Instructions for writing an in class essay



 
Things you will need:
  • Time
  • Patience
Step
1

If your lucky enough to have the essay question ahead of time, take advantage of it.

Research the topic by reading the text book and going through your notes. If it is a piece of literature you are going to analyze make sure you have read to work, and have marked certain important bits with sticky notes. Important bits would be theme, figuratuve language, and point of view. Your teacher might have hinted at what you will be writing about, so consider possible questions that you could write about.

Step
2

When you are given your topic. Think about the wording of the question...often the question hides a very useable thesis statement. 

For example, if the question is "Discuss the importance of setting in "The Lord of the Rings", you could revamp this to become a thesis statement such as "The element of setting plays an important role in the trilogy "The Lord of the Rings".

Outline your essay. Pin point all the topics you are going to address and organize them into a minimum of 5 paragraphs.

Start with the introduction, which should include the thesis statement.

Next figure out what your paragraphs will cover.

End with a conclusion which re-states your thesis.

Depending on the class some teachers might not be concerned with the format.

For example, in Science class you might have to describe a system or the way clouds are formed. If this is the case, don’t stress about the format, just make sure you have all the correct data.  HOWEVER, in English you should consider both content and format.

Step
3

After you have been assigned the topic, written out your thesis statement, and roughly broken down or organized your ideas into the paragraphs, you can go back to the reading and look for quotes that will help prove your statements. Don't get hung up here looking...if you are spending too much time just get started on your writing.

Often it is best to leave 10 or so lines for the introduction, put the thesis statement in and begin to write at the second paragraph

Stay on topic. If you think you are not on topic, or wonder if you are answering the question "correctly" you are probably not. Maintain your focus on only the question assigned as the in class topic.

Do NOT retell plot...assume that the person who is marking the work knows the piece of writing-so you don't have to retell it. 

 Make a statement, find a short quote then if need be, further explain your statement.

Do this three times for 3 paragraphs in the body.

When you get to the conclusion, be sure to restate the thesis statement. The function of the conclusion in an essay is to restate the main argument. It reminds the reader of the strengths of the argument: that is, it reiterates the most important evidence supporting the argument.

Make sure, however, that your conclusion is not simply a repetitive summary as this reduces the impact of the argument you have developed in your essay. The conclusion provides a forum for you to persuasively and succinctly restate your thesis given the reader has now been presented with all the information about the topic.

Last modified: Thursday, 2 June 2011, 2:05 PM