How to Write an Essay

a)Thesis: CORRECT!The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction paragraph because it tells the reader what is going to happen in your paper and the main ideas.

Click here for Final Slideb)Supporting Details: TRY AGAIN!This is an important aspect but not as important. This gives the reader only details about the paper.

Click here to TRY AGAIN

Page Header(name and page number, upper right of every page)Title Page(title, authors name, institutional affiliation)Abstract(topic, questions, conclusions, main points)References(contributors name, sort alphabetically by authors name, double spacing throughout)Document Settings(1 inch margins; double spaced; 12-point)Page Header(name and page number, upper right of every page)Title Block(assignment info and an informative title)Citations(no comma between the author and page number; commas and periods go outside of inline quotes)Work Cited List(lots of tricky details! sort alphabetically by author, not by the order the quotes appear in your paper)

FormattingAPA FormatMLA Format

Back to Main MenutitleDetermine your audienceShould indicate a narrow topic of the paperShould reflect your style and your substanceShould be a noun phrase, not a sentence of noun clause

Bad Titles:- Should violent TV be banned? - Why TV promotes violence.- Violence on TV: Should we be worried? Better Titles: The Social Impact of Television Violence Controlling Television Violence in the United States Some Possible Consequences of Televised Violence

Back to Main MenuIntroductionShould be 5-8 sentences longTopic sentence:Attention grabberMake sure to have supporting details.At least 3!These ideas will be used to help write the body paragraphsIncludes thesis:Tells the reader what the essay is going to be aboutYour point of view of the topicThe name of the work and authorVery important aspect of paragraph

Back to Main MenuBody paragraphsEACH BODY PARAGRAPH WILL HAVE THE SAME STRUCTUREStart with transition sentence and topic sentenceUse one of your main ideas from your introduction Elaborate on the idea with supporting pointsQuotes, page numbers, sources.

Back to Main MenuDefine Purpose: pick a topic that interests you and that you will have a lot of information to use.

Brainstorm Ideas: write down all your possible topics. If you cant think of any, think of what interests you.

BrainstormingEvaluate Topics: think about how you feel, how much information you can get, if it fits the type of essay. (persuasive, informative, etc.)

Back to Main MenuconclusionSumming up all the information and points to your reader.3 or 4 strong sentences that describe your feelings about the topic and reviewing your main points. DO NOT word for word restate your introduction

Back to Main MenuRevisionWhen everything is completed go back and read over paper.Check for:Grammar MistakesSpelling ErrorsWord ChoicesIf it makes sense to the readerIf the sentences flow smoothly

Click here to go Main MenuQUIZ!What is the most important item you need to have a good introduction paragraph?a)Thesisb)Supporting detailsc)Topic Sentence