Download THE ESSAY ASSISTANT

THE ESSAY ASSISTANT
STEP I. BRAIN STORM:
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List any idea that pops into your head about the subject.
Edit and Sort to your liking.
STEP II. THE THESIS:
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The Thesis Statement (included in first paragraph)
State the Subject + Point of Essay or List main ideas to be detailed in Paragraph 2.
STEP III. THE BODY (paragraph 2)
• Take each main idea and extrapolate (add opinion, examples to strengthen)
• MAIN IDEA
OPINION, REASONING, EXAMPLES
STEP IV. THE INTRODUCTION (paragraph 1)
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STARTLING INFORMATION!
ANECDOTE – MAKE IT BRIEF
SUMMARY INFORMATION
THESIS STATEMENT
STEP V. THE CONCLUSION (paragraph 3)
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3 or 4 Sentence summary
Review main points.
Briefly reinforce your opinion
Reflective question …..
EXAMPLE - ESSAY ASSISTANT
PROBLEM: Some have said that the significance of ABRAHAM in the BIBLE has been
underrated. That since there is no real proof that he existed, the stories are simply a concoction
of a early writer with much time on his hands. What is your opinion of ABRAHAM and his
relevance today? Is there any value in studying his life and times?
STEP I. BRAIN STORM:
• Father of 3 Monotheistic religions
• Ventured out from a comfortable life to serve God.
• Chosen by God.
• Covenant – Land, Descendants, Nation
• Leader of Many Battles
• Generous to nephew Lot
• Great sacrifice of son.
• Passed on Faith to new generations.
EDIT DOWN TO 3 MAIN POINTS
Father of Monotheism, Great Sacrifice (himself & family), Covenant.
STEP II. THE THESIS:
• The Thesis Statement (included in first paragraph)
• State the Subject + Point of Essay or List main ideas to be detailed in Paragraph 2.
Abram (Abraham) of the Bible provides us a powerful example as a faithful man of God.
Or
Abraham stands as a major figure in Biblical study as the father of monotheism, his examples of
great sacrifice, and his enduring most powerful covenant with God.
STEP III. THE BODY (paragraph 2)
Father of Monotheism
Abraham fathered two sons. His first, born to Hagar, a maiden servant of his wife
Sarah. Ishmael was to become of great importance to the Muslim community. His
second son, born to wife Sarah, was Isaac. It is through Isaac that the Jewish religion is
formed. Later, the Christian faith is forged from the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a
practicing Jew in his day. These great faiths which account for over half of the worlds
population today all derive from the formative stories of the life of Abraham.
Great Sacrifice
There can be no doubt about the great sacrifice of Abraham. Through the tales of
Abraham, we find a man who was quite content in his ways. A man quite comfortably,
living in the village of Ur, who received the call from God while in his 70's. It is here
that we see evidence of his great faith as he takes up stakes, with family and herd, to
strike out for an unknown land with only a promise from God.....
Covenant
The great covenant with God is one that has lived through the ages and continues to be
referenced to this day in the ongoing unrest in the middle east. God promises Abraham
a fertile land and more descendants than exist stars in the heavens. He also explains
that Abraham’s people will one day see a great nation form. All of these promises hold
to be true over time ....
STEP IV. THE INTRODUCTION (paragraph 1)
• STARTLING INFORMATION!
Imagine a man who is so faithful to God that he is willing to sacrifice his beloved son.
• ANECDOTE – MAKE IT BRIEF
A man once asked how he could get to heaven. When he was told to give up all his material
wealth and serve others, he walked away sadly …
• SUMMARY INFORMATION
A man who has is willing to give up all that he has for a greater good cannot be dismissed. In
giving up all he knows for the promise that his descendants will be well taken care of, he has
only his faith to secure this dream.
• THESIS STATEMENT
Abraham stands as a major figure in Biblical study as the father of monotheism, his examples of
great sacrifice, and his enduring most powerful covenant with God.
STEP V. THE CONCLUSION (paragraph 3)
• 3 or 4 Sentence summary
• Review main points.
• Briefly reinforce your opinion
• Reflective question …..
As we study the stories of Abraham it becomes clear that as the architect for monotheism he
cannot be dismissed. His incredible faith was inspiring as he willingly gave all he knew and
loved for the glory of his God and people. His patience and humility unsurpassed as he
faithfully kept to promises that did not reveal themselves in his lifetime. There is so much value
in studying these stories, in walking in the shoes of one so faithful, and in living a life with the
ever presence of God.
STEP VI. FINAL EDIT
• Read the Essay ! Check for logical organization and flow of thought.
“ IF IT DOESN'T READ WELL, IT'S NOT DONE! “
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Spell Check – Punctuation – Heading – Double Spaced
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Make sure your NAME and the TITLE are at top of page.
FOLLOW THIS FORMULA AND YOU'LL HAVE AN “A” EVERY TIME. BUT EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE AND COMMUNICATE
EFFECTIVELY.