school day, all students
would have time to receive academic assistance.
Body Paragraph Four Topic Sentence While adding
a two-hour break will extend mandatory school
hours, students would become better prepared
overall, and they would have fewer
school-related commitments outside of regular
hours.
Conclusion with a Restated Thesis Statement
Access to academic assistance, opportunity to
participate in extra-curricular activities, and
time for rest would benefit all students if a
two-hour break was added to the school day.
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V. Write the Rough Draft - Introduction

• The introduction minimum of four sentences
• Begins with a hook/lead to grab the readers
  attention.
• Provides one or two sentences transitioning to
  the thesis statement, the map of the complete
  essay
• Clearly states the thesis statement, the map of
  the essay
• Transitions to the first body paragraph

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V. Write the Rough Draft - Introduction

• With heavy pressure on school systems to produce
  better results with fewer resources, school
  systems crave innovative ideas for school
  improvement. These mold-bending ideas should
  seek to meet the demands of our students,
  teachers, and parents alike. The school board
  should add a two-hour break during the school day
  to allow students time for rest, extracurricular
  activities, and additional academic support.
  Building a break into the mandatory school day
  would allow students an improved opportunity for
  overall success and happiness through
  opportunities such as physical or mental
  rejuvenation.

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V. Write the Rough Draft - Introduction

• With heavy pressure on school systems to
  produce better results with fewer resources,
  school systems crave innovative ideas for school
  improvement. These mold-bending ideas should seek
  to meet the demands of our students, teachers,
  and parents alike. The school board should add a
  two-hour break during the school day to allow
  students time for rest, extracurricular
  activities, and additional academic support.
  Building a break into the mandatory school day
  would allow students improved likelihood for
  overall success and happiness through
  opportunities such as physical or mental
  rejuvenation.

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V. Write the Rough Draft Body Paragraphs
? The number of body paragraphs depends upon the
number of ideas presented in the thesis statement
plus the counter argument paragraph if a
persuasive essay. ? Begin each body paragraph
with a topic sentence which establishes the
subject/topic of the paragraph. ? The paragraph
continues with specific, detailed evidence
supporting your topic sentence.
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V. Write the Rough Draft Body Paragraphs

• ? The body paragraph ends with a concluding
  transitional sentence which cleanly concludes the
  body paragraph and introduces the following
  paragraph.
• ? Never include less than six sentences in a body
  paragraph.
• Never include less than two-body paragraphs in an
  essay.

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V. Write the Rough Draft Body Paragraphs Body
Paragraph 1

• A two-hour break would provide students the
  opportunity to rest prior to the second half of
  the school day. Most students complain that they
  get tired in class, and the teachers of those
  students complain that their students lose focus
  and/or sleep in class. Parents, in addition,
  worry about their students well-being. The
  answer to this problem parallels acts taken by
  schools in other countries. We need a window of
  opportunity for students to take a physical nap
  or at least a mental break from their studies.
  Many high school students work late hours or
  provide assistance with household chores such as
  tending to younger siblings. In other cases,
  students are drained by extra-curricular
  activities, such as drama rehearsal and football
  practice, to the extent a mid-day rest is needed.
  For those students who do not desire to sleep,
  video games, music, books, and exercise could
  provide a refreshing mental break. Not all
  students can endure a full school day without
  rest a two-hour break will aid in student focus
  and overall achievement in that tired students
  may rest while others may choose to involve
  themselves in extra-curricular programs.

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A two-hour break would provide students the
opportunity to rest prior to the second half of
the school day. Most students complain that they
get tired in class, and the teachers of those
students complain that their students lose focus
and/or sleep in class. Parents, in addition,
worry about their students well-being. The
answer to this problem parallels acts taken by
schools in other countries. We need a window of
opportunity for students to take a physical nap
or at least a mental break from their studies.
Many high school students work late hours or
provide assistance with household chores such as
tending to younger siblings. In other cases,
students are drained by extra-curricular
activities, such as drama rehearsal and football
practice, to the extent a mid-day rest is needed.
For those students who do not desire to sleep,
video games, music, books, and exercise could
provide a refreshing mental break. Not all
students can endure a full school day without
rest a two-hour break will aid in student focus
and overall achievement in that tired students
may rest while others may choose to involve
themselves in extra-curricular programs.
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V. Write the Rough Draft Body Paragraphs

• The counter-argument is the final body paragraph.
• It follows the same format as other body
  paragraphs topic sentence, supporting sentences,
  and concluding transition sentence.
• Generally, the counter-argument is less lengthy
  than other body paragraphs tear down the
  opposition and move to the conclusion.

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V. Write the Rough Draft Body Paragraphs
(counter-argument)

• While adding a two-hour break will extend
  mandatory school hours, students would become
  better prepared overall, and they would have
  fewer school-related commitments outside of
  regular hours. Undoubtedly, some people will
  argue that it is not acceptable to lengthen the
  school day however, since most students at our
  school participate in at least one
  extra-curricular and/or regularly attend study
  hall, the average time spent on campus actually
  will not increase. Students will simply tend to
  most of their school-related activities during
  regular hours while benefiting from a bit of
  rest. For those students who have a job, they
  could enroll in work-based learning in order to
  depart early so their work hours do not extend
  later into the evening. A two-hour break will
  lead to happier students with fewer commitments
  after hours despite the extension of the school
  day.

