Essay Techniques
The first thing we learned about writing essays was TAP, or Thesis Answers Prompt. If for some reason unknown to mankind your essay gets lost in the abyss and only your thesis remains, it should be able to stand by itself as an answer to the question. The reason for this is, at least partly, because during the timed essays we’ll have to write on the exam the essay will practically write itself if the thesis answers the prompt.
Another thing we learned to help us with writing essays is how to write a proper introduction. The first sentence of your essay is very important, it’s what will draw the reader in, or leave them behind. And you want to draw them in. The first sentence should be something catchy and general about the topic you’re going to cover. It should be something that makes sense in the essay, but doesn’t throw literary analysis at the reader too soon. You should also make sure that your introduction has some of the background necessary for the rest of the essay.
The newest thing we’ve learned about writing essays, and the concept is still very new to us, is plain style. Plain style is, much like it sounds, a simple form of writing. It is clear and direct, and free from unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. Plain style is good to write in because you can keep your scholarly tone without seeming pretentious. It also helps with timed essays because you get to the point faster without all of that flowery language.
[I really like that you use all of these acronyms. :) just by the way]
ReplyDeleteThis entry is really helpful to me personally because the intro thesis is what I usually need to focus on before I start writing. Thesis indeed does Answer the Prompt.
What would you suggest to people who struggle to come up with a really grabbing first sentence?
I would talk a little more about plain style....because even though it is a really simple concept, it seems to be hard for people to grasp. Recap do's and do not's of Plain Style.
I agree with hope on emphasizing plain style more. I think another important thing to mention in regards to introductions is to make sure that its not cliché, as it can set a bad tone for the rest of the essay.
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