Essay Writing

Essay Writing : 

Essay Writing Tutorial of

The Dreaded Essay Assignment : 

The Dreaded Essay Assignment Sound familiar? Danica’s first draft The Importance of Safety Being safe in our world today is pretty important. Our lives depend on safety each day. The modern play, “Heat Lightning,” showed what could happen if you weren’t safe. I try to be safe by carrying a cell phone with me everywhere. Writing a 5-paragraph essay seems overwhelmingly hard for me. I always think I’ve said everything there is to say and all I’ve got is maybe one paragraph completed. Take a look… That’s it….that’s all I can think of to write on this topic! Help!

The Dreaded Essay Assignment : 

The Dreaded Essay Assignment Common concern Whoa…back that anxiety bus up Danica, you are not alone. This is one of the most common anxieties for students when they write an essay. I’m not alone? No, you’re not alone. Thinking that you have to write 5 paragraphs cold turkey can fluster anyone. It really is all in the planning. Trust me, I can help. Thanks Kade, I could use the help.

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Handy hints Did you use sticky notes while reading or that handy note-taking chart while watching the film? Well, yes, but how will that help? Hang on…did you also create a cool graphic organizer on a topic for the play or film? Yeah, those were pretty easy! Well, you practically have your essay planned already! Are you kidding me? Do I look like the kidding type?

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Honestly Danica, you have done most of the hard work already. Let’s see your graphic organizer. Hang on…I’ll go get it.

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Danica’s Graphic Organizer for “Heat Lightning” 1. Topic: Safety 2. Connect Text to Topic How does a character (or characters) relate to the topic?-The girl didn’t make safe choices. She decided to remain in the bus station instead of leaving with the second man…she didn’t know who to trust.-She wasn’t prepared for her problems. -She trusted a complete stranger when she shouldn’t have. -Her fear of the storm increased her fears -She thought that locking the bus station’s door was being safe, but she actually was locking herself inside with the real killer.-The girl gave the man important details about what she saw earlier. Provide some specific supporting details or quotations: “I –I could have stayed all night with a friend, but I thought I had enough gas to get home.” “I must get hold of myself.”“He’ll be here any minute. Please – help me!”“It’s the lightning—I” “I’m scared. Oh I’m scared.”“I knew he saw me. I started running. I could hear him behind me.”What elements from the text relate to the topic?- The setting contributed to her being unsafe (deserted bus station early in the morning)-Suspense: “I saw the rear lights burning. I wanted to call to them. I thought I’d just call out to them…”-Foreshadowing: “I dropped the flashlight and started running.” “No – I couldn’t. I don’t want to [go to the police] –I’m afraid.”-Irony: “Yes-Yes-Oh, he’s still out there—somewhere. He’ll be here. I know he will.” (Verbal and dramatic irony) 3. My Experiences Consider how you relate to the topic (Consider your opinion of the topic):-Since I have travelled a great deal I am pretty safe.Consider how you connect to the character(s) in relation to the topic: -I try to be prepared for the unexpected. I have a cell phone and avoid unsafe streets.Are there similarities or differences between you and the character(s)? If so, what are they?-I try to make good choices when problems happen. The girl in the play didn’t. 4. Application to the World Consider how the topic relates to society/the world in general:-Our world isn’t as safe as we believe.-Being familiar with our environment is important to being safe.What generalizations can be made?-Sometimes our instincts provide important signs that we should trust.-Realizing that the world around us is not as safe as we believe can be a devastating understanding. Define the topic: Safety: to be protected from harm or injury (Encarta dictionary).Why is the topic important? -It is important to be safe. We aren’t always safe in our environments.What are some considerations about the topic?-Don’t drive alone late at night.-Have a cell phone with you.-Tell someone where you are going.-Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to get to your destination.-Don’t trust strangers.-Consider all the possibilities of your choices.

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Four out of the five steps are done already! Each section within your graphic organizer is the plan for a body paragraph. I didn’t realize that taking notes while I read and creating a graphic organizer would save me so much time! What’s next? Well, take a look at a couple of changes I can make to your graphic organizer…and it will be instantly transformed into a 5-paragraph essay outline.

