Writing the Example Essay

1. Writing the Example Essay

2. Choose one of the following essay topics: • Unusual places to go on dates • Inventions that will probably shape the 21st century • Failure as the best teacher

3. Write a list of at least 10 brainstormed ideas about your topic making sure to think of specific, concrete examples and extended examples. • For example, if you chose the topic, "The Best College Roommate," you could create a list like this: • he is a tutor at the Writing Center • his father is rich and likes to invite me home for holidays • he spends most evenings in the library • he has a really good-looking younger sister who visits regularly • he likes to cook gourmet meals • he is studying to be a teacher • he likes to read down in the dorm lobby • his parents send him care packages of caviar and artichoke hearts, which he despises, so he gives them to me • he goes home every weekend • he is taking all of the same classes that I am taking

4. Organize these ideas into at least three paragraph groups. • For example, the list above could be organized like this: • extracurricular benefits • his father is rich and likes to invite me home for holidays • he has a really good-looking younger sister who visits regular • he likes to cook gourmet meals • his parents send him care packages of caviar and artichoke hearts, which he despises, so he gives them to me • gives me time alone • he spends most evenings in the library • he likes to read down in the dorm lobby • he goes home every weekend • helps me with my schoolwork • he is a tutor at the Writing Center • he is studying to be a teacher • he is taking all of the same classes that I am taking

5. Write three possible thesis statements for your organized list. Be sure each is a complete sentence, includes a controlling idea and is specific. • For example, here are three possible thesis statements you could create from the organized list: • The best college roommate is one who makes the college experience fun and exciting. • In order for a college roommate to be considered "the best" he or she would have to be helpful, give me space, and offer fun and exciting things to do. • Fun fringe benefits, giving me time to myself, and being helpful with studies would all be qualities of the "best" college roommate.

6. Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your first paragraph group (use the checklist for writing example paragraphs on page 98). • For example, the topic sentence might be, “But perhaps the best quality of the ‘best’ roommate would be the fringe benefits of knowing an interesting and fun person.” • The details would be • his father is rich and likes to invite me home for holidays • he has a really good-looking younger sister who visits regular • he likes to cook gourmet meals • his parents send him care packages of caviar and artichoke hearts, which he despises, so he gives them to me

7. Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your second paragraph group (use the checklist for writing example paragraphs on page 98). • For example, the topic sentence might be, “The next thing that the ‘best’ roommate would do is give me time to myself .” • The details would be • he spends most evenings in the library • he likes to read down in the dorm lobby • he goes home every weekend

8. Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your third paragraph group (use the checklist for writing example paragraphs on page 98). • For example, the topic sentence might be, “The first quality of an excellent roommate would be his willingness and ability to help me with my studies.” • The details would be • he is a tutor at the Writing Center • he is studying to be a teacher • he is taking all of the same classes that I am taking

9. Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for any more paragraph groups (use the checklist for writing example paragraphs on page 98).

10. Organize the thesis statement along with the topic sentences and events and details you have chosen for each paragraph into an outline or plan.

11. Choose at type of order (time, space, or order of importance) and revise the outline or plan to reflect the ordering. • For example, I have chosen order of importance, beginning with the least important reason and ending with the most important: fun benefits, time to myself, and helping with my grades.

12. Write a first draft of the essay, paying particular attention to transitions in and between the paragraphs (use the examples from the box on page 93). • After going back and rereading your first draft for organization and clarity, proofread for grammar and spelling errors.