guided writing essay examples

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Guided writing

Guided writing involves a teacher working with a group of learners on a writing task.

The aims of the task are based on what they have previously been learning about the writing process. Guided writing aims to support learners in this psychologically and cognitively difficult activity.

Example The learners have been looking at how conjunctions are used to contrast and compare ideas. They are now writing a short discursive essay on the subject of animal experimentation. The teacher is working with the groups to guide them in the correct use of the target language.

In the classroom Guided writing can be fully exploited by providing learners with the language they need to complete the task together with the teacher. For example, this may include making suggestions (‘Why don't we start by saying...?'), agreeing and disagreeing (‘That's a good idea - let's put that'), and asking for help (‘Is it right to say...?').

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/developing-writing-skills-a-news-report

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/guided-writing-writing-article-using-ohp

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/writing-activities

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

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Four Simple Steps to Small-Group Guided Writing

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
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This lesson describes small-group, guided writing lessons, which are taught in four steps for students who are in need of extra support. Students learn how to communicate information of interest, stimulated by discussion of Nicola Davies' Bat Loves the Night and several websites. Students learn three sets of strategies for writing: (1) engaging in writing with fluent, sustained attention, (2) writing informative titles, and (3) adding enough information to communicate clearly.

From Theory to Practice

• Teachers should provide explicit instruction targeting students' abilities to produce brief but complete writing products fluently and confidently, resulting in each student's improved drafts over time.
• Writing instruction must provide students with scaffolded opportunities to use oral conversation about a topic as direct support for their own writing and to use a set of specific strategies for independent writing.
• Writing instruction should include explicit instruction during student's own writing. Teachers "step in" to model and prompt and "step back" to encourage students to make decisions and solve problems about their own writing.
• Direct instruction in writing requires teachers to show how writing works across genres, formats, procedural knowledge, word usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Assessment practices should show teachers which ideas, concepts, principles, and skills need to be taught to which students and for how long.
• Teachers should model and explain cognitive processes for writing to students and provide such curricular resources as small-group instruction.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
• 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
• 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
• 11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

• Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies (Candlewick Press, 2001)
• Small-group writing table with room for you and a small group of students
• Computers with Internet access
• Writing paper or journal for each student
• Keep Writing!
• Write a Title!
• Write Lots of Details!

Preparation

Student objectives.

Students will

• Learn how to support their own engaged, sustained, and fluent writing by choosing and reflecting on one narrow but interesting focus and by rereading their own text when necessary for writing fluency
• Create appropriate titles for their writing of information-based text by considering the readers' viewpoints and developing an intent to interest potential readers
• Write brief texts of their own on topics of interest, including enough details for clarity, by choosing and reflecting on a narrow, interesting focus for writing and giving consideration to the full set of information needed for readers' interest and understanding

Instruction and Activities

Guided writing lessons are taught in four steps: (1) brief shared experience and discussion, (2) discussion of strategic behavior for writing, (3) time to write a new text each day with immediate teacher guidance, and (4) sharing. Each of these steps is implemented in each session of this lesson. These sessions should be taught at a brisk pace. Guided writing lessons are intervention lessons with a tight focus on improving each child's ability to use a small, specific set of cognitive strategies. They do not take the place of whole-class instruction. Your students should have ample opportunities in other contexts to write longer texts over an extended timeframe, discuss mentor texts with you and their peers, and observe your modeling of good writing behavior during whole-class lessons. Be direct and clear in the information you give to students during guided writing lessons and encourage active participation. Focus your instruction on strategic behavior for writing rather than on the accuracy and correctness of the writing product alone. Guided writing lessons usually occur while other students are writing independently and can be adapted to any topic. Session 1: Strategies for Sustained Engagement in Writing

Session 2: Understanding the Function of Titles for Information Text

Session 3: Adding Useful and Important Details about Your Topic

Student Assessment / Reflections

• Observe one student in particular each day during writing. Either during the lesson or soon after, write brief notes describing how that student went about his or her writing that day. You may want to observe how engaged and enthusiastic this student appeared to be during writing, for example, or note that he or she often got “stuck” during writing and needed lots of teacher support to continue. These observations should help you to modify your instruction and provide more support for a student’s area of needed improvement. For a student who frequently gets stuck, for example, useful prompts might be:

"Could your next sentence start with "Bats wings are…?" "Think about everything you know about bats.” "What books or information about bats could you look at to help yourself get ideas?”

