Essay Format

What should be in your thesis Statement?

• TPR-Topic, Position, and Reasons

• TPR-Theme, Perspective, and Roles

• OOF-Opinion, Obstacles, and Format

• HALT-Hook, Adjectives, Lead, and Tone

Answer explanation

Always include the TOPIC (what the prompt was about), your POSITION (that's another way to say your opinion--what you think about the topic), and your SUPPORT (the reasons why you believe what you do about the topic).

How long should your thesis statement be?

• 1 sentence

• 2-3 sentences

• 5-7 sentences

• It really doesn't matter!

Answer explanation

Keep your thesis statement short and to the point. It should be ONE sentence, in this format: This Topic is my Position because Support #1 and Support #2.

Check all of the following that are types of examples you can use in your essay.

• A detailed story that IS NOT related to your topic.

• A list of general examples without details.

• A personal story that relates to the topic.

• Text evidence from the articles you read.

Answer explanation

Be sure your examples are RELATED to your topic. Provide DETAILS and make sure your examples are SPECIFIC. It is better to have one VERY CLEAR example than to have a list of general items without an explanation.

What should the TOPIC of your first body paragraph be focused on?

• Whatever you think.

• Your first support in your thesis statement.

• Something that hooks your audience.

• All of the supports in your thesis statement.

Answer explanation

Remember, let your THESIS STATEMENT guide you--your FIRST SUPPORT will be what your ENTIRE FIRST PARAGRAPH is focused on!

Where should your thesis statement go?

• The very first sentence your essay.

• The first sentence in your BODY paragraph.

• The last sentence in your introduction.

• The very last sentence in your essay.

Answer explanation

The thesis statement should always be the FINAL sentence in your introduction!

What type of thesis statement goes into your conclusion!

• None--it's only in the introduction

• A shortened version--just include the topic.

• A restated thesis statement--change up the order and wording, but put the same ideas.

• The same thesis statement, just copy and paste from the introduction.

Answer explanation

RESTATE your thesis in the conclusion. Don't use the exact same wording, but make sure the same ideas are in your conclusion.

Check the transitional phrases you should AVOID:

• For example,

• Now I'm going to tell you about ___,

• This paragraph was about ___,

• Next I'll talk about

Answer explanation

Avoid phrases that TELL your reader what you are going to write about, make sure they understand from the content of your writing.

What does it mean to SHOW your reader? *check all answers that apply!

• The reader can VISUALIZE what you are talking about.

• You tell the reader a fact.

• You use figurative language to bring your example to life!

• You help the reader FEEL what you felt by giving specific details and choosing specific words with the right connotation.

Answer explanation

If you SHOW your reader the situation, they should feel like they are there with you. This goes beyond TELLING us about a situation. You really DESCRIBE it so that the reader has no question about what the experience was like!

Which of the examples SHOWS us the writer's example.

• For example, I went to a baseball game and saw Tommy Herr strikeout.

• For example, when Tommy Her was at the plate, he struck out.

• For example, Tommy Herr struck out during the game. Everyone in the stands went silent. As he walked away from the plate, his shoulders were slumped, and you could feel the disappointment dripping off of him like honey slowly dripping from the rim of a jar.

• Sometimes in baseball, players strikeout.

Answer explanation

Look at the detail and the figurative language, helping you to FEEL like you were there! For example, Tommy Herr struck out during the game. Everyone in the stands went silent. As he walked away from the plate, his shoulders were slumped, and you could feel the disappointment dripping off of him like honey slowly dripping from the rim of a jar.

What should be in your INTRODUCTION? Check all that apply.

• Your thesis statement.

• A very detailed explanation of your topic.

• A HOOK--something to get your audience's attention.

• A transition statement that gives general information about the topic and is the bridge between your hook and your thesis.

Answer explanation

Yes...Hook, Bridge (transition), and THESIS. Remember, sometimes your transition is right there in your prompt. Also, if your prompt has a quote, don't be afraid to use that as your hook. (This is one case where you CAN use their words!)