Take some notes on these helpful ideas for your essay:

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“Who is Lafayette, and What Does He Mean to America, Then and Now?”
 

• You will write 5 paragraphs that include an introduction paragraph, a short biography paragraph of the Marquis de Lafayette, a paragraph of what General Lafayette accomplished in the American Revolution, a paragraph about what you think Lafayette’s impact for Americans is today and a conclusion paragraph.

• The rubric gives exact details on the expectations of your essay paragraph-by-paragraph.  Follow the rubric for organization of your essay, length of paragraphs, mechanics, citing, font size, etc.  Stay within the guided rubric.

• Research, research, research! Use the books and links below for excellent resources to learn about Lafayette.

• Participate in an informational Zoom meeting with Lafayette himself in February (details coming)! You'll get to ask questions, so do your research beforehand so you are prepared.

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Tips for Making Your Writing Stand Out
●    Follow all directions
●    Take notes from at least 3 different sources
●    Organize your facts and your own thoughts 
●    Write a rough draft 
●    Review to make sure your work is comprehensive and original 

 

How to Cite Your Sources 
Citing tells your reader where you found your information.  Citing gives credit to the people whose words or ideas you are using.

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In your text for a book:  Parenthesis around authors’ last names, title, comma and the year published.     
Example:  (Castrovilla, Revolutionary Friends, 2013)

In your text for a website: Parenthesis around name of authors’ last names, comma and title, comma and date published, comma and URL.
Example: Becica, The Lafayette Family Legacy, 11/2019, https://friendsoflafayette.wildapricot.org/Gazettes

 

In your bibliography for a book:
Author’s last name, first name period Title of book period Date published
Example: Castrovilla, Selene. Revolutionary Friends. 2013

In your bibliography for a website:
Author’s last name, First name period title period date period URL
Example: Becica, John.  The Lafayette Legacy. 11/2019. https://friendsoflafayette.wildapricot.org/Gazettes    

 

Types of ‘Hooks’

Grab your readers’ attention with a sensational or interesting hook in the introduction.  A hook is a sentence or group of sentences that draw people into reading your essay. Make sure your hook relates well to the essay.
●    Interesting Question Hook
●    Strong Statement/Declaration Hook
●    Fact/Statistic Hook
●    Metaphor/ Simile Hook
●    Story Hook
●    Description Hook
●    Quotation Hook