Using Gilb’s essay as a model, write an essay that defines a human feeling or characteristic—happiness, for example, or fear or courage—or some notion that you find important but that you think some (many?) frequently misunderstand. As Gilb does, present a wide range of examples to suggest various aspects of your subject. essays must contain at least 5 total paragraphs (intro, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion). Sometimes, though, you will want (or need) more. All essays must contain direct quotations (the Response Essays from the assigned readings, and the Presentation Essay and Research Essay from secondary sources). Contains a hook (more than one sentence that engages the reader); • Identifies the author and article title of the assigned reading selection; • Identifies a clear response to the essay prompt; • The thesis must identify three clear points that will be covered in the essay. Support/Organization • Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence directly linked to the thesis. • Each body paragraph contains a direct quotation from the assigned reading. • Quotations are “sandwiched” in the middle of a body paragraph; in other words, do not begin or end a body paragraph with a quotation. • The concluding paragraph hearkens back to the thesis without merely repeating it. Editing & Revising – Essay has been thoroughly edited before submitting for a grade. The list below mentions only the most common pitfalls, not all of them. • Eliminate run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and comma splices. • Properly punctuate introductory dependent clauses. • Subjects and verbs must agree; watch out for indefinite pronouns. • Pronouns and antecedents must agree; watch out for indefinite pronouns. • Direct quotations must (a) be used as evidence, not padding, (b) be enclosed within quotation marks, and (c) be integrated into the student’s own sentence (no quot. should stand alone). • Quotation marks must be punctuated correctly. Also, use single quotation marks for material that a source quotes. • All essays must conform to MLA formatting. • All slang must be eliminated. • Commas! ~ Learn the rules governing their use. • Apostrophes must be used correctly. • Use Spellcheck! • Read your writing aloud before considering your job done. Your ear may catch an error or an unwieldy or odd-sounding expression. • First drafts usually don’t get great scores.