How To Write An Essay
Step 1: Brainstorm
Allows you to come up with ideas quickly. 5-10 minutes
Step 4: Reference Topic Outline Continued
I. Introduction II. Body (write thesis here) a. ______________________ 1. Quotation #1 1a. Reason for quotation 2. Quotation #2 2a. Reason for quotation 3. Quotation #3 3a. Reason for quotation b._______________________ 1. Quotation #1 1a. Reason for quotation 2. Quotation #2 2a. Reason for quotation 3. Quotation #3 3a. Reason for quotation c.__________________________ 1. Quotation #1 1a. Reason for quotation 2. Quotation #2 2a. Reason for quotation 3. Quotation #2 3a. Reason for quotation
Proper Citation: MLA Style
IT MUST BE: On a separate page At the back of your report or essay 8.5" x 11" paper Double Space Indent first line of entries (works)
A Work From An Anthology
Last name, first name author of work. "Title of work". Anthology Name. Ed. first, last name editor. Where published. pages. Example: Doe, John. "Plastic Forks". Grade 10 Literature. Ed. Tina Lee. New York. Oxford 2012. 26-27
Step 3: Outline
To help you organize your essay. Think of three situations from the work that prove your thesis. Remember: Make sure you can find three quotations for each paragraph.
Step 4: Reference Topic Outline
To keep you organized as you plan your essay. You take the Outline and add THREE quotations and the reason you chose the quotations.
Quotation Sandwich
Why do we need quotations in your essay? Your essay is written BECAUSE you have your opinion about it : your thesis statement. In order to PROVE that your thesis statement is TRUE, you need quotations. The equation for the quotation sandwich is the following: Introduction To Quote Quote Reason
Step 6,7,8: Editing and Final Copy
You need to get all of your ideas into an essay format. Editing: You can edit your work, and your friends and family too! Read out loud, in your head, backwards, fowards, and scan for particular items. Remember: 1.Check your Writing Checklist 2.Write in Present Tense 3.Quotation Sandwich 4.Proper Citation 5.Print your final copy the day before it is due!
Step 5: Rough Copy
You need to get all of your ideas into an essay format. Remember: 1.Look at your Reference Topic Outline! It has 90 percent of your essay! 2.Make sure each paragraph has three quotation sandwiches 3.Write in paragraph format; have an INDENT at the beginning of every paragraph 4.Write in present tense. 5.Make it double-spaced.
Step 2: Thesis Statement
Your entire essay is about this sentence. Your essay is NOT a summary. It is an opinion. Look at your brainstorm Think: Which of the ideas in the brainstorm can I find the most quotations for? Write Thesis Equation: In the book (book name) (author's name) shows the theme of...
Book with one author
last name, first name author. Title of work. where published: Company that published, year published. Example: Doe, John. How To Eat Cake. New York: Oxford UP,1900.
