Essays Introduction the first paragraph of an essay

Essays • Introduction: the first paragraph of an essay that contains a topic sentence, supporting details and a thesis statement. • Has a hook to begin • Has a funnel format (Broad to specific) • Has a thesis statement (not a question) at the very end • Body Paragraphs: Paragraphs between the introduction and conclusion that develop the idea presented in thesis statement. • Begins with transitional topic sentences that reinforce thesis statement. • End with transitional topic sentences that reinforce thesis statement • Conclusion: the final paragraph of an essay that summarizes ideas within the body paragraphs and restates thesis statement in a new way. • Begins with restated thesis statement • Has upside-down funnel format (specific to broad) • Ends forcefully and clearly • Remember the Hamburger!!!

The Hamburger

Thesis: Intro • Choose the one event in your life that has influenced you more than anything. ___________________________________ • Determine three ways in which this event it has influenced you. 1. __________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3. __________________________________ • Write your thesis by using one of the following formulas A. If it was not for __________________ I would not have 1. _________, 2. _________, or 3. _________. B. Because of ___________ I am now 1. __________, 2. _____________, and 3. ______________. C. Little did I know, but _______________ would eventually make me 1. ________, 2. _________, and 3. ___________.

Hook and Support: Intro • Start your essay with a captivating and fascinating sentence. Try to come up with an example of each of these following options based off the main topic of your thesis. • • • Definition: Webster defines _______ as ___________________ Quote: “___________________________________” Dialogue: “__________________________________” Description: __________________________________ Statistic: ___________________________________ • Work from broad to specific and write 3 supporting sentences that give background, explain more or even connect to thesis 1. __________________________________ 2. __________________________________ 3. __________________________________

What will I be graded on? 10 pts. each = 40 pts. 1. Intro • strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the paper’s theme (quote, questions, statistic, dialogue etc. ) • 3 -4 support sentences working from broad to specific, gradually connecting hook to thesis • Your thesis statement (last sentence of your first paragraph) must clearly state purpose of narrative, which should summarize how this even has affected you in 3 ways 2. Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation and Vocabulary- • grammatical, spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors • fragments (don’t start sentences with AND or BUT), run-ons (don’t use AND or BUT more than once in a single sentence) • never use CONTRACTIONS! 3. Organization • Make sure that your thesis statement is constantly being revisited at the end of each paragraphs • Make sure your first sentence in your conclusion should be a rephrasing of your thesis statement to ensure organization. 4. Formatting- You will be graded on the format of the essay and how well it followed the following guidelines: • • 5 paragraphs long Times New Roman /Arial 12 point Font MLA formatting (heading, citations, title, spacing, margins