WRITING AN ESSAY

Format to be used for all assigned essays in math class

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ESSAY WRITING

The following essay format is to be used for all essays assigned in math class. This format may or may not be used by your English teacher.

This presentation has been color coded to highlight the specific parts of an essay.

BASIC FORMAT

An essay is made up of a title, author, an introduction, support paragraphs, and a conclusion.

There are the same number of support paragraphs as there are parts to the thesis statement.

Let’s write an essay on problem solving, step by step……...

TITLE AND AUTHOR

Every essay has a TITLE centered at the top of the first page.

Let’s call this essay…...

PROBLEM SOLVING

The AUTHOR is?????? ME!

by J. Wright

INTRODUCTIONHOOK

The introduction is composed of the HOOK and THESIS STATEMENT with connecting text.

HOOK: An opening sentence that catches the reader’s attention.

Let’s see………I know!

INTRODUCTIONHOOK

Have you ever been lost in a foreign city, with no map and no way to communicate with anyone?

But what does being lost have to do with solving a math problem?

That’s why we need connecting statements…..we want the reader to read on…..to make the connection!

INTRODUCTIONTHESIS STATEMENT

Thesis Statement: This sentence states the main idea of the essay. It must have at least two parts. There is a supporting paragraph for each part.

To solve a math problem, your map is a systematic plan and the language you use is algebra.

INTRODUCTION COMPLETED!

Here’s what it looks like….Have you ever been lost in a foreign city, with no map and no way to communicate with anyone? You wander around aimlessly and eventually end up exactly where you started. That’s what happens when you try to solve a problem without the proper tools. You need a reliable map to chart your course and the appropriate language to communicate with others. To solve a math problem, your map is a systematic plan and the language you use is algebra.

SUPPORT PARAGRAPHSYSTEMATIC PLAN

The second paragraph explains what a systematic plan is:A problem-solving plan consists of four steps. Step number one is to read and understand the problem. It is very important to organize the information you are given and decide which facts are necessary for this particular problem and which are not. Step two is to decide on a method of solving the problem.. This can be to write an equation, create a table or chart, and/or gather more data. Next, do the work or calculations. Finally, step number four is to check. Verify that your answer makes sense and answers the original problem.

SUPPORT PARAGRAPHALGEBRA

The third paragraph defines algebra.

Algebra is the perfect communication tool for mathematical problems. It is the language of mathematics because it describes quantities and relationships between those quantities. It is a universal language. People all over the world can understand algebra even if they don’t speak English.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion summarizes the main ideas in the essay and refers back to the original hook. It also challenges the reader to think or act.

Here’s the conclusion:

Never again will we wander aimlessly through the city of Problem Solving as long as we have charted our course using the four-step plan and communicate with Algebra. What problems will you be solving today?

ALL DONE!

That’s all there is to it!

Let’s put it all together (with the color coding!) and see how it looks!………..

Note: Color coding is for this demonstration ONLY…Do not hand in color coded essays!

THE FINAL DRAFT

PROBLEM SOLVINGby J. Wright

Have you ever been lost in a foreign city, with no map and no way to communicate with anyone? You wander around aimlessly and eventually end up exactly where you started. That’s what happens when you try to solve a problem without the proper tools. You need a reliable map to chart your course and the appropriate language to communicate with others. To solve a math problem, your map is a systematic plan and the language you use is algebra.

FINAL DRAFT - PAGE 2 A problem-solving plan consists of four steps. Step number one is to read and understand the problem. It is very important to organize the information you are given and decide which facts are necessary for this particular problem and which are not. Step two is to decide on a method of solving the problem.. This can be to write an equation, create a table or chart, and/or gather more data. Next, do the work or calculations. Finally, step number four is to check. Verify that your answer makes sense and answers the original problem. Algebra is the perfect communication tool for mathematical problems. It is the language of mathematics because it describes quantities and

FINAL DRAFT - PAGE 3and relationships between those quantities. It is a universal language. People all over the world can understand algebra even if they don’t speak English.

Never again will we wander aimlessly through the city of Problem Solving as long as we have charted our course using the four-step plan and communicate with Algebra. What problems will you be solving today?

Notice that the word “I” never appears in the essay.