ESSAY WRITING

IntroductionGeneral statementThesis Statement

Body Paragraph 1Topic SentenseSupporting DetailsConclusion

Body Paragraph 2Body Paragraph 3

Conclusion

OUTLINE OF AN ESSAY

Introduction basically has two parts:

General Statement (Grabber)

Thesis Statement

In between, there is sometimes a transitional sentence.

INTRODUCTION

General Statement (Grabber)

• The paragraph starts with a general statement related to the topic of the essay.

• It can be done by;• Stating a strong opinion• Asking an attention catching question.• Staring with a quotation.• Writing about an anectode.

See p. 22

INTRODUCTION

General Statement (Grabber)

• The paragraph starts with a general statement related to the topic of the essay.

• It can be done by;• Stating a strong opinion• Asking an attention catching question.• Staring with a quotation.• Writing about an anectode.

See p. 22

INTRODUCTION

General Statement (Grabber)

• The purpose is to grab the attention of the reader.

• Each statement after the general statement should be more specific.

INTRODUCTION

Opinion

Question

Quotation

Anectode

Thesis Statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

A good thesis statement;States the main topicmay list subdivisions of the topicmay indicate the organization of

the essay.

Thesis Statement

Remember!!!

It should express an opinion, an idea, or a belief. (not a simple fact)

It should express only one idea about the topic.

It should not mention the topic only.It must be a full sentence.

See p. 24

Thesis Statement

Many Americans buy foreign cars.

Revised Thesis Statement: Many Americans are buying the Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value.

Thesis Statement

Chess is a great game.

Revised Thesis Statement: 

Playing chess is a popular activity among students because it is inexpensive, engrossing, and can be played almost anywhere.

Thesis Statement

A dog would make a great pet for me because they are very loyal, they are easy to train, and they make good companions.

Thesis Statement: 

Because of its sense of loyalty, its ability to be trained, and its good companionship, a dog is the perfect pet for me.

Thesis Statement

Subject: Qualities of a Good CampsiteFocused Topic: Three Important Qualities of a

Good CampsiteThree Major

Points: recreation, location, convenience

Thesis Statement: 

If you're looking for the best campsite, there are three important factors to consider: the availability of recreational activities,the attractiveness of the location, and the closeness of basic amenities.

Thesis Statement

Subject: Sports and ActivitiesFocused Topic: My Three Favorite Activities

Three Major Points: soccer, biking, roller blading

Write the thesis Statement!!! 

Thesis Statement

When I have some free time to myself, I like to spend it outside playing soccer, riding my bike, or roller blading.

Thesis Statement

The number of body paragraphs may vary from 2 to 4 paragraphs.

The topic sentence of each body paragraph should support the thesis statement.

Each body paragraph should discuss only one aspect of the thesis.

They should follow a logical order.

Body Paragraph

A sample body paragraph includes:

 A topic sentence• Topic•Main idea

Supporting detail(s)

Conclusion

Body Paragraph

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men to walk on the surface of the moon, but they were not the last. That was Gene Cernan, the last man to step off the lunar surface. In total there have been twelve men who have walked on the moon, all of whom had done so between 1969 and 1972, which is the most recent non-Michael Jackson moon walking.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Topic sentence in a body paragraph is the BIGGEST idea.

Understanding Main Idea

Armstrong & AldrinFirst Men on the Moon

Cernan was theLast Man on the Moon

12 Men Have WalkedOn the Moon

This paragraph is about moon walkers.

Police depend on evidence to solve crimes. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, missing persons, and murders. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, missing persons, and murders.

What is the topic sentence in the paragraph above?

Police depend on evidence to solve crimes. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, missing persons, and murders. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, missing persons, and murders.

What is the topic sentence in the paragraph above?

You can learn a lot about people by simply watching or talking to them. Looking at the floor can also give you information about people. You can tell where people walk most frequently because of the worn carpet. The next time you're riding in someone's car, notice the music on the radio. The kind of music played on the radio station can tell you a lot about that person.

Choose an appropriate topic sentence for this paragraph:

 a) There are many ways to learn where people walk.b) There are many ways to learn about people.c) There are many ways to listen to the radio.d) There are many ways to watch people.

Each year experts study the movie habits of Americans. The study shows some interesting facts. For example, did you know that young people go to more movies than any other age group? Almost one half of all Americans are over 35. But people under 35 go to the movies more than any age group. This explains the big success of movies about young people.

What is this paragraph mainly about?

a) Movie habits of young people in Americab) Movie habits of Americansc) Why young people like moviesd) Why the smallest group of moviegoers is over 35

A sample body paragraph follows a simple pattern:

 First of all, ….. Second, ….. Last, ……

To begin with, …… Next, …… Finally,….

One reason for x is (that) …. Another reason for x is (that)….. Lastly,….

(Be careful, this one is a bit more complicated!)

Body Paragraph

- Put the sentences in order to make a paragraph.  

A. Celebrities sacrifice their private lives. B. Threatening letters and even physical attacks from

crazy fans are things a celebrity must learn to live with.C. Celebrities are in constant danger of the wrong kind of

attention. D. Celebrities have to look perfect all the time.E. Photographers are always there to take unflattering

pictures of famous people looking dumpy in old clothes. F. Being a celebrity is often difficult.G. Their personal struggles, divorces, or family tragedies

all end up as front-page news.

______. First of all, ______, ______. Second, ______, ______. Last, ______, ______.

- Put the sentences in order to make a paragraph.  

A. Celebrities sacrifice their private lives. B. Threatening letters and even physical attacks from

crazy fans are things a celebrity must learn to live with.C. Celebrities are in constant danger of the wrong kind of

attention. D. Celebrities have to look perfect all the time.E. Photographers are always there to take unflattering

pictures of famous people looking dumpy in old clothes. F. Being a celebrity is often difficult.G. Their personal struggles, divorces, or family tragedies

all end up as front-page news.

[F] First of all, [D]. [E]. Second, [C] . [G]. Last, [A]. [B].

- Put the sentences in order to make a paragraph.  

A. Say a friend is angry with you and then asks, “Are you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument.

B. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.”C. People lie to avoid spending more time with someone. D. (…) common reason for lying is to avoid a fight. E. People lie for different reasons.F. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new

haircut?“ If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.”

G. (…) common reason is to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

H. People also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely say, “That’s interesting.

______. One ______, ______. Another ______, ______. In addition, ______. Lastly, ______, ______.

A. Say a friend is angry with you and then asks, “Are you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument.

B. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.”C. People lie to avoid spending more time with someone. D. (…) common reason for lying is to avoid a fight. E. People lie for different reasons.F. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new

haircut?“ If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.”

G. (…) common reason is to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

H. People also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely say, “That’s interesting”.

[E]. One [D].[A]. Another [G].[F]. In addition, [H]. Lastly, [C]. [B].

A good conclusion paragraph makes the reader feel that you have completed what you wanted to say.

The conclusion is usually introduced by a transition such as:

In conclusion,To conclude,To sum up.

Conclusion

A good conclusion paragraph includes:

A restatement of the thesis statementA resatement of the main points you have been

discussing.

Remember!!!You must use different words in your

restatements!!!

You are not saving the world. Just finish it!!!

Conclusion