Elements of an Essay: Conclusion Paragraphs

For the last several weeks, we have broken down the format of an essay into easy to understand parts.  There is a basic formula for writing a well-structured essay.  Ultimately, it is the writer’s job to plug their words into the formula effectively and correctly.

However, having the tools to put an essay together in an organized manner can go a very long way to writing a successful essay.

Structure is one of the key elements in essay writing, and with the conclusion of today’s blog, you will have all the elements needed to present a well-structured essay.

Speaking of conclusions, today we are going to look at conclusion paragraphs.  As a reminder, let’s briefly look at all the components  of an essay.

The introduction paragraph is the heart.

It is designed to catch my reader’s attention.

Next, the thesis statement is the glue.

It holds my entire paper together and is placed at the end of introduction paragraph.

The body paragraphs are the meat.

They are the largest portion of my essay.

Then, the details of my body paragraphs are the key.

They unlock my argument.

Also, the commentary is the treasure.

They make the paper shine.

Lastly, the conclusion paragraph is the bow.

It ties my whole essay together.

 

Since the conclusion paragraph wraps everything up, we need to learn how to write one well.

Let’s take a look.

Your conclusion paragraph is your chance to remind the reader of your thesis, points you made in your body paragraphs, and leave the reader with a powerful closing statement. It should be made up of three parts.

Restatement

 

Use different words to remind the reader of your thesis statement.

 

Recap

 

Remind the reader of the main points from each of the body paragraphs.

 

So What

Your last sentence of your paragraph should be powerful. It tells the reader why they should care about your essay.

How to Write a “So What” Sentence

Your “So What” sentence will change based on the type of essay you are writing.

Informative Essays

Consider writing an objective truth.

If your paper was an informative essay on the devastation of the Black Plague, your sentence could look like this:

As society continues to develop and grow, it is necessary to remember that maintaining health standards is just as important now as it was in the 14th century.

Persuasive Essays

If your essay was persuasive, try writing a call to action.

For instance, if you were writing a persuasive paper on how Peeta is better for Katniss than Gale, your last sentence could look like this.

Show your support for Peeta by liking the Facebook page “Team Peeta.”

 

Analysis Essays

Write an expression of why your analysis improves the reading the text.

For example, if you are writing about how Fitzgerald develops Daisy’s character, your last sentence could look like this:

Fitzgerald allows the reader to see different sides of Daisy in order to create sympathy for a character who might otherwise seem thoughtless and unkind.

 

Your conclusion paragraph is the last thought your reader will be left with. So, it is important to make the conclusion powerful.

Now, we suggest you put your own essay together based on the elements of an essay that we have discussed.

Then check back in with us next week for proofreading.

 

As always, give us a call if you need help with essay writing.

(949) 681-0388.

Elements of an Essay: Conclusion Paragraphs from OxfordTutoring

Elements of an Essay: Writing Commentary

For several weeks now, we have been identifying the essential elements of essays and learning how to incorporate these effectively and successfully. We have discussed that the thesis statement is the glue that holds the entire paper together, the body paragraphs are the meat where the majority of your argument will be found, and last week we looked at how the details are the key to unlocking your argument.  Today we are going to take a look at the other extremely important factor in writing a well-thought out essay.  It is needed for every single detail that you write.  It is the commentary.

 

Commentary Definition

When you write commentary, you are explaining to your reader how the details relate to the thesis statement. Commentary does not contain facts.  Instead, they help explain why the details are relevant to the topic.

 

Writing Commentary

You are going to need at least two sentences of commentary for every detail sentence.  A good rule of thumb is that your commentary should be twice as long as your details.  Otherwise, your paper is just full of facts.  We want to know how YOU think these facts prove your point and what YOU think they mean.

 

Here are a few different methods for writing commentary:

1) Opinion: this is where you write your belief, subjective judgment or way of thinking about a detail .

2) Interpretation: your explanation of something that is not clear.

3) Character and Subject’s Feelings: when you describe what the character or subject of the detail is feeling (ideal for literary analysis papers)

4) Personal Reaction: your personal emotions about the detail.

