Before lesson:

Email graphic organizer to all students

Print rubrics for students
Print graphic organizer to read off of while projecting sample essay
Lesson plan:
(1) State goal of the lesson: Learn the basic structure and mechanics of essay writing.
(2) Rationale: This is the foundation for all academic writing you will encounter in your
future. Beyond this, it is teaching you how to most effectively structure your thoughts to
present them to others: grabbing someones attention, concisely stating your opinion,
developing your opinion in a logical sequence, and stating the implications (why this
matters) to the listener.
(3) Review: Turn to a partner and discuss; What do you know about essay writing? What
are the components of an essay? Write on the board and connect ideas.
(4) Go over paper requirements: Due date, expectations, discuss rubric. Field any
questions.
(5) Students grab laptops and open their essay graphic organizer.
(6) Go over the entire organizer. Discuss options as far as body paragraph grouping.
(7) Project Romeo & Juliet essay as a model. Go over the first two paragraphs. Explain we
will discuss the conclusion more thoroughly tomorrow.
(8) Students now have time to begin filling out their graphic organizer. Recommend that they
fill out their prewriting bubble diagram first.
(9) Go to students with IEP and lend additional support. Modify their assignment if
necessary.
*Essay instructions, rubric, and graphic organizer are attached

Theme Essay Instructions and Rubric

Instructions: Students are to write a five paragraph essay in MLA format that demonstrates
their ability to: find the theme in a literary work, track the development of this theme throughout
the work, and write a standard academic essay. Below are the criteria on which you will be
graded.
Content/Ideas

(1) Student identifies a theme within their work of choice

0 1 2 3 4 5
(2) Students body paragraphs contain a total of 6 powerful citations
0 2
(3) Students body paragraphs contain insightful explanations of their citations
0 2
Structure
(1) Students thesis statement is strong and placed correctly within the essay
0 1
(2) Students paper has complete introductory and concluding paragraphs
0 1
(3) Students paper has three complete body paragraphs
0 1
Organization
(1) Students paper is organized in clear and logical manner
0 1
Conventions
(1) Students paper is free of spelling and grammatical errors
0 1
(2) Students paper adheres to proper MLA format
0 1

TOTAL: _______ / 55 points

Introduction Paragraph
Attention grabbing statement or question:
Topic of your essay:
Necessary background information:
Thesis (Topic - Verb - Concept):
Plan of attack:
Body Paragraph (Do THREE of these)

4 6 8 10
4 6 8 10
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5

Topic sentence:
Detail:
Textual evidence:
Explanation:
Detail:
Textual evidence:
Explanation:
Concluding sentence and transition:
Conclusion
Wrap it up (restate thesis):
Summarize evidence:
1.
2.
3.
Extend, go beyond, larger meaning: