Essay Writing
Using the Writing Process and the 6 Writing Traits
The Structure of an Essay
I.
Introduction/Lead
a. attracts the reader's _______________ and ________________.
b. reveals the writer's _________________ and previews what will be
written about.
II. Body
a. explains and supports the writer's viewpoint.
b. achieves _____________ by expanding on the viewpoint.
c. achieves _________________ by presenting information in sentences
and paragraphs which are in logical order.
III. Conclusion/Close
a. reemphasizes the viewpoint.
b. sums up the message and brings it to a definite end.
Planning (Pre-Writing)
I.
Content and Ideas
a. Choose a ________________
i. Try to choose a topic that is of interest to you (discuss this with
your teacher).
ii. Make sure it is a topic that can be effectively covered given the
guidelines and instructions of the assignment (length, type of
essay, etc.).
iii. Try to choose a topic that will be of interest to your readers.
b. Compose a _________________ statement
i. The purpose statement is your guide and goal as you go through
the planning stage.
1. “To convince the reader that Campbell Collegiate provides
the best high school experience in Regina” (persuasive)
2. “To describe the many unique positive attributes of
Campbell Collegiate.” (informative/expository)
3. “To reminisce about the best memories of my years at
Campbell Collegiate” (personal/narrative)
c. Gather information
i. __________________ for ideas from your own mind
ii. __________________ from a variety of reliable sources (on-line
databases, encyclopedia, books, Internet, newspaper/magazines,
E-mails/interviews with experts, etc.). Make sure to keep track of
your source information for documentation.
iii. Consider your _______________; what questions will they have,
or what information will they need?
iv. You should gather more information than you need. If you use all
of your research and ideas, you likely haven’t researched or
brainstormed enough.
II.
Organization
a. Organize your information into main points (usually ____________ main
points/body paragraphs is sufficient)
i. Organize your paragraphs logically
1. use __________________ order if the order of events or
information is important for the reader’s comprehension.
2. if your organization is not chronological, start off strong by
using one of your best main points first and finish off strong
by saving your best main point for last.
ii. Create an outline
1. each body paragraph should have one __________ point
(your topic sentence).
2. each main point should be supported by several sub
points.
3. each sub point should be supported by your research and
__________________ (proof).
b. Write your ______________ statement
i. This is the sentence that usually appears at the _______ of your
introductory paragraph and clearly communicates the main idea of
your essay in one sentence.
1. take a definite stand
ii. It often previews your three main points.
1. “Campbell Collegiate provides the best high school
experience in Regina due to the cultural mosaic of the
student body, the breadth of academic course offerings,
and the outstanding co-curricular programs.
iii. It should have a sharp ___________, and a definite and
significant _______________.
1. if there is no focus, your essay will ramble on without
sufficiently addressing a main idea.
2. if the thesis is not definite, you will not have an assertive
voice, and your argument will have a weak tone.
3. if your main idea is not significant (the readers already
agree with your main idea, or they don’t care about it), your
essay has no relevance.
c. Plan your introduction and conclusion paragraphs
i. Your introductory paragraph has three parts.
1. ________________________
a. a relevant quotation from someone significant.
b. a dictionary definition for an abstract concept.
c. a brief anecdote (story) that relates to your topic.
d. a brief description that creates a strong image in
your reader’s mind.
e. a startling fact or statistic
f.
a background story that uses a news story or
historical fact.
g. A thought provoking question.
2. ___________________
a. develop the introduction of your topic by leading
from the attention grabber to the thesis statement
b. the importance and relevance of your topic should
be emphasized
3. thesis statement
ii. Your concluding paragraph also has three parts
1. _____________ your thesis statement to re-emphasize
your main idea.
2. briefly ____________ your main points, address opposing
viewpoints, or add other minor points that support your
main idea.
3. close with a memorable sentence
a. quotation
b. a challenge to the reader to take action
c. question
d. a clever, humorous or poignant statement
III.
Voice
d. Decide on your ___________
i. It should be consistent with your topic, purpose, and audience.
Drafting (Writing)
I.
Sentence Fluency
a. Use short sentences for ________________.
b. Use longer sentences for description, elaboration or making connections.
c. Try to vary your sentence structure and length in a way that will enhance
the communication of your ideas.
II.
Organization
a. You can enhance the organization and flow of your essay by using
__________________ sentences to link paragraphs.
III.
