Essay Shaping & Development
S&S
2, 3, & 4
2m
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Using incubation
When you allow your ideas to
incubate,
you give them time to grow and
develop.
Incubation works especially well
when you need to solve a problem in
your writing
(for example, if your material is
skimpy, the material tries to covers too
much, or connections among your
ideas are not stated clearly enough).
• Time
• is a key
element
• for
• successful
incubation!
Arrange your time to make sure that you will not be
interrupted.
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You need time to think,
to allow your mind to wander,
and then to come back and
focus on the writing.
Sometimes incubating an idea
overnight can help you discover or
clarify an idea.
One strategy to stimulate useful incubation is to turn your attention to something entirely unrelated to
your writing problem. Concentrate very hard on that other matter so that your conscious mind is totally
distracted from the writing problem. After a while, relax and guide your mind back to the writing problem
you want to solve.
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Another strategy is
to allow your mind to relax and
wander,
without concentrating on anything in
particular.
Open your mind to random thoughts,
but do not dwell on any one thought
very long.
After a while, guide your mind back to
the writing problem you are trying to
solve.
When you come back to the writing
problem,
you might see solutions that did not
occur to you before.
Mind Mapping
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Mapping, also called clustering or webbing,
is similar to brainstorming;
It is more visual, so it helps writers who are
more comfortable with such an approach.
Many writers find that mapping frees them
to think more creatively as they associate
ideas more easily.
SEE:
http://www.maps.jcu.edu.au/netshare/learn/m
indmap/essayprep.html
AND
http://www.maps.jcu.edu.au/netshare/learn/m
indmap/
Paragraphs
S&S 4
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The TOPIC SENTENCE contains
the main idea of a paragraph;
The TOPIC SENTENCE shapes and
controls the content of the rest of
the paragraph.
Some paragraphs use two
sentences to present a main idea. In
such cases, the topic sentence is
followed by a limiting or clarifying
sentence, which serves to narrow
the paragraph’s focus.
Student writers are often advised to
use topic sentences so that their
essays will be clearly organized and
their paragraphs will not stray from
the main idea.
Most paragraphs place the topic
sentence first so that a reader knows
immediately what to expect.
• Following the topic
sentence,
• 3 SUPPORTING
DETAILS should follow,
then a
• TRANSITION to the next
paragraph.
• Outlining can help plan
paragraphs.
Always keep a small writing pad with you, for
brainstorming, mind-mapping, outlining, and creative evolvement!
Outlining helps when your writing is
progressing toward a more structured set of
ideas.
Following is an outline of an essay:
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Thesis: Gurov is in love with Anna; this becomes
apparent through his thoughts, actions, and
behavior towards her.
OUTLINE:
I. Gurov’s thoughts
A. Supports assertion of love
1. Anna becomes necessary to his life
2. He’s haunted with memories of her.
B. He needs to be with Anna
II. Gurov’s actions
A. He becomes irritated without Anna.
B. He goes to her.
III. Gurov’s behaviors
A. Speaks softly, lovingly;
B. Compassionate;
C. Sincere
Note that the thesis has 3 points-• Gurov is in love with Anna;
• this becomes apparent through his thoughts,
(point 1)
• actions, (point 2)
• and
• behavior towards her (point 3).
Following is the essay that matches
the previous outline
ESSAY Example
PARAGRAPH 1:
INTRODUCTION
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The bracketed text illustrates modifying quotes—
--See S&S Part V./31
Christy Beaumont
Feelings of Love
Love is a powerful emotion that knows no boundaries. Nor does love always act
logically. Love cannot be programmed into people; it just happens. Sometimes
when people are not even looking for love, it finds them. Anton Chekhov uses
realistic details in the hundreds of short stories he has written, especially when it
comes to emotions like love. In Anton Chekhov's short story, "The Lady with the
Pet Dog," the main character, Gurov, finds himself helplessly falling in love even as
he scoffs at the idea of love. Through Gurov's thoughts, actions and behavior
regarding Anna during their affair in Yalta, the reader can sense that Gurov is
falling in love with Anna from the moment he first spots her walking with her dog,
even though Gurov himself does not seem to be aware of his depth of love for her
until the end of the story, when he catches his reflection in a mirror.
Paragraph 1
Part 2
(Introduction continued)
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Gurov seems shocked to see "his hair already beginning to turn gray--that
he [has] grown so much older--[and that he has] lost his looks" (Chekhov
180). It is as if his mortality is looking back at him and forcing him to see
clearly who he truly is. "Only now when his head [is] gray he [has] fallen
in love, really, truly-for the first time in his life" (Chekhov 180). Gurov is
really in love with Anna, and this can be seen also through his thoughts,
actions ,and behavior towards Anna.
Note that the first point in the thesis is the TOPIC
SENTENCE of the first body paragraph (that is, the first
paragraph that follows the introduction)-Gurov's thoughts of Anna show how he's falling
in love with her.
Essay Example
Paragraph 2 (or FIRST “Body Paragraph”)
The TOPIC SENTENCE IS UNDERLINED.