• Complete the Analytic Assessment form (Fearn & Farnan, 2001) for each student and for each session. (You may find it useful to analyze one set of writing samples produced before these sessions as well.) Determine a short list of those skills and strategies that have been taught recently and examine students’ texts for those specific factors. Assess each student’s writing fluency, active engagement, use of an appropriate title, and inclusion of related details. This assessment should affect your decisions regarding which strategies to teach and the type of assistance to offer during writing, from one session to the next. Based on this analysis you may decide, for example, to teach more sessions on strategies for engaged, sustained writing rather than moving on to Sessions 2 and 3 right away. Plan your teaching so that each student’s drafts improve in specific, targeted ways from one session to the next.

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To get started with guided writing in your classroom today,  click here for a free resource.

John Hattie, the author of Visible Learning , is a New Zealand researcher who wrote his book analyzing the instructional strategies that will give teachers the most “bang for their buck.”  The number one instructional strategy was feedback.  This got me to thinking about how I give feedback to my students as writers.  I feel a mistake teachers often make is that they teach throughout a writing piece, let students go through the writing process, and then give feedback in the form of a final grade after all of the learning has taken place.

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SPM Essay Writing Guide – Format & Examples

What is spm.

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, or SPM, is a significant national exam that Malaysian students who have completed Form 5 education—typically at the age of 17—take. It’s crucial since it determines whether or not they can continue their education after high school and serves as a measure of their overall academic success. Writing an essay is a significant part of the SPM exam since it evaluates the test taker’s command of the English language, analytical reasoning skills, and ability to form coherent arguments.

SPM Essay Format

Excellent SPM essays may only be written by students who have a firm grasp of the proper essay format. An essay typically consists of three primary components:

1. Introduction

The introduction of an essay serves as the initial section, strategically designed to captivate the reader’s interest and provide essential contextual information for the subsequent content of the paper. The factors that contribute to the level of interest in an introduction are:

A hook: A hook is a provocative statement or query that grabs the reader’s attention.

Background context: Introduce the topic and its relevance in a brief background context.

Thesis statement: Clearly state your essay’s principal contention or goal.

The body of your essay comprises several paragraphs, each of which deals with a different aspect of your thesis or a related concept. When composing the body, adhere to the following guidelines:

Topic sentences: Each paragraph should begin with an introduction to the key concept that is succinct and straightforward.

Supporting evidence: To support your claims, offer statistics, examples, or supporting proof.

Smooth transitions: Make sure the transitions between paragraphs are reasonable, retaining the coherence of the structure.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion is the last section, where you restate your thesis and briefly review your significant points. To write a strong conclusion:

Summarise main points: Briefly summarise your main points from the body paragraphs.

Restate thesis: Rephrase your thesis statement to reinforce your main argument.

Closing thought: A provocative statement or call to action should be the closing thought.

How to Write an SPM Essay?

Essay writing is a craft that can be honed with time and focus. Write an excellent SPM essay by following this simple outline:

1. Understand the Question

To completely understand the criteria of the essay question, carefully read and consider it. Indicate the essay type (e.g., descriptive, narrative, argumentative) and the keywords that will be used.

2. Plan Your Essay

The key ideas you intend to cover in each part should be included in an outline. Planning ensures a clear essay structure and helps you organize your thoughts.

3. Start with a Strong Introduction

Write a captivating beginning that introduces the subject, establishes the mood, and expresses your thesis statement succinctly.

4. Develop the Body Paragraphs

Each paragraph should focus on a single idea, with supporting details and arguments. Make seamless transitions between ideas.

5. Craft an Impactful Conclusion

Reiterate your thesis, restate your essential points, and give the reader a thought-provoking conclusion.

