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   Writing Essays

   What is the writing stage?
   The writing stage is when you turn your ideas into sentences.

   Five Writing Steps:

   1. For the introduction, write the thesis statement and give some background information.
   2. Develop each supporting paragraph and make sure to follow the correct paragraph format.
   3. Write clear and simple sentences to express your meaning.
   4. Focus on the main idea of your essay.
   5. Use a dictionary to help you find additional words to express your meaning.

   

   Introduction Paragraph

   What is an introduction paragraph?
   The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay.

   What does it do?
   It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of
   your reader and tells why your topic is important.

   How do I write one?

   1. Write the thesis statement. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence
   called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced
   in your thesis statement.
   2. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts,
   quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay.

   Example:

   Hockey has been a part of life in Canada for over 120 years. It has evolved into an extremely
   popular sport watched and played by millions of Canadians. The game has gone through several
   changes since hockey was first played in Canada.

   

                                       Supporting Paragraphs

   What are supporting paragraphs?
   Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay.

   What do they do?
   They develop the main idea of your essay.

   How do I write them?

   1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay.
   2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph.
   3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.

   To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition
   words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the
   beginning and end of your paragraphs.

   

   Summary Paragraph

   What is a summary paragraph?
   The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your
   ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a "conclusion."

   What does it do?
   It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a
   sense that your essay is complete.

   How do I write one?
   1. Restate the strongest points of your essay that support your main idea.
   2. Conclude your essay by restating the main idea in different words.
   3. Give your personal opinion or suggest a plan for action.

   Example:

   Overall, the changes that occurred in hockey have helped to improve the game. Hockey is faster
   and more exciting as a result of changes in the past 120 years. For these reasons, modern
   hockey is a better game than hockey in the 1890s.