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Don't worry, the friendly librarian really is here to help you... Just start from the bottom and scroll up! Good luck and happy writing!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Never fear, just send your draft essays here!
I hope you have found this Resource Blog helpful.
I promised to list an email where drafts could be sent for real, personal review. Please use a Word.doc format so I can open and read your writing. The Sservice is free, paid for by the school district and local libraries. Here is the email account:
writerkjersti@essayblog.com
Please give me two (2) weekdays to reply!
I promised to list an email where drafts could be sent for real, personal review. Please use a Word.doc format so I can open and read your writing. The Sservice is free, paid for by the school district and local libraries. Here is the email account:
writerkjersti@essayblog.com
Please give me two (2) weekdays to reply!
Is there a formula?!
Sometimes writing can be a lot like math... here is an example of a basic essay formula:
How to Make and Use an Essay Outline
An essay outline is probably the most important friend you will have while writing your essay. It is the scaffolding of your paper and the skeleton of your ideas. It is the framework by which you will write a killer essay. And frankly, it is difficult to write one without an outline.
When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide:
I. INTRODUCTION:
Thesis:_____________________________________________________.
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1:
Opening Sentence:___________________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
III. BODY PARAGRAPH II:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
IV. BODY PARAGRAPH III:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
V. BODY PARAGRAPH IV:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
VI. CONCLUSION:
Reconfirmed Thesis:_________________________________________.
If you use this rough guide and fill in the blanks as you are researching your essay, you will find writing the essay so simple. You have all you need in front of you. It is researched and organized. All you have to do now is fill in the blanks with transition words and smooth language.
Think of this as an essay worksheet! It can be found at: http://www.bookrags.com/articles/2.html
How to Make and Use an Essay Outline
An essay outline is probably the most important friend you will have while writing your essay. It is the scaffolding of your paper and the skeleton of your ideas. It is the framework by which you will write a killer essay. And frankly, it is difficult to write one without an outline.
When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide:
I. INTRODUCTION:
Thesis:_____________________________________________________.
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1:
Opening Sentence:___________________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
III. BODY PARAGRAPH II:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
IV. BODY PARAGRAPH III:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
V. BODY PARAGRAPH IV:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.
VI. CONCLUSION:
Reconfirmed Thesis:_________________________________________.
If you use this rough guide and fill in the blanks as you are researching your essay, you will find writing the essay so simple. You have all you need in front of you. It is researched and organized. All you have to do now is fill in the blanks with transition words and smooth language.
Think of this as an essay worksheet! It can be found at: http://www.bookrags.com/articles/2.html
What about grammar?
Grammar is very important! In fact, some teachers consider correct grammar usage even more important than final essay content. Here is a place to go so that you can be sure to "write it right!"
http://www.englishforums.com/open/Grammar,Articles,Essays.htm
If English is not your first language, start here! This website has many tools for students who are learning English!
http://www.englishforums.com/open/Grammar,Articles,Essays.htm
If English is not your first language, start here! This website has many tools for students who are learning English!
Organizing... Do I have to?!
I know, it's that nagging voice that says, "You need to be more organized..." well, sorry, it's true!
Outlines take time, but they really are worth it! An outline helps all writers make sure they don't forget anything. Writing essays is not easy, so here is an example outline:
Outline
A traditional outline begins by listing all the main ideas of an essay, and then follows by listing all the sub-topics of those ideas and facts, which support the idea or sub-topic.
An example follows:
I. Geographic feature #1: Himalayan Mountains
1) Description:
a) forms an protective arch around India's northern border.
b) the tallest mountains in the world.
c) very difficult to cross
2) Effects on civilization or nation
a) acted as a barrier to invasions
b) isolates India from cold northern winds
II. Geographic feature #2: Sahara Desert
1) Description:
a) world's largest desert
b) stretches from Atlantic Ocean to Ethiopian Highlands
2) Effects on civilization or nation
a) isolated northern Africa from rest of continent
b) lack of arable land make food production difficult
III. Geographic feature #3: Yangtze River
1) Description:
a) China's longest river
b) runs from East China Sea to mountains of Tibet
2) Effects on civilization or nation
a) supplies good soil and water for limited arable land
b) supplies food
c) provides means of transportation and communication
This info can be found at: http://essayinfo.com/basics/outline.php
Outlines take time, but they really are worth it! An outline helps all writers make sure they don't forget anything. Writing essays is not easy, so here is an example outline:
Outline
A traditional outline begins by listing all the main ideas of an essay, and then follows by listing all the sub-topics of those ideas and facts, which support the idea or sub-topic.
An example follows:
I. Geographic feature #1: Himalayan Mountains
1) Description:
a) forms an protective arch around India's northern border.
b) the tallest mountains in the world.
c) very difficult to cross
2) Effects on civilization or nation
a) acted as a barrier to invasions
b) isolates India from cold northern winds
II. Geographic feature #2: Sahara Desert
1) Description:
a) world's largest desert
b) stretches from Atlantic Ocean to Ethiopian Highlands
2) Effects on civilization or nation
a) isolated northern Africa from rest of continent
b) lack of arable land make food production difficult
III. Geographic feature #3: Yangtze River
1) Description:
a) China's longest river
b) runs from East China Sea to mountains of Tibet
2) Effects on civilization or nation
a) supplies good soil and water for limited arable land
b) supplies food
c) provides means of transportation and communication
This info can be found at: http://essayinfo.com/basics/outline.php
Where should I begin?
When you are writing an essay, choose your topic FIRST. Some classes and teachers will assign essay topics. If the choice is yours, here are some links to help you choose your writing topic.
http://essayinfo.com/tips/choosing_topic.php
This website is there to help you do 2 very important things!
1. Choose a topic that interests you whenever you can! Teachers love reading students' work when the student is excited about their topic.
2. Keep your writing purpose in mind. Never forget the point of your work. Ask yourself WHAT you are trying to teach the reader and WHY.
http://essayinfo.com/tips/choosing_topic.php
This website is there to help you do 2 very important things!
1. Choose a topic that interests you whenever you can! Teachers love reading students' work when the student is excited about their topic.
2. Keep your writing purpose in mind. Never forget the point of your work. Ask yourself WHAT you are trying to teach the reader and WHY.
How do I make my writing good enough?
Many student worry that their writing is not good enough. Click here for help!
http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/quality.html
These resources are linked from the Hunter College Writing Center in New York. I like these explanations because they give great examples of what makes good writing GREAT!
http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/quality.html
These resources are linked from the Hunter College Writing Center in New York. I like these explanations because they give great examples of what makes good writing GREAT!
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