Writers Workshop: December Edition

Writer’s Workshop December: The Expository Essay

Choose one organizational pattern to focus on, and write an essay following one of these patterns.  Refer to your notes as you are drafting your piece to ensure that you are including all of the necessary elements to the organizational pattern you are following.  

Choose one of the assignments below:

Option 1:  Sequence

Prompt:  Describe how Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the elves prepare for the Big Day at the North Pole, December 25th

Option 2:  Problem/Solution

Prompt:  The elves are angry with Santa, and feel that they are undervalued and mistreated.  Explain how Santa and the elves could come to an agreement and start working again .

Option 3:  Cause and Effect

Prompt:  So often we forget what Christmas is really about.  Explain what would happen if at Christmas time we always put others before ourselves and remembered the real meaning of Christmas.

Option 4:  Compare/Contrast

Compare the way Christmas was celebrated when your mom or dad was a kid vs the way you celebrate Christmas today.

Must be a 5 paragraph essay.   

This must be double spaced, size 12/14 font, and you must include a cover page.

Due: Friday, December 18th

Introduction:

Begin with a catchy sentence to capture the reader’s interest.

Write your thesis statement.  This is a sentence that names the three main subtopics of the main body of the essay that you will be analyzing and explaining.

Close with a transition sentence

Main Body Paragraphs (3)

Begin with a topic sentence

Include three supporting points that “back up” your topic sentence.

Close with a transition sentence.

Conclusion:

Begin with a topic sentence.

Restate your thesis.

Close with a “wrap up statement”

Example of Essay Outline

“So often we forget what Christmas is really about.  Explain what would happen if at Christmas time we always put others before ourselves and remembered the real meaning of Christmas.”

Intro:

Topic Sentence:  Have you found yourself becoming stressed during the holiday season, wondering which gifts you should buy for loved ones, or when can you possibly get everything ready that must be done before the 25th?  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to enjoy the Christmas season stress free?  So often we forget what Christmas is truly about...Jesus’ birth!

Thesis:  During Christmas time it is important to truly the reflect the meaning of Christmas, and we can do that by giving to others, forgetting our differences and making amends, and by spending valuable time with family and friends.

Closing Sentence:  Although Christmas is an exciting time to shop, decorate and visit Santa, it is most importantly a time to reflect and act on the principles of our Catholic Faith.

Paragraph 1:  Giving to Others

Topic sentence:   

1.

2.

3.

Transition Sentence:

Paragraph 2:  Making Amends

Topic Sentence:

1.

2.

3.

Transition Sentence:

Paragraph 3:  Quality Time with Family and Friends

Topic Sentence:

1.

2.

3.

Transition Sentence:

Conclusion

Topic Sentence:

Restate Thesis:

Closing Sentence:

Success Criteria

piece follows the organizational pattern of choice piece includes a beginning or introduction piece includes a well developed middle or body piece includes an ending or conclusion vocabulary is of grade level piece is formatted correctly piece is interesting to read spelling and grammar are correct throughout piece includes a cover page