Writing Chapter 4 Slides

Writing Narrative Essays Continue reading →

Writing Chapter 2 Slides

Basics of five-paragraph essays. Continue reading →

Chapter 2 From Paragraph to Essay

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:

1. A thesis statement must be an affirmative sentence not a phrase or question.
2. A thesis must express and idea, opinion, or attitude that needs to be explained or proved not a fact.
3. A thesis should not be an announcement.
4. A thesis expresses only one main idea toward one essay topic.
5. 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

1.  Open with an anecdote (a brief personal story)
2. Open with a rhetorical question (a  question just to a point and does not require an answer)
3. Open with examples (help visualize and clarify a topic or issue)
4. Open with a definition (the meaning of the word or expression used to clarify abstract subjects)
5. Open with a background story (provide information about the subject of the essay)
6. Open with a quotation (use short quotation to summarize the point you are trying to make)
7. Open with facts, evidences, or statistics (use striking facts to be grab attention. Make sure to research properly)

Openings to Avoid

1. Open with an announcement (In this essay, I will…; This paper will show you….; My essay is about….)
2. 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

1. Look to the future (predict what will happen next)
2. Close with a comment (your opinion or judgement)
3. Close with a question(s) (make your readers think)
4. Close with an interpretation (tell the reader what the meaning of the essay is)
5. Close with a quotation (use other’s words that summarizes the main idea)
6. Close with a recommendation (provide your suggestion)

Closing to avoid

1. Close with trite and worn-out phrases (phrases that are used too often and can be boring)
2. Close with repeating, apologizing, or overemphasizing the obvious.

Homework: Practice 4 Page 43