Writing an Essay
| Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion |
Writing an essay is a lot like writing a paragraph, only longer. For the GED, the focus will be writing an essay four to five paragraphs in length. Don't forget that each paragraph has to have its own topic sentence and supporting details. All of the details will support the controlling thought, or thesis, of your essay.
The task for this lesson is to learn about what makes a good essay. You will read a few student sample essays, read through a few Web sites for more ideas on how to write an essay and then write an essay to send to me. I'll send you comments.
Guide to Writing a Basic Essay
After you send your essay to me, tkitzrow@unm.edu, I will read it and send back suggestions for improvement. You may be asked to write another essay after some instruction.
Like many things, writing improves with practice. I am happy to review anything you write. However, do not limit yourself. You should try to write something, even a short paragraph in a journal, every day. Also read what other people are writing. Don't stop with the essays posted here. Read the newspaper, a magazine or a good book. We can learn a lot about writing from what others write.