A well-written essay must start with a solid foundation. Teach your students how to write an introductory paragraph that paves the way for the rest of the essay. Then, teach them how the body paragraphs are like rooms in a house, each filled with different items that contribute to the overall theme of the home. Finally, tell them how the conclusion covers everything in the essay and completes the structure, just like a roof. Split the students into groups to construct a simple five-paragraph essay. Then, have each group draw a picture of an empty house. Ask the students to cut their essays in the five pieces, one for each paragraph, and then trade their cut-up essays with another group. Each group must put the essay back together -- gluing each piece on their house in the proper space. The first group to finish with all the pieces in the right place wins a small prize, like candy or a homework pass.
Cut several short essays into pieces, one for each paragraph, roll up each piece up and insert it into an inflated balloon. Toss the balloons in the air and have your students try to catch a balloon. When everyone has a balloon, ask them to pop the balloons and remove their paragraphs. Ask the students who think they have an introductory paragraph to move to the front of the classroom. Then, instruct the students who believe they have a closing paragraph to move to the back of the room. Finally, have students who think they have a body paragraph stay in the middle. Then, allow the students to talk to one another to put their essays back together. The first group to form a completed essay wins a small prize or homework pass.
Have each student write a simple four-paragraph essay with just three or four sentences in each paragraph. Students could also do this in groups. Have them write a thesis statement, as well as a main sentence for each paragraph and a summary conclusion. Tell the students to write their essay not in the traditional paragraph form, but one line at a time, with a new sentence on each line of a piece of notebook paper. Then, have the students cut the sentences into strips and put all the strips into an envelope. Collect the envelopes and pass them out so every student (or group) gets a new envelope. Have the students try to piece together the other person's (or group's) essay. The first student (or group) to complete the essay wins a prize.
Sometimes, writing an essay isn't much different from writing a news article -- both types of writing must answer the reporters' questions: who, what, when, where, why and how. Teach your students to be investigative reporters as well as writers. Come up with a simple school-related topic the students can write about, such as the upcoming student art show. Make press passes for your students and have them interview teachers and students to complete their research for the essay -- answering all of the relevant reporters' questions. Students can do this individually or in groups. Then, as a class or in groups, construct an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs and a conclusion that incorporates all of the information.