essay writing
DESCRIPTION
This is a more comprehensive compilation of the main elements of Essay writing.TRANSCRIPT
ESSAY WRITING
Supplementary material
Compiled by M.Ed. Maria Luisa Mu, 2012-2013
What is an Essay?
An essay is a group of paragraphs written about a single topic and a central main idea.
It must have at least three paragraphs, but a five-paragraph essay is a common length for academic writing.
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
The Structure of an Essay The Introduction: Explains the topic with
general ideas. It also has the thesis statement and comes at or near the end of the paragraph.
The Main body: Explain and support the thesis statement.
The conclusion: Summarises or restates the thesis and the supporting ideas of the essay.
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
The Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is the sentence that tells the main idea of the whole essay.
It can be compared to a topic sentence, which gives the main idea of a paragraph.
It usually comes at or near the end of the introductory paragraph.
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
The Introduction…
… is usually five to ten sentences. … catches the reader´s interest. … gives the general topic of the essay. … gives background information about
the topic. … states the main point (thesis
statement) of the essay.
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
How to make an introduction interesting
Include … …interesting facts or statistics. … a personal story or example. … an interesting quotation.
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
The thesis statement
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
Thesis Statements for LogicalDivision of Ideas
The thesis statement of a logical division essay often indicates the number of suptopics.
Ex: Inflation has three causes.
It may even name the specific subtopics: Ex: Inflation has three causes: excessive
government spending, unrestrained consumer borrowing, an increase in the supply of paper money.
Taken from: Writing Academic English, Oshima, A & Hogue, Pearson Longman, 2006
Writing an Outline
I. Introduction
II. First main idea
III. Second main idea
IV. Third main idea
V. Conclusion
Outlining information for the paragraphs
I.
Introduction•
A. First supporting pointII. First main idea• 1. First detail
• 2. Second detail
B. Second supporting point
• 1. First detail• 2. Second detail
Outlining an Essay
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
Supporting paragraphs
Taken from: Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. Macmillan 2005
Concluding PARAGRAPH
The conclusion has three purposes: It signals the end of the essay starting
with a transition signal. It reminds your reader of your main
points by summarizing your subtopics or paraphrasing your thesis.
It leaves your reader with your final thoughts on the topic.
Taken from: Writing Academic English, Oshima, A & Hogue, Pearson Longman, 2006
Techniques for a memorable Conclusion:
Make a prediction Suggest results or consequences Suggest a solution, make a
recommendation, or call for action Quote an authority on the topic
Taken from: Writing Academic English, Oshima, A & Hogue, Pearson Longman, 2006