Table of Contents
Essay Structure
A five-paragraph essay has a clear structure: introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Five-Paragraph Essay Structure
Paragraph 1: Introduction
- • Hook (attention grabber)
- • Background information
- • Thesis statement (main argument)
Paragraphs 2-4: Body
- • Topic sentence (main idea of paragraph)
- • Supporting details and examples
- • Analysis and explanation
- • Transition to next paragraph
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
- • Restate thesis (different words)
- • Summarize main points
- • Final thought / call to action
Types of Essays
Narrative
Tells a story with characters, plot, and setting
Descriptive
Describes a person, place, or thing vividly
Expository
Explains or informs about a topic
Persuasive
Convinces the reader to agree with your opinion
Subject-Verb Agreement
The verb must agree with its subject in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
Basic Rules
| Rule | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Singular subject + singular verb | She runs fast. | She run fast. |
| Plural subject + plural verb | They run fast. | They runs fast. |
| Compound subject with "and" | Tom and Jerry are friends. | Tom and Jerry is friends. |
| Either/or, neither/nor (verb agrees with nearer subject) | Neither the cats nor the dog is here. | Neither the cats nor the dog are here. |
Tricky Cases
Collective nouns (team, family, group) can be singular or plural depending on meaning.
The team is winning. (acting as one unit)
Indefinite pronouns like everyone, anybody, each are singular.
Everyone is invited. Each student has a book.
Phrases between subject and verb don't change agreement.
The box of chocolates is on the table. (box is singular)
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent (the word it refers to) in number, gender, and person.
Example:
Maria forgot her book. (Maria = antecedent, her = pronoun)
The students finished their homework. (students = antecedent, their = pronoun)
Common Errors
Incorrect
Everyone should bring their lunch.
(everyone is singular, their is plural)
Correct
Everyone should bring his or her lunch.
(or: All students should bring their lunch)
Advanced Figurative Language
Idiom
A phrase with a meaning different from its literal words.
"Break a leg" = Good luck
"Piece of cake" = Very easy
"Hit the sack" = Go to sleep
"Under the weather" = Feeling sick
Symbolism
Using objects to represent bigger ideas or concepts.
- • Dove = Peace
- • Heart = Love
- • Light = Hope, knowledge
- • Darkness = Evil, ignorance
Irony
When the opposite of what is expected happens or is said.
- • Verbal irony: Saying the opposite of what you mean ("Great weather!" during a storm)
- • Situational irony: A fire station burning down
- • Dramatic irony: Audience knows something the character doesn't
Oxymoron
Two opposite words used together.
Foreshadowing
Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
Example: Dark clouds gathering before a disaster in the story.
Research Writing
Steps in Research Writing
Choose a Topic
Pick something interesting that can be researched
Gather Sources
Find books, articles, websites with reliable information
Take Notes
Write down important facts and where you found them
Create an Outline
Organize your ideas before writing
Write the Draft
Put your notes into paragraphs
Cite Sources
Give credit to your sources
Revise and Edit
Check for errors and improve writing
Reliable vs. Unreliable Sources
Reliable Sources
- • Encyclopedia and dictionaries
- • Books by experts
- • Government websites (.gov)
- • Educational websites (.edu)
- • News from major outlets
Unreliable Sources
- • Personal blogs (opinions)
- • Unknown author/website
- • Social media posts
- • Wikipedia (use only for overview)
- • Outdated information
Literary Analysis
Literary analysis is examining how an author uses literary elements to convey meaning.
Elements to Analyze
Theme
The central message or lesson of the story
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject (serious, humorous, sad)
Mood
The feeling the reader gets from the story (scary, peaceful, exciting)
Character Development
How characters change throughout the story
Types of Characters
Protagonist
Main character; the story centers around them
Antagonist
Character who opposes the protagonist; creates conflict
Dynamic Character
Changes throughout the story
Static Character
Stays the same throughout the story
Point of View
Point of view (POV) is the perspective from which a story is told.
First Person
The narrator is a character in the story. Uses "I," "me," "my."
"I walked to school and saw my friend."
Second Person
Talks directly to the reader. Uses "you," "your." (Rare in stories)
"You walk into the room and see a mysterious box."
Third Person Limited
Narrator is outside the story but knows one character's thoughts. Uses "he," "she," "they."
"She wondered what was inside the box."
Third Person Omniscient
Narrator knows all characters' thoughts and feelings. "All-knowing."
"She was nervous, while he felt confident about the test."
Reading Comprehension
Passage: The Power of Persistence
Thomas Edison is famous for inventing the light bulb, but few people know about his countless failures along the way. It took Edison over 1,000 attempts before he successfully created a working light bulb. When asked about his failures, Edison famously replied, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
This mindset—viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback—is what separates successful people from those who give up. Edison's persistence eventually led to one of the most important inventions in human history, transforming how we live and work.
The lesson is clear: success rarely comes on the first try. What matters is not whether we fail, but how we respond to failure. Those who persist, learn, and try again are the ones who ultimately achieve their goals.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
Answer: Persistence and learning from failure lead to success.
2. How did Edison view his failed attempts?
Answer: He saw them as learning opportunities, not failures.
3. What is the author's tone in this passage?
Answer: Inspirational and encouraging.
4. What can you infer about Edison's character?
Answer: He was determined, patient, and optimistic despite setbacks.