Intro to essay format = 4 paragraphs total 1) Intro (summary) + thesis at the very end
2) Body paragraph = opens with your 1st topic sentence, gives 3-6 quotes, gives analysis
3) Another body paragraph = 2nd topic sentence, quotes, analysis
4) Conclusion
I’ll pass out an essay from the past.
1) Type the student’s name.
2) Type her thesis or a topic sentence.
3) Type a transition and quote.
4) Find any mark made by the teacher. Identify or explain the problem.
succinct
Pick one definition:
1) Say the most in the fewest words.
2) No wordiness.
3) Pack the most info in the shortest space.
BAD: Lizzy decides to try and converse with Darcy. 8 words.
BETTER: Lizzy converses with Darcy. 4 words
Fix:
1) Six men went, and none were frightened.
2) I floss everyday as I do my every day chores.
3) Looking at the facts, it is clear why my parent’s friend let’s his dog lose.
4) I chose SFHS for their sports.
5) I except your criticism accept when you say I’m to tall.
Intro
1) Author’s name & title in opening (use apostrophe)
2) Full name when character is 1st mentioned
(later = the name most used)
3) Summary is objective (just facts, no opinions)
4) Summary = whole work (not just how it starts)
5) 296 to 315 words total
6) Provide transition to the thesis
7) Thesis at very end
Wordy & awkward:
“Miriam”, which was written by Truman Capote, is a novel that tells the story of an aging women’s haunting by a mysterious young girl.
TRY THIS: In Truman Capote’s “Miriam,” an elderly woman is haunted by a mysterious girl.
1) No corny formulas
A. No “In conclusion,...”
B. Don’t end a body paragraph by announcing topic of next para.
But I teach a few formulas (thesis at end of intro, topic sentence at start of body para.).
2) How do you end a body paragraph?
With analysis of your last quote.
I don’t need a summarizing sentence--boring! I prefer more quotes and analysis.
3) Try this: quote from early, middle, and end of work
If all your quotes are from same page or section, something is wrong.
4) George asks, “Huh?”
BAD: George asks, “‘Huh?’”
5) No long quotes.
It’s the wrong way to meet a word count.
6) No exchanges of dialogue = instead, you must create a new transition
Higgins asks, “What’s for dinner?” (18). Eliza replies, “Toast.”
NEW: don’t cite a page number if the 2nd quote is from the same page.
7) Don’t ask questions in your essay.
Rhetorical questions are forbidden since students don’t use them effectively.
8) Brackets are rare.
After looking at his companion, Mrs. Miller says to Harry, “I hope she [Miriam] won’t kill me. I heard ‘murder’ at one point.”
9) Don’t overuse “and.” No “nice.”
10) “whereas” = contrast
I like pie although I hate pudding.
I am tired. Although, I napped.
I fell asleep; although the film was good.
I like pie, however I hate cake.
I like pie; however, I hate cake.
I like sardines. However, I hate crab.
essay format = intro (summary) thesis, body paragraph, topic sentence, 3-6 quotes, analysis
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