Is there some type of "formula" I can apply to all of my writing assignments?

Question

There is a method of writing a multiparagraph essay which also helps with reading comprehension.

Answer 1

With an essay assignment, the "five paragraph essay" is a formula that typically works. The first para, the introduction, tells readers what three points you're going to make, but very concisely. In each of the next three paragraphs you'll explain three different points that justify your thesis. Finally, you'll write a conclusion that summarizes these points.

Answer 2

I find this method or "formula" an excellent way to organize and write your paper.

First Paragraph: State your position, then your reasons for your position.

Second Paragraph: State your first reason, then how you justify that reason.

Third Paragraph: State your second reason, then how you justify that reason.

Continue till you’ve stated all your reasons for your position.

Last Paragraph: State your position, your reasons, and concluding sentence.

Of course, you can embellish these sentences by vocabulary, varied sentence structure and other grammatical turns. Remember to keep focused on the tone that you wish to convey and avoid verbosity.

Answer 3

Come up with three "categories" relating to what your prompt is asking you, and use this to create one broad statement (called a thesis statement) to tell the reader what the essay is about, within your intro paragraph. You do not have to have an elaborate introduction paragraph will all the bells and whistles. Just simply and effectively state what you want to say about the prompt, including your three categories. In fact your one-sentence thesis statement could be considered your whole entire paragraph, so long as you are able to draw three points together concisely and relate it to a little bit background information on the topic that will help your essay make more sense. It would also be in your best interest if you could use sentence starters such as "In spite of..," or "Despite..," as this will make your writing sound more sophisticated.

Once you have your intro paragraph, each of the three categories you stated in your thesis/intro will now become the focus points for your three body paragraphs (you can call this your "baby thesis," if it helps). In these paragraphs, make sure the baby thesis is clearly stated, and that you give your analysis of the topic you are discussing in this particular paragraph and you are giving at least two pieces of evidence to support your analysis. Since you mentioned reading comprehension, you will want to find articles that relate to this that you can borrow from as evidence to prove what you say, using quotations and citing the sources correctly.

Finally, for your conclusion, you are basically tying everything together in one cohesive, summative paragraph. Basically ask yourself, why do all of these things I have just said matter as a whole? Why is it important to discuss this in the first place?

Overall for essays, you start with identifying three broad categories, each body paragraph is basically a more in-depth look at each of the categories and explanation with evidence as to why it contributes to your initial claim/thesis. Your first draft will not be perfect, that's why it is best to stick to the bare bones of the essay and write until you finish, at which time you can go back to make your adjustments, and if you want, create your "grabbers," correct your grammar, spelling, or make tone adjustments to make your essay flow smoothly.

Answer 4

I for one hate writing by formula. You might get through school with it, but you’ll never be considered a good or professional writer. Imagine being a teacher with thirty or more essays on the same topic, all written to formula, that you have to grade. Is it any wonder they wind up counting your typos? And what works for a history essay may fall flat when you’re trying to persuade.

OTOH, here’s a way to think about any writing assignment that I was taught by my Dad, who was a newspaperman (old school, who-what-when-where-why), public speaker, and magazine editor, including the founding editor of Inc.: He required every proposal to make clear the

1. Aim - showing an understanding of what readers mostly know or think about the subject when they start reading, and what the writer wanted them to know or think about it when they finished. Picture the starting point at the bottom left corner of a page, the Aim at the top right.
2. Theme - a string connecting the start and the Aim point. What is it that you’re going to tell your reader to carry them up to that Aim point?
3. Scope - the thickness of the string. Do you need to cover a decade of change, or just a year? All chapter-book mystery series, or just Harry Potter? Maybe you need to talk about only one chapter of one book, or you can make your case with just one brilliant poem.

You can write these elements down if it helps you, or just think them through as you plan your project. I’ve found it helps me with fiction, essays of various kinds, informative articles, speeches, and even the very few poems I’ve written. My least successful writing has been when I tried to write to a formula instead of thinking about what I was communicating to another person, including a teacher.