Name ____________________________________
Period __________
Strange and Mysterious Essay Assignment
Your objective is to acquire a strange and mysterious topic by utilizing the resources in the library. You will
conduct research to find out what is mystifying about your topic. Then you will use the writing process to create an
essay which will explain the mystery of your topic and discuss controversy or intrigue with which your topic is
viewed.
Directions for your essay:
1. Choose a topic that you like.
2. Read about your topic. Is there enough information available to write an essay? If so, continue on to
number 3. If not, choose another topic.
3. Take notes on your topic and complete Part 1 on page 2. Be sure to paraphrase, or write down the
page number or website so that you can correctly quote it. Complete Part I and use it to draft your first
body paragraph.
4. Are there people who believe that the mystery can be supported? Are there people who believe that
this topic is a hoax? What is the history surrounding your topic? What makes it so intriguing? Take
notes on what “explains” the topic’s appeal. Complete Part II and use it to draft your second body
paragraph.
5. Try to develop a clever attention getter for your essay –a startling statement or historical context to
catch the reader’s attention. DO NOT MENTION YOUR TOPIC. In the next sentence, relate your attention
getter to your subject. In the last sentence, write your thesis sentence which will state what makes your
topic strange and mysterious. Complete Part III on page 3, and use it to draft your introduction.
6. Complete Part IV on page 3. Use it to draft your closing paragraph. Restate your thesis IN DIFFERENT
WORDS. Then add various sentences that stress the importance of the topic. The last sentence must
echo the attention getter.
5
Focus
one topic, third person ONLY
10
Organization
10
Content
four paragraphs; thesis sentence; topic sentences in paragraphs 2,
3, 4; good use of transition words (2 per body paragraph – 1 per intro. &
closing) attention getter; last sentence of closing echoing the attention
getter.
specific details and examples
5
Style
variety of sentence openings, sensory details, figures of speech, precise
wording
5
Conventions
spelling, punctuations, complete sentences, capitalization
20
Works Cited page
follows library directions, minimum of 4 citations, accurately completed
Strange and Mysterious graphic organizer
Your first body paragraph will paint a picture of your topic using descriptive language.
Your paragraph will have a clear general topic sentence that focuses on the topic and describing
it. Use Part A to write the topic sentence. Next, you will give specific examples and details to
explain the topic. Use Part B to write your supporting sentences to explain the topic. Use Part C
to write a clincher sentence that wraps up the paragraph and prepares you for what comes
next.
I. First Body Paragraph
A. Topic Sentence:
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B. Supporting sentences:
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
C. Clincher Sentence:
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Your second body paragraph will explain why your topic is controversial or why it is so
intriguing or the history of your topic. You decide what the most important information to
share with your audience is. Use Part A to write your topic sentence. Use Part B for your
supporting sentences. Use Part C to write a clincher sentence.
II. Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic Sentence:
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B. Supporting sentences:
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
C. Clincher Sentence:
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
III. Introduction
A good attention getter (startling fact/historical context) that does not mention the topic is:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
A sentence which relates your attention getter to the topic: _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
The next sentence will name the topic:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
This is the thesis sentence: ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
IV. Conclusion
A. Begin with a restatement of your ABOVE thesis sentence – Use different words than those
mentioned above. Write it here: ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B. Give further information to stress the importance and allure of the topic in at least two
sentences. Write the sentences here:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
C. End with a sentence or two that refers to, not repeats, the attention getter in your
introduction. The ending sentence is ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________