Elements of an Essay Part I: The Thesis Statement Part II: Nuts and Bolts

Elements of an EssayElements of an Essay

Part I: The Thesis Statement Part I: The Thesis Statement

Part II: Nuts and BoltsPart II: Nuts and Bolts

Part I: Part I: The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement

Effective composition of your Effective composition of your thesis.thesis.

A Thesis Statement…A Thesis Statement… tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of

the subject matter under discussion. the subject matter under discussion. is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the

reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is

an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel. understand the war or the novel.

makes a claim that others might dispute. makes a claim that others might dispute. is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first

paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation. logic of your interpretation.

Writing Your Thesis StatementWriting Your Thesis Statement1.Determine what kind of paper you are writing:1.Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

An An analyticalanalytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience. evaluation to the audience.

An An expositoryexpository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. An An argumentativeargumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this

claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided. audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text which does not fall under these three categories If you are writing a text which does not fall under these three categories (ex. a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere(ex. a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what 2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first 3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your 4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.paper.

How Strong is Your Thesis? How Strong is Your Thesis? 1.1. Do I answer the question? Do I answer the question?

Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. the focus of the question.

2.2. Have I taken a position that others might challenge or Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose?oppose?

If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it's possible that you are even could, disagree with, it's possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument. argument.

3.3. Is my thesis statement specific enough? Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like "good" or "successful," see if you could be more "good" or "successful," see if you could be more specific: specific: whywhy is something "good"; is something "good"; what specificallywhat specifically makes something "successful"? makes something "successful"?

How Strong Is Your Thesis? How Strong Is Your Thesis?

4. Does my thesis pass the "So what?" test? 4. Does my thesis pass the "So what?" test? If a reader's first response is, "So what?" then you need to If a reader's first response is, "So what?" then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue. clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.

5. Does my essay support my thesis specifically and 5. Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? without wandering?

If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It's o.k. to change your together, one of them has to change. It's o.k. to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary. revise your writing as necessary.

6. Does my thesis pass the "how and why?" test? 6. Does my thesis pass the "how and why?" test? If a reader's first response is "how?" or "why?" your thesis may If a reader's first response is "how?" or "why?" your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning. right from the beginning.

Sample Thesis StatementsSample Thesis Statements

Mark Twain's Mark Twain's Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn is a great is a great American novel.American novel.

In In Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn, Mark Twain , Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.river and life on the shore.

Through its contrasting river and shore Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain's scenes, Twain's Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must of American democratic ideals, one must leave "civilized" society and go back to leave "civilized" society and go back to nature.nature.

Thesis Statement ActivityThesis Statement Activity

Take a sheet of paper from the desk.Take a sheet of paper from the desk. On side 1: Write your Novell UsernameOn side 1: Write your Novell Username On side 2: Write the thesis statement you On side 2: Write the thesis statement you

used in the Diagnostic Essay on the used in the Diagnostic Essay on the paper.paper.


Answer the question for this round, offer a suggestion for Answer the question for this round, offer a suggestion for how the author might satisfy this question. how the author might satisfy this question.

If it already answers the question, explain how it does so. If it already answers the question, explain how it does so.

RoundRound QuestionQuestion

1.1. Does it answer the question?Does it answer the question?





2.2. Does it take a position that others might be Does it take a position that others might be able to challenge?able to challenge?





3.3. Is it specific enough?Is it specific enough?





4.4. Does it pass the “So What?” Test?Does it pass the “So What?” Test?





5.5. Does it explain how and why?Does it explain how and why?

HomeworkHomework

Retrieve your paper .Retrieve your paper . Using the suggested revisions, rewrite your Using the suggested revisions, rewrite your

thesis statement tonight. thesis statement tonight. Staple the suggestions and your revised Staple the suggestions and your revised

thesis to the diagnostic (with questions).thesis to the diagnostic (with questions). EssayEssay Purpose QuestionsPurpose Questions Audience QuestionsAudience Questions Thesis Revision (crumpled paper)Thesis Revision (crumpled paper)

Part II: Part II: Nuts and BoltsNuts and Bolts

AKA- Pieces of Your PaperAKA- Pieces of Your Paper

Basic Organization: OutlineBasic Organization: Outline

Sample Outline:Sample Outline:I.I. IntroductionIntroduction

a.a. BackgroundBackgroundb.b. Thesis StatementThesis Statementc.c. TransitionTransition

II.II. Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphsa)a) Separate topics drawn Separate topics drawn

from thesis statementfrom thesis statementb)b) Effective transitions Effective transitions

between body paragraphs between body paragraphs

III.III. ConclusionConclusiona.a. Transition to conclusionTransition to conclusionb.b. Summary of what has Summary of what has

been discussedbeen discussedc.c. Final statementFinal statement

(Translated)(Translated)I.I. This Is What I’m Going to This Is What I’m Going to

SaySaya.a. What it isWhat it isb.b. My PointMy Pointc.c. On to the main eventOn to the main event

II.II. This Is Me Saying It, and This Is Me Saying It, and Making you Believe itMaking you Believe it

a.a. Part 1 (2, 3) of My PointPart 1 (2, 3) of My Pointb.b. On to the next reason I’m right.On to the next reason I’m right.

III.III. This Is What This Is What WeWe Now Now BelieveBelieve

a.a. This is what I’ve said.This is what I’ve said.b.b. This is why I said it.This is why I said it.c.c. This is what we’ve discovered.This is what we’ve discovered.

