Things you should already know…
0 You should always write an essay in blue or blank ink
– the only exception to this is writing with a pencil.
0 Do not EVER draw on your essay paper – it makes the
person reading take you and your position less
seriously.
0 Proof-read what you turn in – make sure all words are
spelled correctly.
Organization
0 Introduction: State your
idea or position. Capture
the readers attention with a
quote, phrase, or anecdote.
0 Body: This consists of
several paragraphs which
outline the reasons and
supporting details
surrounding your idea or
position.
0 Conclusion: This is where
you include your counter
argument and final thought.
Organization
Capitalization
0 You only put a capital letter at the beginning of a
sentence or when you are writing a proper noun.
0 Do not capitalize random words in your sentences.
Words you should NOT start a sentence with.
0
0
0
0
And
Or
Because
But
0 Remember that when you are asked to write an essay for
school or testing it is always a formal exercise.
Informal:
But we hope to write an agreement today.
Formal:
0
R
Formal:
However, we look forward to writing an agreement
today.
Nevertheless, we look forward to completing the
agreement today
Transitional Words/Phrases
0 Using transitional words/phrases helps papers read smoothly, and at the
same time allows the reader to flow more smoothly from one point to the next.
0 Transitions which can be used to conclude or summarize:
As a result
To sum up
In conclusion
All in all
Finally
Therefore
In summary
In closing
0 Transitions which can be used to compare two things:
Likewise
Also
Similarly
0 Transitions which can be used to contrast things (show differences):
On the other hand
Although However
Still
Even though
0 Transitions which can be used to add information:
Additionally For example For instance Another
In addition
Transitional Words/Phrases
0 Avoid using simple transitions such as;
Firstly
Secondly
Thirdly
0 Remember that you almost always put a comma
after a transition word/phrase.
Always write out…
0 Numbers – instead of writing out the
number 2, write out the number two.
0 Instead of writing out “ok” write out
the entire word “okay.”
0 Instead of writing out “b/c” write out
“because.”
0 Instead of writing “r” write out the
word “are.”
0 Instead of writing “u” write out the
word “you.”
0 Remember you NEVER want to use
text or note writing language.
Sentence Fragment
0 A sentence fragment is a sentence that:
0 Does not express a complete thought 0 Example: Joe is. This sentence is lacking a complete thought- Joe is
"something" but we don't know what Joe is.
0 Is lacking a subject
0 Example: Eating chicken. This sentence is lacking a subject-who or
what is eating chicken?
0 Is lacking an action
0 Example: A book without a cover. What about a book without a
cover? Is the book doing something? Is someone doing something
to the book? We don't know, because there is no subject
Correcting a Sentence Fragment
0 The appropriate correction for sentence fragments depends on what is
lacking. The sentence can be corrected by adding in a subject, or verb,
joining the dependent clause with an independent clause, or completing
the thought.
0 For example, each of the sentence fragments previously can be corrected:
0 "Joe is" can be corrected by adding an adjective describing what Joe is
being. For example, "Joe is smart." The sentence now expresses a
complete thought.
0 "Eating chicken" can be corrected by adding a subject. "Ann is eating
chicken." "Eating chicken" could also become the subject. "Eating chicken
is healthy." In this second correction, the subject is eating chicken, and it
is doing the action of being healthy.
0 "A book without a cover" can be corrected by adding an action, and either
a subject or object. "I am reading a book without a cover." I is the subject,
am reading is the action, a book becomes the object.
Break up your thought…
0 Avoid run-on sentences that have multiple points but
no punctuation breaks.
0 Remember periods and commas are necessary when
writing an essay – or any type of writing really.
0 Example:
Wrong
I think the governor should not allow
teenagers to drive other teenagers because it
can cause a lot of accidents and I think it would
be better for everyone if teenagers only drove
with adults.
Right
I think the governor should not allow teenagers to
drive other teenagers because it can cause a lot of
accidents. I think it would be better for everyone if
teenagers only drove with adults.
Helpful Hints
0 You should never write one or two paragraphs for
a formal essay.
0 You must support your position and to do that
correctly you need to write four to six solid
paragraphs.
0 Remember that a paragraphs has at least five
sentences.
0 Avoid repetitive sentences.