Session 4: Writing Session 4: Writing Applications (Writing Essays) Applications (Writing Essays)

Test Taking Tips #4Test Taking Tips #4 Essay-Writing Tips Essay-Writing Tips The 5-Paragraph Structure The 5-Paragraph Structure Brainstorming, Drafting, and Brainstorming, Drafting, and

Revising Revising

Test-Taking Tips #4

Sleep well the night before the test and eat breakfast on the morning of the test. You need energy to keep you going!

On the essay portion, read the prompt carefully. Think about what it asks you to do before starting to brainstorm

Use the planning page to brainstorm ideas before writing.

Revise and proofread your essay when you are done. You can always erase and rewrite what is messy or misspelled. The grader needs to be able to read what you write.

Which test-taking tip will help you most?

Look back at all four slides of test taking tips and decide your three favorite tips.

Turn to the person sitting next to you and share your responses. How will you use those tips on the test?

Essay Writing…it’s not as bad as you may think!

This is your chance on the test to share your own voice and ideas!

Make sure you “talk to the text” on the question itself, and underline exactly what the questions is asking.

Brainstorm first! Getting your ideas on paper will make you less nervous and help your essay become more clear and specific.

Break your thoughts into groups, called paragraphs! If you write one long paragraph, you will get one low score .

How do I start?

Step 1: Talk to the question and make sure you know what it is asking you to do (put it in your own words if that helps)

Exp: Write an essay discussing whether or not you would recommend your school to other teenagers.

On your paper, talk to this essay topic (TtT!)

Brainstorm Choose the best method for

brainstorming Pro/Con Chart Spider/bubble brainstorm Check page 266-275 for

other ideas Anything else that works for

you!

Now brainstorm about the topic: Write an essay discussing whether or not you would recommend your school to other teenagers.

For Against

What belongs in the introduction paragraph?

A hook to draw the reader inBackground information about the

topicThesis statement

What is a hook?

A hook is the attention-grabbing first sentence of your essay.

We call it a hook because you are trying to “hook” the reader in.

Hooks can include: A question An interesting statement, fact, or quote A thought-provoking idea

Whatever you choose, it should be on-topic and appropriate for your audience!

Give us an example…

For an essay on whether or not to recommend OFL, a hook could include: “Why do so many people leave high school before

they graduate?” “Many students interviewed at OFL say they prefer

OFL to their previous school.” “Independent study is not right for everyone, but

many students do better working on their own.”

What is background information?

Background information is anything your reader needs in order to understand what you are talking about in your thesis and essay.

Assume the reader of your essay is a smart person who doesn’t know much about your topic.

Exp: “Opportunities for Learning is an independent study school that many students choose if the traditional school is not working for them.”

What is a Thesis Statement?

Book defines as “Clearly expressed main idea about a topic”

Put another way, the point you are trying to prove in your essay.

The most clear thesis statements include your three main arguments

Exp: “Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because the teachers are caring, the centers are safe and clean, and students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.

Where do I put my Thesis Statement?

The thesis statement is almost always at the very end of the first (introduction) paragraph.

Thesis Statement

The information in your

introduction goes from

general (hook) to specific

(thesis)

Putting the introduction together…

Independent study is not right for everyone, but many students do better working on their own. Opportunities for Learning is an independent study school that many students choose if the traditional school is not working for them. Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because the teachers are caring, the centers are safe and clean, and students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.

What goes in the body paragraphs?

In the most organized essays, the body paragraphs match the order of the thesis, explaining each with more information:

Exp: Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because 1 the teachers are caring, 2 the centers are safe and clean, and 3 students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other high schools.

The Body Paragraphs

Introduction

Body paragraph 1

Conclusion

Body paragraph 2

Body paragraph 3

Thesis: Opportunities for Learning is a good alternative for students because

the teachers are caring, the centers are safe and clean, and students can earn credits at a faster pace than at other

high schools.

The teachers are caring

Students can earn credits at a faster pace

The centers are safe and clean

The Body Paragraphs

Within the body paragraphs is where all your ideas and examples are used. You can brainstorm these first, and then bring them together within each body paragraph.

Example: Body ¶ 2: The centers are safe and clean

Desks are clean and no one tags on

them.

The bathroom is always clean and

orderly

Students feel safe because there are never fights at the

center

Conclusion

Wraps up your essay, restating your main ideas in new words

Adds up the evidence from your essay to make your final point.

Think back to the hamburger: The final bite (last sentence) of your essay should be delicious! It should leave your reader with a good understanding of your main point.

Shape of the Conclusion

The information in your

conclusion goes from specific

(restatement of your thesis in new words) to more general (bigger ideas

about the topic)

Now fill in the information on the planning chart for the OFL essay…

Introduction

Body paragraph 1

Conclusion

Body paragraph 2

Body paragraph 3

Choose an essay question

Choose an essay question between pages 211 and 230 (but read all of them!) and answer it using the brainstorming, planning chart, then writing method.

Use the rubric on page _ of your packet to evaluate yourself before turning the essay into your teacher.

All Homework Due!!All Homework Due!!

Session 1Session 1: Pages 3-9, 11-14, 17-22, 25-: Pages 3-9, 11-14, 17-22, 25-3434

Session 2Session 2: Pages 42-47; 58-64; 75-77; : Pages 42-47; 58-64; 75-77; 92-94 (Jeff Story); 98-100; 104-106; 92-94 (Jeff Story); 98-100; 104-106; 117-118117-118

Session 3Session 3: Page 167-170, 174-176, 196-: Page 167-170, 174-176, 196-197, 204-206, 197, 204-206, Measuring Up; Measuring Up; Essay, Essay, page 212page 212

Vocabulary Flashcards for all bolded Vocabulary Flashcards for all bolded words p. 1-202words p. 1-202