The Elegant Essay by Lesha Myers

The Elegant Essay Writing Lessons: Building Blocks for Analytical Writing

For years, I have recommended The Elegant Essay as the best resource I know for essay writing. Written by Lesha Myers, this text offers detailed instructions and models for each part of the essay.

Both the Student Book and Teacher Manual are user-friendly (best when purchased together as a set), and each section of the essay is taught with many examples and exercises. This is useful for both learning and review.

The Elegant Essay covers:

• Overview
  • five writing components
  • the essay skeleton
  • parts of the essay
• Thesis Statements
  • kinds of statements (expository, narrative, persuasive)
  • instructions for devoting a thesis
  • charts, examples, and exercises
• Essay Organization
  • five-paragraph structure with example
  • showing vs. telling
  • evidence and support
  • examples and exercises
• Transitions
  • kinds of transitions
  • examples and exercises
• Introductions
  • kinds of openings
  • problems with introductions
  • use of creativity
  • charts, examples, and exercises
• Conclusions
  • kinds of closings
  • a pattern for conclusions
  • problems with closings
  • charts, examples, and exercises
• Form Review
  • essay elements
  • bridge transitions
• Thesis & Outlines
  • thesis polishing
  • answering prompts
  • planning
  • charts, examples, and exercises
• Descriptive Essay
  • generating ideas
  • developing your thesis
  • the body
  • transitions, introductions, and conclusions
  • examples and exercises
• Persuasive Essay
  • generating ideas
  • thesis models
  • citations
  • charts, examples, and exercises
• Appendices
  • Teaching Models
  • Grading Sheets

 The Teacher’s Manual offers:

• Three-step lesson plans
• 14-week schedule
• Condensed 3-4-week schedule for an “Essay Boot Camp”
• MLA citation instructions
• Discussion of two grading methods: checklist (rubric) and points
• Extra teaching models
• Review of IEW essay basics and style techniques

You may purchase these spiral-bound paperbacks at Everyday Education
Teacher’s Manual: 110 pages
Student Book: 114 pages