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Writing Narrative Essays Continue reading →
Basics of five-paragraph essays. Continue reading →
In this chapter we looked at the Essay Structure and the Components of an Essay.
To begin with, the Essay Structure is similar to the Paragraph Structure but on a bigger scale. See the diagram below:
Parts of an Essay
Thesis Statement
- A thesis statement expresses the main ideas in the entire essay.
- your position on the essay topic
- your opinion of the essay topic
- your point about the essay topic
- You need to be able to prove to you reader that your thesis statement is valid.
- Thesis statement is usually in the last sentence of the first paragraph.
- But can also be found in the beginning, middle or towards the end of the first paragraph
- In longer essays, the thesis may be in another paragraph.
Rules for an effective thesis statement:
- A thesis statement must be an affirmative sentence not a phrase or question.
- A thesis must express and idea, opinion, or attitude that needs to be explained or proved not a fact.
- A thesis should not be an announcement.
- A thesis expresses only one main idea toward one essay topic.
- A thesis expresses a specific idea not a vague (unclear) one.
Introduction
- Usually 1 paragraph
- states the subject & focus of the essay
- A good introduction should:
- capture the reader’s attention
- motivate them to continue reading
- create a sense of immediate involvement
7 Opening Strategies
- Open with an anecdote (a brief personal story)
- Open with a rhetorical question (a question just to a point and does not require an answer)
- Open with examples (help visualize and clarify a topic or issue)
- Open with a definition (the meaning of the word or expression used to clarify abstract subjects)
- Open with a background story (provide information about the subject of the essay)
- Open with a quotation (use short quotation to summarize the point you are trying to make)
- Open with facts, evidences, or statistics (use striking facts to be grab attention. Make sure to research properly)
Openings to Avoid
- Open with an announcement (In this essay, I will…; This paper will show you….; My essay is about….)
- Open with a label (your opinion…keep it for later)
Body
- heart of the essay
- includes all of your supporting details & arguments
- has 3 to 5 paragraphs
- each paragraph must include
- a topic sentence
- supporting details
- concluding sentence
- Any paragraph or any sentence in any paragraph that does not support the thesis MUST BE ERASED
- Use “bridges” to make your essay to flow better (table of page 37)
Conclusion
- your last words in the essay
- restate the thesis
- summarize the main points
- give final thoughts to the reader
- NEVER start a new topic or idea
6 Closing Strategies
- Look to the future (predict what will happen next)
- Close with a comment (your opinion or judgement)
- Close with a question(s) (make your readers think)
- Close with an interpretation (tell the reader what the meaning of the essay is)
- Close with a quotation (use other’s words that summarizes the main idea)
- Close with a recommendation (provide your suggestion)
Closing to avoid
- Close with trite and worn-out phrases (phrases that are used too often and can be boring)
- Close with repeating, apologizing, or overemphasizing the obvious.
Homework: Practice 4 Page 43