Essay Ingredients:
Golden rule of peer editing: write unto other rough drafts what you would want written upon your opus.
Introduction paragraph:
- Introduce your topic in a general manner (this is a place to hook your reader with a compelling angle or aspect of your topic);
- Author and title (italics) must be incorporated in this paragraph;
- Thesis statement. This sentence evolves from our work in class with the literature. Strive to use active voice verbs. For more information from the Owl Purdue Writing Center, click here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/ Here is another link to how a model MLA format essay:https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/13/
Body paragraphs:
- Topic sentence (relate back to your thesis; use active voice verbs);
- Examine and explain a quotation; as we say in class, be sure you unpack your quotation and explains its value to the agrument in your thesis. Also remember that quote is a verb and quotation is a noun;
- Use block quotations rules for long passages:
- Conclusion or clincher sentence (confine your insight to the scope of your body paragraph).
Conclusion:
- Restate your thesis in an interesting way;
- Reflect on the power of your thesis: ask the question why is your thesis important? So often students run out of engery by the end of the essay writing experience. Nevertheless, invest quality energy and effort here so that you can distinguish your essay by closing your argument insightfully.
- College ready conclusion? Your professors will hope to observe you make a significant stance on your topic by the close of your paper. Running out of steam or gas is a high school phenomenon that will not be tolerated at the college level. This is the moment to distinguish your argument and demonstrate your learning in the course. How are you progressing on this front?