Writing an EssayThe Writing Process1. Planning:Brainstorming Organising into an outline2. Writing: Take your ideas and turn them into a piece of writing with good structure andflow.3. Editing:Looking through your work to check for errors and make improvements

The StructureIntroduction: Hook (something to get your reader interested; it could be a stat, quote or rhetorical question)Background information (on the general subject. This should not include any details you are including in your body)Thesis: Answer to the question in one clear sentence.

Body Paragraphs: A clear main idea (topic sentence) that is connected to the thesis3 support points that give reasons why or how this topic sentence is trueDetailed evidence or examples for each point (Stat, quote, event)Analysis that shows the connection between the evidence, support and topic sentence. Why is this point so important? Conclusion:Summarise your main points. Ideally this should not be a rewording but in one or two sentences highlight the main ideas. What do you really want the reader to remember?Final Thought: Leave the reader thinking either by making a reference to the future orby connecting the essay to a bigger idea or theme.

Different Structures for Different topicsExplain/Describe: Choose three different parts of the topic and explain each one

Evaluate/How far/To what extent: Show two different sides of the argumentEither topic by topic or all of one side all of the otherEvaluate How Democratic Canadian Democracy Is.The process: A plan or outline is essential. I will not mark any essay that does not have this attached.1. Brainstorm. During the last 5 weeks we have discussed many different ideas about Canadian democracy. Put as many of these ideas, details and arguments down as you can.

Organise. As this is an evaluate question, you need to show that you understand both sides of the question. In this case, you need to sow that there are democratic and undemocratic parts of Canadian democracy.

To do this, you have a choice of structures:

Topic by Topic. Three different paragraphs for three different parts of Canadian democracy (e.g voting, the law making process and citizen involvement). In each paragraph you must show how this part has both democratic and undemocratic features (just like you did in the FPTP vs PR paragraph)

All of one/All of the other: One paragraph showing one side (that Canadian democracy is democratic) and one showing the other (That it is not democratic). You should always begin with the side that goes against your overall thesis.

2. Write. Begin with your introduction. You now know what you will say in your body and so can avoid putting these ideas in your introduction. A good background for an evaluate question is to define the main terms in the question that you will use to make your decision. In this case, you might want to define what democracy is so the reader (and you!) can clearly see what you are basing your decision on. You can also come back to this definition in your analysis.

When you are writing the body, try to use a variety of sentence structures, transitions and vocabulary so that the reader does not become bored and to stop your writing becoming too formulaic. Avoid using personal phrases (I think, in my opinion etc.) Instead, you are demonstrating that your points are correct through the strength of your evidence and analysis (explanation)

In your conclusion, try to think of the two or three most important points you want the reader to remember. Of course this should be the ones that most strongly show your thesis is correct. End with a final thought about the future or connection to a bigger idea that leaves the reader thinking about what you have written.

3. Edit. This is perhaps the most overlooked part of any piece of writing. Whenever possible try to look at the essay with fresh eyes. Ideally, come back to the essay the next day, in class, give yourself a little brain break before going back to the essay. Here you should be focusing on the flow of your essay and how easy it is to read. Dont be afraid to make changes to help the reader understand.