How to write a formal academic essay

1
Essay Workshop

• How to write a formal academic essay

2
Planning and Preparation

• Type of essay
• Research / Expository / Persuasive / Narrative /
  Reflection
• Format
• Starrett MLA (Honors 9 / Honors Lit. 11)
• Length requirement
• You can not write a successful formal academic
  essay in under 5 paragraphs
• Font / Size
• Times New Roman / 12 pt.
• Title / Title Page
• Always title your essay creatively and
  appropriately
• Not 1st Semester Essay
• MLA does not require a specific title page, nor
  do I.
• Spacing
• Typically double-spaced, unless instructed
  otherwise

3
Planning and Preparation

• Organization
• Header (located on front page only top left
  corner)
• Name
• Class
• Teacher Name
• Date Submitted
• Title (underneath header, and centered above
  essay)
• Introduction 1st paragraph
• Body 2nd-4th paragraph (or more)
• Conclusion 5th paragraph (at least)
• Works Cited (start on a new page)

4
Introduction

• Intro Material
• Hook (1st one or two sentences 1st impression)
• Begin with an attention-grabbing anecdote, quote
  or surprising statement. Try to draw your reader
  in immediately, before you set up your thesis
  statement.
• Background information lead up to thesis
• Thesis Statement
• This sentence will identify the purpose and
  direction of the paper for the reader
• Think of your thesis as a mini-summary of your
  paper. If you only had time to explain your paper
  in one sentence, the thesis statement would be
  it.
• Often answers why and/or how?
• Must be debatable
• Should be contained in one sentence that is
  concise, to the point, and written clearly
• This should be the next to last or very last
  sentence of your introduction

5
Introduction

• Thesis Statements Examples
• A BAD Thesis
• Mountain climbing is a great experience.
• Umm. Why?
• An OK Thesis
• Mountain climbing can have a significant impact
  on ones life.
• The question remains why? This thesis is less
  general than the first one, but still has yet to
  answer why its impactful.
• An EXCELLENT Thesis
• Mountain climbing can have a significant impact
  on ones life due to the lesson one learns
  regarding overcoming any obstacle as long as the
  effort is put forth.
• This thesis is specific, interesting, and leaves
  room for the writer to go into detail about the
  experience in their body paragraphs.
• Three-Part Thesis Statement
• Mountain climbing can have a significant impact
  on ones life because it can reveal courage,
  teach teamwork, and provide an appreciation for
  nature.

6
Body Paragraphs

• Two Parts each body paragraph should have the
  following
• Main Ideas and Details
• You can have as many body paragraphs as you need
  points to argue you should typically have no
  fewer than 3, though.
• Main Ideas
• Each body paragraph should begin with a one
  sentence main idea.
• Each main idea should support the thesis
  statement clearly and obviously.
• Each main idea should be different.
• Even though the main ideas are all different,
  they should all be slightly related (through
  their support of the thesis).
• Details
• Following each main idea, you should have
  examples and support that proves both your main
  idea and thesis to fill up each body paragraph.
• You can have as many details as you feel
  necessary, as long as you cover the topic
  thoroughly.
• This is where your in-text citations come in. If
  you are using someone elses words or thoughts
  even if paraphrasing or summarizing you must
  cite it!

7
Conclusion

• Wrap-up material
• Your last paragraph should be a concluding
  paragraph.
• Again, do not state anything similar to In
  conclusion
• Just wrap up the essay without mentioning you are
  wrapping it up!
• You should include the following information in
  the wrap-up
• Summary of main points
• Restatement of thesis statement
• Answer any questions you think the reader might
  have at this point.

8
Works Cited

• If required to do so, works cited pages are
  attached to the end.
• The format of the works cited depends on the
  format of the paper
• MLA and APA have different requirements.
• The works cited always starts on a new page and
  is placed at the end of your essay.

9
General rules

• In a research or expository essay, never refer to
  yourself or address the reader directly.
• Do not use 1st person (I, me, myself, we, us) or
  2nd (you)
• You may only use 1st person if the topic is a
  reflection or narrative.
• Always use third-person pronouns (he, she, they,
  it)
• Never NEVER NEVER say
• In this essay I will discuss
• In conclusion
• Use formal language
• Do not use contractions
• Do not use slang (dough for money) or idioms
  (hit the road)
• Write in a respectful and serious tone
• Use vocabulary you know
• Do not just right click on a word, and choose a
  random synonym that you dont know. It doesnt
  always work!

10
General rules

• Choose vocabulary wisely
• Words such as stuff, things, like, good, great,
  etc. should NEVER be used!
• Choose words carefully they can change the
  meaning of an entire sentence. However, choose
  words that are specific enough for the sentence
  to be as clear as possible.
• You may be encouraged or required to include
  quoted material.
• Direct quotations (someones quote word for word)
• Indirect quotations (summarizing, paraphrasing,
  etc)
• EITHER WAY, YOU MUST CITE IT!
• Learn how to punctuate quotes correctly before
  using them. (ex. Commas and periods always
  go on the inside of the quotation marks.)

11
Introduction Practice

• Fix these thesis statements
• Summer camp is beneficial.
• Mountain biking is a good form of exercise.
• Flagstaff is a nice city. 
• Fishing is a fun and exciting sport.
• Michael Moore makes horrible movies.
• Fall is the best season of the year.
• Edgar Allen Poe is an important author.

12
Introduction Practice

• Thesis statements
• Summer camp is beneficial.
• Due to the valuable lessons one learns, summer
  camp is a beneficial experience for all children
  and teens.
• Flagstaff is a nice city. 
• With several historical sights and markers,
  Flagstaff is a chosen destination for tourists
  alike.
• Michael Moore makes horrible movies.
• Michael Moores movies are filled with
  controversy regarding todays cultural values,
  resulting in negative reviews.
• Edgar Allen Poe is an important author.
• Edgar Allen Poe, a classic American author,
  explores several dark issues including sin and
  evil, making him an interesting read for many.