Essay Development
Esaay
A definition essay is writing that
explains what a term means. Some terms
have definite, concrete meaning, such as
glass, book, or tree. Term such as honesty,
honor, or love are abstract and depend more
on a person’s point of view.
Essay Format
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Body
Conclusion
Introduction
0 First part of an essay
0 Try to capture the reader’s attention
Introduction Format
0 1. Attention getter
0 2. State your problem
0 3. Bridge or transition sentences
0 4. Thesis statement (always at the end)
Introduction
0 Make a bridge to connect the attention getting
sentence(s) to your thesis statement
0 Common way to make a bridge is to explain why the
topic is important.
0 This bridge is often a few sentences long.
0 Conclude introductory paragraph with the most
important idea of the essay-THE THESIS
STATEMENT
The Parts of a Thesis Statement
3
Topic Opinion
Reasons
The Functions of a Thesis
Statement
To announce the topic to the reader
To reflect a judgment about the topic
To provide the reader with a blueprint
of what is to come in the paper
The Body
0 The body is a set of paragraphs that develop
the idea expressed in the thesis statement.
0 Make a list of main ideas that support the thesis statement.
Each main idea becomes the main idea sentence for a body
paragraph.
0 Arrange the main ideas in logical order (time, place,
importance)
0 Plan out each body paragraph by listing major details that
support each main idea
0 Order the details within each paragraph in a logical way.
Each body paragraph may end with a concluding sentence.
Conclusion
0 Leave the reader thinking about your
topic. Leave an impression on them!
0 No new information in conclusion
0 Be sure to recap your ideas
0 Should follow logically from the body of
the essay
0 Restate your thesis statement in different
words
0 You might want to have your reader do
something after reading (“call to action” –
Example: Go write your Senator about
this problem.)
Important Considerations in
Essay Development
0 Understand the Nature and Length of
an Assignment:
- Be clear about what paper the
instructor wants from you.
- If you are not sure, ask your
instructor from the start.
- find out early on how long a paper is
expected to be.
Patterns of Essay
Development
0 Description
0 Narration
0 Exposition [ exemplification, process, Cause and
Effect, Comparison or contrast, Definition, division
and classification)
0 Argument
0 **while each essay that you write will involve one
predominant pattern, often one or more additional
patterns may be involved, too.
Review points about the
thesis
0 An academic essay includes an introduction with a
thesis statement, the main discussion (body
paragraphs, and a conclusion.
0 A thesis statement tells the topic and expresses the
main idea (point) of the essay.
0 It usually appears at the end of the introductory
paragraph.
0 It can include two to four supporting ideas. You
should be able to develop each supporting idea in one
paragraph. Each supporting idea should have the
same degree of generality; that is, don’t put a general
idea with a very specific one.
0 It can include two to four supporting ideas. You
should be able to develop each supporting idea in one
paragraph. Each supporting idea should have the
same degree of generality; that is, don’t put a general
idea with a very specific one.
