3.11: Planning and Writing an Essay
- Page ID
- 293708
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Planning and Writing an Essay
Writing Practice
In this activity, you will (a) brainstorm, (b) outline, and (c) write a five-paragraph essay on the following prompt.
(a) Use the mind map technique to generate ideas.
(b) Then complete the outline below to organize your ideas. Follow the instructions to complete the outline. Write complete sentences for the thesis statement, topic sentences, and conclusion (thesis restatement). Write enough key words/details for the supporting details that you will be able to write paragraphs in your first draft.
(c) Finally, write your first draft. The first portion of the introductory paragraph has been provided for you.
Writing Prompt
Here is the writing prompt: Write about the three biggest changes that immigrants must make or adjust to after moving to the United States.
Mind Map
Procedure
1. Complete the mind map brainstorm tool to identify possible ideas for your essay.
2. Using the prompt that you’ve been given and your ideas from your mind map activity, finish the following Thesis Statement below and write it on the thesis statement line. Use the three strongest major supports out of your four possible options. (In other words, use three of these from your mind map: A, B, C, or D).
Three of the biggest changes that immigrants must make or adjust to after moving to the United States are__________, _________, and __________.
Remember: the thesis statement should be one sentence only!
3. The three strongest major supports from your mind map that you chose for your thesis statement will become your three body paragraphs. Complete the following steps for each of the body paragraphs.
a. Use the major support that you choose for this paragraph (for example, A) and write a complete Topic Sentence for the body paragraph. Be sure to include a topic and controlling idea.
b. Use the two minor supports for that major support in your mind map (for example, a1 and a2) to write two major supporting details for your topic sentence.
c. For each major supporting detail, add two additional minor supporting details.
Each body paragraph in the outline will look like:
I. Topic sentence (for Example, using A): Transition, topic + controlling idea.
A. Major Supporting Detail: (a1)
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2
B. Major Supporting Detail (a2)
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2
4. Write a concluding paragraph that:
a. restates the thesis
b. summarizes the supporting points
c. ends with a final thought
Outline Form
I. Introductory Paragraph:
(Here is your hook and background information. All you need to do is write the thesis statement.)
Throughout our lives, we experience changes—changes in living conditions, changes in health, and changes in any of life’s circumstances. Some changes are more dramatic than others. Moving, for instance, can create big changes in one’s life. Moving to another country, in fact, with a different culture and language, can create major life changes for better or for worse.
Thesis Statement (should be last sentence in introduction): Three of the biggest changes that immigrants must make or adjust to after moving to the United States are__________, _________, and __________.
II. Body Paragraph 1 (for the first item in the thesis statement): Topic sentence: Transition, topic + controlling idea. ______________________________________________________________________________
A. Major Supporting Detail 1: ______________________________________________________
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1: __________________________________________________________________
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2: __________________________________________________________________
B. Major Supporting Detail 2: ______________________________________________________
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1: __________________________________________________________________
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2: __________________________________________________________________
III. Body Paragraph 2 (for the second item in the thesis statement): Topic sentence: Transition, topic + controlling idea. _________________________________________________________________________________
A. Major Supporting Detail 1: __________________________________________________________
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1: ______________________________________________________________________
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2: ______________________________________________________________________
B. Major Supporting Detail 2: __________________________________________________________
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1: ______________________________________________________________________
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2: ______________________________________________________________________
IV. Body Paragraph 3 (for the third item in the thesis statement): Topic sentence: Transition, topic + controlling idea. ______________________________________________________________________________
A. Major Supporting Detail 1: _______________________________________________________
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1: ______________________________________________________________________
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2: _____________________________________________________________________
B. Major Supporting Detail 2: _________________________________________________________
1. Minor Supporting Detail 1: _____________________________________________________________________
2. Minor Supporting Detail 2: _____________________________________________________________________
V. Concluding Paragraph:
Restate Thesis: _________________________________________________________________________________
Summarize Supporting Points: _____________________________________________________________________
Final Thought: __________________________________________________________________________________
5. Now, type a draft of your essay. Format it according to MLA style.
MLA Academic Format
This is the style to follow for essay writing in MLA style. At the top left of the page, put a heading with your name on the top line, your professor's name on the second line, the title of the course on the third line, and the date on the last line. Keep a one-inch margin on all sides of the page. (This is the default setting in Microsoft Word). Then put a title below the heading. The title of your essay should not be in bold, italicized, or in quotation marks. The title should be centered on the page and capitalized correctly. Double-space your essay using the double-spacing function under “Paragraph Format” in Microsoft Word. Do not press return twice to double-space. Use size 12-point font and Times New Roman style. Indent each paragraph using the Tab key on the computer keyboard. For a demonstration of how to format your essay in MLA format, watch this video.
Here is an example of a properly formatted heading. Please note that this heading appears only on the first page of your essay.
Sally Smith
Professor Jones
ESOL 0184 A01
30 April 2024
Attributions:
Content on this page was adapted from ESL Academic Writing, which was shared under a CC BY license by Prince George's Community College.