Writing an EssayWriting an EssayBy Megan N. BrinkBy Megan N. Brink

Writing is Not A Skill….Writing is Not A Skill….It Is An Art!It Is An Art!

Painters need a brush, musicians need Painters need a brush, musicians need notes, and writers need words. Carefully notes, and writers need words. Carefully selected words are the tools that a writer selected words are the tools that a writer uses to turn his average writing into uses to turn his average writing into beautiful works of art.beautiful works of art.

Types of EssaysTypes of Essays

There are three types of essays:There are three types of essays: Narrative Narrative ExpositoryExpository PersuasivePersuasive

We will be focusing on the first two: We will be focusing on the first two: Narrative and Expository for Florida WritesNarrative and Expository for Florida Writes

NARRATIVE ESSAYSNARRATIVE ESSAYSTelling a StoryTelling a Story

Narrative EssaysNarrative Essays

A narrative essay is a STORY. A narrative essay is a STORY. The prompt, or writing topic, they give you The prompt, or writing topic, they give you

will most likely have this key word in it: will most likely have this key word in it: TELL.TELL.

For example, “Tell about a time you went For example, “Tell about a time you went on a special trip.” on a special trip.”

This is a narrative, because of the word This is a narrative, because of the word TELL.TELL.

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Before we write, we need to think about the Before we write, we need to think about the steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.

1.1. PrewritePrewrite

2.2. DraftDraft

3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise

4.4. ProofreedProofreed

5.5. PublishPublish

Prewrite - NarrativePrewrite - Narrative

Have you ever seen a cartoon movie? Have you ever seen a cartoon movie? They use a Story Board to sketch their ideas They use a Story Board to sketch their ideas

before they do the whole movie and include before they do the whole movie and include each detail! This helps them get their ideas each detail! This helps them get their ideas flowing and keeps them on track. flowing and keeps them on track.

For a narrative essay, when you see the words For a narrative essay, when you see the words TELL on a prompt, sketch a STORY BOARDTELL on a prompt, sketch a STORY BOARD

Narrative Story BoardsNarrative Story Boards

1.1. Draw 5 or 6 boxes (you can do more, Draw 5 or 6 boxes (you can do more, but I would suggest at least 4).but I would suggest at least 4).

2.2. In each box you will draw a picture of a In each box you will draw a picture of a scene, in order, in your story.scene, in order, in your story.

3.3. Each box will then be used to help you Each box will then be used to help you describe a paragraph on your essay.describe a paragraph on your essay.

Narrative Story BoardsNarrative Story Boards Let’s do one together! Remember that each square is a scene, or Let’s do one together! Remember that each square is a scene, or

an event that happens next. Try to add target skills to each box.an event that happens next. Try to add target skills to each box. Prompt: Tell about a time you did something scary.Prompt: Tell about a time you did something scary.

1 2 3

45 6

Setting/Character Strong Verb

Conflict

Simile

Metaphor Take-Away

Heard a

clanking

I crept as quietly as nervous mouse.

RATTLE, RATTLE, RATTLE

I became a relieved librarian when I discovered it was only a cat.

I’ll never forget that scary night!

Onomatopoeia

Prewrite - ExpositoryPrewrite - Expository For an expository essay we are asked to For an expository essay we are asked to

EXPLAIN an idea or thought we have.EXPLAIN an idea or thought we have. For this, we use a Happy Alien!For this, we use a Happy Alien! Draw one head and three legs. The head Draw one head and three legs. The head

holds the main topic and each leg is a holds the main topic and each leg is a supporting detail.supporting detail.

Happy AlienHappy Alien Let’s do one together!Let’s do one together! Prompt: Everyone has a favorite food. Prompt: Everyone has a favorite food.

Explain what your favorite food is and Explain what your favorite food is and why.why.

Favorite Food: Pizza

It’s cheesy! I eat it when I’m doing fun

things.

There are so many varieties!

Each leg will become one supporting paragraph, so make sure to think of lots of target skills to add when you write! You may want to write a grabber above him and a takeaway below him.

