School essay... I'm lost

[Steven]

Well, after a few years of going from job to job I decided to go back to school. Just need my english credit, but for the first assignment we must do an essay. I haven't done one in YEARS! It's a personal essay, 5 paragraphs, quite simple. But, I completley forget the layout it should be. Should it be centered on page, or is it just regular lines? Anyone remember these details? Any help Extremley appreciated! TIA

[Athlon_9800]

Well, after a few years of going from job to job I decided to go back to school. Just need my english credit, but for the first assignment we must do an essay. I haven't done one in YEARS! It's a personal essay, 5 paragraphs, quite simple. But, I completley forget the layout it should be. Should it be centered on page, or is it just regular lines? Anyone remember these details? Any help Extremley appreciated! TIA

Regular, not centered. It should also be double spaced.

When you're quoting someone/something, if it's only one line then you can do it within the paragraph, but if it's longer than a line or if it's a large paragraph then you separate it from the paragraph and indent it around 5 or so on each side. Don't forget to put the source and page number in brackets after each quote.

Oh and for the introduction always have a couple basic sentences, then your 3 main ideas that will be in you body paragraphs, then put your thesis statement.

In your conclusion, sum it all up and restate your points and thesis. Use "In conclusion" or something like that.

[AMD]

What kind of essay is this? Persuasive? Comparison? Non-formal?

The very basic structure is as follows...

Introduction:
-introduce topic (provide major details only - anything which isn't required shouldn't be here)
-state thesis
-state three arguments

Arguments: (*3+ - 1 paragraph each)
- state basic argument
- *supporting point 1*
- *supporting point 2*
- *supporting point 3*
- etc.
- Closing sentence

Conclusion:
- restate thesis
- restate arguments, using different wording
- "amalgamate"/merge arguments
- Closing sentence

Edit several times and pay special attention to wording; it should be concise and accurate. For comparison essays, alternate between between both subjects within each arguement; DO NOT write two "mini-papers" in one.

Note that this structure is not appropriate for more advanced courses; it's grade 9 material.

[Steven]

Oh my... Thanks plenty Athlon and AMD! That's pretty much what I was looking for.

[Athlon_9800]

No problem.

AMD says put the 3 points after the thesis, but I was always taught to put the thesis last in the intro... anyways, unless you are told a certain way I'm sure it doesn't matter.

[AMD]

AMD says put the 3 points after the thesis, but I was always taught to put the thesis last in the intro...

It's more logical to do it that way, actually. My bad. :p


Oh my... Thanks plenty Athlon and AMD! That's pretty much what I was looking for.

np

[Steven]

Well, I was specifically told to put the thesis in the intro, so as to remove confusion. Anyhow, in the few minutes that I haven't been here, I typed up about 80% of the Essay. I'm quite happy with it, thanks again!

[AMD]

Have someone else look at it before handing it in - it takes more than a few minutes to write an essay, even if it's short.

[Athlon_9800]

Well, I was specifically told to put the thesis in the intro, so as to remove confusion. Anyhow, in the few minutes that I haven't been here, I typed up about 80% of the Essay. I'm quite happy with it, thanks again!

Well, yeah, the thesis goes in the intro, but we were talking as to where in the intro it would go. It's the last sentence in the intro.

[Jackthemeangiant]

I don't think it really matters as stated above, but I have always been taught, and have always put the thesis first then supporting arguments. If for example it is a persuasive essay, you would state your thesis (what you are going to prove or persuade) and then how you are going to do it and what arguments you are going to use.

To me this makes more logical sense.

[Angre Nichols]

As far as the thesis is concerned:

1st Line: A gental intro into the topic
"High school is a trying time for any student"

2nd Line: Thesis (what your going to prove/support)
"Atheletics is an excellent part of any cariculum as it benifits a student in many aspects"

3rd line : 3-5 points of arguement
"A cariculum including athletics benifits a student accademically, socially and in quality of life"

4th line: A lead in to the body of the essay
"The evidence supporting these benifits can been seen in various studies focused on adolescent developement.

Paragraph 1: (jounral of medicine shows atheletes have better brain function)
Paragraph 2: (jocks get laid)
Paragraph 3: (jocks live longer and are happier)

Conlusions: "See I told you so"

[smalltownguy]

Simply 1) tell them what you are going to tell
2) tell them what you are telling them
3) tell them what you told them