SPM Essay Writing Tips

Take into account these helpful tips to improve your essay-writing abilities:

1. Read Widely

Your vocabulary and knowledge base will grow due to exposure to various reading sources, including books, newspapers, and articles.

2. Practice Regularly

Consistent writing practice improves your writing abilities and increases your comfort level while confronting various essay subjects.

3. Seek Feedback

To pinpoint areas for growth, get comments from teachers, peers, or family members.

4. Time Management

Use your time effectively during the exam to allow enough time for preparing, writing, and reviewing.

5. Grammar and Vocabulary

Pay close attention to your grammar, spelling, and language choices for your writing to remain coherent and clear.

Types of SPM Essays

SPM essays can take many forms, each requiring a different strategy. Here are a few common types:

1. Narrative Essay

It tells a tale with aspects including characters, setting, and plot, frequently from the viewpoint of the author.

2. Descriptive Essay

It uses sensory details to create a realistic image of a person, location, or event to capture the reader’s attention.

3. Argumentative Essay

Presents reasons and proof to persuade readers to take a specific stance on a hotly debated subject.

4. Expository Essay

Gives details, justifications, or analyses on a subject backed up by examples and facts.

5. Reflective Essay

Reveals one’s own feelings, thoughts, and experiences while highlighting the lessons learned from a certain incident.

SPM Essay Example for Malaysian Students

To provide you with a practical reference, here is a brief example of an SPM essay provided by Malaysian Essay Helpers :

Example Title: “The Impact of Technology on Education”

Introduction:.

The digital era has completely transformed every part of our life, including education. Classrooms have changed as a result of the growing use of digital devices and the internet, with both positive and negative effects.

Paragraph 1 (Positive Impact)

The educational process has been greatly improved by technology. Interactive instructional software and applications provide pupils with fun ways to understand difficult ideas. Additionally, e-learning platforms have made it possible to receive a degree from a distance, eliminating geographic restrictions and fostering lifelong learning.

Paragraph 2 (Negative Impact)

But there are negative consequences to using too much technology in the classroom. The decline of conventional methods of instruction may lead to a shortage of students with strong critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Additionally, the digital divide between kids from various socioeconomic origins has the potential to make educational disparities worse.

In conclusion, it is undeniable that technology has significantly influenced modern schooling. To guarantee that every student receives a well-rounded education, educators must strike a balance between tech-based instruction and conventional teaching techniques, despite the fact that technology has many benefits in terms of accessibility and learning opportunities.

For Malaysian students who want to perform well on their exams, mastering the art of SPM essay writing is essential. Students may improve their writing talents and create compelling essays highlighting their knowledge and critical thinking skills by adhering to the correct essay style, employing effective writing approaches, and practicing frequently. Remember to experiment with different essay formats to increase your writing versatility and use other people’s work as inspiration to enhance your own.

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• Guide to the Cambridge C2 Proficiency Writing Exam – Part 1: Essay

• Posted on 19/04/2023
• Categories: Blog

Are you preparing for the Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) writing exam? If so, you may be feeling a little nervous and concerned about what lies ahead . Let us help put that fear and anxiety to bed and get started on how your academic writing can leave a positive impression on the examiner.

By the end of this blog post, you’ll know exactly what you need to do, how to prepare and how you can use your knowledge of other parts of the exam to help you.

Although you’ll find the advanced writing skills you’ve mastered at C1 will stand you in good stead for C2 writing, there are clear differences in the exam format in CPE. As in Cambridge C1, there are two parts in the writing exam, and understanding what you need to do before you’ve even put a pen to paper is incredibly important. So, let’s go!

What’s in Part 1?

First, let’s look at the format of Part 1:

• Task: essay.
• Word count: 240–280 words.
• Register: formal.
• Overview: a summary of two texts and an evaluation of the ideas.
• Suggested structure: introduction, paragraph 1, paragraph 2, conclusion.
• Time: 1 hour 30 minutes for Part 1 and 2.

