1 Choose a specific topic and stay focused on that topic. This is the most important rule: all others deal with how it is said; this one deals with what is said. |
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A. Focus by writing a single sentence in the first paragraph that clearly states your opinion. |
DO NOT write an essay that merely gives information about the topic. Instead, make a specific claim about the topic is called a thesis statement. Learn about thesis statements in a web page or through a 94k PowerPoint. |
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B. Choose a smaller, more specific topic. Rid the thesis statement of such vague words as everyone, anywhere, all the time, whenever, no one, etc. |
Don’t write a vague thesis as No one should be racist. |
Instead, write one that is much more focused, such as Racism in business loans plays an important role in the lagging rates of African-American business ownership. |
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C. Avoid topics that will turn into lists. |
All the equipment needed for horses / to scuba dive
/ to repair bikes. |
Instead, write a thesis statement that declares an opinion: Sean Connery’s performance as James Bond set the tone for later presentations of the character, such as Roger Moore’s. |
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D. Be sure that all parts of the paper are working to prove the point made in the intro. |
It should be clear why all parts are included in the paper; it should be clear how they are attempting to prove the claim made in the introduction. |
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E. Write
about your topic, not about yourself. |
Avoid beginning sentences
with “I think that…”
or “In my opinion…” This shifts the attention
from the topic to the writer. |
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“Figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer.” Barbara Kingsolver |
“Writing comes more easily if you have something to say.” Sholem Asch |
[G]ood topics for writing were not usually the hugest ones the kids could think of. I knew that topics like “my family” or “childhood” or “love” or “success” were most likely not going to be successful for student writers. Randy Bomer Time for Meaning pg 71 |
Think small. The best things to write about are often the tiniest things – your brother’s junk drawer, something weird your dog once did, your grandma’s loose, wiggly neck, changing a dirty diaper, the moment you realized you were too old to take a bath with your older brother. Ralph Fletcher |