The Writing Process:
Paragraphs and Essays
Steps of the Writing Process
• Prewriting - the stage of the process where
the writer is generating ideas, formats, etc.
• Writing - the writing of the first rough draft
• Postwriting - the revising, rewriting, the
editing, and the publishing parts of the
process
Paragraph - A group of related
sentences discussing one topic.
Paragraphs
• Main Ideas
• Stated topic sentences
• Implied topic
sentences
Paragraphs
Paragraphs
Main Ideas
Stated topic sentences
Implied topic sentences
Support
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Examples
Facts/Statistics
Description (Sensory details)
Anecdotes
Reasons
Quotations
Expert testimony
Clinchers summarize or
emphasize main ideas, usually by
paraphrasing.
Essays
• Thesis statements
• Body
• Conclusion
Essay Format (Frame)
• Introduction/Thesis
Statement
• First Major Idea
– Detail
– Detail
– Detail
• Second Major Idea
– Detail
– Detail
– Detail
Third Major Idea
- Detail
- Detail
- Detail
Conclusion
• Conclusion
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–
–
–
–
Summarize/paraphrase main points
Reach a conclusion
Use a quotation
Ask a question
Do NOT put new information in conclusion.
Thesis
• Thesis is the central idea of the essay.
• It should be specific, arguable, and
interesting.
• Usually, it should be the last sentence
in the introductory paragraph.
Supporting the Main Idea
Supporting the Main Idea
Composition
Main Idea
Thesis
Statement
Body Paragraph Topic
Detail
Detail
Detail
Body Paragraph Topic
Detail
Detail
Detail
Body Paragraph Topic
Detail
Detail
Detail
Main Idea Graphic
Body of the Paper
• Paragraph 1 - Supports
earliest part of the
thesis.
• Paragraph 2 - Supports
the middle section of
the thesis.
• Paragraph 3 - Supports
the latter part of the
thesis.
Conclusion
Summarizes the key points made
in the thesis and supporting
paragraphs.
Do not bring new information
into the conclusion.
Character Analysis Essay Frame
Sample Thesis Statement
The character Ethan Frome from
the novel of that name by Edith
Wharton is responsible,
intelligent, and caring.
Ethan Frome’s Character
• Ethan Frome is responsible.
–
–
–
–
Leaves college to care for parents
Works to pay off their debts
Cares for Zeena when she is “ill”
Helps take care of Mattie after the “smash-up”
Ethan is intelligent.
• Education
– High school graduate
– One year technical college
– Harmon Gow: “Most of the smart ones get
away.”
– Love of science and astronomy
Ethan is a caring man.
• Returns to Starkfield, even though …
• Cares for his family
• Refuses to leave Zeena unable to support
herself
• Touched when Mrs. Hale says he has had a
hard life
• Endures year after year
Concluding Paragraph
Although he undergoes great
difficulties in his life, the character
Ethan Frome in Edith Wharton’s
novel Ethan Frome exhibits the
qualities of being dutiful, hungry for
knowledge, and kind.
Paraphrasing in Conclusion
• Paraphrase thesis statement
• Paraphrase topic sentence of paragraph 1 of
the body
• Paraphrase topic sentence of paragraph 2 of
the body
• Paraphrase topic sentence of paragraph 3 of
body, etc…..
• Add 1 sentence to tie everything together.
Literary Analysis
• Write in present tense.
• Name the work and the author in the
introduction!
• Introduction --Introduces the literary work and
includes a clear thesis statement that
introduces the interpretation.
• Body -- Support, Support, Support with
evidence from the literary work.
• Conclusion -- Summarizes the interpretation.
• Do not use 1st or 2nd person pronouns.
Literary Interpretation Graphic
Literary Interpretation
• Introduction -- Introduces the literary work
and includes a clear thesis statement that
introduces the interpretation
• Body -- Supports, supports, supports,etc. the
interpretation with evidence from the
literary work
• Conclusion -- Renames the work and author
as it summarizes the interpretation
The End