Diana's Formulae for Essays

Standard Pre-Write for following the listed algorithms:

1. Thesis: your main idea, which is basically what the issue is and what your special take on it is
2. Supporting reasons that pretty much says, these are the reasons why my thesis is a valid argument

3. Thesis and Support all tie in together to say ____.

Standard No-Fail Essay for University/College:

(1a) <Opening statement that doesn't reveal too much, but at least hints to what you will say> <Connecting opening statement to thesis, which may and should, possibly summarize to hint to us what you will be saying> <Clearly stated thesis: your argument stance on a general point>

(1b) <Statement which supports what your argument is> <Example/Excerpt that explains your supporting statement> <Explain it enough to relate> <Tie in together how the supporting statement was explained by example/excerpt in preferably one, but if you must, two sentences>

(2) <Tie in your last idea with this one> <Statement which supports what your argument is> <Example/Excerpt that explains your supporting statement> <Explain it enough to relate> <Tie in together how the supporting statement was explained by the example/excerpt in preferably one, but if you must, two sentences>

(3) Repeat 2 until page/character requirements fulfilled.

(4) <Introductory sentence leading into, or if you'd like, straight-to-the-point sentence summarizing how the first stated thesis tied in together the supporting statements> <Elaborate in a new way how they connect, and why it makes sense> <Possible hypothetical, but obvious rhetorical question or thought-provoking statement that ties together the thought completely, but may lead to an additional, yet related, thought>

Standard Comparative No-Fail Essay for University/College:

(1a) <Opening statement that doesn't reveal too much, but at least hints to what you will say> <Connecting opening statement to thesis which may and should, possibly summarize to hint to us what you will be saying> <Clearly stated thesis: your argument that x is related to y>

(1b) <Statement which supports what your argument is to explaining mainly X> <Example/Excerpt that explains your supporting statement> <Tie in together how the supporting statement was explained by example/excerpt in preferably one, but if you must, two sentences>

(2) <Tie in your last idea with this one> <Statement which supports what your argument is explaining mainly X> <Example/Excerpt that explains your supporting statement> <Explain it enough to relate> <Tie in together how the supporting statement was explained by the example/excerpt in preferably one, but if you must, two sentences>

(3) Repeat 2 until page/character requirements fulfilled appropriately half, or to whatever portion required evenly distributed to fulfill.

(4a) <Despite/Because these things...(or some other paraphrased way to refer the previous statements)> <Summarized reason why Y is pertinent, mainly focusing on what Y is>

(4b) <Statement which supports what your argument is to explaining mainly Y, if you'd like, allude to X but don't branch off into tangents> <Example/Excerpt that explains your supporting statement> <Explain it enough to relate> <Tie in together how the supporting statement was explained by example/excerpt in preferably one, but if you must, two sentences>

(5) <Tie in your last idea with this one> <Statement which supports what your argument is explaining mainly Y, again, if you'd like, allude to X but don't branch off into tangents> <Example/Excerpt that explains your supporting statement> <Explain it enough to relate> <Tie in together how the supporting statement was explained by the example/excerpt in preferably one, but if you must, two sentences>

(6) Repeat 5 until page/character requirements fulfilled appropriately half, or to whatever portion required evenly distributed to fulfill.

(7) <Introductory sentence leading into, or if you'd like, straight-to-the-point sentence summarizing how the first stated thesis tied in together X with Y> <Elaborate in a new way how they connect, and why it makes sense> <Explain it enough to relate> <Possible hypothetical, but obvious rhetorical question or thought-provoking statement that ties together the thought completely, but may lead to an additional, yet related, thought)

(Possible 8)? Dedicate 7 into main idea of X with Y, dedicate short 8 with what that means.

(Possible 9 to 10)? Dedicate 7 into main idea of X with Y through supporting statements of how you explained they all tied together.  Dedicate 8 and possible 9 with why that works with supporting statements. Dedicate 10 to summarize 8 and 9 with new thought provoking, possibly rhetorical question, to lead reader to further answers.

Something Short (argumentative), like the Essay Portion of the MCATs:
Argument X works over (alluded/implied) Y <defined>
(supporting statements of X)

Argument Y<defined, disputes Y>
(supporting statements)

Argument X and Y, because Z. (OR) New alternative Z, to X and Y.

Something to Keep it Short and Simple (KISS method)
Tell them what you're gonna tell them.
Tell them.
Tell them what you told them.

Up to you

I know that celebrities are usually the last people you should take relationship advice from, but a lot of times, I attribute Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert for inspiring me.  When asked how they felt after tying the knot, one of them happily responded with something along the lines of: I married my best friend. It's gonna be fun.  It's so simple, but it makes so much sense.  As imminent as a promise like this is, doesn't it still involve our own choice?  So why not make it a good one, if you can?

When I think about where I am today, it occurs to me how many choices we end up making in our own lives as we live it.  And I should clarify, because I know that could be easily interpreted as believing we have much control over our lives.  But I don't think that we can control what happens necessarily, especially when things often happen beyond our control--and in most of those cases, unexpectedly so.  Instead, I think that we make many choices when we are able to in our lives.  And when things don't go our way, we are able to make our own choice in how we will react to it.

But sometimes the knowledge of our own abilities leads to a matching fear.  You see, I had been somewhat of a developing hoarder in my life.  Whether it was the collective junk I kept in my closet or the smorgasbord of "for just in case" items I kept in the trunk of my car, I had a cautionary mentality of "what if?"  What if I needed (this) later?  What if (something) came up and for (whatever) reason, (this) will be important?  What if I forgot, unless I could refer back to (this)?  While my habits grew to unusually high stacks of clutter, this train of thought isn't unusual; I think everyone worries this way to some level or another.  It's our inherent fear of our inability to respond to emergencies or surprises.  In one way or another, we fear how many options are available to us when we're given the choice.

But let's not forget: these special cases are literally defined as the deviant situation--they are far from the usual.  So, usually, we're fine.  We're actually a lot better off than we think.  So then in your own life, you're gradually presented with reasonable options.  I hate to cut the chase so quickly, but the point is: when it comes down to it, are you making the choices you want?  Are you happy with the choices you've made in your life?  

Someone once told me, "Bloom where you are planted."  Despite (though it could be in thanks to) where you are, live as who you are, and live out the best of who you can be.  So, grow on, my flowers.  Now is our time.