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V. Write the Rough Draft Body Paragraphs

• While adding a two-hour break will extend
  mandatory school hours, students would become
  better prepared overall, and they would have
  fewer school-related commitments outside of
  regular hours. Undoubtedly, some people will
  argue that it is not acceptable to lengthen the
  school day however, since most students at our
  school participate in at least one
  extra-curricular and/or regularly attend study
  hall, the average time spent on campus actually
  will not increase. Students will simply tend to
  most of their school-related activities during
  regular hours while benefiting from a bit of
  rest. For those students who have a job, they
  could enroll in work-based learning in order to
  depart early so their work hours do not extend
  later into the evening. A two-hour break will
  lead to happier students with fewer commitments
  after hours despite the extension of the school
  day.

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V. Write Rough Draft - Conclusion

• The conclusion minimum of four sentences
• Begins with a restatement of the thesis
  statement. One may reword the thesis or flip the
  thesis do not paste the thesis from introduction
  to conclusion.
• Provide two or three sentences reminding the
  reader of the main arguments in the essay (look
  at each topic sentence to review the main
  points).
• Close with a call to action. In other words, if
  the reader has been convinced by the arguments
  presented, tell him/her how to respond.

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V. Write Rough Draft - Conclusion

• What NOT to do in the conclusion
• DO NOT mention the counter-argument again
• DO NOT introduce new arguments, evidence, or
  details
• DO NOT apologize for doing a poor job of
  presenting the material
• DO NOT qualify or blunt the impact of the
  arguments in the body
• DO NOT say, This essay was about, I hope you
  agree with me, Hopefully, you are convinced,
  or anything similar

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V. Write Rough Draft - Conclusion

• In order to allow students time for rest,
  extra-curricular activities, and additional
  academic support, the school board should approve
  the addition of a two-hour break during the high
  school day. Without any drastic actions taken,
  our school will continue down its current path of
  lackluster achievement, but this one simple
  change could lead to positive growth. Students
  could enter into afternoon classes well-rested
  and focused. They also could have improved access
  to extra-curricular activities as well as
  academic study halls and tutoring. This
  innovative move will help to ensure happiness and
  success for all students, and thus their parents
  and teachers alike. It is imperative that all
  community members in support of the addition of a
  two-hour break in the daily high school schedule
  voice their opinion to school board members via
  email or telephone prior to the April board
  meeting. The students are depending upon the
  community please, act in their best interest.

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V. Write Rough Draft - Conclusion

• In order to allow students time for rest,
  extra-curricular activities, and additional
  academic support, the school board should approve
  the addition of a two-hour break during the high
  school day. Without any drastic actions taken,
  our school will continue down its current path of
  lackluster achievement, but this one simple
  change could lead to positive growth. Students
  could enter into afternoon classes well-rested
  and focused. They also could have improved access
  to extra-curricular activities as well as
  academic study halls and tutoring. This
  innovative move will help to ensure happiness and
  success for all students, and thus their parents
  and teachers alike. It is imperative that all
  community members in support of the addition of a
  two-hour break in the daily high school schedule
  voice their opinion to school board members via
  email or telephone prior to the April board
  meeting. The students are depending upon the
  community please, act in their best interest.

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VI. Revise and Edit- The goal is to improve your
paper in content (ideas) and mechanics (grammar,
spelling, etc.)

• Do you have an introduction, 2 body paragraphs,
  a counter-argument if applicable, and a
  conclusion?
• Does each paragraph have the proper structure
  (i.e., lead, topic sentence, concluding
  transition sentence, supporting sentences)?
• Is there a clearly stated thesis statement?
• ? Does every point support your thesis, or have
  you gone off topic? No matter how much you like
  a point or a sentence, if it is off the topic,
  cut it.
• Have you provided adequate supporting details
  (count your sentences and make sure you meet
  minimum requirements)?

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VI. Revise and Edit

• ? Does one generalization follow naturally from
  the previous one and lead naturally to the next
  one? Will the connection be clear to the reader?
  Fill in any jumps between thoughts.
• ? Have you made clear how the details are
  connected to a generalization? If not, connect
  them.
• ? Have you organized your material so that all
  your discussion of a single point is in one place
  in your essay, or does the same idea get
  discussed in more than one place in the essay?
  Combine all discussion of one generalization in
  one place, and cut any repetition.
• ? Is anything in your essay repetitious? Check
  the way you begin your sentences do you use the
  same words or phrases to begin your sentences?
  Use varied sentence structure in general. Do not
  overuse any phrases, quotes, statistics, large
  words, etc.
• ? Is the grammar, punctuation, and spelling
  correct?
• ? Did you avoid first person references you, I,
  we?

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VII. Produce Final Copy

• ? If typed, use Times New Roman, size12 font,
  double spaced, and print in black ink on white
  paper, single sided
• If hand-written, write legibly (cursive is
  preferred), use black or blue ink, double spaced
  on white paper, single sided
• Indent each paragraph and observe margins of the
  paper
• Entitle your essay
• ? Do not leave an extra empty line between
  paragraphs
• ? Do not use colorful writing text lingo,
  hearts to dot is, smiley faces, your athletic
  number beside your name, etc.