writing an extended paper: building and organizing your argument

Writing an Extended Paper:

Building and Organizing Your Argument

Writing an Extended Paper:Building and Organizing Your Argument

Extended Papers can take the form of either:

• Position Papers or• Research Papers

Typically, both of these types of written expression take place over a more lengthy, or extended span than the traditional 5-paragraph essay--which is often only 2-3 pages in length.

As you progress in the world of academics, you will be required to demonstrate the ability to present a detailed, critical analysis over the course many more pages as you engage in more intellectually challenging topics.


The Introductory Paragraph: Overview

The introduction prepares the reader for what the rest of the essay will be about. It should both inform and capture his or her interest.

Parts of an Introductory Paragraph:

• A hook

• A topic sentence

• The thesis statement


The Introductory Paragraph: The Breakdown

A hook:

An interesting fact, controversial statement, or question that is intended to draw the reader’s attention to the paper and pique their interest.

A topic sentence:

This sentence sentence simply states what topic will be covered over the course of the paper. It should also directly state the subtopics or supporting ideas that will be covered as well as serve as a transition to the your thesis.

The thesis statement:

The thesis statement is one sentence found in the introductory paragraph that directly states the your claim or belief about a particular topic. Where the topic sentence tells the reader the general subject of the conversation, the thesis statement informs the reader the particular direction the conversation will take with regards to that given topic. It may also hint at which details will be covered or directly name them as well if this was not done in the topic sentence.


The Introductory Paragraph: A Student Example When many people think of King Arthur, they are often reminded of childhood notions

of a mystical & magical king who fought off dragons, and barbaric hordes. Others recall the Walt Disney’s The Sword In the Stone, narrating the rise of the young Wart into the famous king of legends. When we are then exposed to the actual myths and stories of King Arthur and his Round Table, there is a sort of disillusionment or even loss of innocence when we see that the Round Table was not quite so illustrious as we were lead to believe. We find that King Arthur was not the same individual we had pictured from the faerie tales, but instead was cuckolded by his wife and best friend, and then died a weak and defeated king at the hands of his son, Mordred. However, it is important to realize that many of what became childhood stories of about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are actually a part of the original legend. Despite the fall of his kingdom and the demise of the celebrated Round Table, Arthur’s reputation as a great king and knight still stands. This is due to his epic battles and exploits prior to the rise of his Round Table. Arthur’s battle with the Giant of Gene at Mount St. Michael combines the stuff of fairy tales with genuine heroic action. He ascends the mountain looking to save (albeit too late) the fair Lady Howell from the clutches of a ravenous monster, and emerges from the near fatal battle, the victor. A closer look at his battle with the Giant of Gene will demonstrate that despite Arthur’s failure as a husband and king, his reputation as a hero remains, and it offers insight into

his own heroic personality.

= Hook = Topic Sentence = Thesis Statement


The Main Body Paragraphs: Overview

These paragraphs make up the majority of the essay and provide in-depth discussion and explanation of the writer’s thesis through focusing on one major supporting idea per paragraph to validate the thesis.

Parts of a Main Body Paragraph:

• A topic sentence:

• At least three subtopics or supporting ideas:

• A clincher or concluding sentence:


The Main Body Paragraphs: The Breakdown

A topic sentence:

This sentence sentence simply states one of the subtopics or supporting ideas that will validate the claim of the thesis statement.

At least three supporting details:

These detail sentences serve to introduce (lead off sentences) and explain (follow up sentences) the supporting idea. You will need at least three details to introduce and explain your supporting detail.

A clincher or concluding sentence:

The clincher sentence serves to sum up the information covered in the paragraph and also act as a transition from one supporting paragraph to the next.


The Main Body Paragraphs: A Student Example

King Arthur is often looked upon as being the culmination of the ideals and of those most desirable characteristics of mankind. 1 He was an individual whom the common British man could look to for inspiration, and yet had the assurance that he would able to back that talk up with action. 2 However, one can also look at Arthur as that half of the human psyche associated with such characteristics such as bravery, self control, and reason to name a few. 3 One can even go a step further and look at Arthur as representative of all that is good in humanity through his chivalry and code of honor. We then contrast him to the Giant of Mt. St. Michael who can be characterized as being the living epitome of all that is evil and immoral within mankind. 4 On a psychological level, however, we can take this a step farther and show how he is in fact the sum of all these darker aspects of the human mind. All of these help to further develop the contrast between good and evil and the conflict to where they will soon collide.