Before we look at an example task, let’s look at how your paper will be assessed. The examiner will mark your paper using four separate assessment scales:

• Content – this demonstrates your ability to complete the task, including only relevant information.
• Communicative achievement – this shows how well you’ve completed the task, having followed the conventions of the task, used the correct register and maintained the reader’s attention throughout.
• Organisation – the overall structure of your essay, the paragraphs and the sentences.
• Language – your ability to use a wide range of C2 grammar and vocabulary in a fluent and accurate way.

How can I write a fantastic essay?

Let’s look at an example task:

The key things you’re being asked to do here are summarise, evaluate and include your own ideas, using your own words as far as possible. So, in short, you have to paraphrase. As a Cambridge exams expert, you’ll know that this is a skill you already use throughout the exam.

In Reading and Use of English Part 4, the techniques you are using to make the keyword transformations (active to passive, comparative structures, negative inversions, common word patterns, etc) will show you that you already know how you can say the same thing in other words.

Your ability to do word formation in Reading and Use of English Part 3 is useful here, as you look for verbs that you can change into nouns, and vice versa. This enables you to say reword sentences without losing the original meaning.

You are already adept at identifying the correct options in Reading and Use of English Part 5 and Listening Parts 1 and 3, although the words given are different to the information in the text or audio.

So, be aware of the skills you have already practised, and use them to your advantage!

How should I plan and structure my essay?

Before you even consider writing, read both texts thoroughly . Highlight the key points in each text and make notes about how you can express this in your own words. Look for contrasting opinions and think about how you can connect the ideas together. These contrasting ideas will usually form the basis of paragraphs 2 and 3.

Although there are multiple ways you can organise your essay, here is a tried and tested structure:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Idea 1 with support

Paragraph 3: Idea 2 with support

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Introduction

Use your introduction as a way to present the general theme. Don’t give anything away in terms of your own opinion, but instead give an overview of what you will discuss. Imagine this as a global comment, talking about how society as a whole may feel about the topic.

Start with a strong sentence. Make your intentions clear, then back up your idea with a supporting sentence and elaborate on it. Use linkers to show how this idea has different stances, paraphrased from the key points you highlighted in the texts.

Follow the same structure as Idea 1, but focus on a different element from the two texts. Introduce it clearly, then provide more support to the idea. Keep emotional distance from the topic – save your opinion for the conclusion!

Here is the opportunity for you to introduce your personal opinion. There shouldn’t be anything new included here other than how you personally feel about the topics discussed. Use your conclusion to refer back to the main point and round up how your opinion differs or is similar.

This is just one example of how you can structure your essay. However, we recommend trying different formats. The more you practise, the more feedback you’ll get from your teacher. Once you’ve settled on the structure that suits you, your planning will be a lot quicker and easier.

What can I do to prepare?

According to the Cambridge English website, ‘A C2 Proficiency qualification shows the world that you have mastered English to an exceptional level. It proves you can communicate with the fluency and sophistication of a highly competent English speaker.’

This means that being a proficient writer in your own language is not enough. So, what can you do to really convince the examiner that you truly are smarter than the average Joe ?

Prepare! Prepare! Prepare!

✔ Read academic texts regularly.

✔ Pay attention to model essay answers and highlight things that stand out.

✔ Always try to upgrade your vocabulary. Challenge yourself to think of synonyms.

✔ Write frequently and study the feedback your teacher gives you.

✔ Study C2 grammar and include it in your writing.

What do I need to avoid?

Don’t overuse the same linkers. Practise using different ones and not only in essays. You can write something much shorter and ask your teacher to check for correct usage.

• Don’t constantly repeat the same sentence length and punctuation. Long sentences may seem the most sophisticated, but you should consider adding shorter ones from time to time. This adds variety and a dramatic effect. Try it!
• Don’t be discouraged by your mistakes – learn from them! If you struggle with a grammar point, master it. If you spell something incorrectly, write it again and again.
• Don’t limit your English studying time. Do as much as possible in English – watch TV, read, listen to podcasts, or meet with English speaking friends. English time should not only be reserved for the classroom.

What websites can help me?

The Official Cambridge English page, where you can find a link to sample papers.

BBC Learning English has a range of activities geared towards advanced level learners.