5) Evaluations: your objective judgment of a detail.

 

Commentary is the Treasure

Your commentary is the treasure that makes your paper shine.  It should always strengthen and extend the details. This is your chance to show us what you’ve got.  It is where you can impress us with your analysis and interpretation skills.

 

“What and Why” Method

You may be thinking, “Analysis and interpretation skills?  What if I don’t possess those skills?”  Well breathe easy, because interpretation is really just a fancy word for “what,” while analysis simply means “why”.

So if you are struggling to write your commentary try using the “what and why” method.  First, tell the reader WHAT your detail is talking about by defining or explaining.  Next, let your reader know WHY this detail is relevant to your thesis statement.

 

Starting Commentary Sentences

If you are struggling to start your commentary, consider beginning your commentary in one of the following ways:

“This shows that…”

 “This is important because…”

Obviously, you cannot start every sentence you write like that since this would be redundant.  However, even if you do not write these phrases at the beginning of all of your sentences, it is helpful even just to think these phrases in order to guide your commentary in the right direction.

 

Applying Commentary Techniques

Now that we have discussed the different options for writing commentary, and the method for doing  so, let’s put them together and see what is looks like.

 

Commentary Type: Opinion using the “what and why” method

Topic: education

Detail: According to the 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress Reading test, 80% of students score below grade level in reading.

Commentary: Your commentary for this detail will answer the following questions: (1) “WHAT is my opinion?” and (2) “WHY is my opinion relevant to my thesis statement?”

(1)  A statistic like this shows the poor state of the education.  (2) If we are to help students become successful adults, we need to change the way we are educating our children.

 

Commentary Type: Interpretation using the “what and why” method

Topic: benefits of college

Detail: First of all, of 2,350,000 college students enrolling per year, only 1,750,000 will graduate.

Commentary: Your commentary for this detail will answer the following questions: (1) “WHAT is my interpretation?” and (2) “WHY is my interpretation relevant to my thesis statement?”

(1) This shows that the high demand placed on students during their college years is too much stress for many.  (2) However rigorous it may be though, the pressure and expectations are reflective of a future career and help prepare young adults for these challenges.

 

Commentary Type: Character or Subject Feelings using the “what and why” method

Topic: cost of higher education

Detail:  For example, Benjamin Davis, a recent college graduate with a degree in Business, struggled for many years to find a job because of the recent unemployment struggles in America

Commentary: Your commentary for this detail will answer the following questions: (1) “WHAT is the subject’s feelings?” and (2) “WHY is subjects feelings relevant to my thesis statement?”

(1) He, like most, experiences extreme frustration at spending a great deal of time and money obtaining his degree, but feeling like he has very little advantage over others without a degree when finding a job. (2) As a result, many who find themselves in a similar situation are left wondering if higher education is worth the high cost.

 

Commentary Type: Personal Reaction using the “what and why” method

Topic: bullying

Detail: Also,  a bully might speak cruelly in order to intimidate, steal a student’s belongings, or intentionally exclude one from a group .

Commentary: Your commentary for this detail will answer the following questions: (1) “WHAT is my personal reaction?” and (2) “WHY is my personal reaction relevant to my thesis statement?”

(1) It is extremely upsetting to know that most children undergo this type of treatment at school. (2) It is hurtful, isolating, and can have long-lasting psychological damage on those students who experience bullying often.

 

Commentary Type: Evaluation using the “what and why” method

Topic: bears

Detail: Naturally, a bear, when threatened, will rise up from the ground, growl loudly, and begin charging at a speed of up to 35 mph.

Commentary: Your commentary for this detail will answer the following questions: (1) “WHAT is my evaluation?” and (2) “WHY is my evaluation relevant to my thesis statement?”

(1) Although this is a frightening experience, it is not entirely the bear’s fault. (2) In fact, most of the time when a bear attacks a person, it is the result of a person not understanding that when going out into the woods, he or she is entering a bear’s environment; forgetting to be respectful and cautious can cause the bear to react thusly.