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Danica’s Graphic Organizer for “Heat Lightning” 1. Topic: Safety 2. Connect Text to Topic How does a character (or characters) relate to the topic?-The girl didn’t make safe choices. She decided to remain in the bus station instead of leaving with the second man…she didn’t know who to trust.-She wasn’t prepared for her problems. -She trusted a complete stranger when she shouldn’t have. -Her fear of the storm increased her fears -She thought that locking the bus station’s door was being safe, but she actually was locking herself inside with the real killer.-The girl gave the man important details about what she saw earlier. Provide some specific supporting details or quotations: “I –I could have stayed all night with a friend, but I thought I had enough gas to get home.” “I must get hold of myself.”“He’ll be here any minute. Please – help me!”“It’s the lightning—I” “I’m scared. Oh I’m scared.”“I knew he saw me. I started running. I could hear him behind me.”What elements from the text relate to the topic?- The setting contributed to her being unsafe (deserted bus station early in the morning)-Suspense: “I saw the rear lights burning. I wanted to call to them. I thought I’d just call out to them…”-Foreshadowing: “I dropped the flashlight and started running.” “No – I couldn’t. I don’t want to [go to the police] –I’m afraid.”-Irony: “Yes-Yes-Oh, he’s still out there—somewhere. He’ll be here. I know he will.” (Verbal and dramatic irony) 3. My Experiences Consider how you relate to the topic (Consider your opinion of the topic): -Since I have travelled a great deal I am pretty safe. Consider how you connect to the character(s) in relation to the topic: -I try to be prepared for the unexpected. I have a cell phone and avoid unsafe streets.Are there similarities or differences between you and the character(s)? If so, what are they?-I try to make good choices when problems happen. The girl in the play didn’t. 4. Application to the World Consider how the topic relates to society/the world in general:-Our world isn’t as safe as we believe.-Being familiar with our environment is important to being safe.What generalizations can be made?-Sometimes our instincts provide important signs that we should trust.-Realizing that the world around us is not as safe as we believe can be a devastating understanding. 1. Introduction: Safety Danica’s Graphic Organizer for “Heat Lightning” 5-paragraph Essay Plan 2. Connect Text to Topic Body Paragraph #1 3. My Experiences Body Paragraph #2 4. Application to the World Body Paragraph #3 Restate your thesis:Summarize your key points:Wow your reader. Consider an interesting quotation or suggestion: Define the topic : Safety: to be protected from harm or injury (Encarta dictionary).Why is the topic important? -It is important to be safe. We aren’t always safe in our environments.What are some considerations about the topic?-Don’t drive alone late at night.-Have a cell phone with you.-Tell someone where you are going.-Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to get to your destination.-Don’t trust strangers.-Consider all the possibilities of your choices. 5. Write a Conclusion Define the topic: Safety: to be protected from harm or injury (Encarta dictionary).Why is the topic important? -It is important to be safe. We aren’t always safe in our environments.What are some considerations about the topic?-Don’t drive alone late at night.-Have a cell phone with you.-Tell someone where you are going.-Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to get to your destination.-Don’t trust strangers.-Consider all the possibilities of your choices. Write a THESIS STATEMENT:

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Impressive! The only thing I really have left to plan is the thesis statementandconclusion. That’s right. If you can write an effective thesis statement you can write a fantastic essay…trust the process!