Word Choice
a. Strive to choose words that are concise and specific.
i. Make careful use of a dictionary or thesaurus.
b. Consider your audience; don’t use vocabulary or _______________ that
is either confusing or simplistic.
c. Don’t use big words just to sound smart; make sure that the words you
choose are the most effective words to clearly communicate your ideas in
an interesting way.
d. Avoid bland or overused words (good, nice, bad, sort of, stuff, cool, etc.)
e. Avoid slang or swear words (crappy, sweet, etc.) unless they have a
specific purpose and are appropriate for your voice, audience and essay.
IV. Voice
a. If you have chosen a topic that is interesting and important to you, your
___________________ should be expressed in your writing.
b. Your voice should be confident and assertive.
c. Make sure your voice is appropriate to your _____________, audience
and essay (humorous, serious, sarcastic, formal, familiar, etc.).
d. Avoid using spoken language (don’t write as you would speak).
V. Conventions
a. Make sure to use the correct format for your essay (font size and style,
spacing, heading/cover page, documentation/works cited, etc.).
Revising and Editing (Post Writing)
I.
After writing, take some time away from the essay (at least a day) to give
yourself a clearer perspective for revision.
II.
Revision
a. Content and Ideas
i. Make sure your essay has achieved its purpose and sufficiently
supported the thesis statement.
1. Are there any details or information that need to be added
or deleted?
b. Organization
i. Does the introduction paragraph grab the reader’s attention and
interest, and clearly preview the main idea of the essay and its
importance?
ii. Are the body paragraphs clearly organized with a main point, sub
points, support/proof and transitions?
iii. Does the conclusion sum up the essay without being repetitive
and leave the reader with a strong impression?
c. Voice
i. Is the voice appropriate and interesting for your audience.
ii. Are there clichés, overly informal phrases or spoken language that
need to be eliminated?
III.
Editing
a. Sentence Fluency
i. Are all of your sentences complete (avoiding fragments, comma
splices, run-ons, etc.)?
ii. Are your sentences wordy; can you simplify without being
simplisitic?
iii. Did you use variety in your sentence length and structure for
appropriate effect and variety?
iv. Are any sentences redundant?
b. Word Choice
i. Can you choose different words to improve coherence?
ii. Are all of your words spelled and used correctly?
b. .Conventions
i. Check your format and documentation.
1. avoid plagiarism by documenting any information that you
obtained through research from other sources.
ii. Check your capitalization and punctuation.
Presentation
I.
Make sure your essay looks professional, and is your best effort.
II.
Hand it in with confidence.
Using the Writing Process and the 6 Writing Traits
The Structure of an Essay
VI. Introduction/Lead
a. attracts the reader's attention and interest.
b. reveals the writer's viewpoint and previews what will be written about.
VII.
Body
a. explains and supports the writer's viewpoint.
b. achieves unity by expanding on the viewpoint.
c. achieves coherence by presenting information in sentences and
paragraphs which are in logical order.
VIII.
Conclusion/Close
a. reemphasizes the viewpoint.
b. sums up the message and brings it to a definite end.
Planning (Pre-Writing)
IV.
Content and Ideas
a. Choose a topic
i. Try to choose a topic that is of interest to you (discuss this with
your teacher).
ii. Make sure it is a topic that can be effectively covered given the
guidelines and instructions of the assignment (length, type of
essay, etc.).
iii. Try to choose a topic that will be of interest to your readers.
b. Compose a purpose statement
i. The purpose statement is your guide and goal as you go through
the planning stage.
1. “To convince the reader that Campbell Collegiate provides
the best high school experience in Regina” (persuasive)
2. “To describe the many unique positive attributes of
Campbell Collegiate.” (informative/expository)
3. “To reminisce about the best memories of my years at
Campbell Collegiate” (personal/narrative)
c. Gather information
i. Brainstorm for ideas from your own mind
ii. Research from a variety of reliable sources (on-line databases,
encyclopedia, books, Internet, newspaper/magazines, Emails/interviews with experts, etc.). Make sure to keep track of
your source information for documentation.
iii. Consider your audience; what questions will they have, or what
information will they need?
iv. You should gather more information than you need. If you use all
of your research and ideas, you likely haven’t researched or
brainstormed enough.
V.
Organization
a. Organize your information into main points (usually three main
points/body paragraphs is sufficient)
i. Organize your paragraphs logically
1. use chronological order if the order of events or information
is important for the reader’s comprehension.
2. if your organization is not chronological, start off strong by
using one of your best main points first and finish off strong
by saving your best main point for last.
ii. Create an outline
1. each body paragraph should have one main point (your
topic sentence).
2. each main point should be supported by several sub
points.
3. each sub point should be supported by your research and
examples (proof).
b. Write your thesis statement
i. This is the sentence that usually appears at the end of your
introductory paragraph and clearly communicates the main idea of
your essay in one sentence.
