What is a personal essay? It’s one of many types of formal essays. All formal essays maintain the same basic structure: Introduction with a thesis statement, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion. The personal essay is a narrative in which the author writes about an experience that was highly meaningful (usually a lesson was learned) or about a topic that they have an opinion about. For this assignment, choose a topic and discuss three reasons why the topic is important to you.

“Finding childcare”: 2. Write an introduction paragraph, which includes your thesis statement. It is suggested that this paragraph.

a. Does your introduction include an attention grabber or hook, and/or some background information on the topic? b. Does your thesis statement include three personal reasons why the topic is meaningful to you? c. Is your thesis statement clear and concise? d. Does your introduction provide a preview of the rest of your essay?

3. Write a supporting/body paragraph for each of the three (3) points/reasons from your thesis statement. a. Do your body paragraphs support each point of your thesis with relevant examples, observations, or experiences?

4. Write with logic and with transitions throughout your paper. a. Are your ideas consistent and well-organized, i.e., chronological order or order of importance? b. Do your ideas flow from one sentence to the next and one paragraph to the next, in the order presented in your thesis statement?

5. Write a conclusion: a. did you paraphrase or restate the thesis in a new way? b. Did you leave a lasting impression, so that your readers continue thinking about your topic after they have finished reading?