Essay Basics

When crafting your personal narratives, remember that your story must have these things:

•Be Particular to your life •Have a universal theme •Expose a vulnerability or a weakness •Illustrate •Illustrate a transformation •Be natural with energy, engagement, and presence •No struggle, No story

One: 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Introduce the story 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Describe the setting and people 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tell about what happened 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Say how the conflict was resolved 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Say something about the significance

Two: 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Start in the middle of the action, giving enough information to provide an overview of what happened 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fill in details: setting, people, specific actions 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Make clear how the situation was resolved 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Say something about the significance

Three: 1. Start by telling how the story ends up: then introduce the subject. 2. Go back to the beginning of the story, telling what happens chronologically and describing the setting and people 3&nbsp;Conclude by saying something about the story’s significance

Structure and Arc in a Personal Narrative

Structure in A Personal Narrative

This video reviews topic sentences, narrative arc, and transitions in a Personal Narrative.

"What is a Narrative Arc?":

The Introduction should do THREE things: 1. Hook your reader 2. Background/ Bridge 3. Establish your THESIS

Be sure to check out this video that looks at how to write an introduction! Also look at the handout linked below!

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Writing an introduction to a Personal Narrative.docx

Introductory Paragraphs

“Your grandfather is in the hospital.” my mother calmly yet shakily said to me. It was as if my heart stopped.&nbsp;My grandfather endured five strokes, an aneurysm on his heart, and open-heart surgery all within the same month. He was seventy-four years old at the time and despite the devastating events occurring, he refused to give up. He refused to stop fighting and would not let anyone take care of him. He did not want this to take his life away. My grandfather has proven to me that with enough desire and determination, success is possible.

Here Are The Main Parts that Every Essay Needs To Have.

In formal research papers, many times you will be asked to write in "3rd person" point of view; however, in some personal narratives, you may be able to write in either "1st person" or "3rd person" point of view.  It is rare that you will write in 2nd person.  It is important to understand the differences between these writing styles.

First Person:&nbsp;I, me, my, our, mine Second Person: you, your Third Person: one, they, the reader

Providing a Hook for Your Essay

1. Dialogue &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“ Hurry or you’ll be late!” called my mother from the bottom of the stairs. “Today of all days you want to be on time.”&nbsp;If I had only know what that day would bring, I would have stayed in bed. 2. A Question &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have you ever had a day when you wished you had stayed in bed? As I rushed to catch the bus on what seemed to be a perfectly normal day I had no idea what was ahead of me. 3. A Vivid Description &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sun was warm on my back as I raced toward the waiting yellow school bus.&nbsp;As I nestled into the worn leather seat I was greeted by the friendly voices of other excited children. The look on my face was one of confidence and contentment. With a jerk the bus rumbled down the road and I was on my way into one of the worst days of my life. 4. An Interesting Fact &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shock has been known to kill ten year olds. It can cause their brains to explode and their heart to stop dead still. These facts raced through my mind as I stood dumbfounded in front of my fourth grade classmates. I wish I had stayed in bed! 5. Sound Effects &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Buzzzzzz!”&nbsp;The sound of my alarm clock droned in my ears as I struggled to come awake. With a start I sat straight up in my bed. This was my big day and I had to be on time.

Guide to Writing an Introduction and Thesis

Introduction and Thesis

This instructional video offers a detailed look at how to build a great thesis statement!

Show, Don't Tell: Using Descriptive Action Verbs in Writing

In Your Writing It’s Better to Use A Descriptive Action Verb than an Adjective. Example: 1.Adam walked home. 2.Adam trudged home. We have an exact mental picture of how Adam was walking.

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inverted-Triangle Introduction Like an upside-down triangle, is broad at the top and pointed at the base. 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Narrative Introduction Opening with a short narrative, or story, is a strategy many writers use successfully to draw readers into a topic.&nbsp; 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interrogative Introduction An interrogative introduction invites readers into the conversation of your essay by asking one or more questions, which the essay goes on to answer. 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Paradoxical Introduction A paradoxical introduction appeals to readers’ curiosity by pointing out an aspect of the topic that runs counter to their expectations..” 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Minding-the-Gap Introduction &nbsp;A minding-the-gap introduction says, in effect, “Wait a minute.&nbsp;There’s something missing from this conversation, and my research and ideas will fill in this gap.” 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Review the Controversy You can use your introduction to immediately give specific details on the controversy surrounding your topic. 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quotation Starting with the words of others offers many points of departure for your paper: you can agree with the quotation.&nbsp; 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Start with a Statistic

Important Things to Remember When Choosing and Writing Your Title:

-Your title should be in MLA format -It should not be formatted differently than the rest of your paper. This means no bolding, underlining, italicizing (unless you have a book title in your paper title).

Antique paper texture

Check Out The Linked Handout for Help Writing An Effective Title:

Writing A Great Title.pdf

-Your title should be in MLA format -It should not be formatted differently than the rest of your paper. This means no bolding, underlining, italicizing (unless you have a book title in your paper title).

