a. Brainstorm idea on the subject. Choose a controversial topic that interest you.
b. Identify the main topics. Do some reading on the topic.
c. Write a thesis statement.
d. Choose three ideas to support your argument.
e. Consider the opposing arguments. If you were arguing with your friends, how would they try to prove you were wrong?
f. Organize your ideas into an outline.
Paragraph 1 - Introducing includes thesis statement and supporting ideas.
Paragraph 2 - Opposing argument and your refutation.
Paragraph 3 - Opposing argument and your refutation.
Paragraph 4 - Your strongest supporting argument.
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion includes restatement of thesis and supporting ideas. Make a prediction, a recommendation, or a summary.g. Follow your outline and write the essay. Be sure to edit your writing for grammar, spelling, and word choice errors.
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Introductory Paragraph
- Introduce the topic with a general statement.
- State why it is important.
- State there is a difference of opinion about this topic.
- Thesis statement must state what your claim is and can include the "parts" of the argument you are going to state.
Body Paragraph
- Argument for: The reason "parts" of your thesis statement will be in your body paragraph.
- Give clear arguments for your claim with support (e.g: statistics, explanations, etc.)
- use transition words as you move from paragraph to paragraph (Firstly, furthermore,finally, etc.)
- You can also use any of the transitions from the other essay types as long as they are appropriate for your argument.
Refutation Paragraph
- This is also used to support your claim.
- Use the counter arguments to show that your idea is the stronger one.
- Do not focus only on the opposing ideas.
Concluding Paragraph
- Restate the main claim.
- Present one or two general sentences which accurately summarize your arguments which support the main premise.
- provide a general warning of the consequences of not following the premise that you put forward and/or a general statement of how the community will benefit from following that premise.
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THE WRITING PROCESS
Steps in Writing an Essay
1. Pre-writing
Pre-writing literally means, "before writing." Before actually begin writing your essay, you will need to do the following things:
- Choose a topic to write on.
- Brainstorm or generate ideas for your topic.
- Focus in on central ideas.
2. Organizing
Making an outline can help you organize what you want to write. this is a rough plan for your essay and can help make the process of writing much easier.3. Drafting
After getting ideas and making an outline of your essay, it is time to start writing the essay. when you begin writing your rough draft, try to remember the following guidelines.
- Don't worry about writing the 'perfect' paper the first time.
- Your goal in writing a rough draft is to develop and support the ideas listed in your outline.
- Don't focus on spelling and grammar as you write your rough draft. you can check this later in the writing process.
4. Revising and Editing
After you write your first draft, go back over it and look for ways to improve your essay in content and organization. this step is called revision. After you revise for content and organization, begin editing your draft for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure errors.5. The Final Copy or Publishing
The last step in your essay to be graded. Look at the guidelines below for turning in the final draft of your essay.
- word-processed
- all new paragraphs indented five spaces
- 8½ by 11 inch white paper
- double spaced, size 12 font
- one inch margins on all sides
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THE ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE TEXT
1. Theme
The main idea of a literary work, usually expressed as a generalization.2. Setting
The time and place in which a work of literature happens.3. Characters
The people (or actors) in the story.4. Point of View
The story teller from whose point of view the story is being told, the narrator.5. Characterization
The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities.6. Plot
The sequence or order of events in a story. The plot includes:
- Exposition Statement - The part of the plot that tells how the story begins.
- Rising Action - The action in the story leading up to the climax.
- Conflict - Struggles or problems between opposing forces.
- Climax - The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader's point of highest interest.
- Falling action - The action in the story after the climax is revealed.
- Resolution - the part of the plot that reveals the final outcome.
