Essay writing

I hope to have a model for essay writing up soon on my website (still in construction), but for students in both US I and US II, using the "Building an Essay" model that we went over in class is the most efficient approach and you really should get accustomed to it.

Far too many students just start writing, and that is generally not the way to go. You have not thought through your material and you are using a "shoot first and ask questions later" approach which all too often ends up poorly organized, incomplete, and weak. So no matter what format you use, the following steps should be incorporated into your creation of a valid essay:

1. Brainstorm! Look at the question for a minute, then start jotting all terms, events, info thta pops into your head about the topic and the question being asked. This will not be organized at first, but at least get it out there.

2. Categorize/organize...try to create at least 3 categories or subtopics from your thoughts, info, and brainstorming. This becomes the paragraphs for the body of your essay.

3. Revisit the question. Now that you have a sense of where you are going, does it truly answer the question?

4. Create your Thesis Statement (T Statement)...in which you clarify your position and preview the argument you are going to use in your essay.

- a good T statement:
Although it was the initial intent of the national government to unite the nation and get it headed in a unified direction, the failure to recognize the still bitter social and economic differences between the North and South resulted in a failed Reconstruction of the nation.

- a weak T statement:
Reconstruction was a failure because the North wanted to punish the South.

While both of these essays could argue the same points, the first T statement makes a stronger argument and it demonstrates a greater understanding on your part, thus making a better initial impression on the reader (me!).

5. Draft your T paragraph and incorporate your 3 categories into your body paragraphs.