Writing the Essay

1. Writing the Essay • Essays consist of three main parts: • 1. Thesis (Introduction) • 2. Support (Body) • 3. Conclusion

2. Developing Your Thesis • The thesis does not simply state facts, but tells why the facts are important, how they connect, and what they mean. • The thesis is not an explosion of feeling. • The thesis should be narrow enough for you to support in the time and space allotted. • A good thesis has an argumentative edge, is succinct, and clear. • The thesis is not simply an assertion of an opinion, but is narrowed by the questions of why and how.

3. Tips for Subject and Thesis • Narrow your subject to a manageable size. • In your thesis, answer how, why, or under what circumstances. • Avoid phrases such as I think, or I feel.

4. Developing Thesis Support (Body) • Make a reasons chain--a chain of because. • Example of a Reasons Chain: • THESIS: All student drivers should be required to keep a journal of automobile accidents. • Because: It is the best way for new drivers to learn about the importance of wearing seat belts. • Because: Many people do not practice good safety habits. • Then, list your main ideas and place supporting ideas under them. This helps to make sure your paragraphs all relate to the thesis, and your sentences all relate to the paragraph’s topic sentence.

5. Tips for Maintaining Unity • From your thesis, develop topic sentences (main points) that clearly support and relate to it. • Use these topic sentences as the main ideas for the paragraphs in the body/support. • Each sentence in the paragraph must clearly connect to that paragraph’s topic sentence. • Each paragraph or sentence should naturally flow from the previous one, and set up the next paragraph or sentence. • Putting the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph can help you stay organized.

6. Reading & Revising for Unity • What is the thesis? • What are the topics of the supporting paragraphs? • Do the topics support the thesis? • Do the sentences in each paragraph support that paragraph’s topic sentence?

7. Eight Strategies for Paragraph Development • Description--Shows • Narration-- Tells • Illustration--Makes Specific • Process Analysis--Explains How • Cause and Effect--Explains Why • Division and Classification--Breaks Into Parts, and Puts into Groups • Comparison and Contrast--Shows Similarities and Differences • Definition--Establishes Meaning

8. Tips for Coherency & Emphasis • Transition between one idea and the next. • Finish one idea before taking up another. • Check to make sure appropriate points are emphasized properly. • Sentences you want to emphasize should be placed either at the beginning or the end of the paragraph.

9. Tips for Linking Paragraphs • Observe Chronology • Repeat Words or Ideas • Provide an Example • Summarize the Preceding Paragraph • Question the Previous Paragraph • Use Transitional Phrases • Shift to Personal Pronouns and Relative Pronouns • The best transition is a logical progression.

10. Tips for Effective Introductions • The first paragraph should capture your reader’s attention, identify the central issue and establish the tone. • To do this, consider using: • Anecdotes • Interesting Facts • Arresting Images • Provocative Opinions • Sharp Quotations • You should avoid obvious definitions,well-known facts, platitudes, apologies and excuses.

11. Tips for Stylish Conclusions • A conclusion should make a final effort to convince the reader, suggest larger implications based on the evidence you’ve presented, and provide a sense of closure. • Conclusions can also make a call to action. • You should avoid: • The waste-basket ending: sticking in information that wouldn’t fit elsewhere. • The wild surmise ending: pronouncing an unqualified claim • The mirror image ending: simply restating the thesis and summarizing the main points of the paragraphs