Essay Writing
Written composition depends on strategies to organize content the writer already knows or has found through research (Pressley & Harris, 2006. pg. 78). This is a key statement. When students know their topic well and can talk about it, they can usually write an essay because their thoughts are organized. If they know their topic and cannot write well, they need instruction in essay writing. When they don't know their topic, it's a different story; they tend to write anything they know on the topic, never answering the question.
Instruct students that they must research and read about the topic, know it well, then begin the writing process. Students can access the Academic Resource Centre for steps to writing essays and for proofreading after they write the essay. A fantastic way to get students to read is to assign them class presentations. They should develop questions that the class has to answer before the presentation, and that's marked by the instructor, so that the class reads the material as well. Then, when students write an essay, they have a foundation to build on.
Understanding the assignment
Understanding the assignment is one of the first steps to writing papers. See CACCC for steps in the writing process.
Also, see Assignments for further information on breaking down the steps of an assignment.
Guidelines for writing essays
There are many guidelines for essay writing. This external link is to Study Guides and Strategies that contains many suggestions for solving specific problems in writing. http://www.studygs.net/writing/index.htm
Five Paragraph Essay
http://www.studygs.net/fiveparag.htm
Instruct students that they must research and read about the topic, know it well, then begin the writing process. Students can access the Academic Resource Centre for steps to writing essays and for proofreading after they write the essay. A fantastic way to get students to read is to assign them class presentations. They should develop questions that the class has to answer before the presentation, and that's marked by the instructor, so that the class reads the material as well. Then, when students write an essay, they have a foundation to build on.
Understanding the assignment
Understanding the assignment is one of the first steps to writing papers. See CACCC for steps in the writing process.
Also, see Assignments for further information on breaking down the steps of an assignment.
Guidelines for writing essays
There are many guidelines for essay writing. This external link is to Study Guides and Strategies that contains many suggestions for solving specific problems in writing. http://www.studygs.net/writing/index.htm
Five Paragraph Essay
http://www.studygs.net/fiveparag.htm