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)
Essay and Paragraph Structure
Introduction
Paragraph
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph # 2
Body Paragraph # 3
Concluding
Paragraph
Broad Statement
Introduce topic
Introduction
Paragraph
Assertion 1
Assertion 2
Assertion 3
The Point
The thesis
Introductory Paragraph
Hook
Introduce
Topic
• Begin with a Hook to capture your reader’s attention
• It is a general sentence about your topic.
• Introduce the topic, the author and the title of the
play **Hint use the essay question to guide you**
ASSERTI • The next sentence should list your three
reasons/proofs
ONS
THESIS
• The Thesis
• The specific point you are trying to prove
Introductory Paragraph
Hook
Introduce
• 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.
Topic
ASSERTI
ONS
• 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
• A strong topic sentence clearly stating the
reason/proof upon which the paragraph will focus
(ASSERTION)
• Evidence directly from the text with MLA citation
Evidence
(PROOF)
Commentary
• Explanation that demonstrates how the reason/ proof
supports the pointA Concluding sentence that states
what you’ve proven in this paragraph and links the
reason/proof back to your thesis
Topic Sentence
• Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.
(ASSERTION)
•In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian
Evidence (PROOF)
and Explanation
Commentary
•Antonio feels betrayed by his friend:“Will you deny me now?/Is’t possible that my
deserts to you/Can lack persuasion?” (3.4.334-336)
•If Viola was not in disguise, Antonio would not mistake her for his friend Sebastian.
Mistaken identity causes confusion between Antonio and Viola. Viola’s disguise as a
man is the driving force of conflict within this scene.
•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
ASSERTION:
Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.
Evidence:
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 friend’s 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?/Is’t
possible that my deserts to you/Can lack persuasion?” (3.4.334-336).
Commentary:
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. Viola’s disguise as a man is the driving
force of conflict within this scene.
Commentary:
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
Secondly, in
addition, also,
additionally
Body
Paragraph
#2
Thirdly, lastly
Body
Paragraph
#3
1. Topic Sentence
(ASSERTION)
2. EVIDENCE
3. COMMENTARY
1. Topic Sentence
(ASSERTION)
2. EVIDENCE
3. COMMENTARY
1. Topic Sentence
(ASSERTION)
2. EVIDENCE
3. COMMENTARY
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 assertions
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
Assertions
•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.
Assertions
•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 (Can’t, won’t,
couldn’t)

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?
AEC Outline
Introduction
I.
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
Hook
Intro/Transition
Assertions
Thesis
Body Paragraph I
A. Assertion 1 (weakest)
B. Evidence
C. Commentary
1.
2.
Explain evidence
Connect evidence to assertion
AEC Outline
III.
Body Paragraph II
A. Assertion
B. Evidence
C. Commentary
1.
2.
Explain evidence
Connect evidence to assertion
Body Paragraph III (strongest)
V. Conclusion
IV.
A. Thesis
B. Assertions
C. Generalization