Formal Essay Writing Lesson Plan
Unit/Theme: Formal Writing Skills
Grade Level: 9th-12th
Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Lesson Objective: Students will learn the key components and structure of a formal essay and draft a 600-800 word essay.
Materials:
Sample formal essay
Outline template
Writing rubric
Research sources
Anticipatory Set (5 mins): Lead a class discussion prompting students to describe what makes an essay “formal.” Generate a list of characteristics on the board. Highlight the importance of structure, organization, credible evidence, academic language/tone.
Minilesson (10 mins): Review the key components of a formal essay:
Introduction paragraph with a hook and thesis statement
3-5 body paragraphs each focusing on a main point that supports the thesis
Conclusion paragraph that restates thesis and main points
Formal/academic writing style and language
Credible evidence and sources cited
Logical flow and transitions between paragraphs
Guided Practice (15 mins): Hand out a sample outline and essay. In pairs, have students analyze how the essay follows the structure and includes the key elements discussed. Call on volunteers to share their observations.
Independent Practice (20 mins): Assign students a prompt for their own formal essay (e.g. analyzing a novel theme, arguing a position on a current issue, etc). Circulate as students draft an outline using the template provided. Check for understanding and offer guidance.
Technology Integration (15 mins): Show students how to conduct online research to develop credible evidence for their essays. Demonstrate effective search strategies and evaluating source credibility. Have them each find 2 potential sources to support their thesis.
Closing (5 mins): Briefly review the major components of a formal essay structure. Address any lingering questions. For homework, instruct students to draft an intro and conclusion paragraph to bring to the next class.
Assessment: Students will submit their fully drafted 600-800 word formal essay. The writing rubric will be used to assess inclusion of structure components, credible evidence, formal writing style, and progress towards standards. Feedback will also be provided to help students strengthen future formal writing.
Extensions: Students needing additional support can meet in small groups to workshop their outlines and get peer feedback. For advanced students, challenge them to include a counterargument paragraph in their essay that addresses an opposing viewpoint.
This formal essay writing lesson plan provides a complete structure for instructing students on the key characteristics and format of academic formal writing. Through explicit instruction, modeling, guided practice analyzing samples, and independent drafting supported with online research, it equips 9th-12th graders with the skills and understanding to produce their own multi-paragraph formal essay on a given topic or text. The lesson incorporates Common Core writing standards, includes formative and summative assessments, and allows for differentiation. With effective delivery, it serves as a strong foundation for developing students’ formal writing proficiency.