 

When To Use Commentary Types

Depending on your assignment, choose the types of commentary that best fits your argument.  Use of a variety of different types of commentary to write a well-argued paper.

 

Workshop

Go back and look at step two of writing details from last week’s blog.  Look at the commentary you wrote and update it to fit into the “what and why” method using some of the above types of commentary.  If you did not do that step last week, go ahead and use the worksheet found here.

We hope this helped you when writing commentary.  If you still need help, call Oxford Tutoring for support or to schedule a writing tutoring session.

Elements of an Essay: Writing Details from OxfordTutoring

 

 

Elements of an Essay: Writing Details

Recently, we looked at how to write thesis statements  and then dove into three elements of a body paragraph: topic sentences, transitions words, and the conclusions sentence.  These elements are necessary, make your body paragraph organized and clear.  However, the heart of your body paragraphs, what can make or break your argument, is the details and commentary.  Today, we are going to zoom in on the details of your body paragraphs.  Without them, your argument will be unproven and unconvincing.  With them, you will give the reader confidence in your opinion and present evidence in support of your reasoning.

Details are the Key

Details are the key to unlocking your argument! They are the supporting statements to your thesis statement.

 

How many body paragraphs do I need?

In order to write  body paragraphs that are effective and well argued, you are going to need at least two per body paragraph.

 

What Should my Details look like?

Your details should be varied and brief.  Having a lot of long details looks like you are padding your paper with the efforts of other writers and researchers, instead of telling
your audience what your opinion is.

Also, having different types of details keep a paper interesting and can convince a reader more effectively, since you are providing them with support from a variety of sources.

 

Different ways to write details

1) Evidence

Evidence is information showing something is objectively, scientifically true, like a statistic.

Example: According to the 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress reading test, 80% of students score below grade level in reading.

 

2) Examples/Concrete Details

Examples are used when mentioning a specific person or thing that help explain or show truth.

Example: Also, a bully might speak cruelly in order to intimidate, steal a student’s belongings, or intentionally exclude a student from the group.

 

3) Illustrations/Descriptions

Illustrations are analogies, metaphors, similes, or pieces of information that paint a picture to make something easier to understand.

Example: Naturally, a bear when threatened, will rise up from the ground, growl loudly, and begin charging at a speed of up to 35 mph.

 

4) Facts

Facts are true or provable pieces of information.

Example: First of all, of 2,350,000 college students enrolling per year, only 1,750,000 graduate.

 

5) Occurrences/Sequencing

Occurrences show something that happened (use action verbs).

Example: For example, Benjamin Davis a recent college graduate with a degree in Business, struggled for many years to find a job because of the recent unemployment struggles in America.

 

What else should I know about details?

Be sure that your details support your thesis and are relevant to your argument.

You need at least two per paragraph to prove your point successfully.

Remember to use a variety of details when writing your body paragraphs.

 

Workshop

With all this information you have learned, it is time to apply it.

Once you have developed a thesis statement for your essay with 2-3 points of support or contention (see our thesis statement blog), you can begin to develop your details through organization.  Look at the following organizational steps:

 

Step One:

Thesis statement – use a cluster web to generate your thesis statement.

Check out the printable here, to help you out: Step One of Writing Details

 

Step Two:

Brainstorm – use a T-chart to generate your details.

We have a worksheet for you here: Step Two of Writing Details

 

We hope this will help you write effective, strong details.

If you still need additional support, give us a call at

(949) 681-0388.

Elements of an Essay: Writing Details from OxfordTutoring

Elements of an Essay: Body Paragraphs

Last week, we broke down what a thesis statement is and how to use it in your essay.  Remember, your thesis statement is the glue and holds your entire paper together.  If you do not yet feel confident in your thesis statement, go back to our last blog and go through the workshop to refine your thesis statement, visit our Slideshare on thesis statements, or give us a call.

Body Paragraphs

Today, let’s take a look at body paragraphs and three of the elements that should be within each body paragraph.  To write strong body paragraphs, you need to make sure they are structured clearly and organized well.