Notice that there are four supporting details:

1 Ideal British Man 2 Human Psche 3 Ideal Aspects of Mankind4 Darker Aspects of Mankind

= Topic Sentence = Supporting Detail = Clincher


The Concluding Paragraph: Overview

This paragraph serves to close out the essay by providing the reader with a brief summary of the thesis statement and naming those details covered over the course of the essay.

The conclusion is not the place to introduce any new information!

Parts of a Concluding Paragraph:

• A restated topic sentence

• A sentence (or two) summarizing of details covered

• A restated thesis statement


The Concluding Paragraph: The Breakdown

A restated topic sentence:

This sentence sentence simply restates the topic covered over the course of the paper. It should also directly state the subtopics or supporting ideas that will be covered as well as serve as a transition to the your thesis.

A sentence (or two) summarizing of details covered:

Provide one or two sentences that summarize the subtopics or supporting ideas used to validate and prove your thesis. In no way should explain these details nor should you include additional information or facts.

A restated thesis statement:

The thesis statement is one sentence found in the introductory paragraph that directly states the your claim or belief about a particular topic. Where the topic sentence tells the reader the general subject of the conversation, the thesis statement informs the reader the particular direction the conversation will take with regards to that given topic. It may also hint at which details will be covered or directly name them as well if this was not done in the topic sentence.


The Concluding Paragraph: A Student Example

Therefore, after looking at this battle between King Arthur and the Giant of Gene, the reader sees the ultimate victory of King Arthur. The Warrior/King defeated the monster which was symbolic of his conquering the passions within himself. This affirms that reason and moderation driving Arthur’s code is superior to bestial and self-serving behavior of lawlessness and more important that reason, not passion, makes us human. Despite his failures as a husband

and king, Arthur and his values succeed on a human, heroic level for generations to come.

= Topic Sentence = Detail Summary = Thesis


Putting It All Together

Up to this point, you’ve looked at the various parts of an essay and how to assemble them. Now, let’s begin to look at how to put these parts together to create your paper!



Up to this point, you’ve looked at the various parts of an essay and how to assemble them. Now, let’s begin to look at how to put these parts together to create your paper!

We’ll begin with the standard 5-paragraph essay (typically 2-3 pages in length). As you will see, the 5-paragraph essay includes only 1 introductory paragraph, 3 main body paragraphs, and 1 concluding paragraph.


Introductory Paragraph

Concluding Paragraph

Supporting Paragraph #1 Supporting Paragraph #2 Supporting Paragraph #3

Clincher & Transition Clincher & Transition Clincher & Transition

Detail #1

Detail #2

Detail #3

Detail #2 Detail #2

Detail #3 Detail #3

Detail #1 Detail #1

Putting It All Together: The 5-Paragraph Essay



Next, you will need to begin to learn how to extend your analysis of a particular topic or argument-whether required by a teacher or in order for you to fully respond to the topic in a satisfactory way. Here is a way for you to do so.

You must include the following:

• A topical introductory paragraph

• 2-3 main body paragraphs per supporting idea / subtopic (of which you will have at least 2-3 subtopics)

• A concluding paragraph



You may include:

• An introductory paragraph for each supporting idea/ subtopic

• A concluding paragraph for each supporting idea/ subtopic

These should only be included if you are writing an extensive position or research paper exceeding 8-10 pages or more and should be the first to go during the editing process if you need to trim down.

If you need to trim down your paper, try including an introductory transition sentence in the first detail paragraph and a concluding transition at the end of your third detail paragraph for each subtopic to cue your reader.


Topical Introduction

Concluding Paragraph

Subtopic #1 Intro Subtopic #2 Intro Subtopic #3 Intro

Conclude * & Transition

Detail #1 Paragraph

Detail #2 Paragraph

Detail #3 Paragraph *

Putting It All Together: The Extended Paper

* You can skip this paragraph by including a concluding transition at the end of the last detail paragraph for that subtopic

Detail #1 Paragraph

Detail #2 Paragraph


Detail #1 Paragraph

Detail #2 Paragraph


Conclude * & Transition Conclude * & Transition

writing an extended paper: building and organizing your argument

Documents

sentence sentence

topic sentence

thesis statement

stories of king arthur

great king

defeated king

particular topic

paragraph essay