Flo-joe has very useful writing practice exercises that allow you to see other students’ writing.

Writing apps and tools like Grammarly can improve your writing style with their feedback and suggestions.

Don’t forget about our fantastic C2 blogs too!

Passing Cambridge C2 Proficiency: Part 3 Reading and Use of English

Passing C2 Proficiency: A Guide to Reading Part 5

Passing C2 Proficiency: A Guide to Reading Part 6

Guide to the Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening Test

Guide to the Cambridge C2 Proficiency Speaking Test

Looking for further support?

If you’re interested in preparing for the C2 Proficiency exam but don’t know where to start, get in touch with us here at Oxford House today! We offer specific courses that are designed especially to help you get ready for the exam. Let our fully qualified teachers use their exam experience to guide you through your learning journey. Sign up now and receive your free mock test!

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

lie ahead (pv): be in the future.

stand you in good stead (id): be of great use to you.

adept at (adj): have a good ability to do something.

thoroughly (adv): completely.

tried and tested (adj): used many times before and proved to be successful.

back up (pv): give support to.

round up (pv): summarise.

settle on (pv): choose after careful consideration

average Joe (n): normal person.

discouraged (adj): having lost your enthusiasm or confidence.

pv = phrasal verb

adj = adjective

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Improve your English pronunciation by mastering these 10 tricky words

• Posted on 05/04/2023

5 Spelling Rules For Comparative And Superlative Adjectives

• Posted on 03/05/2023

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Writing

Learn How to Write An Essay in Simple Steps

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• 1. What is an Essay?
• 2. Steps to Write an Essay
• 3. How to Structure an Essay Paragraph?
• 4. Essay Example
• 5. Essay Writing Tips

An essay is a common type of writing and assignment that high-school and college students have to deal with.  Essay writing  can be a pretty daunting task, especially when you lack creative writing skills or don’t enjoy writing at all, or both.

Most of the students are not aware of the essential steps to write an essay. Read on and master how to write an essay on any topic that is well-researched, detailed, and tailored for an A grade.

What is an Essay?

Let's begin by learning the definition of an essay. So, what is an essay? An essay is a brief composition based on a certain topic or subject that students do as part of their schoolwork or university coursework.

Essays are one of the most common assignments handed out by colleges and institutions since they are an excellent tool for improving many essential skills including analytical thinking, research, creative skills, and so on.

Let's look at writing strategies that can help you get an A in your essay. Let's start at the beginning and work our way through these steps to write a good essay:

• Choose the Essay Type
• Choose an Interesting Topic
• Create an Essay Outline
• Write Your First Draft
• Write an Essay Introduction
• Develop a Thesis Statement
• Compose Body Paragraphs
• Write a Strong Conclusion
• Review Your Essay

Let's take a look at each step of learning how to create an excellent essay in depth.

Steps to Write an Essay

Here is the basic structure that you need to follow for writing an academic essay:

1. Choose the Essay Type

The first step is to choose the type of essay that you are writing. Choosing the right  type of essay  also plays an important role in the overall success of your paper.

Here are the basic types of papers in which academic essays can be divided.

• Narrative essay
• Persuasive essay
• Descriptive essay
• Analytical essay
• Argumentative essay
• Expository essay

Knowing the type of essay will eventually help you decide on the topic and the overall structure of your essay in the best possible way.

2. Choose an Interesting Topic

If you are given the topic, skip to the next step, create an outline and start the writing process.

If you are not given a topic, you have a little more work to do and choose your topic first.

The key to choosing a good topic is to think of what interests you and what you can relate to, the most.

Also, make sure that the topic you choose has sufficient research material available. Search either on the internet or in books for the topic you have chosen to write on.

You can also find a list of interesting  essay topics  that you can explore and choose the one to write your essay on.

3. Create an Essay Outline

Creating an outline is very important if you want to compose an impressive piece of paper. By putting all the ideas on the paper, you can easily see connections and links between ideas in a more clear manner.

If you don’t know how to write an essay outline, here are the following steps that you need to follow for structuring your essay properly.