 

How Many Body Paragraphs Do I Need?

For high school papers, you will want to have two to three body paragraphs, depending on the requirements of your paper and the goal of your essay (clarified in your thesis statement).

What Does My Body Paragraph Need to Include?

Despite the number of body paragraphs in your essay, all of your body paragraphs should have the following elements:

A Topic Sentence

 

Transitions

Details

Commentary

Concluding/Transition Sentence

What Should My Body Paragraphs Look Like?

Your body paragraphs will change based on your assignment and goal.  However, what you do for one body paragraph, you should do for all the others, as well.

At minimum, follow this format:

Topic Sentence. Transition word, detail sentence. Commentary Sentence.  Commentary Sentence.  Concluding/Transition Sentence.

Note: You may need to provide additional detail sentences and commentary for those detail sentences.

Let’s take a look at three elements of body paragraphs: topic sentences, transition words, and concluding sentences.

 

Writing Topic Sentences

Your topic sentence tells the reader what you are going to be discussing throughout your whole body paragraph.  The body paragraph should not stray from this topic.  If it does, eliminate this information, or start a new body paragraph.

 

How Do I Write a Topic Sentence?

Some easy, yet powerful ways to begin a paragraph are to use the five W’s (who, what, where, when, why. . .or even how).

Let’s say we are writing a paper on bullying. Here is what each of these topic sentences could look like.

Starting with a WHO:

Many children have experienced some form of bullying.

Starting with a WHAT:

Bullying is harmful and can greatly affect children negatively.

Starting with a WHEN:

During lunch or after school when teachers are not around is when bullying often happens.

Starting with a WHERE:

At schools across the country, bullying has become a major issue.

Starting with a WHY:

Bullying should be prevented because it created fear at a place where students should feel safe.

Starting with a HOW:

By standing up for ourselves when we are intimidated, we can help prevent bullying.

Are There More Complex Ways to Write Topic Sentences?

Some more interesting and advanced ways to write topic sentences are:

Number Statements:

Bullying is such a major problem that three-quarters of all children have been bullied or teased.

Where or When + What’s Happening Statements:

When we see another student being bullied at school, we help by defending the student or telling an adult.

And, But, So Statements:

Bullying bothers everyone, so it should be discussed with students and prevented.

Action Verb Statements:

My friends and I were playing a game on the playground when I was first bullied by an older student.

Alike or Different Statements:

There are many different ways to react when being bullied.

Question and Answer Statement:

Why do some kids bully?  Often times, they are looking to receive attention.

Transition Words

 

Why do I Need to Include Transition Words?

First of all, transition words make your essay clearer.  Additionally, they connect the gaps in ideas. Furthermore, transition words provide a signal to the reader about what is coming next.

See what I just did there?

I used transition words to get my points across in an organized, easy to read, fashion.

 

Where Do I Put Transition Words?

Put transition words at the beginning of your detail sentences.  They can also be placed before topic sentences.

 

What are Some Examples of Transition Words?

Here are some lists of transition words.

To Give an Example: For example, For instance, In particular, In this manner, In this case, In another case, Namely, That is, To demonstrate, To illustrate

To Order or Sequence: After, Afterwards, At this time, Before, Concurrently, Finally, First (Second, etc.), Following this, Hence, Next, Now, Previously, Simultaneously, So forth, Soon, Subsequently, Then

To Contrast: Although, At the same time, But, By comparison, Compared to, Conversely, Despite, Either way, Even so, However, In spite of, Meanwhile, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Notwithstanding, On the other hand, Otherwise, Whereas, Yet

To Add/Compare: Additionally, Again, And, then, Also, Besides, Finally, First (Second, etc.),Further, Furthermore, In addition, Lastly, Likewise, Moreover, One, Next, Similarly, Too

To Show Cause or Effect: Accordingly, As a result, Because, Consequently, For this reason, Hence, Since, So, Then, Therefore, Thus

To Summarize or Conclude: As noted, As described, As explained, Clearly, Conclusively, Consequently, Hence, In conclusion, In brief, Finally, In short, In summary, Lastly, On the whole, Thus, To conclude

To Emphasize: Certainly, Clearly, Conclusively, For this reason, In any case, In fact, In particular, Indeed, More importantly, Most Importantly, Naturally, Obviously, Particularly, Specifically, Surprisingly, To this end, Truly, Unfortunately, Without a doubt

 

Conclusion Sentences

 

What Do Conclusion Sentences Do?

