revising english esssay

E. King

ESSAY #1 – Describing a Space

Due Dates:

Jan 29 – Introduction with Thesis

Feb 3 – Rough Draft (full-length)

Feb 5 – Final Draft via Titanium (upload to week 3)

Prompt:

Describe a space that visually represents some aspect of your personality. This may be a room in your house (like your bedroom) or an outdoor space that you know well. Be sure to use sensory details to help your readers see what you are describing as you reflect on why this space represents something about you.

Requirements:

2-3 pages in length (not 1 ½)

MLA format (see handout and guidelines on Titanium)

This essay should have a clear thesis statement in your introductory paragraph that defines the purpose of the essay.

Your supporting paragraphs should connect logically to that purpose and provide support for your thesis.

Your last paragraph should be a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis and offers closing thoughts.

Things to keep in mind:

Since this essay is about you, write in first person (use “I”).

Use natural language, but avoid slang and cliché phrases.

Make sure all of your paragraphs have topic sentences that connect to your thesis.

Suggested steps to writing:

Begin by reflecting on the places and spaces where you feel “at home.” Use a prewriting activity

to capture the details of this place. Think about how this place feels, smells, looks, sounds, etc.

See the suggestions in the textbook or use one from the “Prewriting Strategies” handout on

Titanium.

Think about what aspect of yourself is represented by this place and use that detail to create a

thesis statement or controlling idea for the essay. For example, you might say something like: “The extreme orderliness and lack of frivolity in my bedroom is a clear indication of my

straightforward attitude toward life.”

Write up a brief “scratch” outline to help you organize ideas.

Take a first stab at a draft. Double check that your paragraphs meet the “requirements” listed

above (thesis, support, and conclusion) and are presented in the most logical order.

Format your essay following the MLA guidelines and run a spell and grammar check.

Print and read your essay OUT LOUD making any desired changes to paragraphs, sentences, words, etc. Print four copies for peer review.