1. take a definite stand
ii. It often previews your three main points.
1. “Campbell Collegiate provides the best high school
experience in Regina due to the cultural mosaic of the
student body, the breadth of academic course offerings,
and the outstanding co-curricular programs.
iii. It should have a sharp focus, and a definite and significant
viewpoint.
1. if there is no focus, your essay will ramble on without
sufficiently addressing a main idea.
2. if the thesis is not definite, you will not have an assertive
voice, and your argument will have a weak tone.
3. if your main idea is not significant (the readers already
agree with your main idea, or they don’t care about it), your
essay has no relevance.
c. Plan your introduction and conclusion paragraphs
i. Your introductory paragraph has three parts.
1. attention grabber
a. a relevant quotation from someone significant.
b. a dictionary definition for an abstract concept.
c. a brief anecdote (story) that relates to your topic.
d. a brief description that creates a strong image in
your reader’s mind.
e. a startling fact or statistic
f.
a background story that uses a news story or
historical fact.
g. A thought provoking question.
2. transition
a. develop the introduction of your topic by leading
from the attention grabber to the thesis statement
b. the importance and relevance of your topic should
be emphasized
3. thesis statement
ii. Your concluding paragraph also has three parts
1. reword your thesis statement to re-emphasize your main
idea.
2. briefly review your main points, address opposing
viewpoints, or add other minor points that support your
main idea.
3. close with a memorable sentence
a. quotation
b. a challenge to the reader to take action
c. question
d. a clever, humorous or poignant statement
VI.
Voice
d. Decide on your tone
i. It should be consistent with your topic, purpose, and audience.
Drafting (Writing)
IV.
Sentence Fluency
a. Use short sentences for emphasis.
b. Use longer sentences for description, elaboration or making connections.
c. Try to vary your sentence structure and length in a way that will enhance
the communication of your ideas.
V.
Organization
a. You can enhance the organization and flow of your essay by using
transition sentences to link paragraphs.
VI.
Word Choice
a. Strive to choose words that are concise and specific.
i. Make careful use of a dictionary or thesaurus.
b. Consider your audience; don’t use vocabulary or jargon that is either
confusing or simplistic.
c. Don’t use big words just to sound smart; make sure that the words you
choose are the most effective words to clearly communicate your ideas in
an interesting way.
d. Avoid bland or overused words (good, nice, bad, sort of, stuff, cool, etc.)
e. Avoid slang or swear words (crappy, sweet, etc.) unless they have a
specific purpose and are appropriate for your voice, audience and essay.
IX. Voice
a. If you have chosen a topic that is interesting and important to you, your
enthusiasm should be expressed in your writing.
b. Your voice should be confident and assertive.
c. Make sure your voice is appropriate to your topic, audience and essay
(humorous, serious, sarcastic, formal, familiar, etc.).
d. Avoid using spoken language (don’t write as you would speak).
X. Conventions
a. Make sure to use the correct format for your essay (font size and style,
spacing, heading/cover page, documentation/works cited, etc.).
Revising and Editing (Post Writing)
IV.
After writing, take some time away from the essay (at least a day) to give
yourself a clearer perspective for revision.
V.
Revision
a. Content and Ideas
i. Make sure your essay has achieved its purpose and sufficiently
supported the thesis statement.
1. Are there any details or information that need to be added
or deleted?
b. Organization
i. Does the introduction paragraph grab the reader’s attention and
interest, and clearly preview the main idea of the essay and its
importance?
ii. Are the body paragraphs clearly organized with a main point, sub
points, support/proof and transitions?
iii. Does the conclusion sum up the essay without being repetitive
and lave the reader with a strong impression?
c. Voice
i. Is the voice appropriate and interesting for your audience.
ii. Are there clichés, overly informal phrases or spoken language that
need to be eliminated?
VI.
Editing
a. Sentence Fluency
i. Are all of your sentences complete (avoiding fragments, comma
splices, run ons, etc.)?
ii. Are your sentences wordy; can you simplify without being
simplisitic?
iii. Did you use variety in your sentence length and structure for
appropriate effect and variety?
iv. Are any sentences redundant?
b. Word Choice
i. Can you choose different words to improve coherence?
ii. Are all of your words spelled and used correctly?
b. .Conventions
i. Check your format and documentation.
1. avoid plagiarism by documenting any information that you
obtained through research from other sources.
ii. Check your capitalization and punctuation.
Presentation
III.
Make sure your essay looks professional, and is your best effort.
IV.
Hand it in with confidence.