essay main points
DESCRIPTION
Introduction, thesis statement, relationship (contrast, etc)TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION
1. Ideally, the introductory sentences leading to the thesis should hook the reader, perhaps with one of the following:
o a startling statistic or an unusual fact
o a vivid example
o a description or an image
o a paradoxical statement
o a quotation or a bit of dialogue
o a question
o an analogy
o an anecdote
2. A personal narrative, for example, may have a focus that is too subtle to be distilled in a single statement. Strictly informative writing, like that found in many business memos, may be difficult to summarize in a thesis. In such instances, do not try to force the central idea into a thesis sentence. Instead, think in terms of an overriding purpose, which may or may not be stated directly
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THESIS STATEMENT
1. It should answer a question you have posed, resolve a problem you have identified, or take a position in a debate.
2. When constructing a thesis statement, ask yourself whether you can successfully develop it with the sources available to you and for the purposes you’ve identified. Also ask if you can explain why readers should be interested in reading an essay that explores this thesis.
3. A thesis must require proof or further development through facts and details; it cannot itself be a fact or a description.
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A thesis must require proof or further development through facts and details; it cannot itself be a fact or a description
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THESIS STATEMENT
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A thesis should be an answer to a question, not a question itself.
A thesis should be of sufficient scope for your assignment; it should not be too broad.
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THESIS STATEMENT
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A thesis also should not be too narrow.
A thesis should be sharply focused, not too vague. Avoid fuzzy, hard-to-define words such as interesting, good, or disgusting
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THESIS STATEMENT (4/4)
Once you have come up with a working thesis, you can use the following questions to evaluate it.
o Does your thesis answer a question, propose a solution to a problem, or take a position in a debate?
o Does the thesis require an essay’s worth of development? Or will you run out of points too quickly?
o Is the thesis too obvious? If you cannot come up with interpretations that oppose your own, consider revising your thesis.
o Can you support your thesis with the evidence available?
o Can you explain why readers will want to read an essay with this thesis? Can you respond when a reader asks “So what?”
Testing a working thesis
MAIN IDEA
1. The main idea as an “umbrella” idea.
2. Use key words to the main idea:
o several kinds of
o a number of
o four steps
o various causes
o a series of
o among the results
o a few reasons
o three factors
o several advantages
o a variety of…
3. The addition words help you in the supporting details:
o one
o first
o first of all
o for one thing
o to begin with
o another
o second
o also
o in addition
o next
o moreover
o furthermore
o last
o last of all
o final
o finally
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SUPPORTING DETAILS
1. Supporting details are reasons, examples, steps, or other kinds of evidence
that explain a main idea, or point.
2. Outlining Tips:
a. Tip 1: look for words that tell you a list od details is coming (*)
b. Tip 2: look for words that signal major details - addition words (*)
c. Tip 3: in your outline, put all supporting details of equal importance at
the same distance from the margin
(*) Examples in page 1
Main idea
Major detail
Minor detail
Minor detail
Major detail
Minor detail
Minor detail
Major detail
1
2
3
a
b
b
a
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RELATIONSHIPS
1. Transitions are words or phrases that show the relationship between ideas:
a. Words that show Addition signal added ideas.
o one
o first
o first of all
o for one thing
o to begin with
o another
o second
o also
o in addition
o next
o moreover
o furthermore
o last
o last of all
o final
o finally
b. Words that show Time indicate a time relationship. When [sth] happened
o before
o previously
o first
o second
o third
o next
o soon
o often
o as
o when
o while
o during
o until
o now
o then
o later
o after
o eventually
o finally
o last
Additional ways of showing time are dates (“In 1850…”; “Thoughout the 20th century…”; “By 2018…”) and other time references (“Within a week…”; “by the end of the month…”; “in two years…”)
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b. Words that show Time have two most common kinds of time order:
Time order: Events
Event 1
Event 2
Event 3
Time order: Events
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Authors sometimes describe series of event or stage
Time order: Events
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
When authors give directions, they use time order
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RELATIONSHIPS (2/4)
2. Illustration are words that an author provide one or more examples to clarify
o (for) example
o including
o (for) instance
o such as
o to illustrate
o once
The definition and examples pattern Definition and examples
Definition
Example Example
3. Comparison y contrast
a. Comparison words signal similarities.
o (just) as
o (just) like
o alike
o likewise
o in like (similar) manner
o similar(ly)
o similarity
o both
o same
o in the same way
o resemble
o equally 10
RELATIONSHIPS (3/4)
3. Comparison y contrast
b. Contrast words signal differences.
o but
o yet
o however
o althought
o nevertheless
o instead
o in contrast
o on the other hand
o on the contrary
o even though
o still
o as opposed to
o in spite of
o despite
o rather than(*)
o difference
o different(ly)
o differs from
o unlike
o while
(*) <In preference to>
4. Cause and Effect signal that the author is explaining the reason why something happened or the result of something happening
o therefore
o (as a) result
o cause
o affect
o so
o effect
o explanation
o due to
o because (of)
o as a consequence
o consequently
o since
o thus
o results in
o led to
o reason
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RELATIONSHIPS (4/4)