Identifying the Purpose of Your Essay

This lesson teaches how to identify the purpose of an essay by analyzing prompts. It focuses on recognizing action verbs and subjects to determine the type of writing required. The video provides a detailed example of a prompt about cell phones in schools, guiding viewers through creating a purpose statement. The process involves boxing key words, starting with a verb, and completing the statement with the subject. By the end, viewers will understand how to construct a clear purpose statement for their essays.

What are the three key elements to identify when analyzing an essay prompt?

• Topic, Style, Length

• Thesis, Arguments, Evidence

• Introduction, Body, Conclusion

• Subject, Audience, Purpose

What is the first step in determining the purpose of an essay according to the lesson?

• Choose a topic

• Put a box around the action verbs

• Identify the audience

• Write a draft of the essay

Which of the following is NOT typically an action verb used to identify the type of writing in a prompt?

• Explain

• Describe

• Justify

• Listen

In the example prompt, who is identified as the audience?

• The parents

• The students

• The principal

• The teacher

What is the purpose statement derived from the example prompt?

• Explain why cell phones should be allowed in school.

• Describe the benefits of cell phones in school.

• Justify the use of cell phones in school.

• Explain why cell phones should not be allowed in school.