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Gurov's thoughts of Anna show how he's falling in love with her. In the
beginning of their affair, Gurov believes their affair is just "another
episode or adventure in his life" (Chekhov 175). Gurov believes this affair
with Anna will end and become just another distant memory for him.
After Gurov and Anna part ,because she is needed back home to tend to
her husband, Gurov becomes haunted with memories of her. As the
months pass, "his memories [of Anna] glow more and more vividly"
(Checkhov 175). Desperately needing to see Anna again, Gurov goes to the
town where she lives and locates her in a theatre. When he "[looks] at her
his heart [contracts,] and he [understands] clearly that in the whole world
there [is] no human being so near, so precious, and so important to him
[Anna fulfills] his whole life now (Chekhov 177).
Essay Example
Paragraph 3
Part 1
THE TOPIC SENTENCE IS UNDERLINED.
• Furthermore, Gurov's actions toward Anna throughout
the story show he loves her by wanting to be with her as
close and often as possible. When they are together "he
[will] not move a step away from her (Chekhov 174).
When Anna has to suddenly go back home, Gurov they
[drive] the whole day" (Chekhov 174). This shows that
even when Gurov is faced with what looks like the end
of their affair, he is still willing to offer comfort and
companionship to Anna.
Paragraph 3
Part 2
• After being separated from Anna, Gurov becomes
restless and is "tormented by a strong desire to share
his memories [of Anna] with someone" (Chekhov 176).
Gurov becomes irritated with his life when he comes
back home, and he becomes "fed up with his children,
fed up with the bank; he [has] no desire to go anywhere
or to talk of anything" Chekhov 176). When Gurov
decides he must see Anna again for his sanity, he finds
himself outside of her home with "his heart beating
violently" with the thought of seeing her again
(Chekhov 177).
Essay Example
Paragraph 4
THE TOPIC SENTENCE IS UNDERLINED.
• Also, Gurov's behavior throughout the story shows how his
feelings for Anna are of true love. During their affair, Gurov
speaks softly and lovingly to Anna, always trying to displace her
sadness with happiness. Gurov would "[look] into her fixed,
frightened eyes, [kiss] her, [speak] to her softly and affectionately,
and by degrees [calm her] down (Chekhov 173). This shows that
Gurov can be compassionate and sympathetic towards a female,
which proves that love has changed him. Before he met Anna and
fell in love with her, he "almost always spoke ill of women [and]
used to call them the inferior race" Chekhov 170). Also, at the end
of the story, Gurov admits to himself that "he [feels] profound
compassion, [and] he want[s] to be sincere and tender" (Chekhov
180).
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
Therefore, through these thoughts, actions, and behaviors
of Gurov, it is apparent that he has become
a changed person because of love. In the past, Gurov
was never willing to continue a relationship once it
became complicated, but now with Anna, "what [is] to
be [the] most complicated and difficult for them [is]
only just [the] beginning (Chekhov 180).
Word Count: 781
Another essay follows.
Note the strong organization.
Paragraph 1—
The THESIS is UNDERLINED_
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Nebraska and Summer
By
Jared McKinnon
Nebraska and Summer
In "Nebraska," Ron Hansen depicts the setting of a small town in the
state of Nebraska. The tone of the setting in the story is comparable to
that of David Updike's short story, "Summer”, in that it has a very
straightforward and light tone. A comparison of the tone of the setting in
"Nebraska" and that of "Summer" can be described by the literary
elements of each story, an analysis of the tone in "Nebraska," and an
assessment of the tone in "Summer."
Essay Example
Paragraph 2
• The plot, setting, and theme of the two stories are the
main characteristics that differentiate the literary
elements of "Nebraska" and "Summer." The plot of
"Nebraska" never forms the action of the story, nor
does it ever focus the action toward a particular
direction. However, the plot of "Summer" is fixed
toward a specific direction in that Homer's love for
Sandra creates the action of the story, which ultimately
results in Sandra returning Homer's love.
Paragraph 2
Part 2
• The setting of "Nebraska" is at a small town in
Nebraska. In comparison, the setting of "Summer" is
at a cabin on a lake during the season of summer. The
theme of "Nebraska" is about the physical constraints
that are related to a small town in Nebraska. However,
the theme of "Summer" is about Homer's love being
acknowledged by Sandra during the season of summer.
Essay Example
Paragraph 3
• The tone of "Nebraska" can be characterized by the
author's mood, the author's ability to make the tone
remain consistent, and the way in which the author
conveys the tone to the reader. The author's attitude
toward the people in town is considered to be very
affectionate. According to Rob Hansen, "Everyone is
famous in this town. And everyone is necessary"
(Hansen 145). The author's ability to make the tone of
the setting remain consistent is illustrated through the
various glimpses that connect to one another.
Paragraph 3
Part 2
• The landscape that is viewed from the perspective of a
person on a train and the town that is viewed from the
perspective a person that lives in town, for example, are
integrated together in order to establish the view of the
whole town. The way in which the author delivers the
tone to the reader is considered to be public in that the
author's thoughts are shared openly, rather than that of
a secret nature.
