SUMMER PAIRS ESSAY PACKET
THE
ESSAY
WRITING PROCESS
ENGLISH 8
The Writing Process
1. Consider your AUDIENCE: Who is going to be reading this? a. Peers – blog, email
b. Magazine/Newspaper – think about level of comprehension of audience
c. Women’s Issues – how does gender play a role in how you write?
d. Sports – think about using exciting verbs and adjectives e. Children – modify style and content for children
2. What is your PURPOSE?
a. To entertain
b. To educate/inform
c. To defend a position/persuade
3. Select a TOPIC – limit what you will discuss and explore
a. Compare/contrast two characters from paired summer books (one fiction, one non-fiction) their backgrounds, traits, experiences, fates
4. Develop THESIS
a. The focus of the paper/essay or main idea
b. The main argument or assertion in sentence format
5. BRAINSTORMING
a. Directed thinking
b. Gathering facts, details, examples, quotes – these provide support to convince readers of your argument or thesis
6. Revise and finalize THESIS – complete and clear statement
7. Develop OUTLINE
a. Your “road map” for the essay
b. Preparation helps you maintain focus within essay
8. PARAGRAPH WRITING/DRAFTING/DEVELOPMENT
9. PARAGRAPH REVISION/EDITING
a. Content (depth of thinking)
b. Conventions/mechanics
c. Sentence structure
d. Diction (word choice)
10. PUBLISHING: FINAL DRAFT
ESSAY FORMAT
An expository essay which is 4 to 5 paragraphs in length should follow these guidelines.
Paragraph #1: Introductory paragraph
1. The first few sentences should introduce the general topic in an interesting way. You may try an opening quote, or a question, or an interesting fact or idea.
2. Next, if it an essay about a book, introduce the characters and book title as well as author. Add some pertinent information like setting and a very brief summary of the book (a sentence or two).
3. Then, insert the THESIS statement which can run between1-2 sentences. A strong thesis
ESSAY
WRITING PROCESS
ENGLISH 8
The Writing Process
1. Consider your AUDIENCE: Who is going to be reading this? a. Peers – blog, email
b. Magazine/Newspaper – think about level of comprehension of audience
c. Women’s Issues – how does gender play a role in how you write?
d. Sports – think about using exciting verbs and adjectives e. Children – modify style and content for children
2. What is your PURPOSE?
a. To entertain
b. To educate/inform
c. To defend a position/persuade
3. Select a TOPIC – limit what you will discuss and explore
a. Compare/contrast two characters from paired summer books (one fiction, one non-fiction) their backgrounds, traits, experiences, fates
4. Develop THESIS
a. The focus of the paper/essay or main idea
b. The main argument or assertion in sentence format
5. BRAINSTORMING
a. Directed thinking
b. Gathering facts, details, examples, quotes – these provide support to convince readers of your argument or thesis
6. Revise and finalize THESIS – complete and clear statement
7. Develop OUTLINE
a. Your “road map” for the essay
b. Preparation helps you maintain focus within essay
8. PARAGRAPH WRITING/DRAFTING/DEVELOPMENT
9. PARAGRAPH REVISION/EDITING
a. Content (depth of thinking)
b. Conventions/mechanics
c. Sentence structure
d. Diction (word choice)
10. PUBLISHING: FINAL DRAFT
ESSAY FORMAT
An expository essay which is 4 to 5 paragraphs in length should follow these guidelines.
Paragraph #1: Introductory paragraph
1. The first few sentences should introduce the general topic in an interesting way. You may try an opening quote, or a question, or an interesting fact or idea.
2. Next, if it an essay about a book, introduce the characters and book title as well as author. Add some pertinent information like setting and a very brief summary of the book (a sentence or two).
3. Then, insert the THESIS statement which can run between1-2 sentences. A strong thesis