Expand+your+essay!

Intensive Writing – Final Day

You've written many times in the last week because you have a lot to say. Now it's time to choose one of those writings and make it bigger, clearer, and better.


 * 1) Choose one of your essays to improve. It doesn't need to be the best one, but it should probably be the one you find the most interesting.
 * 2) Be sure you have a clear thesis that states a single point of view. The purpose of this essay is to **explain why you believe one thing**. Your thesis should state your point of view and each argument and example should support that.
 * 3) You should probably expand your short essay. Some possibilities are:
 * add an additional argument, example, and explanation
 * additional examples and explanations to existing arguments
 * start your essay with a clear definition of one of the terms you are using, so that your reader understands how you are narrowing your topic, or what your words mean.
 * You may want to address the opposition: why do some people take the other side? However, in an effective essay this will be followed by an explanation of why this argument is not as strong as the other arguments you're making.
 * 1) The introduction does not need to be long. It should introduce the topic and any necessary background information, then state your point of view. It's good to have a clever beginning, but keep it concise.
 * 2) The conclusion should restate your point of view and, as usual, point out how this idea might apply outside the scope of the essay itself.
 * 3) This is going to be a great essay! I can't wait to read it!