Introduction
We write for many different reasons. We write to share information, to give explanations, to describe experiences, to state our opinions and persuade others, and to entertain. We write letters, poems, emails, reports, and articles.
In the classroom, the most common form of writing in the Essay. Your goal today is to follow the steps to write a 5 paragraph essay.
Task
Today, you will walk through each of the steps to write a five paragraph essay. You will be using the following prompt based on the article, "Is Summer Break Necessary": After reading "Is Summer Break Necessary", write an essay analyzing the author's point. Cite evidence from the text to support your analysis. Explain how the citations relate to your evidence. You will need to open a Microsoft Word or other word processing program in order to complete your final product. Use a "Do What?" to get you started. Make sure you remember what we have done in class in dissecting the parts of an essay so that you can ensure to have every necessary part.
Process
STEP ONE: Begin by reading the article. Annotate the text. Then reread the text.
STEP Two: Read the prompt and determine the author's central idea.
After reading "Is Summer Break Necessary", write an essay analyzing the author's point. Cite evidence from the text to support your analysis. Explain how the citations relate to your evidence.
On a piece of notebook paper, create the following outline:
I. Write your Thesis here.
A. Write one reason based on the text you believe this to be true.
1. Cite evidence from the text to support above reason.
2. Explain connection between reason and evidence.
B. Write a second reason based on the text you believe this to be true.
1. Cite evidence from the text to support above reason.
2. Explain connection between reason and evidence.
C. Write a third reason based on the text you believe this to be true.
1. Cite evidence from the text to support above reason.
2. Explain connection between reason and evidence.
STEP Three: Open a Microsoft Word document. Type your name, date, and class period in the upper right hand corner. Skip two lines; then begin your Introductory paragraph. In order to do this, type your opinion from what you wrote in your outline on your paper. Make sure your indent (press the tab button) one time to begin this first paragraph. Then type each of your three reasons (A, B, and C) from your outline.
STEP Four: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time you will just be writing about reason A. Type reason A and the three pieces of support you have for it. Then restate reason A in different words.
STEP Five: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time you will just be writing about reason B. Type reason B and the three pieces of support you have for it. Then restate reason B in different words.
STEP Six: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time you will just be writing about reason C . Type reason C and the three pieces of support you have for it. Then restate reason C in different words.
STEP Seven: Start a new paragraph. Make sure you indent (TAB). This time using different words, state your opinion, reasons A, B, and C, and then sum up your thoughts.
STEP Eight: Read your essay. Then decide on a title that will entice your reader. Type it at the top of your paper in the center above paragraph 1. Place quotation marks around it.
Evaluation
Before you print, check your writing:
1. Do you have your name on it?
2. Do you have a title in quotation marks?
3. Do you have 3-5 paragraphs?
4. Do you have a thesis? Bold it.
5. Do you have 3 reasons why you believe your thesis?
6. Do you have support for each of those reasons?
7. Do you have a conclusion where you have restated your opinion and those three reasons?
If you answered "yes" to all of the above, print your essay and turn it in with your outline.