Read the book

– Spend at least fifteen minutes and read the book three times carefully.

– If you have vocabulary words, look it up, write its definition, word type, and create three sentences.

In our example, we will use the short story “Pirate Pat”.

Thesis

Let’s just use the short story’s main idea as our thesis.

For example, in Pirate Pat, a thesis statement would be:

Pirate Pat has found treasure at Gran’s house because he has a treasure map and wants to dig it up.

he has a treasure map
wants to dig up the treasure

Hook

Now we write a simple hook to capture the reader’s attention:

A scary pirate appears at the front door.

Introduction

Now connect the thesis and introduction with a bridge:

A scary pirate appears at the front door. [hook]
Gran and the kids are scared. [bridge]
Pirate Pat has found treasure at Gran’s house because he has a treasure map and wants to dig it up. [thesis]

Body One – he has a treasure map

re-iterate part of the thesis
[Point] Pirate Pat has a treasure map.

Grab a quote that supports your point.

[Evidence] “Pat hunted in his heavy pack. What has he found? It is a map.”

[Explanation] On a dark cold day, he uses the map and arrives at Gran’s house. Gran lives in a cozy house with two grandkids. Gran and her kids are scared of the pirate, but watches him. He shows them the map to explain that he is there because he wants to find treasure. He is not scary at all.

Body Two – wants to dig

re-iterate part of the thesis
[Point] Pat shows Gran the map and says he wants to dig at the house.

Grab a quote that supports the point

[Evidence] “But that’s my home!” says Gran. “Look, lad, you can’t just dig here.”
“Pat is Sad”

[Explanation] Gran tells Pat he can’t dig there because it is her house. Because of this, he is let down and becomes depressed. But pat is stubborn and digs anyways. And in a stroke of luck, he manages to find the treasure!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gran’s house is sitting on the treasure that’s on Pat’s map.
She doesn’t let him dig because it will ruin the house.
He does not listen, and finds the treasure.
His map was right. Pirate Pat was right. He finds the treasure after all.
The fearful kids and Pat celebrates with Pat.

Essay

A scary pirate appears at the front door. Gran and the kids are scared. Pirate Pat has found treasure at Gran’s house because he has a treasure map and wants to dig it up.

Pirate Pat has a treasure map. “Pat hunted in his heavy pack. What has he found? It is a map.” On a dark cold day, he uses the map and arrives at Gran’s house. Gran lives in a cozy house with two grandkids. Gran and her kids are scared of the pirate, but watches him. He shows them the map to explain that he is there because he wants to find treasure. He is not scary at all.

Pat shows Gran the map and says he wants to dig at the house. “But that’s my home!” says Gran. “Look, lad, you can’t just dig here.” “Pat is Sad”. Gran tells Pat he can’t dig there because it is her house. Because of this, he is let down and becomes depressed. But pat is stubborn and digs anyways. And in a stroke of luck, he manages to find the treasure!