Essay Bootcamp: Practicing the Writing Process

  1. Find the “big question.” Look at the prompt. Sort through all the words & determine what are you supposed to explain/prove in this essay.
  2. Write a thesis statement. Based on the “big question,” write 1 sentencethat explains what your whole essay is about. This sentence should state the argument you are making or the idea you are explaining.
  3. Determine to whom you are writing (your audience). Based on audience, decide the amount of information you’ll need to share & what style of writing you can/should use.
  4. Generate ideas for your essay. Brainstorm, discuss & research to come up with a list of things you want to discuss in your essay.
  5. List & organize your ideas. Which ones go together? Which ones should you leave out? You can easily group ideas by putting “A” next to all the “A” ideas, “B” next to the “B” ideas, etc.
  6. Write your first draft. Start by putting your thesis statement at the top of the page. Then write out your body paragraphs. End with a conclusion.
  7. Create the introduction. Now that you know what you’re talking about, come up with a bold statement, a vivid image, or a rhetorical question related to one or some of the big ideas in your paper. Then transition from the idea(s) presented in your hook to the big idea(s) in your paper. Also, be sure to provide any necessary background information in this paragraph.
  8. Solidify your body paragraphs. Does each one begin with a topic sentence? Do you fully explain the idea in that topic sentence with evidence and examples? Do you have a sentence or two that explains the connection between this topic and your thesis statement? Does each body paragraph end with a concluding sentence?
  9. Smooth it out. Add some transition words to link ideas within and between your paragraphs.
  10. Infuse with style. Enhance your vocabulary using a thesaurus. Add some figurative language, sound devices, and/or rhetorical devices. Examine your sentence structure. Change up the structure of some of your sentences by opening with phrases. Be sure you have long and short sentences.
  11. Get feedback. Have someone else read it. Does everything make sense to him/her? Does he/she have any suggestions for improvement?
  12. Proofread. Check spelling, commas, run-ons, fragments.
  13. Write your final draft. Make sure it follows MLA format.

Essay Bootcamp Writing Prompts

  1. Students in a U.S. history course are studying required military service. Some of the students believe that men and women between the ages of 18-35 should be required to serve at least two years in the United States Armed Forces. Other students believe that military service should be voluntary. Decide whether you agree or disagree with required military service. Write a paper to convince students in the history course to take your side on the issue. Include reasons, examples and evidence that would lead the students to support your position.
  1. There’s an old saying, “There ought to be a law . . .” Some people might also say, “There ought to be a better law.” Think of a law that does not exist but should. Or, think of an existing law that should be changed. You may choose to take a serious or humorous approach to the topic. Write a speech that you will read aloud to your classmates. Convince your classmates that your law should be passed. Include reasons and examples to support your law.
  1. American society is composed of many different kinds of people. This diversity includes differences in age, culture, gender, race, and religion. Different groups often have unique needs, values, and concerns. Some parents believe that schools should promote awareness and appreciation of differences among people. What do you believe your school can do to teach about the diversity of America’s people? Write a paper you would read aloud in class in which you present a plan for helping high school students understand and appreciate differences among the American people. Express your opinion clearly with convincing reasons and specific examples.
  1. While looking good takes time and money, there are those who believe the effort and expense are worth it. There are others who say that we are too concerned with appearance. Do you think people place too much importance on this concern? Write an essay for your English class that presents your position on this issue. Give specific examples to convince your classmates that people do or do not place too much emphasis on looking good.
  1. Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock, referred to modern society as the “throwaway” generation. As locations for garbage disposal fill to capacity, communities are faced with the problem of handling waste materials. The students in your civics class have studied ways to solve the waste problems in your school. They identified the problems in your school environment and considered alternative ways to reduce the quantity of waste. As spokesperson for the class, it is your job to persuade your school’s student body and administration to support their recommendations. Write an editorial for the school newspaper in which you present the alternative solutions for reducing the quantity of solid waste in your school environment. Try to persuade your readers to support the proposed program. Include reasons, examples, and evidence to convince the readers to agree with your position.
  1. For generations, critics have complained about the influence music has on young people. Yet music continues to be an important part of a teenager’s life. What music is appropriate for teens? Write a speech to these critics explaining the type or types of music that you consider appropriate for teens. Present a well-developed argument.
  1. Knowledge is power. In agriculture, medicine, and industry, for example, knowledge has liberated us from hunger, disease, and tedious labor. Today, however, our knowledge has become so powerful that it is beyond our control. We know how to do many things, but we do not know where, when, or even whether this know-how should be used. Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
  1. Epictetus, who lived from 55 AD-135AD, claimed, “Only the educated are free.” Just under 2,000 years later Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential founding fathers of America, said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Unfortunately, many people are still dropping out of high school and not pursuing a college degree. Maybe these great thinkers were wrong? How do you feel about the idea that education is not necessarily as important as the two people mentioned in the passage above claim it to be? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
  1. Materialism: it's the thing that everybody loves to hate. Few aspects of modern life have been more criticized than materialism. But let's face it: materialism—acquiring possessions and spending money—is a vital source of meaning and happiness in our time. People may criticize modern society for being too materialistic, but the fact remains that most of us spend most of our energy producing and consuming more and more stuff. Should modern society be criticized for being materialistic? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
  1. We do not take the time to determine right from wrong. Reflecting on the difference between right and wrong is hard work. It is so much easier to follow the crowd, going along with what is popular rather than risking the disapproval of others by voicing an objection of any kind. Is it always best to determine one's own views of right and wrong, or can we benefit from following the crowd? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.