The conclusion sentence wraps up the paragraph.  This is your chance to leave the reader with a clear idea of your topic and the message you want to send.

 

How Do I Write a Conclusion Sentence?

You can SUMMARIZE the information you wrote about in your paragraph.

There are many ways to prevent bullying from happening in the future and ways to handle bullying without getting angry or upset.

You can ENCOURAGE the reader to take action.

If we go to a teacher counselor, principal or parent, we can get the help we need to handle our interactions with bullies.

You can try to CONVINCE you reader once more of your position.

We can help stop bullying by trying to avoid bullies and telling someone we trust.

You can CHALLENGE your reader to think.

Think of how much safer school would be if we handled bullying in a different manner.

What Does My Conclusion Sentence Do?

The closing sentence if your last word about the body paragraph topic.  It is your clincher.

It Should:

Show the importance of your ideas.

Encourage the reader to a new view of the subject

End on a positive note.

These are just three of the elements of your body paragraphs.

 

Check back in next week, when we will look at detail sentences.

 

Check out the SlideShare presentation.

Elements of an essay body paragraphs from OxfordTutoring

Elements of an Essay: Thesis Statement Workshop

One of the most challenging aspects of school life is writing an essay.

It can be a daunting task, staring down a five-page paper that you have yet to begin.

Where do you even start?  How do you pick a topic? And what is this elusive thesis statement that I keep hearing so much about?

Well, breathe easy, because Oxford Tutoring is here to help.  We have broken down the essay into tangible sections that you can tackle one at a time so you can feel confident in the papers you write.

We have even provided practice material so you can check to make sure you  obtaining all the information.

If at any point you feel overwhelmed or have identified a certain concept that just is not making sense, feel free to reach out to us through anyone of our social media sites or by giving us a call at (949) 681-0388.

 

Elements of an Essay System

We have identified the six major components of an essay and given them metaphors to give you a picture of each of these elements. They are the following:

The introduction paragraph is the HEART.

 

The thesis statement is the GLUE.

The body paragraphs are the MEAT.

The details are the KEY.

The commentary is the TREASURE.

The conclusion paragraph is the BOW.

 

Understanding the Elements of an Essay System

 

As a writer, I can use the “elements of an essay” system in order to make sure that I have everything I need to write an effective essay.

First, the introduction paragraph is the heart of the paper meant to catch my reader’s attention.

Second, the thesis statement is the glue that holds my entire essay together and is placed at the end of my introduction paragraph.

Third, the body paragraphs are the meat; they are the largest portion of my essay.

Fourth, the details of my body paragraphs are the key to unlocking my argument.

Next, my commentary is the treasure that makes my paper shine.

Lastly, my conclusion paragraph is the bow that ties my essay together.

Using this system will aid me in remembering that I, as the writer, can use the “elements of the essay” system to include all the necessary components of a successful essay.

 

Let’s Start with the Thesis Statement.

Remember the thesis statement is the glue of your essay.  With that in mind, here is your first activity.

Activity #1

Directions: Choose one of the following topics and write on sentence expressing your opinions about it.

– Football vs. Basketball

– Summer

– Cats vs. Dogs

– Choose your own topic.

 

So, What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement, to put it simply, is an opinion that can be proven and is worth proving to others.  Ideally, your thesis statement should only be one sentence.   This keeps from overwhelming and confusing your reader, and not to mention, yourself.

 

But, How do I Use a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement if meant so that your essays should be built around your thesis statement.  You will use your body paragraphs to argue or defend your thesis statement.

