Essay Writing
The E.O.I. “Monster”
YOU CAN SUCCEED!!!
YOU CAN BEAT
THE MONSTER
and make it
painless
by following a few
simple steps and
“rules”.
Typical 5-paragraph essay
Introduction with topic sentence
Body Paragraph with point & 3 facts/supports
Body Paragraph with point & 3 facts/supports
Body Paragraph with point & 3 facts/supports
Conclusion
BEFORE you begin writing:
*You should read your prompt at
least “three” times.
Why??? To make sure you
understand mode & prompt
*You should make an outline.
Why??? You are graded on
organization.
Think P.A.C.O.
• P-What is your purpose?
• A- Who is your audience?
• C- Content --What are your
ideas for details, facts, or
reasons?
• O- Organization --Think
how you want to structure
your paper.
Modes of Writing
•
•
•
•
Expository--explain, tell how
Descriptive—describe (all 5 senses)
Persuasive---persuade or convince
Narrative-- tell about a time
when, tell a story
• Reflective—”reflect” back and
write about a special moment or
memory
What is a narrative essay?
Has chronological order
and sequence of events.
• Has action.
• Has conflicts or
problems.
• Has dialogue.
Do you think there is a
love story here?
• Has characters.
• Has a definite
beginning, middle and
end.
• Tells a story.
What are the key words that show a
prompt is narrative?
• WRITE A STORY
or
• TELL ABOUT A TIME,
or
• TELL WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
You and your friend find a big box that is labeled “Do Not
Open.” Your friend wants to open the box. Write a story about
what happens next.
Tell about a time when you made a serious mistake.
Two little girls found a wallet on the sidewalk. Tell what
happened next.
STORY TITLE
Introduction
Use this
type of
web for
a
Event
Event
CLIMAX
Event
Narrative
Event
ENDING
How to get your story rolling
• Begin by
describing a
character.
LaDarius Smith, a
star on our school
basketball team, is
very lucky.
Get the story rolling with
dialogue
“What’s that smell?”
the sophomores
complained.
“Finish your experiment
and we’ll head
outside to get away
from it,” said their
teacher.
What punctuation goes
with the words said?
Did you say quotation
marks? You’re right!
Get the story rolling
Provide a “where” with
prepositional
phrases:
• Near the park
• Below the surface of
the water
• In Chicago
• Throughout the
crowded room
• Inside the lunchroom
Here’s an excellent beginning from a
real student…
• It was an early Tuesday
morning in Tokyo, Japan.
The sun started to rise
over Juan Lee’s house.
Boom! Juan Lee and his
friend Jen went to see
what was with all of the
commotion. Then the
door came crashing
down. It turned out that
Juan’s Aunt Lee kicked
the door down.
How does he start his
story? How does he grab
interest?
Prompt:
Think about a time when something
unexpected happened. Write a
narrative essay in which you tell about
an unexpected event that happened to
you or someone you
know. Be sure to
include specific details
so that your reader
can follow your story.
*Try to get the reader involved in your story.
*Use bright, strong, touchy images and
expressions (“bright,” not in the meaning you are
going to say that the sun is shining brightly, but in
the sense the images you are using touch the soul
of your reader).
*Use dialogue!
*Don’t be afraid to joke.
*Don’t be afraid to sound funny or extraordinary.
*Do not be afraid to question traditional views.
*If you believe you have something new to say –
say it.
Now… your turn… 
Write a narrative about a person or
character who overcame an obstacle or
a difficult situation. The character must
be a person from history or from
literature, movies, or television.
What is a descriptive essay?
– DESCRIBES an object
or place
_use as many of your
five senses as you can
*sight
*hear
*smell
*taste
*touch
High School Descriptive Prompts
1. Think about your favorite season, and then write an essay
describing that season. Include sensory details so that a
reader can imagine what it is like to experience the season,
and make sure it is clear from your description why this
season is your favorite.
2. Think of a time when you experienced a rainstorm. In a
composition, use sensory details to describe what the
rainstorm was like so that a classmate could clearly imagine
the experience.
3. Most people have a place where they feel comfortable and
relaxed. Think of a place where you feel comfortable and
relaxed. Picture it in your mind. In a composition, describe
this place for your classmates so that they can imagine what
it is like and how you feel there.
What is an expository essay?
• …Gives facts.
• …Explains.
• …Gives steps in a
process.
• …Presents ideas in
logical order or correct
sequence.
What are the key words that show it
is an expository prompt?
Most people enjoy some type of music. Think
about your favorite type of music and explain
why you like that particular type of music.
Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at
times. Explain how you would direct a lost
man to get back to the interstate highway
from your neighborhood.
Tell how to make a hamburger.
YOU WILL FINDTHESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT
EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.
Sample Prompts:
1. Write an essay explaining the importance of being able to
see a situation from another person's point of view.
2. Write an essay explaining why it is important to forgive.
3. Music plays an important role in every culture and in every
individual's life. Write an essay explaining the role music
plays in your culture or in your own life.
4. Write an essay explaining what makes a great leader.
1ST PARAGRAPH
Introduce your topic
Give 3 details, reasons, facts or steps in a process
You will talk about in your paper.
2ND PARAGRAPH
3RD PARAGRAPH
4TH PARAGRAPH
KEY IDEA
D(details)
P (reasons)
E (facts/steps)
KEY IDEA
D(details)
P (reasons)
E (facts/steps)
KEY IDEA
D(details)
P (reasons)
E (facts/steps)
explanation
explanation
explanation
elaboration
elaboration
elaboration
examples
examples
examples
KEY IDEA
KEY IDEA
KEY IDEA
explanation
explanation
explanation
elaboration
elaboration
elaboration
examples
examples
examples
5TH PARAGRAPH
Conclusion
Summarize the points
you made in the essay
go back to the introduction
Introduction
Reason #1
Reason #2
Reason #3
(Evidence #1)
(Evidence #2)
(Evidence #3)
Example
Explanation/
Commentary
Example
Explanation/
Commentary
Example
Elaboration
Elaboration
Elaboration
OR
Explanation/
Commentary
Conclusion
= Transitions
What is a persuasive essay?
• You are asked to
prove something.
• Give reasons why.
• Present arguments
against your
reasons. Show them
to be false.
• Take a stand
• Ask or call for an
action.
What are the key words that show it’s a persuasive
prompt?
1. Your city council is considering a proposal that
would ban the use of cell phones in privately owned
businesses such as restaurants, movie theaters,
and retail stores. Violators would be subject to a
fine. What is your position on this issue? Write a
letter in which you convince the city council to
support your position, giving strong evidence for
your reasons.
Persuasive Prompt
2. In some countries every
young person must serve
two years of military
service. Should we have
a similar policy in the
United States? Write an
essay stating your
position on this issue and
supporting it with
convincing reasons. Be
sure to explain your
reasons in detail.
Persuasive Prompt
3. Your state legislature is considering a
bill that would require a person to
earn a high school diploma before he or she
could receive a driver's license. What is your
position on this issue? Write a letter to
convince your state legislature to accept
your point of view.
YOU WILL NOTICE THE WORDS PERSUADE, CONVINCE
OR TELL WHY SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.