ms. d's English and Research Class
  • Students
  • Parents
  • MixedInk
  • Contact Us
"A good essay must have this permanent quality about it. It must draw its curtain around us, but it must be a curtain that shuts us in, not out." ~Virginia Woolf

3x3 Pre-writing Strategy

The following strategies can serve as your "GPS" for writing!

Worried about this method being too formulaic? Don't! This is a basic strategy for those who struggle with writing, or those who need to be guided. Over time, as you begin to develop as a writer, you will learn how to write to the depth and complexity of a more advanced-level writer.
Prompt: Write an essay that explains the impact of gossiping.
Brainstorm
(list all possible answers)
Hurtful
Deceitful

Anti-social
Thesis
People should not gossip because it is hurtful, deceitful and can lead to anti-social behavior.
Topic Sentences
(1) To begin with, the cliche, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt," is a lie because words can be hurtful when someone gossips about you.

(2) Next, it is very deceitful to talk about someone behind their back instead of confronting them in a mature way with your issue.


(3) Also, gossiping can make a person feel so isolated that they develop anti-social behavior.

Literary Analysis Essay

The following is a fill-in-the-blank  template that can help you develop your introduction and thesis statement to respond to any analytical writing prompt:
In ___________ (author's name) ________ (poem, novel, novella, play, short story, memoir), __________________ (title of work), ________________ (summarize the plot). [1-2 sentences of commentary here would enhance your intro.] Throughout the __________ (poem, novel, etc.), ________________ (author) uses ____________________ (diction, imagery, detail, figurative language, tone, mood) to ___________ (verb: reveal, explore, portray, suggest) _______________________ (theme). [This last sentence is your thesis statement.]

Outline Example

Defend or challenge whether schools should provide alternative milk options to students during lunch.

I.       Introduction (Hook, Commentary, Thesis)
II.     Lactose Intolerance
             A. Weak immune systems (How/Why+Proof)
             B. Chemicals in foods (How/Why+Proof)
III.    Cost-effective
             A. Food preference surveys (How/Why+Proof)
             B. Stop wasting food (How/Why+Proof) 
IV.    Special Diets
             A. Vegans/Vegetarians (How/Why+Proof)
             B. Diabetics (How/Why+Proof)
             C. Food Allergies (How/Why+Proof)
V.     Conclusion (don't repeat the thesis, reinforce it with a real-world connection which answers "So what?" or "Why do I care?")

©2012-2020 English Fury. All rights reserved in all media. English Fury is a registered trademark owned by The Red Sage Group LLC. No part of the contents of this website can be reproduced without the express written consent of The Red Sage Group LLC.