• Write your topic at the top of the page
• List down all the main ideas
• Leave space under each idea
• In this space, list down smaller ideas that relates to the main idea

Following these steps for  writing an essay outline  will give you a complete idea of the themes required to be discussed in your paper.

4. Write your First Draft

Your first writing draft will help you do the following;

• Set the framework and structure of your essay.
• The way you will answer the main question.
• The kind of examples and evidence you will use in the essay.
• The way you will structure your argument

The first draft is not your final essay. Consider it your essay’s raw material that you can edit and proofread later.

5. Write an Essay Introduction

The introductory paragraph of an essay should be both attention-grabbing and informative.

To learn how to write an essay introduction, you first need all the necessary information required to tell the reader about the main idea of your essay.

A vague or boring introduction will give off the wrong impression, and your reader might decide not to read it any further.

Here are the steps in which you can start your  essay introduction  that is both interesting and informative.

• Use a hook sentence and add informative or shocking revelations.
• Provide background information and context on your topic
• Define the objective of your essay
• Provide an overview of the whole essay structure

6. Develop a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement defines the main purpose and claims of your essay. It is typically defined in one or two sentences and is added at the end of your introductory paragraph.

A perfect  thesis statement  has two parts. The first part states the topic and the latter states the main point of the essay.

Let's have a look at examples of thesis statements and distinguish between strong and weak thesis statements.

A: “The technological advancement has revolutionized human interaction, medical progress, scientific invention, and economic ventures but also manifested insecurities and privacy issues.”

B: “The Internet has assisted humans in numerous ways but also affected them.”

Without any doubt, A is a perfectly crafted thesis statement.

7. Compose Body Paragraphs

The body of an essay describes or explains your topic. Each idea that you write in the outline will be a separate paragraph within the body of the essay.

Since the body is made up of multiple paragraphs, it is important that they are consistent with one another.

Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence. For those who don’t know  what is a topic sentence , it is the first sentence that describes the main purpose of each paragraph. The topic sentence forms a transition between the body paragraphs.

Use transitions to introduce new paragraphs such as “firstly.. secondly... thirdly…, finally, moreover, furthermore, in addition”, etc.

It is a good idea to refer to the  transition words for essays  to introduce new paragraphs in an impressive manner.

The main aim of body paragraphs is to support your thesis by presenting evidence, facts and figures, statistics, quotes, examples, and other strong evidence.

Here are the tips that you should follow for writing each body paragraph.

• Write a clear topic sentence
• Provide solid evidence to support your argumen
• Provide examples
• Make sure the paragraph information is consistent
• Use transitions between paragraphs
• Conclude each paragraph by linking the evidence to your main point

8. Write a Strong Conclusion

The conclusion sums up the overall ideas and provides a final perspective on the topic. Concluding your essay holds the same importance as the introductory paragraph.

For writing a perfect  essay conclusion , provide a futuristic overview, persuade your reader about your point of view and restate the thesis statement.

If you have no idea about how to write a conclusion for an essay, here are the key points that you should include.

• Draw connections between the arguments mentioned in the body section
• State the outcomes
• Show the relevance and significance of the thesis statement
• Mention the broader implications of the topic

Here is the information that you should avoid writing in a conclusion:

• Don’t introduce new ideas or arguments at this stage.
• Do not undermine your arguments
• Do not write phrases like 'in conclusion, or 'to conclude'

9. Review Your Essay

If you think that you are done with your essay after writing your conclusion, you are wrong. Before considering that your work is finished, you need to do some final touches.

Review your essay and make sure it follows the  essay format  properly. Double-check your essay instructions and make sure your essay is in the desired format.

Don’t forget to check your paper for grammar and spelling mistakes as well.

How to Structure an Essay Paragraph?

Here are the factors that are included in each body paragraph of the essay.

• A  topic sentence  is the first sentence of a paragraph. It sets the tone for the paragraph.
• Supporting sentences  that help to explain the main idea and topic of the paragraph.
• Evidence  that you have gathered with research, and supports your point of view.
• Analysis  of the given evidence and a critical conclusion of the paragraph.
• A  conclusion  or a concluding sentence that sums up the entire paragraph.

