Handout
Harvard University

Harvard Univ.: Harvard College Writing Center: Ending the Essay: Conclusions

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This resource teaches how to write a conclusion for an essay. Also includes a few pointers on how not to end one.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Sample Essay 1 With Admissions Feedback

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This article gives multiple samples of college admission essays that have been evaluated by college admissions officers.
Lesson Plan
Lumen Learning

Lumen: Success Skills: Writing in College

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Although this lesson focuses on college writing, it fits perfectly into the high school curriculum without being too difficult to understand. It provides types of essay writing assignments and how to handle each, strategies for writing...
Website
Other

Glendale College: Structure of the Five Paragraph Essay

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This website from the Glendale Community College shows the structure of five paragraph essays and the elements within the paragraphs (motivator, thesis sentence, topic sentence, specific support, reworded thesis, clincher). Gives...
Handout
Other

Tidewater Community College: Writing Center: Organizing Paragraphs and Essays

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This page gives a quick, but thorough look at a few good ways to organize a piece of writing.
Handout
W. W. Norton

W. W. Norton: The Research Essay: Integrating Source Material Into the Essay

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Information about integrating source material into an research essay. SL.11-12.2 Eval&Integrate sources
Handout
W. W. Norton

W.w. Norton & Company: Elements of the Essay: Thesis

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An explanation and examples of interpretive claims and evaluative claims in a thesis statement. Click on list on the right for more information about elements of the essay.
Handout
W. W. Norton

W.w. Norton & Company: Elements of the Essay: Tone (And Audience)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An explanation about using an appropriate tone for the intended audience of an essay.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Extinction: Is It Inevitable?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students read the article "The Sixth Extinction" by Niles Eldredge on past mass extinctions and the current rate of loss of species. There is a choice of student activities which includes having students respond to discussion and...
Handout
Quia

Quia: Santa Barbara City College: Structure of a Personal Narrative Essay [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site provides two graphic organizers. The first graphic organizer provides all parts of a personal essay, of a college essay. The second graphic organizer serves as a planning tool for a student's personal essay. W.9-10.3,3a...
Handout
W. W. Norton

W.w. Norton & Company: The Writing Process: Planning

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Tips on planning for the essay once the thesis has been formulated. Use the links on the right for other parts of the writing process. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.5
Handout
W. W. Norton

W.w. Norton&company:the Writing Process: Conventions That Can Cause Problems

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Click through lessons on conventions that can cause problems in an essay including tenses, titles, and names. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.1
Website
Hanover College

Hanover College: Mary Rowlandson's Captivity Narrative

For Students 9th - 10th
College essay examines Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative in its historical context and in light of her religious beliefs. Analyzes Rowlandson's view that her captivity was punishment by God for breaking the covenant between God and...
Handout
Capital Community College Foundation

Guide to Grammar and Writing: Principles of a Composition

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Writing a Paper? Here at the Capital Community College is everything you could ever ask for while preparing your essay. This site includes the writing process, structure, thesis statement, transitions, the computer as a writing...
Handout
Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College: Suggestions for Organizing and Writing Papers

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This writing lab tutorial offers sound principles for writing papers, beginning with knowing your audience and objective. It covers patterns of organization, outlining, illustrations, writing, abstract, citations, and style.
Article
Scholastic

Scholastic: Writing for the Sat

For Students 9th - 10th
This student guide provides insightful information about preparing for and taking the SAT. It explains how the exam is scored, how to approach the essay section, and gives prompts for practicing essay writing. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).
Handout
Capital Community College Foundation

Guide to Grammar and Writing: Cause and Effect

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Capital Community College gives excellent overview, assistance, and examples of using cause and effect in writing and composition.
Handout
Capital Community College Foundation

Guide to Grammar and Writing

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A treasure of grammar and writing information. Index links broken down to sentence level, paragraph level, and essay level. Site also contains PDF samples of business writing and research papers, PowerPoint presentations, interactive...
Handout
Capital Community College Foundation

Guide to Grammar and Writing: The Thesis Statement

For Students 9th - 10th
An explanation of a thesis statement and how it is used in an essay.
Activity
Michigan State University

Michigan State University: Introduction to Synthesis

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Learn what synthesis is, why you might write a synthesis essay, and techniques for developing several types of synthesis essays. While this site is written for a college writing course, it is both useful and accessible for high school...
Handout
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Getting an a on an English Paper

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Written by a college professor, this site discusses five areas for students to work on to improve their writing. The areas are Thesis, Research, Close Reading, Style, and Mechanics. The author is clear and concise in his advice, and...
Website
Other

Grays Harbor College: Writing Essays: Four Tips

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This resource explores four tips for writers: "Center Your Thinking," "Organize Your Thinking," "Specify Your Thoughts," and "Present Your Thoughts Clearly." The information is presented in an easy-to-follow outline with examples given...
Handout
W. W. Norton

W.w. Norton & Company: Elements of the Essay: Structure

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Click through an overview of how to structure an essay, including the introduction, body, and conclusion. Use the list on the right side to learn all of the elements of an essay.
Activity
Harvey Mudd College

Claremont Colleges: Writing an Argument

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Brief handout describing different forms of argument for writing.