SEVEN-STEP ESSAY PROCESS



SEVEN-STEP ESSAY PROCESS

1. Read and analyze the question

❑ What is the question asking?

❑ What is the question asking you to do?

[Know key words of the prompt]

2. Collect and Sort information

❑ Brainstorming, categorizing, generalizing

[Creating categories]

3. Create your thesis statement

An effective thesis will have all these components-

➢ Fully addresses the question (prompt) asked

➢ Takes a position with regard to the question asked

➢ Provides organizational categories that will be used in the essay

4. Introductory Paragraph

❑ Lead in sentence (explains event(s) that shows an understanding of chronology

❑ Thesis

❑ One transitional sentence that ties opening paragraph together (if possible)

5. Body Paragraphs

❑ One paragraph for each category in the thesis

❑ Begin with topic sentence

➢ Explains main idea of paragraph

➢ Supports thesis

❑ Fact and Details (3 things)

➢ Interpreting/analysis/commentary

6. Conclusion

➢ Reinforce thesis

➢ Addresses the question So What? [assigns importance]

➢ Exit sentence – explains what the topics leads into next (puts essay in historical perspective)

7. Proofread essay

Introduction:

Introduce topic

✓ Topic - What are we examining?

✓ Time period & place-when and where are we?

✓ Importance-convey that the topic is of vital concern

✓ Elaborate on the prompt

Thesis (1 sentence version of your argument)

✓ Fully addresses the question (prompt)

✓ Takes a position with regard to the question asked

✓ Provides organizational categories that will be used in the essay-roadmap

✓ A good thesis requires you to introduce the concepts in it before presenting the thesis itself. (This is the task of the introductory paragraph)

**Biggest problem is that paper contains no true thesis; second biggest problem is that the thesis is vague and ill-defined.

Body

✓ This is where you argue your thesis- think to yourself, “what do I need to support this argument”

✓ Several paragraphs-the bulk of your essay will be here

✓ Move from general to specific

✓ Topic sentence in each paragraph tells the reader what the paragraph is about it is a “mini thesis”

✓ 2 kinds of support evidence

o Historical facts

o Analysis-the interpretation of the facts

✓ Transition statements that flow from one idea to the next

✓ This is where you find the scholarly argument-can discredit opposite viewpoint

Conclusion

✓ Usually one paragraph

✓ Briefly recapitulates your thesis-pulling all of your arguments together

✓ Also suggests why the argument is important in the bigger scheme of things or raises a bigger question (Answering the so what?)

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