Thesis Statement : 

Thesis Statement Consider the notes on your graphic organizer under topic. Decide on a focus for your thesis. Do you mean, for example, choosing “We aren’t always safe in our environments”? Sure, but what about it? Maybe think about how you want to develop this idea. What key points about this topic are important to you? Oh, I get it….like being prepared, making wise choices, and knowing who to trust. You’ve got it! That’s your thesis statement: Individuals are not always safe in their environments, so it is important to be prepared, make wise choices, and know who to trust. Cool! That was easy! Keep your plan in place and ensure that you move through the steps in the order. Define the topic: Safety: to be protected from harm or injury (Encarta dictionary).Why is the topic important? -It is important to be safe. We aren’t always safe in our environments.What are some considerations about the topic?-Don’t drive alone late at night. -Have a cell phone with you. -Tell someone where you are going.-Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to get to your destination.-Don’t trust strangers.-Consider all the possibilities of your choices. Write a THESIS STATEMENT: 1. Introduction: Safety Define the topic: Safety: to be protected from harm or injury (Encarta dictionary).Why is the topic important? -It is important to be safe. We aren’t always safe in our environments.What are some considerations about the topic?-Don’t drive alone late at night. -be prepared-Have a cell phone with you. -Tell someone where you are going.-Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to get to your destination.-Don’t trust strangers.-Consider all the possibilities of your choices. Write a THESIS STATEMENT: Write a THESIS STATEMENT: Individuals are not always safe in their environments, so it is important to be prepared, make wise choices, and know whom to trust.

Helpful Hints : 

Helpful Hints When you move to the body paragraph after your introduction, don’t forget to discuss the text (like the modern play or film) and include supporting evidence. Pick the most effective ones that you’ve listed on your graphic organizer or from your sticky notes that directly link to your topic. Yeah, you know English teachers love their supporting evidence, especially if it’s from the text you are studying. Plus, I’ve done all that work already so I wouldn’t want to let it go to waste!

Helpful Hints : 

Helpful Hints Remember you are allowed to write about your own experiences and knowledge too. This comes in handy for developing body paragraph number 2. Try to connect with the characters and link your experiences with theirs. And then for body paragraph number 3 I use the material under Application to the World? Right. Consider how the topic relates to society in general.

Helpful Hints : 

Helpful Hints I think I follow you, Kade, but how long should my paragraphs be? Remember a paragraph is approximately 5-10 sentences. You have plenty of ideas already listed on your graphic organizer for each one so you shouldn’t worry. Am I done? Almost! If you left your paragraphs on their own they wouldn’t connect very effectively. Transitions are where it’s at for transforming a boring paper into that wow category. Take a look at these examples. Use these words or phrases to connect your body paragraphs.

Transitions : 

Transitions To Add: and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.) To Compare: whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true To Prove: because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is To Show Exception: yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes To Show Time: immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then To Repeat: in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted To Emphasize: definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation To Show Sequence: first, second, third, and so forth, next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon To Give an Example: for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate To Summarize or Conclude: in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the whole Helpful Hints

Conclusions : 

Those are awesome transitions. I’ll have to keep a copy. Do you have any hints for writing a conclusion, Kade? I’m usually out of ideas by the time I get to that paragraph. Sure thing Danica. Say goodbye effectively. Your conclusion is the last chance you have to wow your reader. It is the final impression you leave your marker with before he/she grades your work. Helpful Hints Conclusions 5. Write a Conclusion Restate your thesis: -Knowing whom to trust, making wise choices, and being prepared is not always easy . Summarize your key points: Wow your reader. Consider an interesting quotation or suggestion: Plus, convincingly remind your audience that all of the arguments you chose in the body of your essay fit together. The body of your essay has broken up your thesis statement, and your conclusion should put it all back together. Get in, get’r done, and get out! Okay. So, I could plan it like this… Restate your thesis: -Knowing whom to trust, making wise choices, and being prepared is not always easy . Summarize your key points: -The girl in the modern play, “Heat Lightning,” attempted to stay safe during an evening of a terrible storm, but she trusted the wrong person.-The author, Robert F. Carroll, effectively used suspense, foreshadowing, and irony to reveal that being safe is not always a possibility. Wow your reader. Consider an interesting quotation or suggestion: “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.” (thinkexist.com)

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Super job here Danica! By taking your graphic organizer and transforming it into an essay planner, you are well on your way to having enough material for a 5-paragraph essay. What a relief! Here’s my final plan…

