One More Essay Writing 911: Emergency Help for the Pen Shy
Global History and Geography I Name: ______
E. Napp Date: ______
A thought before writing:
Imagine for a moment that there is a waitress in a restaurant. She approaches a customer and takes his order. The customer asks for a hamburger. After a few minutes, the waitress returns to the customer and hands him a slice of pizza. The customer is furious. “I asked for a hamburger and you brought me pizza.” The waitress smiles, “I don’t like hamburgers.”
Now, obviously, the story is ridiculous. No waitress in the history of the world would act like this. Yet in essay writing, this happens quite a bit. The essay writer writes but does not answer the question. So, in order to avoid an embarrassing situation, let’s learn how to write the essay we are asked to write.
A Lesson from the World History waitress, “Write the essay that you are asked to write.”
So, let’s give it a try!
Here is a Thematic Essay Question:
Theme: Change
Throughout history, the actions of leaders have changed the societies in which they lived.
Task:
Identify two leaders who have changed the society in which they lived and for each:
· Describe one situation the leader attempted to change
· Describe one action the leader took to change the situation
· Discuss the impact of that action on the society in which the leader lived
Don’t forget: This is the hamburger you were asked to serve!
How many leaders do you have to write about?
______
What do you have to do for each leader: ______
Now, look at the suggestions or think of examples of belief systems:
Hammurabi
Confucius
Muhammad
Mansa Musa
Martin Luther
Queen Isabella
John Locke
Louis XIV
Peter the Great
Write a quick list of what you know about at least two of these leaders:
Leader #1: ______
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
Leader #2: ______
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
Leader #3: ______
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
See. You do know something about the theme and the task. You’re going to be just fine. So, now, let’s organize our ideas to help us write this essay. Let’s give the customer what he ordered.
First, make a big box. I’ll make a smaller sample.
Divide the box. For this essay, the box will be divided into two parts because you must select two leaders.
Don’t forget: This is the hamburger you were asked to serve!
The Final Box:
First Leader: Second Leader:
______
One Situation Attempted to Change: / One Situation Attempted to Change:One Action to Change Situation: / One Action to Change Situation:
Impact on Society: / Impact on Society:
Enough talking, let’s get started making this hamburger.
Complete the chart:
First Leader: Second Leader:
One Situation Attempted to Change: / One Situation Attempted to Change:One Action to Change Situation: / One Action to Change Situation:
Impact on Society: / Impact on Society:
And don’t let the introduction frighten you. An introduction doesn’t answer the question. It just introduces the essay’s theme and what you are going to write about. It’s kind of like a map to the essay. It helps the reader understand what he will be reading about.
Let’s practice. Write an introduction paragraph for this essay. Let the reader know what will be addressed in the essay and why this theme is important. Avoid referring to yourself or the reader. Stick to the topic. Leaders are important. Leaders affect the societies in which they live. Now, you try:
Introduction:
______
The introduction is like the bun or the bread of the burger. It’s not the meat. It doesn’t answer the question but it’s kind of like a container for the facts. It’s something for the reader to hold on to.
Body Paragraph #1:
______
______
Body Paragraph #2:
______
Body Paragraph #3: ______
______
The burger is almost ready. You just need a conclusion or another bun to hold the facts. Remember that a conclusion is like an introduction. It summarizes the essay’s theme. However, unlike an introduction, a conclusion can be a bit more exciting. Maybe you have an opinion about the topic that would be appropriate to share or maybe you want to be a bit dramatic. The conclusion also contains the last words of the essay. So, it is important to make it clear to the reader what was the most important information in the essay.
Now, it’s your turn.
Conclusion:
______
And now, my work is done.
But before I go, tell me the top five lessons you learned about essay writing today that will help you in the future. A good waitress always loves feedback.
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
Now, let’s go serve the customers.