How to Write an Essay

2. How to Write an Essay Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay

3. What is an Essay? A basic essay consists of three main parts: INTRODUCTION 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS A CONCLUSION

4. The Introduction • The introduction guides the reader into your paper by grabbing attention and introducing the topic. • Make sure to introduce your topic, main idea or thesis statement, which the entire essay will connect • The concluding sentence in an introduction should transition into the next paragraph

5. The Thesis Statement • A thesis statement is simply an argument that you are going to prove in your essay. • This statement is the central and unifying idea to your essay • The thesis statement is usually the first or second sentence in your introduction • The following three sentence will contain your three supporting points that will help prove your thesis.

6. Thesis Death Penalty is wrong. 1. Immoral. 3. Not effective. 2. Too expensive.

7. In our society today, the idea of bringing back the death penalty is highly debated. The death penalty is wrong. It does not have the desired effect. The expense associated with the death penalty is more than people are aware of. The whole idea of killing someone is immoral.

8. BODY PARAGRAPHS • In a basic 5 paragraph essay, there are 3 body paragraphs that all follow the same structure; but, discuss and prove different points. • Each body paragraph should discuss one of the points in your thesis. • You are trying to convince the reader that your point is right. • Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, point, and proof. • Be sure to use transition phrases to connect your ideas. • Write a closing sentence. • Do this x3

9. P.E.EPoint, Evidence, Explanation Objective:To understand and successfully apply the PEE structure

10. PEE Explained • Point: your stance, direction, brief answer to a question posed • Evidence: support in the form of a “quotation” or specific example(s) • Explanation: explains what your evidence proves. Pick out key words, explain their effects and/or judge

11. PEE in action Q: How do novels and films teach us about ourselves and the society we live in? P – The movie “V for Vendetta”, explains how people are part of society’s problems. E – V does not focus on violence, crime or greed when talking about the society but the apathy and complacency of society “…you need only look in the mirror.” E – Society can be led by those people who understand that people just don’t care about things in the world. All it takes for change is for someone to stand up and say enough.

12. Topic sentence – there are a number of films that teach us about the society we live in. Point - The movie “V for Vendetta”, explains how people are part of society’s problems. Evidence - V does not focus on violence, crime or greed when talking about the society but the apathy and complacency of society “…you need only look in the mirror.” Explain - Society can be led by those people who understand that people just don’t care about things in the world. All it takes for change is for someone to stand up and say enough.

13. PEE in action extension Q: How do novels and films teach us about ourselves and the society we live in? P – Both Shattered and V for Vendetta comment on society apathy and complacency. E – V does not focus on violence, crime or greed when talking about the society but the apathy and complacency of society “…you need only look in the mirror.” This has led to a breakdown in society. Shattered presents the same issue of apathy and complaceny but in a different way. The character of Ian is one full of apathy at the beginning of the novel. He does not care about the placement or the people, he just wants to pass a course. This shows how apathetic teenagers can be in today’s society E – Although they approach the problem differently they both introduce the idea that apathy and complacency is a problem in our society. It is only through strong characters like V or Ian that things have got to change before it is too late.

14. The Conclusion • The conclusion brings together ALL of the main points of the essay. • It refers back to and RESTATES the THESIS. • The conclusion leaves the reader with a final thought and a sense of closure by resolving any ideas brought up in the essay. #1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW!

15. No separate title page. In the top left corner of the first page of your essay, write: Your Name Teacher’s Name Double spaced Course Code Date Submitted

16. Bullying

25. Bullying is an issue that continues to be discussed and examined by everyone. It is something that a lot of people have had to deal with at work, on the streets or at school. People have come up with ideas and plans to stop bullying but do they really work? Social media is something that people say is one of the main reasons why the amount of bullying has exploded to new levels. Write a well-constructed essay discussing your opinion of bullying.