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Danica’s Graphic Organizer for “Heat Lightning” 1. Topic: Safety 2. Connect Text to Topic How does a character (or characters) relate to the topic?-The girl didn’t make safe choices. She decided to remain in the bus station instead of leaving with the second man…she didn’t know who to trust.-She wasn’t prepared for her problems. -She trusted a complete stranger when she shouldn’t have. -Her fear of the storm increased her fears -She thought that locking the bus station’s door was being safe, but she actually was locking herself inside with the real killer.-The girl gave the man important details about what she saw earlier. Provide some specific supporting details or quotations: “I –I could have stayed all night with a friend, but I thought I had enough gas to get home.” “I must get hold of myself.”“He’ll be here any minute. Please – help me!”“It’s the lightning—I” “I’m scared. Oh I’m scared.”“I knew he saw me. I started running. I could hear him behind me.”What elements from the text relate to the topic?- The setting contributed to her being unsafe (deserted bus station early in the morning)-Suspense: “I saw the rear lights burning. I wanted to call to them. I thought I’d just call out to them…”-Foreshadowing: “I dropped the flashlight and started running.” “No – I couldn’t. I don’t want to [go to the police] –I’m afraid.”-Irony: “Yes-Yes-Oh, he’s still out there—somewhere. He’ll be here. I know he will.” (Verbal and dramatic irony) 3. My Experiences Consider how you relate to the topic (Consider your opinion of the topic): -Since I have travelled a great deal I am pretty safe. Consider how you connect to the character(s) in relation to the topic: -I try to be prepared for the unexpected. I have a cell phone and avoid unsafe streets.Are there similarities or differences between you and the character(s)? If so, what are they?-I try to make good choices when problems happen. The girl in the play didn’t. 4. Application to the World Consider how the topic relates to society/the world in general:-Our world isn’t as safe as we believe.-Being familiar with our environment is important to being safe.What generalizations can be made?-Sometimes our instincts provide important signs that we should trust.-Realizing that the world around us is not as safe as we believe can be a devastating understanding. 1. Introduction: Safety Danica’s Graphic Organizer for “Heat Lightning” 5-paragraph Essay Plan 2. Connect Text to Topic Body Paragraph #1 3. My Experiences Body Paragraph #2 4. Application to the World Body Paragraph #3 Restate your thesis: -Knowing whom to trust, making wise choices, and being prepared is not always easy Summarize your key points: -The girl in the modern play, “Heat Lightning,” attempted to stay safe during an evening of a terrible storm, but she trusted the wrong person.-The author, Robert F. Carroll, effectively used suspense, foreshadowing, and irony to reveal that being safe is not always a possibility. Wow your reader. Consider an interesting quotation or suggestion: “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.” (thinkexist.com) 5. Write a Conclusion Define the topic: Safety: to be protected from harm or injury (Encarta dictionary).Why is the topic important? -It is important to be safe. We aren’t always safe in our environments.What are some considerations about the topic?-Don’t drive alone late at night. -be prepared-Have a cell phone with you. -Tell someone where you are going.-Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to get to your destination.-Don’t trust strangers.-Consider all the possibilities of your choices. Write a THESIS STATEMENT: Individuals are not always safe in their environments, so it is important to be prepared, make wise choices, and know whom to trust.

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Helpful Hints Thanks so much Kade for all your help. I really appreciate it. No problem, Danica. Hey, I was thinking about your title, “The Importance of Safety,” do you really want to read something called “The Importance of Safety”? That title puts me to sleep. It sounds like a bad safety infomercial. Jazz it up a bit… Okay, that’s good advice. I wouldn’t want to bore the readers before they even get started. How about, a snappier title like, “Safety in the Storm” or “Safety on a Dark and Stormy Night” ? A bit better Danica! Remember you can be funny and witty with your titles. Good luck and don’t forget to proof-read and edit before you submit a final draft. You’re super, Kade! Well, I’ve gotten a few Wow’s on my rubrics, but don’t tell anyone!

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Avatar illustrations courtesy of DoppleMe