In Class Essay Writing

1. In Class Essay Writing The Essay Skeleton

2. What is an Essay? • A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author. • What then, is an Essay Skeleton? • An essay skeleton is an outline of an essay with only one or two of the paragraphs written out completely.

3. Thesis Statement • Appears in the introduction of an essay • Expresses the main idea of the essay • It identifies the topic of the essay and it makes an assertion about that topic. • Topic + Assertion about the topic = Thesis • Ex. Shakespeare’s Romeois an immature male.

4. Forecasting Thesis Explanation • Aforecast gives your readers a mini "outline" of what is to come in the paper. It tells the readers two things: • the name of each of the major ideas in your paper and • the order in which those ideas will appear.

5. A Forecasting Thesis • Common in Academic Papers • A thesis statement that identifies the topic, makes a claim about the topic, AND previews the major points or reasons that support the claim. • Topic + Assertion about the topic + Supporting points/reasons = Thesis • Shakespeare presents Romeo as an immature male through what Romeo says, what is said about him, and what he does.

6. For the writer, a forecasting thesis is a blueprint to follow throughout the writing process. • For the reader, the forecasting thesis is a road map telling the reader what’s to come.

7. Basic characteristics of a good thesis • It states something that the writer can show, explain, or prove. It is not a factual statement or an assertion so obvious that it doesn’t require support or justify discussion. • It focuses on a single main idea and gives the reader a clear understanding of the essay’s purpose. • It is neither too broad nor too narrow. • It is specific.  • It is direct and confident.

8. Logically, the forecast is the last thing in your introduction. In relatively short papers, the forecast is often part of the thesis statement. • One of the keys to a successful forecast is selecting a name (one or two words) for each major idea in your essay. These names are then listed as part of your forecast.

9. Transitions • A continual forecast is part of the act of transition. Once you have finished discussing the first major idea, you begin the next section or paragraph by doing three things: • creating some form of transition (either a word or phrase or repetition of a key term), • state again the exact name of the major idea which you just finished discussing in the previous section, and • name the new idea that you will discuss in this section.

10. Tips for Transitions • One key to continual forecasting is using the exact same name for each major idea throughout the essay, particularly when you move from one idea to the next. • The repetition of the exact same name helps readers see your organization and progress. With forecasts and continual forecasts, ignore the impulse to use synonyms for the names of your key ideas.

11. Sources • http://writing.mit.edu/wcc/resources/writers/forecasting • http://www.loyno.edu/wac/thesis-statements