All of these components make up a perfect paragraph for any essay.

Essay Example

The best practice is to learn from the essay examples written by expert writers to avoid common  essay writing problems . The examples can help you know the purpose of each type of essay and how to write a perfect one.

Imitate their writing style, argument construction, and structure.

As you read, highlight the important parts of an essay to learn how they did it. Keep in mind that the length of an essay depends on the level and complexity of the topic.

Here is a well-written sample essay from one of our expert writers that you can have a look at.

Essay Writing Tips

Here are the expert tips that you should follow for writing a perfect essay.

• Start writing your essay early
• Remember the main question or idea in your mind.
• Brainstorm ideas
• Research your topic in-depth
• Break down the essay into different sections and do not try to finish it in a single sitting.
• Write and add the introduction and conclusion after finishing the essay.
• Use transition words to create a coherent flow between the paragraphs.
• Connect the evidence with the main idea carefully.
• Do not copy-paste the content.
• Ensure flawless grammar and punctuation.
• Cite the references properly.
• Edit and revise relentlessly.
• Put the essay away for a few days and check again.

Essay writing can be made easier if you follow a certain pattern and master the steps we have provided you with. Moreover, the tips given above will help you improve your essay-writing skills also.

Try practicing as much as you can and impress your teacher with a well-written essay.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an essay format.

The essay format is the set of guidelines that decide how your paper should be arranged. Formatting a paper includes following rules for its structure, title, and citations before you begin writing it.

When formatting this type of document there are certain things to focus on like making sure each paragraph has one main idea which leads into two more ideas in succession.

Remember not to let these paragraphs become too long because they can lose the reader's attention if they go over three pages long.

What are basic writing skills?

Here are the basic writing skills: 

• Spelling and punctuation 
• Good reading skills 
• Knowledge of sentence and paragraph structure 
• Understanding of different types of writing 
• Great editing and rewriting skills 

Other than these, there are a number of other writing skills. 

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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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Tips for Reading an Assignment Prompt

Asking analytical questions, introductions, what do introductions across the disciplines have in common, anatomy of a body paragraph, transitions, tips for organizing your essay, counterargument, conclusions.

Guided Paragraph Writing Step-by-Step Instruction

Are your students excited and eager when it comes to writing? Maybe they’re a little hesitant? No matter what your situation, I have something for you!

Here are some simple step-by-step advice for teaching students how to write effective paragraphs without all the complaining. This step by step guide will provide your students with a structured paragraph skill to use with any prompt.

Guide Your Paragraph Writing with Brainstormed Ideas

The first step in a guided paragraph writing session is to brainstorm your paragraph ideas with your class. Paragraph writing becomes fun and easy with a good brainstorm session. Students love being verbal and sharing out ideas, this is an instant attention grabber.

The paragraph brainstorming can be done whole class, with partners, or individually. Whichever you choose will most likely be based on your students and their comfort with the skill set.

My favorite form of brainstorming is an old faithful, the web. Typically, the “big idea” is placed in the middle, with supporting details branching out. The visual is simple yet critical for students to stay focused.

During the brainstorming phase, it is essential for the class to discuss and confirm that each detail is actually related to the topic. If this step is not neglected, a well-focused paragraph will develop.

The Paragraph Outline

A writing outline is next on your to-do list. Although most students want to get straight to their paragraph writing, don’t let them!

The outline will take your student’s brainstormed web and move it to a structured and guided format. I always tell my students that they are merely taking the web ideas and arranging them into a sequence order, using small phrases. Immediate sighs of relief are then heard throughout the room. (I love it!)

For any paragraph writing outline, it’s important to note; the outline requires words or phrases of ideas. There are no sentences yet! The draft should not “overwhelm” the student but instead, create a structure to support the upcoming writing.

Guided Topic Sentence

To create a solidly structured and guided paragraph, the topic sentence is vital! For this reason, I choose to keep the topic sentence a writing block all to itself.

