WRITINGTHE ESSAY - Definition

From Paragraph

to Essay

What is an Essay?

A writing of several paragraphs One topic Too complex for one paragraph Divided into several paragraphs One for each major point Treated more completely

Let’s Review . . . Parts of the Paragraph:

Topic Sentence (TS): Contains the Main Idea

A. Supporting Detail Sentence1. Example2. Example

B. Supporting Sentence1. Example2. Example

C. Supporting Sentence1. Example2. Example

Concluding Sentence (CS): Re-states the Main Idea

What are the Parts of an Essay?

1. Introductory paragraph Contains Thesis Statement (last sentence)

2. Body paragraph(s) Develop(s) Thesis Statement

3. Conclusion paragraph Short! Summarizes the essay Re-states the Thesis Statement

From Paragraph to Essay

Writing an essay = writing a paragraph

Only MORE…..

PARAGRAPH:

Topic Sentence: Contains the Main

Idea

A. Support B. SupportC. Support

Concluding Sentence: Re-states the Main Idea

ESSAY: (3 Paragraphs)

I. INTRODUCTION►“Hook”►General Statement

►Thesis Statement

II. BODY PARAGRAPH(S)A. Topic Sentence

1. Support a. Example b. Example 2. Support a. Example b. Example 3. Support a. Example b. ExampleB. Concluding sentence

III. CONCLUSION►Restatement or summary of

the main points►Final comment

Let’s take a closer look:

The Introductory Paragraph

A great “hook”

Comments and background

A Thesis Statement

First, let’s look at the “Hook”

A “hook” is a question

comment quote

inspires “grabs” reader’s interest “catches” attention want to read more

Comments and background Can give your reader any info they’ll need to

understand your topic.

Might be a “history” of an issue

Might define/explain terminology to be used

Might introduce people/places/concepts to be discussed

Must be brief!

Most important sentence in the essay

Clearly states: Topic Writer’s perspective on the topic Three-part “map” of the essay

The Thesis Statement

1) Expresses the controlling idea for the entire essay.

The Thesis Statement is the main statement for the entire essay, so make it a statement

. . .NOT an announcement NOT a Thesis Statement:

I am going to discuss the effects of radiation.Thesis Statement:

The effects of radiation are often unpredictable.

. . . and NOT a question:NOT a Thesis Statement:

Why do I want to be a teacher?Thesis Statement:

There are many rewarding aspects of being a teacher.

2) Expresses only one idea about the topic.

NOT a Thesis Statement: Going to college in the Midwest can be fun, and I have found that living in a suburb of a large city is the best way to live while at college.

Thesis Statement: Going to college in the Midwest can be fun.

3) Expresses a perspective or attitude about the topic.

It expresses a perspective, not just a fact:

NOT a Thesis Statement: Cows produce milk.Thesis Statement: The milk which cows produce is not

always fit for humans.

4) Expresses an idea that needs to be explained or proved.

It is a statement that can be argued:NOT a Thesis Statement: There are many advantages and

disadvantages about going to college (not an arguable point).

Thesis Statement: The advantages of going to college far

outweigh the disadvantages.

Let’s take a closer look:

The Body Paragraph(s) Need(s) topic sentence and

concluding sentence

Support(s) main idea

Each support detail addresses one part of Thesis Statement “map”

Facts, statistics, examples,

illustrations

Concluding Paragraph

Signals the end of the essay Restates your main points Don’t use the same words used in

thesis statement or topic sentences Don’t introduce new ideas! Gives your final thoughts on topic

Last chance to convince your reader