Writing an Essay
Essay Writing Workshop
Is this you?!
DO NOT PANIC!
Today we will learn how to write
an essay, step by step!
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 multi-paragraph
essays?

The first paragraph is an introductory
paragraph

The middle paragraph(s) are 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 prove/support
your opinion.

An opinion is always stronger when it has
more supporting facts (proof)
Fact

Fact is a true statement

Facts can be supported,
upheld and proven by
evidence
Opinion

An opinion is an individual’s
personal belief on a subject

Everyone is welcome to
have an opinion, but not
every opinion is based on
fact

Opinions can be based on
what a person has heard
from others, and is
therefore subject to bias
Fact is Stronger than Opinion

For this reason, make sure that you
phrase and word your essays as if they
are FACT, not simply OPINION
How will learning how to write an
essay help me in the future?
You need to write essays in many classes
in high school and college.
 Writing is “thinking on paper;” if you can
write well, odds are you also think/reason
well.

Essay and Paragraph Structure
Introduction
Paragraph
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph # 2
Body Paragraph # 3
Concluding
Paragraph
Hook Statement
Introduce topic
Introduction
Paragraph
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
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 if
applicable. Hint: use the essay question or writing
prompt to guide you.
Three • The next sentence should list your three reasons/proofs
reasons
THESIS • Thesis: The specific point you are trying to prove
Introductory Paragraph Option 1
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
Three
reasons
THESIS
• 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
• Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.
Introductory Paragraph Option 2
Hook
Introduce
Topic
The 3Point
Thesis
Combines
reasons
w/thesis
• 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
humor throughout the play, and allow characters to explore different
class and gender identities;
• therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth
Night.
Paragraph Format Option 1
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 humor and allow
characters to explore different class and
gender identities. Therefore, disguises and
costumes are key elements in the play
Twelfth Night.
Paragraph Format Option 2
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 humor and allow
characters to explore different class and
gender identities; therefore, 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
(POINT)
Evidence (PROOF)
and Explanation
Concluding
sentence
• A strong topic sentence clearly stating the
reason/proof upon which the paragraph
will focus
• Evidence and Explanation that
demonstrates how the reason/ proof
supports the point
• A 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.
(POINT)
•In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian
•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)
Evidence (PROOF)
and Explanation
Concluding
sentence
•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 Twelfth Night because
they create confusion between characters and lead to conflict in the plot.
Paragraph Format
Point:
Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night.
Proof:
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).
Explanation:
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.
Concluding sentence:
Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in Twelfth Night because they
create confusion between characters and cause conflict in the plot.
TRANSITIONS
Firstly,
Secondly, in
addition, also,
additionally
Thirdly, lastly,
finally
Body
Paragraph
#1
Topic Sentence
(point)
Proof
Explanation
Conclusion
Body
Paragraph
#2
Topic Sentence
(Point)
Proof
Explanation
Conclusion
Body
Paragraph
#3
Topic Sentence
(Point)
Proof
Explanation
Conclusion
Use 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.
Finally, disguises and costumes allow
characters to explore different class and
gender identities.
Concluding Paragraph
Restate thesis
Concluding
Paragraph
Restate your three
points
Finish with a broad
concluding sentence
about the topic
Thesis
Points
Concluding
sentence
• Begin by restating your thesis or the point
you attempted to prove in your essay
•The next sentence(s) should restate your
three reasons/proofs: A,B,C
• Finish with a broad concluding sentence
about your topic in general
•Disguises and costumes are used throughout William Shakespeare's play Twelfth
Night, and they are crucial components in the play.
Thesis
Points
•Disguises and costumes lead to mistaken identities within the play creating
confusion between characters and causing conflict within the plot.
•Also, disguises and costumes add humor 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.
Concluding •Without the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play, Twelfth Night,
sentence
audiences would not find the play nearly so entertaining.
Paragraph Format
Disguises and costumes are used throughout William
Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, and they are crucial
components in the play. Disguises and costumes lead to
mistaken identities within the play causing confusion
between characters and creating various conflicts within the
plot. Also, disguises and costumes add humor to 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. Without the use of
disguises and costumes throughout the play, Twelfth Night,
audiences would not find the play nearly so entertaining.
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?
And that is how it is done!