Mr. LeDrew’s Guide to Essay Writing

Analyze the Question

• Pause and consider the question being posed:

1) What are they saying, exactly?

2) What side/perspective/bias does this position represent? (e.g., is it pro- or anti-gun control?)

3) What is the opposite camp’s view? (Who would disagree with this?)

4) Then, figure out your own position in regards to the question (are you for, against or perhaps in the middle?)

NOTE: It is harder to defend yourself in the middle, as you have two opposing sides to argue against. It is easier to have holes in one’s arguments, when one stays moderate in view.

Research

• From here, you should begin researching to help back up your position. Consider getting books from the library, consulting online websites and news outlets (e.g., CBC, CTV, etc.).

• Your research should focus on strengthening your three major points supporting your main position.

• If say one is arguing for gun control for example, the three major points could include: the endorsement of it by Canadian police associations, lower crime rates in areas having it and the reduction of firearm-related accidents

Structure

• “Thesis” – your central, key argument summarized in a very concise, exact sentence (or perhaps two at the most): “I am for gun control because it can reduce accidents, shrink the workload of police departments and help combat rising crime rates.”

• Major Points – your three main points, forming the focus of your three supporting paragraphs (e.g., accident reduction, limiting police workload and combating crime rates)

• Introduction – your first paragraph that should contain the following: 1) an explanation of the question, 2) which side of the argument the question is spporting, 3) the opposition to that point of view (the other take on it), 4) your personal position/thesis, 5) your 3 major points (backing your thesis up) and 6) why this issue that is being brought up is so important either to Canada, the world or you, or perhaps all three

Structure II

• Introduction Paragraph• Body Paragraph

Your first major point re-explained, preferrably in new words, supported by your research. Provide examples and then follow up with reasoning to connect the two. For example, “The Canadian Association of Police Chiefs itself has even said that the long gun registery has “drastically reduced the costs of policing in this country,” (Nelson, 77) meaning that gun control can reduce the strain on already overworked police organization.

• Body Paragraph IIYour second major point re-explained, preferrably in new words, supported by your research and

reasoning.

• Body Paragraph IIIYour third major point re-explained, preferrably in new words, supported by your research and reasoning.

• ConclusionYour thesis (central argument) re-explained in new words, as well as your three major supporting

arguments (major points).

General Strategies

• 1) Build your position, then look for its weaknesses –try to acknowledge and then weaken the argument against them

• 2) Analyze your opponents’ position and look for faulty logic, hypocrisy or a lack of evidence on their part

• 3) Keep your introduction short! Provide everything mentioned before, but try to keep everything brief. The introduction should make readers want to read it, so don’t more than the absolute necessities (see Structure Slide I).