 

Okay, Then Why do I Need a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement can help you do many things.  It can tell the reader what you will be talking about in your essay.  Since your readers will probably have a short attention span, a thesis statement lets them know ahead of time what will be discussed in your essay.

When writing a thesis statement ask yourself the following question: “Why would others care about my thesis statement.  If you cannot answer this question, you need to rewrite your thesis.

Think of the thesis statement as a map.  It lets the reader know where you are going.  And, it gives you, the writer, direction.

 

Yeah, But How do I Write a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement if declarative, short, concise, and can be defended with evidence.   You can write a thesis statement like this…

 

Subject + What You Think + 2-3 Points of Support/Contention

 

Check out this example

Deciding which college to attend was a complicated process that required researching the college, applying to the college, and enrolling in my chosen classes.

Subject = Deciding which college to attend.

What You Think = It was a complicated process.

Points of support = researching the college, applying to the college, and enrolling in my chosen classes.

 

Activity #2

Directions: Look back at the opinion you wrote in Activity #1.  Write a thesis statement supporting your opinion.

 

Then, How does My Thesis Statement Work in My Essay?

 

In the Introduction Paragraph

In the introduction paragraph, your thesis statement is one sentence (usually the last), while the rest of your introduction paragraph sets the reader up for your thesis statement.

 

In the Body Paragraphs

The points of support in your thesis statement become the topics of your body paragraphs.  Look at the point of support in the last example:

Point of Support #1: 

Research the College

= Body Paragraph #1 Topic

Point of Support #2:

Apply to the College

= Body Paragraph #2 Topic

Point of Support #3:

Enroll in Chosen Classes

= Body Paragraph #3 Topic

 

In the Concluding Paragraph

In the concluding paragraph, you will restate your thesis statement.

It is that simple.

See? Your thesis statement really is the glue because it holds your whole paper together!

Activity #3

Directions: Identify the thesis statement components in the following thesis statements – the subject, what the author thinks, and the points of support.

1) Sodas should remain an option in our lunchrooms because of their fund-raising importance and because they allow students to begin exercising responsibility and good decision-making.
2) Students should be allowed to carry cell phones at school because they provide students more security, they can be used in emergencies, and they keep parents involved in their children’s school lives.
3) Cell phones should not be allowed at school because of their potential to distract students, to lead to thefts, and to be used for cheating.

Now you know how to write an awesome thesis statement!

We hope this helped you understand thesis statements and how to use them.  Being that your entire paper is centered around your thesis statement, it is vital that you write a solid thesis before tackling your paper.  For any questions of tutoring help, give us a call at (949) 681-0388.

 

Or check out our SlideShare presentation!

Thesis statement workshop from OxfordTutoring

18 Overused Words to Replace When Writing

Words, Words, Words

There are many words that when writing we tend to overuse.  Sometimes, when we are in the middle of expressing a thought on paper, we just cannot think of a better term other than “very” or “said” to get our thought down, so we simply write the word and move one.

Why does word choice matter?

As a result of using overused words, we end up using words that many other essay writers will use, making our paper or piece look just like the others.  Furthermore, we might end up using the same word repeatedly.  Lastly, what does the word “very” mean anyway?  It is not very descriptive; and is not a word to use to accurately explain our intended message.  This is just one example of an overused word that does little to make our paper unique.  Check out our list of words that we recommend you replace in your writing, and lists of replacement words you can use to make your essay stand out.

