Essay Organization Tips

The Multi-Paragraph Essay is an essay that is made up of at least 3 paragraphs. The types of paragraphs included are as follows:

• An introduction paragraph• Body paragaph(s) must be at least 1, but

usually there are more• A conclusion paragraph

Introductory ParagraphThis paragraph is usually 3-5 sentences long

The introductory paragraph should:

• be indented• “hook” the reader

• include a thesis statement which will introduce the controlling idea for your

essay

INTRODUCTION “HOW-TO GUIDE”

Intros that should not be used:

1. The “Hello, my name is _____________” beginning. This opening is not a good idea. For one thing, your name is on your paper – or should be. You don’t need to introduce yourself. What you need to introduce is your paper.

2. The “Webster’s Dictionary defines” beginning. The problem with an opening based on the dictionary is that it is pretty boring. Besides, millions of essays have begun this way. In short, it is an overused and dull way to start anything.

3. The “Announcement of intentions” beginning. Do not flatly announce what you are about to do in an essay: In this paper I will….The purpose of this essay is to….or I am going to tell you about. Now that you are in middle school, your beginning should be more subtle and sophisticated.

2. The “I’m not sure about this, but” beginning. Never suggest that you don’t know what you are talking about or that you haven’t done your research. Move confidently into your essay.

More intros that should not be used:

Introduction Don’ts

•Do Not summarize your entire paper.•Do Not dilly dally. You should move swiftly and confidently into the body of your paper. Long, rambling introductions are a turn off to the reader.•Do Not use irrelevant information to “hook” the reader. The attention-grabber must be relevant to your topic.

Introduction Do’s

•Do start with a “hook.” Refer to your notes on “good beginnings” if you need help.•Do briefly mention your main ideas.•Do end your introduction with your thesis statement (controlling idea).•Do work to write an exemplary intro. – first impressions are important.

Remember to end your introduction with a thesis statement.

Key features of a Thesis Statement: states the main idea of the essay in a complete

sentence, not a question is narrow and “to the point” – not overly wordy is usually at the end of an introduction often lists subtopics Is written in 3rd person point of view

Is this a good thesis statement?Why or why not?

Three causes that led to the Civil War: states rights versus federal rights, economic differences between the north and south, and slavery.

Is this a good thesis statement?Why or why not?

Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the sixteenth president of the United States, and he united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

Is this a good thesis statement?Why or why not?

I am going to tell you about modern-day Iraq.

Now….Let’s review Introduction Do’s

•Do start with a “hook.” Refer to your notes on “good beginnings” if you need help.•Do briefly mention your main ideas.•Do end your introduction with your thesis statement (controlling idea).•Do work to write an exemplary intro. – first impressions are important.

Is this a good introduction?Why or why not?

According to Webster’s dictionary, a weapon is something used to injure, defeat, or destroy. In this paper I am going to talk about three types of medieval weapons: the poleaxe, the warhammer, and the scimitar.

Is this a good introduction?Why or why not?

When studying early civilizations, students often ask themselves, “What is that region like today?” Did it sink beneath the ocean, get buried by volcanic ash, or did it evolve into something completely different? Ancient Mesopotamia, the area sometimes referred to as “the cradle of civilization,” has evolved into several modern countries. One of the modern countries, Iraq, is influenced by its geography, culture, and economy.

Body ParagraphsThere should be 1 body paragraph for each main

idea covered in the essay

Each body paragraph should:• be indented

• cover one main idea• follow standard

paragraph organization including a topic

sentence for each paragraph

Main Idea

Detail

Explanation or Example

Explanation or Example

Detail

Explanation or Example

Stated in a Topic Sentence

Conclusion ParagraphThis paragraph is usually 3-5 sentences long

The conclusion paragraph should:

• be indented• recap the main point

without repeating everything in the body

• bring the essay to a logical and smooth end

WRAP IT

ALL

UP

CONCLUSION “HOW-TO GUIDE”

Conclusions that should not be used:

1. The “the end” ending. This is not a real ending, merely the announcement of one. It’s fine for children’s stories where your audience might be too young to realize that you’re done, but for mature readers it’s a letdown.

2. The “hope you liked my paper” ending. If the reader did like the essay, this ending would quickly change his opinion of it. If the reader didn’t like it, it’s doubtful he’d like it any better just because the writer hoped he would.

The End

Conclusion Don’ts

•Do Not present new ideas.•Do Not stop at an awkward spot or trail off into meaningless and irrelevant information.•Do Not ask questions that raise new ideas.•Do Not summarize the body of the paper.

Conclusion Do’s

•Do “use signal words” to let readers know you are about to wrap things up.•Do “touch back” by rephrasing your thesis. •Do “come full circle” by tying your hook at the beginning of the essay to the end.

Is this a good conclusion? Why or why not?

I learned many interesting things about modern day Iraq, and I hope you did too. Now the question is, what will Iraq be like one thousand years from now?

Is this a good conclusion? Why or why not?

As illustrated, Iraq is an interesting country. In many ways, it is very different from the Ancient Mesopotamia described in history books. In one way, however, it is very similar: Iraq is still a region shaped by its geography, culture, and economy.