Preparing for Essay #4 in class
Remember that your essay should respond to one of the provided prompts, with a
series of paragraphs that are headed by a topic sentence and which develop their
bodies with explanation and examples.
The first paragraph should provide some kind of introduction to the subject or issue
of the essay and then end with your central idea statement, which offers a direct
reply to one of the prompts.
You might read in Grassroots Part D, pages 51 -53. Even though they describe
turning assignments in paragraphs, the principle here applies also to turning
prompts into central idea statements.
For example, the prompt question, “Are professional athletes overpaid?” can be
turned into the central idea of an essay by considering the three possible answers:
1. Professional athletes are overpaid.
2. Professional athletes are not overpaid.
3. Professional athletes are sometimes overpaid. (Or, some
professional athletes are overpaid, but some are not.)
Any of the above could be the central idea of an essay. And do not neglect the third
possibility of offering a middle or qualified response. The middle position on any
issue may be the most reasonable and easiest to discuss.
The writer of an essay in response to one of the three above statements would then
support it with explanations and examples in probably three middle paragraphs.
Notice that all of the prompts on the assignment sheet follow the models given on
page 51.
Choose the prompt that appeals to you the most.
Formulate a central idea statement based on GR’s advice.
Set up a series of middle paragraphs whose purpose is to fully support your central
idea with explanations and examples.
Good luck!