1. Bad

25 Words to Use Instead of “Bad”

abominable, appalling, atrocious, awful, beastly, careless, cheap, crummy, defective, dire, dreadful, erroneous, faulty, frightening, gross, horrid, inferior,  inadequate, incorrect,  lousy, poor, raunchy, rough, shocking, unacceptable

2. Big

25 Words to Use Instead of “Big”

bulky, burly, colossal, considerable, enormous, fat, gigantic, gross, heavyweight, hefty, huge, humungous, husky, immense, jumbo, mammoth, massive, monster, oversize, sizable, thundering, titan, tremendous, vast, voluminous, whopping

3. Funny

21 Words to Use Instead of “Funny”

amusing, capricious, comical, clever, droll, engaging, entertaining, hilarious, humorous, hysterical, joking, jolly, laughable, merry, playful, priceless, rich, riot, silly, whimsical,  witty

4. Good

25 Words to Use Instead of “Good”

admirable, agreeable, commendable,  excellent, exceptional, fabulous, fantastic, favorable  great, honorable, marvelous, neat, phenomenal, pleasing, positive, precious, satisfactory, spectacular, splendid, super, superb, valuable, wonderful, wondrous, worthy

5. Happy 

25 Words to Use Instead of “Happy”

beaming, blissful, cheerful, chipper, delightful, ecstatic, elated, excited, glad, gleeful, intoxicated, joyful, jubilant, lively, merry, mirthful, overjoyed, peppy, perky, playful,  pleased, sparkling, thrilled, tickled , upbeat

6. Know

17 Words to Use Instead of “Know”

appreciate, apprehend, catch, comprehend, conceive, discern, envision, estimate, experience, fathom, gauge, grasp, imagine, learn, measure, notice, perceive, realize, recognize, see, think , understand

7. Laugh

18 Words to Use Instead of “Know”

burst, cackle, chuckle, crow, exult, giggle, grin, guffaw, howl, rejoice, roar, shriek, snicker, snort, teehee, titter, whoop, yuck

8. Like

22 Words to Use Instead of “Like”

admire, adore, appreciate, care, cherish, commend, devoted, embrace, esteem, exalt, fancy, fond, glorify, honor, idolize, love, prize, respect, revere, treasure, value, worship

9. Little

21 Words to Use Instead of “Little”

bitsy, dainty, delicate, diminutive, infant, microscopic, mini, minor, minute, modest, petite, puny, short, slight, slim, slender,  small, teensy,  teeny, tiny, undersized

10. Look

22 Words to Use Instead of “Look”

behold, bore, eye, fix, flash, focus, gander, gawk, gaze, glance, glare, inspect, leer, notice, observe, peel, regard, squint, stare, survey, view

11. Mad

21 Words to Use Instead of “Mad”

angry, annoyed, enraged, furious, heated, irate, irritable, offended, outraged, exasperated, incensed, boiling, upset, riled, livid, aggravated, fuming, steamed, cross, indignant

12. Nice

25 Words to Use Instead of “Nice”

amiable, charming, cordial, courteous, delightful, favorable, friendly, genial, gentle, gracious, helpful, inviting, kind, lovely, obliging, peaceful, peachy, pleasant, polite, swell, sympathetic, tender, welcoming, well-mannered, winning

13. Pretty

20 Words to Use Instead of “Pretty”

attractive, beautiful, cute, appealing, sweet, gorgeous, striking, eye-catching, alluring, charming, pleasing, pleasant, lovely, delightful, fascinating, desirable, stunning, graceful, fair, elegant

14. Sad

21 Words to Use Instead of “Sad”

depressing, gloomy, miserable, cheerless, distressed, heartbroken, discouraged, bitter, melancholy, pessimistic, somber, sorrowful, sorry, wistful, blue, dejected, despondent, downcast, forlorn, grieved, troubled

15. Said

36 Words to Use Instead of “Said”

alleged, argued, asked, asserted, babbled, bellowed, bragged, commented, complained, cried, declined, demanded, denied, encouraged, expressed, giggled, growled, hissed, inquired, lied, moaned, nagged, rebuked, rebutted, replied, rejected, retorted, roared, scolded, shrieked, shrugged, stated, taunted, vowed, warned, whined, whispered, yelled

16. Ugly

20 Words to Use Instead of “Ugly”

awful, beastly, deformed, disfigured, foul, frightful, grotesque, grisly, gross, gruesome, hideous, homely, plain, repelling, repugnant, revolting, unattractive, uninviting, unseemly, unsightly

