March 11, 2013
Topic Ideas Something I Love (know a lot about)
teaching
the beach
cooking
Balboa Island
gardening
March 11, 2013
Topic: beach
Essays Prove Something with a Thesis Statement and 3
Supports
This Essay will prove a QUALITY about your topic
Think of a list of 5-10 qualities about your topic.
beautiful
can have warm sun
calming
fun
relaxing
Now, choose your favorite quality. Be sure you will be
able to support it.
March 11, 2013
Topic: beach
Quality: relaxing
Now we need to find supports to PROVE our quality.
Brainstorm a list of 5-10 supports.
great place to think
quiet early in morning or late in evening
good place to be alone or with others
feels nice-cool breezes
soothing sounds- crashing waves, birds
Now, choose the best THREE that fit your topic and have
enough to write a paragraph about.
March 11, 2013
Thesis Statement: A thesis statement tells what your
essay is about. It includes the topic, what is being
proved, and your three supports.
Now that you have your topic, your quality, and your
three supports, practice writing some thesis statements.
Vary your sentence structure to make the sentences
more interesting and see which you like best. Write 3-5.
The beach is the most relaxing place to be because it is
uncrowded at certain times, it is easy to think there, and has a
nice atmosphere.
Its uncrowded nature, beautiful atmosphere, and meditative
environment make the beach a relaxing place.
When one is trying to relax, the beach is the place to go because
of its uncrowded nature, beautiful atmosphere, and meditative
environment.
March 11, 2013
Beach: Relaxing
Uncrowded:
• At certain times of day and year the beach is not crowded.
• The beach in winter is particularly empty. People don't tend to go there, but it's not that cold because we live in Southern California, making it a perfect place to go and reDlect.
• Early in the morning the sand is empty, but the waves are crowded. It is the perfect time to go and watch the surfers from the sand, or take a quiet walk along the beach and admire the new sun.
• Late in the day the crowds leave the beach, so there is plenty of
space to watch a beautiful sunset and take pictures, take a walk,
or just sit and relax on the sand.
• Quote: “The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears, or the
sea." Isak Dinesen "Our memories of the ocean will linger on,
long after our footprints in the sand are gone." Anonymous
Create THREE pages like this: one for each support.
March 11, 2013
Introductory Paragraphs
An Introductory paragraph introduces the essay. It tells what the
author will prove or explain in the piece. It includes an interest
catching device, background information, and a thesis statement.
ICD: An interest catching device is something interesting right at the
beginning of the paragraph to catch the reader's attention. It can be
a quote, a definition, or an interesting fact.
Sample ICDs:
-"I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the
wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a
sense of peace and calm." Anonymous
-According to the Meriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of
relaxation is a recreative state, activity, or pass time.
Background Information: The middle of your introductory paragraph
should include background information about your topic and possibly
allude to what you will be proving.
Sample Background Information:
For some, a life without the ocean is a life not worth living. This is
also the case for me. The smell of the sea and the feel of a cool
ocean breeze calms me deep in my soul. I would never choose to
live somewhere landlocked, for being without access to the ocean
would be like a jail cell.
Thesis Statment: The introductory paragraph should end with a
thesis statement. The thesis statement includes the topic, what will
be proven, and the three supports to be discussed within the essay.
Sample Thesis Statements:
The beach is the most relaxing place to be because it is
uncrowded at certain times, it is easy to think there, and has a
nice atmosphere.
Its uncrowded nature, beautiful atmosphere, and meditative
environment make the beach a relaxing place.
When one is trying to relax, the beach is the place to go
because of its uncrowded nature, beautiful atmosphere, and
meditative environment.
Sample Introductory Paragraph:
"I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the
wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a
sense of peace and calm." Anonymous For some, a life without the
ocean is a life not worth living. This is also the case for me. The
smell of the sea and the feel of a cool ocean breeze calms me deep
in my soul. I would never choose to live somewhere landlocked, for
being without access to the ocean would be like a jail cell. Its
uncrowded nature, beautiful atmosphere, and meditative
environment make the beach a relaxing place.
March 11, 2013
Support Paragraphs
Previously, you brainstormed for each of your three supports Dinding the following: deDinitions, quotes, listing facts, and telling stories. You should take a few moments to choose the “best stuff” from what you've brainstormed.
Now, you will need to write an introductory sentence such as: An empty beach is the best place to relax. “The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears, or the sea." Isak
Dinesen You should think of a good topic sentence for your paragraphs to introduce each support. You may want to write more than one and choose the best.
Following the introductory sentence, you will need to work on incorporating the information from the brainstorm page within the paragraph. Sample Support Sentences: Early in the morning or late in the day, beaches are particularly empty, especially on the sand. First thing in the morning, the waves may be overpopulated with surfers, but there is no one on the sand. It is a perfect time to walk to clear one's mind or sit and think about whatever is weighing one down. Sunset in the evening is also a time when beaches are particularly empty. One can have solitary moments to meditate successfully without interruption. Winter is a time of year when beaches are particularly empty. In southern California, beaches are never too cold, as long as one dresses appropriately, so it is a perfect time to be alone at the beach. At the end of the paragraph you will need to write a closing sentence. Closing sentences usually have some sort of realization. Here is an example of a realization: Solitude at the beach is sometimes the perfect medicine for a troubled soul.
Here is a Sample Support Paragraph:
“The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears, or the
sea." Isak Dinesen Early in the morning or late in the day, beaches are particularly empty, especially on the sand. First thing in the morning, the waves may be overpopulated with surfers, but there is no one on the sand. It is a perfect time to walk to clear one's mind, or sit and think about whatever is weighing one down. Sunset in the evening is also a time when beaches are particularly empty. One can have solitary moments to meditate successfully without interruption. Winter is a time of year when beaches are particularly empty. In southern California, beaches are never too cold, as long as one dresses appropriately, so it is a perfect time to be alone at the beach. Solitude at the beach is sometimes the perfect medicine for a troubled soul.
March 11, 2013
What is in a Closing?
Restate thesis in a different way
Summarize main points in essay (from-to, and another
point)
Specific realization
Broad realization
Closing Paragraph Sample
Nothing can compare to a relaxing day at the beach. From its uncrowded nature, to its beautiful atmosphere; it is the best place to go and clear one's mind. Sometimes the best ideas come from a little time spent at the beach. Everyone should spend some time at the beach in their lifetime because of its peaceful nature. I know I will never want to live anywhere that I cannot get to a beach quickly.
Compare Intro Paragraph to Closing Paragraph to be sure they
are different enough!!!
"I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my
face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and
calm." Anonymous For some, a life without the ocean is a life not worth living.
This is also the case for me. The smell of the sea and the feel of a cool ocean
breeze calms me deep in my soul. I would never choose to live somewhere
landlocked, for being without access to the ocean would be like a jail cell. Its
uncrowded nature, beautiful atmosphere, and meditative environment
make the beach a relaxing place.