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Learn how to write an essay effectively with this step-by-step guide. Understand the purpose of an essay, the structure, and how to support your arguments with evidence. Master the art of essay writing and improve your writing skills.
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An essay is a written collection of prose, organized and divided neatly into paragraphs • Always remember that an essay is a written form of communication and therefore, must be clear, organized and easily understandable to those reading What is an Essay?
An essay is used to state and support an opinion with proof and explanation • Essays can be used to persuade others to agree with your opinion (persuasive), describe an event/experience, tell a story (narrative), analyze something specific (analysis, literary criticism) and so on. What is the Purpose of an Essay?
The first paragraph is an introductory paragraph • The middle three paragraph are the body paragraphs • The last paragraph is the concluding paragraph Why do we write five paragraph essays?
MLA Format • What does MLA stand for? Any Ideas?????
Modern Language Association • Professional association in the United States that aims to “strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature” • Publishes academic journals which guide and set rules for undergraduate and graduate students at many schools nationwide.
MLA Rules and Formatting • Double spaced, 12pt font- Times New Roman/Calibri • 1 inch margins • Correct Heading and Running header • Follow citation rules • Works Cited (if applicable) • NO contractions (shouldn’t , can’t) • NO 1st person (Some people believe, others may say) instead of (I think….)
Each body paragraph states and explains a different point to help you prove your opinion • An opinion is always stronger when it has more supporting facts (proof) • Adding indirect or direct quotes from a source may be requires and is always recommended! Body Paragraphs
Fact Opinion • Fact is a true statement • Facts can be supported, upheld and proven by evidence • An opinion is one individual’s personal belief on a subject • Everyone is welcome to have an opinion, but not every opinion is based on fact • Opinions can be based on what a person has heard from others, and is therefore subject to bias
For this reason, make sure that you phrase and word your essays as if they are FACT, not simply OPINION * Saying (Some may believe….) sounds better than (I believe…..) Fact is Stronger than Opinion
Each Academic/University level English course contains a unit on essay writing • Essay writing, in any form, will help prepare you for formal writing in the work place (contracts, emails, request documents, proposals…….. And so on! How will learning how to write an essay help me in the future?
Broad Statement or Attention getter/Hook • Introduce topic • Reason 1 • Reason 2 • Reason 3 • The Point The thesis
Thesis Statement- What you will prove! • Is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. • directly answers the question asked of you. • makes a claim that others might dispute. • is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation
Therefore, for these reasons disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night.
Disguises and costumes are a fun way to explore new identities and take on a new persona. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare explores the use of disguises and costumes throughout the play. Disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot, create humour and allow characters to explore different class and gender identities. Therefore, for these reasons disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night. Paragraph Format
Each of the three body paragraphs deals with one of the three reasons/proofs • Always remember to present them in the same order: A,B,C • Reason/Proof A should always be your weakest argument • Reason/Proof C should always be your strongest argument Body Paragraphs
Point: Firstly, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night. Proof: In Act 3 scene 4 Antonio mistakes Cesario for his friend Sebastian. Since Viola is disguised as a man and looks like her twin Sebastian, Antonio easily mistakes the two characters. Antonio sees who he believes to be Sebastian in the midst of a duel and offers to fight on his friend’s behalf. Viola does not recognize Antonio and is confused as to why this stranger is fighting for her. Although Viola is grateful, she is confused when Antonio asks Cesario to return his purse he left Sebastian. Quotation: Antonio feels hurt and betrayed and asks his friend “Will you deny me now?/Is’t possible that my deserts to you/Can lack persuasion?” (3.4.334-336). Explanation: Antonio has done a lot for Sebastian since arriving in Illyria. He rescues Sebastian from the shipwreck, stays with him in Illyria despite the dangers and gives Sebastian money. When Cesario does not recognize Antonio it creates conflict between Cesario and Antonio. Antonio feels hurt and betrayed while Viola is confused as she does not understand what is going on. If Viola was not in disguise, Antonio would not mistake her for his friend Sebastian. Mistaken identity causes confusion between Antonio and Viola. Viola’s disguise as a man is the driving force of conflict within this scene. Concluding sentence: Therefore, disguises and costumes are key elements in the play Twelfth Night as they cause confusion between characters and create conflict in the plot. Paragraph Format
Topic Sentence (point) Proof Explanation Conclusion Topic Sentence (Point) Proof Explanation Conclusion Topic Sentence (Point) Proof Explanation Conclusion First, Secondly, in addition, also, additionally Third, lastly
First, disguises and costumes drive the main conflicts in the plot of Twelfth Night. Secondly, disguises and costumes create humour throughout the play. Lastly, disguises and costumes allow characters to explore different class and gender identities. Transition words between paragraphs
Restate thesis • Restate your three points Finish with a broad concluding sentence about the topic Concluding Paragraph
Therefore, disguises and costumes are used throughout William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night and are crucial components in the play. Disguises and costumes cause mistaken identity within the play causing confusion between characters and creating conflict in the plot. Also, disguises and costumes add humour in the play in particular through dramatic irony. Finally, through disguises and costumes characters in the play are permitted to explore gender and class categories which they would otherwise not be permitted to do. Disguises and costumes are used throughout the play Twelfth Night and are crucial to the entertainment of the play. Paragraph Format
Do not use personal pronouns (I, we, you) These suggest your essay is an opinion instead of factual • Write in Present tense • Do not use rhetorical devises or creative writing skills • Do not use contractions (Can’t, won’t, couldn’t) • Do not use slang or informal language Tips for Writing Formal Essays
Avoid using vague language (be specific) • In an essay do not simply summarize your novel/play (assume that whoever is reading knows the novel/play well) • In your body paragraph, be as detailed and specific as possible when explaining and supporting your evidence and quotations • Use transition words to move smoothly from one idea to the next (in addition, lastly, for example, therefore) • NEVER bring up new information in your closing paragraph Tips for Writing Formal Essays