Essay Example
Paragraph 4
• The tone of "Summer" can be described by the
author's mood, the author's ability to make the tone
adaptable, and the way in which the author conveys the
tone to the reader. The author's frame of mind is happy
and relaxed in that the setting is at a cabin on a lake,
and the events that occur during the summer are
tiresome. The author's ability to make the tone
adaptable is illustrated through the conclusion of the
story.
Paragraph 4
Part 2
• Updike wrote, "It was only then, in the presence of the
family, that he realized she was his accomplice, and
that, though this was as far as it would ever go, his love
had been returned" (Updike 275). The tone of the story
changes from happy and relaxed to sad and sorrowful
in the conclusion. The way in which the author delivers
the tone to the reader is very private in that Homer's
feelings are revealed to the reader, and they are not
revealed to the other characters within the story.
Essay Example
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
• A comparison of the tone of the setting in "Nebraska"
and that of "Summer" can be described by the literary
elements of each story, an analysis of the tone in
"Nebraska," and an assessment of the tone in
"Summer." The plot, setting, and theme of the stories
are the main things that characterize the literary
elements of "Nebraska" and "Summer." The tone of
"Nebraska" can be characterized by the author's
affectionate attitude, the author's ability to make the
tone remain consistent, and the public way in which the
author conveys the tone to the reader.
Paragraph 5
Part 2
Conclusion
• The tone of "Summer" can be characterized by the author's
joyous frame of mind, the author's ability to make the tone
adaptable, and the private way in which the author delivers the
tone to the reader. The main difference between the tones of the
two stories is that David Updike uses a tone that is regularly
changing because of the events that occur within the story, and
that Rob Hansen uses a tone that is unchanging because the plot
does not ever fully develop into a conflict.
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Word Count: 755
Ask both the CAA and the
CCSU Library for books with sample essays!
At the CAA, ask to see:
1-The Regents Preparation book;
AND
2-_The Polishing Cloth_, a collection of essays.
(Ask Estelle, if you can’t find them!)
The following essay is on a topic
from
http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrtp/topics.htm
INTRODUCTION:
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Jamie King
Regents Essay
Prompt:
Should stricter laws be enacted banning billboards along our major highways?
Why or why not?
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PARAGRAPH ONE:
Billboards have become a typical part of American highways. These
advertisements that live high in the sky most often exist to inform people
of what material possessions they need to obtain (as if Americans are not
already bombarded with commercials on television and radio enough!).
The laws governing the placement of billboards should be further
evaluated because, many times, these advertisements are unsightly,
distracting, and inappropriate.
Paragraph 2
(First “Body paragraph”)
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These elevated advertisements can receive the credit for filling up roadside with
unsightly clutter. Nature's beauty is taken away from for the sake of the possibility
of merchants making a few extra dollars. Most of the time, motorists are driving
too fast to completely read the billboards anyway!
Many times, if a billboard has not been properly maintained, it will be ripped or
have a hole in it because of weather conditions, giving the area containing the
billboard an un-kept and run-down appearance. The quantity of these
advertisements in an area can also be blamed for the lack of beauty there.
Often, the street-side-billboard population is most likely that of the missing or
found pets living in that area, or the selling of pyramid sales-items, or other
questionable announcements.
The sum literature on a combination of advertisements can become equivalent to
that of equivalent a short novel to be read while driving.
Paragraph 3
(Second “Body Paragraph”)
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Billboards can serve as a major source of distraction for motorists. Lawmakers
have become very concerned with promoting highway safety, yet nothing has been
done to eliminate these sometimes very detailed and descriptive ads.
Billboards are designed to get the attention of motorists. Some of them flip or
rotate, while others have moving characters on them. Others have flashing lights or
are attractively illuminated.
If one's focus is placed on the message given by the billboard, his or her focus
cannot possibly be on the road. This lack of attention not only poses a threat to the
given driver, but it also threatens the passengers of the surrounding vehicles.
Paragraph 4
(Third “Body Paragraph”)
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Although the number is few, some of these ads contain messages and
suggestions that are inappropriate for children and other audiences,
threatening people in a different means other than physical.
Billboards sometimes promote cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
Nightclubs are advertised that feature strippers. The companies that
promote adult substances and promote what is offensive to women should
not be allowed to advertise in a public arena for all to see. Everyone has to
use the highway at one point or another. Individuals are forced to see the
offensive material whether they want to or not.
Paragraph 5
CONCLUSION
• Although billboards produce revenue for companies, the
elimination of them would be much more profitable.
• Individuals would see the profits in a more beautiful environment,
fewer traffic accidents, and a more pleasant and wholesome
driving experience-• --Our culture, our neighborhoods, should value pleasant and
wholesome driving experiences, since so many of us spend so much
time driving!
• As a healthier society, we would be a more productive, progressive
culture, remembered by future generations for changing the tide
from a raped earth to a respected earth--Mother Earth!
Remember to use the following
Essay Development Outline to plan your essays--
http://as.clayton.edu/walsh/ENGL1101/essay%2
0outline.htm
REMEMBER
• Writing is a process!
• This process is timeconsuming!
• You must :
• Plan,
• Edit, &
• Revise
• Many times!
Remember:
both learning
and good writing
take time!
It’s
Time for a Break!