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Before we write, we need to think about the Before we write, we need to think about the steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.

1.1. PrewritePrewrite

2.2. DraftDraft

3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise

4.4. ProofreadProofread

5.5. PublishPublish

Narrative Draft: Writing Paragraphs

After you write your Story Board, it’s time to add paragraphs. Remember, each paragraph is a block on your story board.

When you write, you need to keep in mind that you need these things:

You are ON TOPIC

It has a BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END

You wrote CONTENT

You included CREATIVITY skills

Example Rubric

Self/Friend Score:______________ Actual Score: _________________

Writing Rubric Your essay should have….

Organization Beginning I have a beginning. I used a GRABBER Middle - Content Grabber Answered Who, What, When, Where, Why,

and How Added information to amplify my thoughts

or ideas I used transitions If a narrative, it has a conflict If an expository, it has reasons/points with

examples and details. End I have an ending. I used a TAKE-AWAY

Creativity Word Choice Strong Verbs Sparkly Adjectives Juicy Colors Cool Transitional Phrases Onomatopoeia Alliteration One sentence with

Dialogue/Creative Tags Voice Similes Metaphors Sensory Words Emotion Words Feeling statements Sentence Fluency Showing NOT Telling

On Topic Ideas Every sentence focuses

on the topic You have written a

unique/interesting essay about the topic

Conventions Proper punctuation Proper use of capitals Correct spelling of

fourth grade words and below (especially tricky words)

Your essay needs to at least be on

topic and the correct type in order to get more than a

0.

Your essay needs to have at least a beginning, middle, and end in order to

get a 3.

The more creativity skills, the higher

your score (either 4, 5, 6).

Please see my section on target skills under revision for more information on the specific items listed.

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Before we write, we need to think about the Before we write, we need to think about the steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.

1.1. PrewritePrewrite

2.2. DraftDraft

3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise

4.4. ProofreadProofread

5.5. PublishPublish

Narrative- Edit/ReviseNarrative- Edit/Revise

When you are done writing your 1When you are done writing your 1stst draft. Go draft. Go back and REVISE, REVISE, REVISE! Revise back and REVISE, REVISE, REVISE! Revise until time is up.until time is up.

Revise means to “see again.” Literally, look at Revise means to “see again.” Literally, look at your paper as if you were someone else and your paper as if you were someone else and read it with a critical eye. What can you add and read it with a critical eye. What can you add and change? THIS IS NOT JUST A ‘FIX THE change? THIS IS NOT JUST A ‘FIX THE GRAMMAR/SPELLING’ TIME! GRAMMAR/SPELLING’ TIME!

Make huge changes to your word choice, Make huge changes to your word choice, organization, and sentence structure.organization, and sentence structure.

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Before we write, we need to think about the Before we write, we need to think about the steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.

1.1. PrewritePrewrite

2.2. DraftDraft

3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise

4.4. ProofreadProofread

5.5. PublishPublish

ProofreadProofread

After revising, go back and proofread your After revising, go back and proofread your essay for grammar and spelling errors. All essay for grammar and spelling errors. All fourth grade level words should be spelled fourth grade level words should be spelled correctly.correctly.

Play close attention to tricky words! Click Play close attention to tricky words! Click on on tricky words tricky words for a list.for a list.

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Before we write, we need to think about the Before we write, we need to think about the steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.

1.1. PrewritePrewrite

2.2. DraftDraft

3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise

4.4. ProofreadProofread

5.5. PublishPublish

PublishPublish

In the classroom, stories and other writing In the classroom, stories and other writing can be written into a final draft with can be written into a final draft with pictures!pictures!

However, for Florida Writes, the students However, for Florida Writes, the students are EXPECTED to turn in rough drafts. are EXPECTED to turn in rough drafts. They won’t look pretty! THEY They won’t look pretty! THEY SHOULDN’T! Just make sure it is legible. SHOULDN’T! Just make sure it is legible.