Writing an Effective Essay

1. Writing an Effective Essay There is no secret to writing a good essay, in fact, it is nothing more than a simple process. A process that can be repeated over and over, successfully every time, once you know the basic structure.

2. Essays have a consistent structure Once you know what they should look like you can easily “plug in” the necessary information Here is the “skeleton” of an essay

3. I. Introductory Paragraph A. Hook (1-3 sent.) B. Thesis statement (what you will prove) II. Body Paragraph #1 A. Transitional statement B. Topic Sentence 1) “What” statement (evidence) 2) “Why” sentence (significance) III. Body Paragraph #2 (same) IV. Body Paragraph #3 (same)

4. V. Body Paragraph #4 (same) (most essays have 3-6 body paragraphs) VI. Conclusion A. Reworded thesis statement B. Tie together sentence C. “Slammer” sentence d. “So What” sentence

6. An essay is nothing more than a written argument. If you like to argue, you should like essays If you’re good at arguing, you should be good at writing essays. If you are ever considering becoming a lawyer, you HAVE to be good at essays, because arguing a legal case is almost identical to writing an essay.

7. If writing an essay is like having a good argument, let’s look at how you win an argument. First, you set the stage for the argument. This is where you create a “hook” that establishes the need for an argument. “I came here to talk with you about something that should be of great interest to you.” The hook’s job is to get attention

8. Second, you “set the hook” by stating your claim. “That is, I just wanted you and the world to know that you’re a stinkin’ liar.” If this were an essay, you have just completed the introductory paragraph “I came here to talk to you about something of great interest to you.” And the thesis statement: “That is, I just wanted you and the world to know that you’re a stinkin’ liar.”

9. Next in your argument, you have to prove your claim. You must prove the other person is a liar. That is the ONLY thing you have to prove. Don’t get off track by also mentioning that his hair looks like Alfred E. Newman or his clothes belong on “That ’70’s Show.” STAY ON TRACK AND PROVE HE IS A LIAR. Most arguments are lost because of losing track of the main argument. Most essays get low grades because they lose track of the main purpose, or “thesis.”

10. Remind him what you are going to do before doing it. “If you’ve got a few spare minutes, and can keep your jaw still for a second, I’ll prove that you’re a liar.” Reminding him of what you’re going to do is the same as the transitional sentence in an essay. All you’re doing is letting him know where your argument is headed.

11. Next, you slam him in the face with a fact about what makes him a liar. This is the evidence that proves it. “The other day you told mom that I stole your popsicle. There’s no way I could have stolen it, I was at Kirk’s house watching ‘Bob the Builder’ all day.” Notice I use confident language like “you told” and “no way.” Never use words that make you seem unsure, like “I think you told” or “You may have told.” Speak confidently.

12. Just like in an argument, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of speaking confidently in an essay. How can you convince your reader of anything if you’re using language like “I think” or “It may be the case?” Just state your point as if it is a cold, stone fact. It’s your essay, take charge of it, you are the boss.

14. After you have given a statement of evidence in an argument, the next thing to do is give the significance. Here’s how it looks in an argument: First the evidence: “The other day you told mom that I stole your popsicle. There’s no way I could have stolen it, I was at Kirk’s house watching “Bob the Builder” all day.” Now the significance: “Because you lied, I had to go to bed early without having my Cocoa Krispies. I missed ‘Gilligan’s Island’ too.”

15. You have just given the evidence and the significance of your brother being a liar. Just giving evidence is not enough, you have to include the significance. I can’t stress this enough. Evidence is only HALF the argument. So many people score low on essays because they forget to include the significance of what they are arguing. Okay, let’s review.

16. Introductory Paragraph Introductory statement: “I came here to talk to you about something . . . “ Thesis statement: “You’re a stinkin’ liar” Body Paragraph #1 Transitional statement: “If you’ve got a few spare minutes and can keep your jaw still, I’ll prove that you’re a liar.” Evidence statement: “The other day you told mom that I stole your popsicle.” Significance statement: “Because you lied, I had to go to bed without having my Cocoa Krispies.”

17. You’re doing well in your argument, and the essay already has the introductory paragraph and one body paragraph done. Now, just like a lawyer in a courtroom, you keep hammering the point, always remembering that proving the thesis is the only goal. Include as many body paragraphs as you think are needed to drive your point home. Remember to structure them all the same.

18. Here’s a second body paragraph . . . Transition statement“In addition to telling mom I stole your popsicle. . . Topic statement: . . . you said that I drank all the Ovaltine, which is another lie.” Evidence statement: If I’m the one who drank it all, why do you have a brown, crusty moustache?” Significance statement“That’s just not right, man. Because of your lies, I have to pick up after Moondoggie all next week.”

19. These body paragraphs, following the same exact pattern, can go on for as long as you need to drill home your point. Just like being an attorney, it pays to be merciless in proving your point.

21. Once you’ve made all of your points, it’s time to wrap up the argument. It might go something like this: “I told you that I’d prove you’re a no-good lying fool. I didn’t drink the Ovaltine or steal your popsicle. What do you have to say for yourself? Think about what a fool you look like and how Mom is going to tan your hide.”

22. Okay, you’ve concluded you’re argument. Let’s see how it translates into the concluding paragraph of an essay. Rewording of the thesis“I told you I’d prove you are a no-good, lyin’ fool.” Tie-together statement“I didn’t drink the Ovaltine or steal your popsicle. What do you have to say for yourself?” Slammer“Think about what a fool you look like and how Mom is going to tan your hide.”

23. When crafting your slammer sentence, always ask yourself. . . So What ???

24. “So what” asks the essential question . . . Why did I write the essay in the first place ?

25. Here’s how I can address the “so what” question in my argument . . . “You should tell the truth, brother. If you keep telling mom all these lies, she won’t ever trust what you say. Not only that, she won’t make us S’mores anymore.”

26. There, we’ve concluded our argument and our essay. Remember . . . Stay on target by never losing sight of your thesis statement. Let your reader know where you’re going by using transition statements at the beginning of new paragraphs. Introduce your paragraph topic (new argument) Prove your argument with evidence. Show the significance of your argument.

27. Conclude by rewording the thesis Tie all the topics together End with a slammer sentence and address the “So What??” question.