IntroductionIntroduction

Begin with information relevant to the topic. Begin with information relevant to the topic. Examples: general background of subject (event, Examples: general background of subject (event,

person, place); short (one or two sentence summary) person, place); short (one or two sentence summary) of a work of literature; relevant quote (use sparingly, of a work of literature; relevant quote (use sparingly, try to quote work being discussed); definition try to quote work being discussed); definition (especially effective for argumentation papers) (especially effective for argumentation papers)

Thesis Statement: see Part IThesis Statement: see Part I Transition to next paragraphTransition to next paragraph

Do not assume that your thesis statement is Do not assume that your thesis statement is automatically your transition.automatically your transition.

Give reader some idea as to what will be discussed Give reader some idea as to what will be discussed first. first.

Body Paragraphs: Body Paragraphs: DefinitionDefinition

What is a Paragraph? What is a Paragraph? "a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms "a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms

a unit“ of harmonious and coherent ideas between its a unit“ of harmonious and coherent ideas between its sentencessentences

Usually focused on one specific aspect of the thesis Usually focused on one specific aspect of the thesis statementstatement

Every paragraph in a paper should beEvery paragraph in a paper should be• UnifiedUnified - The sentences should all refer to the main idea, or - The sentences should all refer to the main idea, or

thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119). thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119). • CoherentCoherent-The sentences should be arranged in a logical -The sentences should be arranged in a logical

manner and should follow a definite plan for development manner and should follow a definite plan for development (Rosen and Behrens 119). (Rosen and Behrens 119).

• Well-DevelopedWell-Developed - Every idea discussed in the paragraph - Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the evidence and details that work together to explain the paper's controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119). paper's controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119).

Body Paragraphs: Body Paragraphs: Two Important PartsTwo Important Parts

1.1. Topic SentencesTopic Sentences – – • A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of

a paragraph. It tells the reader what to expect about the a paragraph. It tells the reader what to expect about the information that will follow. Without the use of a topic sentence, information that will follow. Without the use of a topic sentence, developing a paragraph can be extremely difficult. Topic developing a paragraph can be extremely difficult. Topic sentences can appear at several points in a paragraph.sentences can appear at several points in a paragraph.

2.2. Transitions Transitions – – • Transitions come in the form of single words, phrases, Transitions come in the form of single words, phrases,

sentences, and even whole paragraphs. They help to establish sentences, and even whole paragraphs. They help to establish relationships between ideas in a paragraph and to create a relationships between ideas in a paragraph and to create a logical progression of those ideas in a paragraph. Without logical progression of those ideas in a paragraph. Without transitions, your paragraph will not be unified, coherent, or well transitions, your paragraph will not be unified, coherent, or well developed. developed.

Body Paragraphs: Body Paragraphs: Step By StepStep By Step

1.1. Controlling ideaControlling idea • the expression of the main idea, topic, or focus of the paragraph the expression of the main idea, topic, or focus of the paragraph

in a sentence or a collection of sentences.in a sentence or a collection of sentences.

2.2. Explanation of controlling idea Explanation of controlling idea • the writer's rationale into his/her thinking about the main topic, the writer's rationale into his/her thinking about the main topic,

idea, or focus of the paragraph idea, or focus of the paragraph

3.3. ExampleExample • the example serves as a sign or representation of the relationship the example serves as a sign or representation of the relationship

established in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraphestablished in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraph

4.4. Explanation (of example)Explanation (of example) • the reasoning behind why you chose to use this/or these the reasoning behind why you chose to use this/or these

particular examples as evidence to support the major claim, or particular examples as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph.focus, in your paragraph.

5.5. Completion of Paragraph's idea or transition into next Completion of Paragraph's idea or transition into next paragraphparagraph• a review for your reader about the relevance of the information a review for your reader about the relevance of the information

that you just discussed in the paragraph, or a transition or that you just discussed in the paragraph, or a transition or preparation for your reader for the paragraph that follows.preparation for your reader for the paragraph that follows.

ConclusionsConclusions

Your conclusion is your chance to have the last Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. word on the subject.

Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of the assignment. the assignment. The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the

prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate on the make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings. significance of your findings.

Your conclusion should make your readers glad Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. they read your paper.

Conclusions: StrategiesConclusions: Strategies Play the "So What" Game. Play the "So What" Game.

If you're stuck and feel like your conclusion isn't saying anything If you're stuck and feel like your conclusion isn't saying anything new or interesting, read each statement and ask “so what” or new or interesting, read each statement and ask “so what” or “why should anybody care?” in much the same fashion as you “why should anybody care?” in much the same fashion as you might for a thesis statement. Use your answers to strengthen might for a thesis statement. Use your answers to strengthen your conclusion.your conclusion.

Return to the theme or themes in the introduction. Return to the theme or themes in the introduction. Include a provocative insight or quotation from the Include a provocative insight or quotation from the

research or reading you did for your paper.research or reading you did for your paper. Synthesize, don't summarize: Synthesize, don't summarize:

Include a brief summary of the paper's main points, but don't Include a brief summary of the paper's main points, but don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. you used fit together.

Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or questions for further study. questions for further study.

Point to broader implications of your topic. Point to broader implications of your topic.

Documents

Elements of an Essay Part I: The Thesis Statement Part II: Nuts and Bolts