17. Very

33 Words to Use Instead of “Very”

awfully, chiefly, clearly, completely, deeply , dreadfully, enormously, especially, , exceedingly, exceptionally, extraordinarily, extremely, evidently, fantastically, greatly infinitely, immeasurably, immensely, incredibly, intensely, mainly, notably, obviously, outstandingly, particularly, remarkably, seriously, significantly, tremendously, uniquely, unusually, vastly, wholly

18. Went

35 Words to Use Instead of “Went”

avoid, bolt, bound, depart, exit, escape, flee, fly, hike, hop, jaunt, jolt, journey, jump, leap, leave, lurch, march, mosey, move, pace, parade, pass, progress, retreat, saunter, scoot,  skip, split, step, stride, stroll, tour, travel, vanish

What do you think of our list?  Are there any others you would add?  Tell us and we will make a chart for you of replacement words.

Thanks for reading!

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Tools for Writing: How To Overcome the Blank Page

The blank page glares at her, daring her to type just one single word.   The black blinking cursor flashes in time with her beating heart, mocking her inability to even begin writing her essay.  Why is this so difficult? she wonders.  Why can’t I put something, anything, down?  The buzz of text messages on her iPhone reminds her that she could be out with her friends.  The sooner she can just get this paper done, the sooner she can be browsing the sales rack at Nordstrom or grabbing a popcorn and Coke and taking a seat to watch the latest “Avengers” movie.  Instead, she is here.  Staring at a white screen.  Unable to begin, unable to leave until she does.

Few assignments are more intimidating than essays and few moments are more aggravating than having an essay due that a student has no idea how to write.  It can be an extremely frustrating experience, one that leaves even the most competent student feeling like a complete failure.  And, simply getting by when it comes to writing, is not an option, not for any student that wants to excel in high school or college.  Writing crops up in every class and in every field.  Writing is one of the key means of communication in education and the professional world.  As a former student and one who has received my Bachelor’s Degree in English, I have known this frustration.  However, throughout my studies, the many writing classes I have taken, and the hundreds of writing assignments I have completed, I have learned the how to overcome this struggle and the necessity of pushing past the blank page.

Just write!

As a tutor, one of the issues I see most of my students struggle with is simply beginning their paper, putting that first word or sentence down.  A confusing phenomenon for parents, tutors, or anybody attempting to help the student overcome this difficulty.  Why is it so hard to type even just one word? Just write. It’s just a word.  Well, actually, it’s not. This one word symbolizes much more than just the object it names.  It stands for the beginning of a whole assignment.  It will be finished and turned in and graded.  And, this grade for this essay effects the entire grade of the student’s class.  Furthermore, this assignment is just one of the many assignments that need to be finished this semester.  This semester and its grades will affect his or her GPA.  That GPA will determine what college a student gets into.  And on and on the thoughts go until the single word he or she will begin this paper with is representative of an entire academic career.  It is not just a word; a word is easy.  This word, though, this word is everything.

I have seen evidence of this anxiety in a student as young as eleven. To this panic I say, stop!  Stop it right in its tracks by being present.  Do not worry about your grade for this assignment or even completing the assignment.  Just pause, take a breath, and write something down.  It does not have to represent genius; it does not have to make sense; it does not even have to be relevant to your topic.  It just has to be.  This will help overcome the anxiety of receiving a poor grade and assist a student in overcoming his or her writer’s block, opening the flood gates to the creative process.  And let’s not forget, as formulaic as we try to make writing (and there are several formulas we can use to help get us started), writing, at the end of the day is a creative process.  Creativity requires presence. So be present.  Then pause, breathe, write, repeat.

Finally got started writing but need help making your essay even better? Email us to book a session with one of our writing tutors. Or give us a call at (949) 681-0388!

Meet the author:  Julia is an ELA instructor at Oxford Tutoring who has been working with students for over 10 years.  She builds up her student’s confidence in the subjects they struggle with through encouragement and support.  Striving to make her students ready to tackle even the most difficult concepts as they move up in their education, she motivates her students to take their education into their own hands and thrive.

 

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