Writing
Templates, sentence frames and worked examples for the writing students are asked to do: paragraphs, essays of every kind, poems and short stories.
- Topic sentences: what they are, with examples
A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph, usually in the first sentence. It names the topic and makes a point about it, so the reader...
- Concluding sentences: examples and how to write one
A concluding sentence is the last sentence of a paragraph. It wraps up the paragraph's main idea, often by restating the topic sentence in new...
- How to write an introduction paragraph
An introduction paragraph opens an essay in three moves: a hook that catches the reader's interest, background that gives the context they need,...
- Claim, evidence, reasoning (CER): how to write one
Claim, evidence, reasoning (CER) is a three-part way to answer a question in writing. The claim is your answer, the evidence is the data,...
- How to write an argumentative essay
An argumentative essay takes a clear position on a debatable question and supports it with reasons and evidence, while fairly answering the...
- Narrative essay: how to write one, with examples
A narrative essay tells a true story from your own life and shows what it meant to you. It uses the tools of fiction, such as a vivid scene,...
- How to write a persuasive essay
A persuasive essay tries to convince the reader to agree with an opinion or take an action. It states a clear position, supports it with reasons...
- How to write a summary
A summary restates the main ideas of a text in your own words and in far fewer words than the original. It names the author and title, gives the...
- The five-paragraph essay: outline and example
A five-paragraph essay has an introduction that ends with a thesis, three body paragraphs that each develop one supporting point, and a...
- Hook sentences: 12 ways to open an essay
A hook sentence is the opening line of an essay, written to make the reader want to keep going. Strong hooks include a surprising fact, a...