ISU Essay Writing

1
ISU Essay Writing

• Formal Structure
• Proper body paragraph structure including
• a transitional word or phrase
• a topic sentence stating the first point
• an explanation of the topic
• a quotation primary or secondary
• an explanation of how the quotation proves your
  point
• a summary statement

2
Formal Structure contd

• Formal language only
• no slang
• no informal language
• no contractions write cannot, not cant
• no personal pronouns- in my opinion or I believe

3
Formal Structure contd

• Proper grammar, sentence structure and
• MLA format-use the library homepage, click on
  either MLA Concordia, Purdue or use the Citation
  Machine
• Write in the present tense- Atticus Finch is not
  a good parent.

4
Introductory Paragraph

• Begin with a hook that generates interest in the
  general topic of your essay
• Introduce the novel and the author
• Relate the topic to your novel in more specific
  terms
• State your thesis. It may be one long sentence
  but more likely it may take several sentences to
  state all the points you intend to prove

5

• Begin with a hook that generates interest in the
  general topic of your essay

Men are from Mars and women are from Venus is a
statement that demonstrates the differences
between the sexes. However, one commonality is
the belief that parenting is the most difficult
job for an adult. Children are unique in
personality, learning abilities and physical
growth. Parents also are unique in their child
rearing strategies Some parents are strict
disciplinarians with many rules and high
expectations while other parents believe an
individuals growth is healthier in an
environment with flexibility, creativity and
space to make errors and learn from them. Like
children, parents also may be distinctive in that
households may contain one or both parents to
nurture the family.
6

• Introduce the novel and the author

Atticus Finch is a single father in a home with
two children, in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee.
7

• Relate the topic to your novel in more specific
  terms

On the surface, Atticus parenting style is
casual and informal. He is close with his
children but does not devote much time to their
upbringing, instead leaving them in the capable
hands of his nanny.
8
State your thesis. It may be one long sentence
but more likely it may take several sentences to
state all the points you intend to prove.

• Atticus appears to be a caring and devoted
  father in most circumstances but he also
  demonstrates some near fatal parenting errors
  that make him a less than ideal father. Atticus
  takes too many risks with his own life,
  especially when he goes alone to protect Tom
  Robinson from the mob. Atticus undermines Scouts
  teacher over the reading issue when he should
  have discussed the problem with the teacher to
  maintain the respect Scout should have for her
  teacher now and in the future. Atticus does not
  make a proper attempt to shield his children from
  the topic of his case. His children are not
  mature enough to know about an issue like rape.
  Although he did not permit them to watch the
  trial, he certainly did not make it clear to the
  children or their caregiver to keep them ignorant
  of the situation. Atticus is a beloved character
  however he is not an ideal parent.

9
Sample Intro Paragraph

• Men are from Mars and women are from Venus is a
  statement that demonstrates the differences
  between the sexes. However, one commonality is
  the belief that parenting is the most difficult
  job for an adult. Children are unique in
  personality, learning abilities and physical
  growth. Parents also are unique in their child
  rearing strategies Some parents are strict
  disciplinarians with many rules and high
  expectations while other parents believe an
  individuals growth is healthier in an
  environment with flexibility, creativity and
  space to make errors and learn from them.
• Like children, parents also may be distinctive
  in that households may contain one or both
  parents to nurture the family. Atticus Finch is a
  single father in a home with two children, in the
  novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. On the
  surface, Atticus parenting style is casual and
  informal. He is close with his children but does
  not devote much time to their upbringing, instead
  leaving them in the capable hands of his nanny.
  Atticus appears to be a caring and devoted father
  in most circumstances but he also demonstrates
  some near fatal parenting errors that make him a
  less than ideal father. Atticus takes too many
  risks with his own life , especially when he goes
  alone to protect Tom Robinson from the mob.
  Atticus undermines Scouts teacher over the
  reading issue when he should have discussed the
  problem wit the teacher to maintain the respect
  Scout should have for her teacher now and in the
  future. Atticus does not make a proper attempt to
  shield his children from the topic of his case.
  His children are not mature enough to know about
  an issue like rape. Although he did not permit
  them to watch the trial, he certainly did not
  make it clear to the children or their caregiver
  to keep them ignorant of the situation. Atticus
  is a beloved character however he is not an ideal
  parent.

10
(No Transcript)
11
Is this thesis statement

1. Weak
2. Average
3. Strong

12
Why is this a strong thesis statement?

1. It is provable
2. It is arguable
3. It is worth proving. It passes the so what test
4. All of the above