Before writing the topic sentence, the students review their writing outlines. Some key elements to remember when writing a topic sentence is that it:

• the most important sentence
• will focus your paragraph (the big idea)
• will let the reader know what to expect in the paragraph

All the Details

A paragraph isn’t complete without the details! When teaching students to write add details to their paragraphs, it is important that students understand the details ALWAYS support the topic sentence. (We all know how easy it is for our young ones to get off-topic!)

During the guided details stage of paragraph writing, students will refer back to their paragraph outlines and extend their ideas. The following are a few suggestions to support the students when writing paragraph details. Details may be:

• descriptions
• definitions
• explanations

The type of detail chosen will be based on the kind of writing genre. The three writing styles covered heavily in my room are narratives, informative, and opinion writing. No matter what genre you are working on, students should become familiar and fluid in using a variety of details in their writing.

I use a variety of writing prompts for a guided paragraph writing each month, covering all genres.

Create a Concluding Sentence

Next up for a guided paragraph writing lesson, is the concluding sentence. Although the concluding sentence is usually a pain point for most students, it no longer will be. By the time they have written a strong topic sentence, added all the supporting details, the students are usually “OVER IT!”

So, make the conclusion easy for them! Simply restate the topic sentence using other words. To help support the students, I place each student with a writing partner. The student reads the topic sentence to their partner and the partner repeats the topic in their own words. BAM! Wow, a concluding sentence instantly created!

But don’t stop there! Make sure students are aware that a concluding sentence should NOT have new information. (Yes, it’s amazing how often they try to plug in a new detail!) If you took time with your brainstormed web and outline, you should be able to avoid the new information surfacing.

Add those Final Touches

Oh, yes! Writing the paragraphs’ final touches are where it’s at!

To excite my students about adding the final touches, I write a simple and basic paragraph without the extras. Then I read them a second paragraph writing that includes all the final touches. Hands down, students enjoy the second writing more than the first and are full of compliments!

The paragraphs final touches may include:

• hook sentence
• transitional words or phrases
• adjectives and adverbs
• figurative language

Edit, Revise & Publish the Paragraph

Lastly, our paragraph writing would not be complete without our last step: edit, revise and publish. Yes, it’s been a long journey, but please don’t let the students fade out now.

To increase student motivation and engagement , while editing and revising, I once again go to my handy dandy student partners. The editing and revising phase will surely provide your students will the feedback needed to bump up their writing level.

Finally, the students are ready to publish! Whew!

Within my own classroom, I mix up the publishing of the writing between a paper-pencil format and Google Slides online format. For two reasons I mix my format:

• I believe younger students still need to develop their penmanship and fine motor skill
• Also, I believe many students enjoy the digital version, therefor I get better engagement during these weeks.

Independently Guided Paragraphs

Although this post has been a bit lengthy, the overall weekly structured paragraph writing does not take long at all!

I assign this routine to my students each morning while I’m taking care of the daily business such as roll and lunch count.

The writing prompts I give to my students are simple and clear that do not need extra support. Since this is a time for “applying” their structured and guided paragraphs skills, my students know exactly what to work on each morning. The students work independently. Once my tasks are completed, I can monitor the room. The whole process usually takes 15-20 a day for 5 days a week.

While we are on the subject of writing, make sure your students have a solid grasp of paragraph writing. Check out my FREE Structured Paragraph Handbook , which will guide you and your students through the steps needed to create the perfect paragraph.

If you’re wanting to try out this simple seven-steps to a guided paragraph writing, use the links below.

You may also click on the images at the bottom of the post.

• Paragraph Writing Prompts for Google Slides(BUNDLE)
• Weekly Paragraph Writing Prompts (August-May) BUNDLE

The Weekly Structured Paragraph Writing Prompts by month are the same prompts as the digital resource. If you choose to purchase the digital Google Slides and want to use the paper-pencil method as I do, this one resource will cover you. You can always print from the Google Slides. So cool.

Try out two weeks of FREE Structured Paragraph Writing Prompts Here .

Also, let me know in the comments how your students are progressing with their paragraph writing skills.

FREE Paragraph Writing Handbook & Lessons

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