Writing an Essay

Start with an intro

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Multiple Choice

What kind of starter is this

• anecdote

• rhetorical question

• statistic

Multiple Choice

What kind of hook does this paragraph have?

From Hocus Pocus to The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, it’s clear that people love witches. In fact, witches are the most popular adult Halloween costume year after year. But those frivolous and fanciful witches we know today—cackling in black garb and pointy hats with broomstick in hand—have evolved a great deal over the past several centuries.

• Startling Statement

• Fun Fact

• Anecdote

Multiple Choice

What hook is being used here?

• Quote

• Statistic

• Anecdote

​What is a thesis? The thesis is a statement (usually a single sentence) that expresses the central idea or main argument of the essay and reflects the writer’s purpose for writing it. It typically appears at the end of the introduction, as the last sentence (though it may appear elsewhere). For more on introductions, see our handout Writing an Effective Introduction. The thesis may be implied or explicitly stated, but should always be evident to the reader. The thesis may differ depending on the type of writing (argumentative, persuasive, informative, narrative, etc...). The thesis should be restated in a new and interesting way in the conclusion.<!--EndFragment-->

​Parts of a thesis: Thesis statement = Claim + Supporting Points Claim: This part states the main idea of the essay, and tells your reader what you intend to convince them.

For example, being a vegetarian is better than eating meat…

​

Supporting Points: This part lists the major supporting points to be discussed in the body of the essay, and it tells your reader what they should expect to learn in support of your claim, and in what order.

For example,

​Supporting Point 1: because it is healthier, Supporting Point 2: costs less, Supporting Point 3: and doesn’t harm animals. Put your claim and your supporting points together into one sentence that expresses the central idea of your essay. This is your thesis statement:

Being a vegetarian is better than eating meat because it is healthier, costs less, and doesn’t harm animals.

Open Ended

Finish the following statement and make it a three-part thesis:

There are some times you should lie like when.....

Open Ended

Finish the following statement and make it a three part thesis:

Some of the causes of the Salem Witch Trials were....

How to write Body Paragraphs

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Draw

Circle where the author intodruces the evidence and elaborates on the topic sentence

Draw

Circle where the author explains their evidence

Draw

Circle where the author explains their evidence

Draw

Circle where the author uses transitional and signal words

Draw

Circle where the author uses transitional words and signal words