Show, Don't Tell: Using Description In Writing

Using Description in Writing: It’s Not Just About The Adjectives!

Imagery is the use of vivid and descriptive language to create a mental picture in the reader’s mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;Specifically the writer appeals to the reader’s physical senses through the text. -It was dark and dim in the forest.– The words “dark” and “dim” are visual images. -The children were screaming and shouting in the fields.&nbsp;– “Screaming” and “shouting” appeal to our sense of hearing or auditory sense. -He whiffed the aroma of brewed coffee.&nbsp;– “whiff” and “aroma” evoke our sense of smell or olfactory sense. -The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric.&nbsp;– The idea of “soft” in this example appeals to our sense of touch or tactile sense. -The fresh and juicy orange is very cold and sweet. – “ juicy” and “sweet” when associated with oranges have an effect on our sense of taste or gustatory sense.

-Both passages make the same point- Lucinda is mean. -In the first passage, the author just expects us to believe him. "Lucinda was the meanest kid in third grade." -In the second passage, we read a detailed account of Lucinda's behavior and we can judge for ourselves. -The first passage offers a list of details about what usually of often happens. We learn about what Lucinda looks like, and about the narrator's neediness from details in both passages, but once we've finished reading the paragraph on the left, there's nothing left for us to do. There is is... the reader asks, so what's the big deal? -The second passage focusses in detail on one specific event. Instead of simply calling himself clumsy, the author shows us one specific occasion when him trips, and brings us down to the ground with him, so that we can see what he sees and feel what he feels. -The second passage never comes out and says "I don't have any friends." but the fact that nobody stops to help the narrator makes us gather that the guy is an outcast. We learn quite a bit about the author in just that passage. -There is no need to call Lucinda mean in the second passage, because that concept is showed to us effectively by the surprising detail of the shiny patent leather shoe crushing the queen. -This second passage is packed with details, creating a more vivid emotional picture than the first one. We actually learn something about Lucinda- she is not just being mean, she wants the narrator's attention too.

Your Thesis is the most important part of your Essay!

•Usually one sentence •A statement, not a question •Establishes the subject of the paper •Takes a stand, rather than just announcing a subject •Your entire paper builds around supporting your thesis statement

Weak and Strong Thesis statements - Harry Potter Examples.avi

This is a great video that shows some bad thesis statements and then some really great ones!

Transitions can readers follow your train of thought- and move from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph.

To show cause and effect: as a result, because, accordingly To show comparison: also, likewise, similarly To show examples: for example, indeed, in fact, such as To show place: above, below, beyond, here, inside, near, outside To show sequence: again, also and besides To show time: after, eventually, finally, immediately, meanwhile To signal a conclusion: as a result, in conclusion, to summarize

Transitions.docx

Be sure to look at the linked guide to transitions below!

Each Body Paragraph should focus on one main idea.&nbsp;That main idea should support your thesis.

Paragraph Construction

1. Topic Sentence (Tells the focus of the paragraph) 2. Supporting Sentences (Add details to explain or describe.&nbsp;Add quotes or examples to support the main idea) 3. Closing sentence (Reinforces the main idea and transitions to next paragraph)&nbsp;

"How To" Set up an MLA Paper

Hi Everyone! Be sure to Watch the video of Me setting up a Paper in MLA Format.

Use This Link For A Great MLA Formatting Guide!

MLA Format: Everything You Need to Know Here

You Can Click Here to See a Sample MLA Paper!

MLA Sample Paper

This example paragraph contains a detailed illustration, but a simple paragraph.&nbsp;&nbsp;To have a more complex paragraph, you would need to add details, examples, and supporting sentences. Remember, paragraphs should have a topic sentence, details or examples, and a concluding/ transition sentence.

PIE Body Paragraph Structure

Be Sure to Watch the Video to See How to Construct a Paragraph

As you continue in college you will need to change your writing style to have a more formal tone, known as an “academic voice.” Papers that are less formal, like personal narratives, require a less formal tone.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, most of your research papers will requre a formal tone. Academic voice means to meet the writing expectations of academic writing. To write in an academic voice, do the following:

Watch the Video for Examples of Academic Voice:

-Make Declarative Sentences -Avoid Casual Language -Be Concise -Use Specific Vocabulary and Precise Words

Understanding Academic tone

Things to Remember When Writing A Conclusion The Conclusion is the last chance to make an impression on your audience. It is an important part of your argument. It is not just a summary.

1. Reflect on your Topic 2. State your Thesis in a fresh way 3. End with a well-worded statement 4. Discuss the implications of your argument 5. Ask a Question 6. Refer to something discussed in the introduction 7. Call to Action 8. Acknowledge the significance of event

Watch this video for tips on writing a conclusion!

Learn to Write a Conclusion in Under Five Minutes!

Conclusion Pyramid

Name

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