How To Wri
te An
Essay
Essay Form
at, Introduc
Thesis State tions, Body,
ments, and Conclusions
Topic Sente ,
nces
Introduction
What is an essay ?
An essay is a piece of writing that usually has five or more
paragraphs. An essay is written about one topic that has
several main points. The main points are introduced in an
introductory paragraph and supported in body
paragraphs. The conclusion is the last paragraph.
Essay
Body Paragraph 3
Introduction
_____________
_____________
Conclusion
Body Paragraph 1
_____________
_____________
Body Paragraph 2
_____________
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)
Ways to Start Your Introduction
0 Strategy 0 Examples
0 Provide some interesting 0 Today’s gnome owners become
background about the topic in tomorrow’s leaders.
the form of a general statement
0 Use a thought-provoking 0 “Gnomes are creatures to be loved,
quotation not feared!”
Dr. S. Rosner
0 Why don’t many people like
gnomes?
0 Ask a question about your topic
0 In 1693, the first gnome was
brought to America.
0 State a surprising fact or a
puzzling statement 0 Little Susie looked out her window,
only to see her precious gnome,
0 Start with a short story Willard, was being stolen….
Ways to Start Your Introduction
0 Strategy 0 Examples
0 State a common 0 People don’t learn bad
misconception habits from gnomes.
0 Describe a problem 0 Everyone knows what a
problem gnome-napping
has become in our society.
0 Gnomes are just like
0 Give an analogy children.
0 Show how the topic is 0 Most people know how
related to the reader’s difficult it is to take care of
experience garden gnomes.
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
The Functions of a Thesis
Statement
Example of an Introduction
0 Example
Gnome-Phobia in America
1. In 2004, the Gnome Liberation Front (GLF) was created. This group of people believes that
gnomes should be free, not prisoners of their owner’s garden. 2. The GLF has now begun
gnome-napping, the act of stealing gnomes and “freeing them” in the wilderness; however,
the law is unwilling to do anything. 3. Many police state that the gnomes are not a serious
enough offense to deal with and that they have larger crimes to deal with. This is not
acceptable. The law should be taking the gnome-napping more seriously because people are
committing a crime. 4. Gnome-napping is stealing personal property, and is illegal, morally
wrong, and disrespectful.
0 1. Attention getter
0 2. State your problem.
0 3. Bridge or transition sentences
0 4. Thesis statement
0 **NOTE: This doesn’t mean your intro is 4 sentences long. It just has 4 parts.
Example
An Introduction
Attention-Getter
“Metropolitan City is full of charm and scenic beauty, so visitors
from around the world come to enjoy its famous theaters,museums,
countless ethnic restaurants, and scenic wonders. Although
Metropolitan City seems like a paradise, it isn’t. The city has
several serious problems: poor public transportation, congested
streets, and expensive housing”
(Hogue, A. & Oshima, A., 1991, p. 92).
Thesis Statement
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.
Example Essay Outline
Thesis Statement
Gnome-napping is stealing personal property, and is illegal, morally wrong, and
disrespectful.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: Gnome-napping is stealing someone’s personal property, and stealing is illegal.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence: It is morally wrong to take anyone’s property, whether it is a gnome or a car.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.
Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence: The GLF is incredibly disrespectful because they take items that don’t belong them.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.
The Writing Stage
0 After planning and arranging your main ideas and
major details, begin writing your body paragraphs.
0 The number of paragraphs depends on the topic’s
complexity, inclusiveness, and your purpose for
writing.
0 Usually a short essay contains 3 to 5 body
paragraphs, plus an introduction and conclusion
0 Remember to use signal words to make smooth
transitions between sentences and paragraphs.
Signal/Transition Words
0 For examples: For example, for instance, to
illustrate
0 For organization or chronological order: The
six steps are…, next, finally first, secondly,
third
0 For additional points: Furthermore, in
addition, also, moreover
0 For opposing ideas: On the other hand, in
contrast, although, however
0 For similar ideas: Likewise, similarly, in
comparison
Signal/Transition Words
0 For exceptions: However, nevertheless, but,
yet, still
0 For emphasis: Above all, finally, more
importantly
0 For understanding: In other words, in essence,
briefly
0 For summarizing: In conclusion, to sum up, for
these reasons, in a nutshell
0 For exams: Remember this, this is important,
this could be on the test
Example
Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
“The first and most important problem is Metropolitan City’s inadequate
public transportation system. Thousands of residents rely on the city’s buses
and streetcars to travel throughout this large city, but Metro Transportation
System’s daily schedules are totally unreliable. A bus or streetcar that should
arrive at 7:45 may not arrive until 8:00 or later. Moreover, it is not unusual
for a bus driver to pass up groups of people waiting for the bus, because he
wants to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, people often end up going to
work late or missing important appointments. In order for people to get to
their destinations on time, people must allow for waiting time at the bus and
streetcar stops” (Hogue, A. & Oshima, A., 1991, p. 79).
Concluding Sentence Supporting Sentences
Parts of an Essay
Conclusion
The conclusion paragraph is the last paragraph in the essay. It
completes the essay by summarizing or repeating the most
important ideas. The conclusion can also include an opinion, a
prediction, or a solution to a problem.
Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
Conclusion
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.)
Example
Conclusion
Summary of Main Ideas
“In conclusion, Metropolitan City must improve its public transit system,
clear up the massive traffic jams caused by slow-moving traffic in the
downtown areas, and keep rentals down to affordable levels. In other words,
Metropolitan City must improve its image, or it will soon become just another
mediocre city due to the lack of administrative responsibility to solve these
unfortunate problems”
(Hogue, A. & Oshima, A., 1991, p. 79).
Prediction
Example
An Introduction
Attention-Getter
Going to a new school can be exciting, but for an international
student, the years of education in a different country can be
difficult and tumultuous. When I first arrived in the U.S. to attend a
university, I was overwhelmed and confused by everything new.
Fortunately, I met three very special friends who made a positive
impact on my life during those years and helped me survive the
trials of being a foreigner in a completely different educational
system.
Thesis Statement
Example
Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
One of the first people I met was Joe Frieda. I first met Joe standing in a
line at the bookstore. I was having a difficult time finding the books for the
English classes I was taking my first semester here. He not only helped me
find my books, but he also gave me some good advice on where to get
tutorial help on campus and where I could find some good restaurants.
We’ve become better friends since then and he has been so helpful in
answering any questions I have about going to school in the U.S. and about
American culture. If I hadn’t met Joe that day, I might still be looking for the
right books for my classes!
Concluding Sentence Supporting Sentences
Example
Conclusion
Summary of Main Ideas
“The significance of the kindness that these three people showed me and
the impact that it has made on my life during my experience as an
international student at State University cannot be underestimated. I will
never forget their friendship and will remember their examples of kindness to
me whenever I encounter other foreigners in my own country.
Promise or Resolution
Overview of an Essay
Introduction
General statements
and information
about the topic
Body
Paragraph 1 Thesis statement-
Body Paragraphs lists the main ideas
Body
in the essay
Support the main
Paragraph 2
ideas of the thesis
statement
Body
Begin with topic Paragraph 3
sentences
Conclusion
Brief summary of
main points of the
essay
