Writing SkillsWriting SkillsPDP Research – Social Science

Ms. Goggins

Parts of an EssayParts of an EssayI. Introduction

A. Opening StatementB. ContextC. RoadmapD. Thesis

II. Supporting Body Paragraph 1A. Main IdeaB. EvidenceC. AnalysisD. Tie back to Thesis

III. Supporting Body Paragraph 2IV. Supporting Body Paragraph 3V. Conclusion

A. ThesisB. RecapC. Closing Statement

Introduction Paragraphs Introduction Paragraphs & Thesis Statements& Thesis Statements

Let’s Talk About…

Parts of an EssayParts of an Essay

Introductiono Opening Statemento Context (details that build

up to thesis)

o Roadmap (indicates structure and/or methodology)

o Thesis

The Introduction is the reader’s first The Introduction is the reader’s first impression, and first impressions can impression, and first impressions can

be lasting impressionsbe lasting impressions

IntroductionIntroductionOpening Statement: •first thing •interesting while still indication the subject of the paper.

Context: •Briefly set the general historical scene •period of time or significant events relevant to your paper.

Roadmap / Preview: •highlight and inform the reader about what topics/main ideas will be discussed later in the paper.

Thesis: •tells your reader what the essay is going to be about. •take a position or develop a claim about a subject. •should be clear and concise.

Things Things NOTNOT to do in an to do in an Introduction ParagraphIntroduction Paragraph

Use Personal Pronouns. I, me, my, we, us, and our don’t belong in your paper

No Rhetorical Questions. It’s a cheesy tactic, often used in intros. Don’t do it.

Apologize. “In my [humble] opinion . . .” suggests you don't know what you're talking about

Use a dictionary or encyclopedia definition. Avoid using overdone beginning a to an essay, such as “According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, a widget is . . ”

Dilly-dally. Get to it.

*** Many writers find it useful to write a warm-up paragraph to get them into the essay, to sharpen their own idea of what they're up to, and then they go back and edit their first attempts.

A Note About StyleA Note About Style

Attention Grabber or

Opening Statement.

***Contrary to popular belief, the term, “attention-getter” does not mean one has to write this paragraph in a tone of mystery, intrigue, drama to “grasp” the reader’s attention.****

This only applies to creative or expository story writing (English class). This style is inappropriate for writing formal papers, such as history, research, education, science, and literature.

What is a Thesis What is a Thesis Statement?Statement?

Your thesis statement tells the reader or viewer in 1-2 sentences

what your paper or project will attempt to prove or analyze.

Thesis ChecklistThesis Checklist Do I address the prompt?

Clear and Concise. The thesis should be narrow and specific.

Makes a claim. Have I made a point that will be backed up by evidence?

Is presented as a statement, not a topic or question. Check for wishy-washy wording, overly broad arguments, and simple statements of fact.

Expresses one main idea.

Show historical Significance. Why does the topic matter? Should answer “So what?”

Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. It is the result of a lengthy thinking process. First, you have to collect and organize evidence and think about its significance. Once you do the thinking, you will have a “working thesis,” a basic argument that you think you can support with evidence, but that may need adjustment along the way.

Thoughts on Thesis Writing

How to Generate a Thesis How to Generate a Thesis Statement Statement (using assigned (using assigned

prompt)prompt)1. Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be

reduced to a single question. Your first step, then, is to distill the assignment into a specific questionspecific question.

For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”

2. After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose 1-2 complete sentences answering that question.

Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”

A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .”OR

A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

Read this…Read this…Is it a strong thesis?Is it a strong thesis?

While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners

focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same

and some different.

What about this?What about this?

Read this…Read this…Is it a strong thesis?Is it a strong thesis?

Through her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook, Lizzie Black Kander introduced Milwaukee’s Jewish

immigrants to American culture, which helped them assimilate and learn how to avoid ethnic discrimination.

Lizzie Black Kander used her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook to teach Milwaukee’s

Jewish immigrants about American culture.

What about this?What about this?

Check these thesesCheck these theses1) After the 1919 riot the means of enforcing

segregation became more accepted, more formal, often more violent, and completely legal.

2) Pesticides kill thousands of farmworkers and must be stopped.

3) How did The Jungle make an impact on the foods we eat?

4) The Juvenile Court system was established to remove children from the adult criminal justice system and help them reform, but over the years it became a source of punishment and imprisonment.

5) Richard J. Daley died in 1976.

Judge your own thesis statement! Judge your own thesis statement! Does it…Does it…

Answer the prompt Is the topic narrow? Is the thesis clear and specific? Make a claim that others might refute? Can the assertion be backed up by evidence? Does it express one main idea? Is it presented as a statement, not a topic or

question? Does it answer “so what”, “why” and “how”?

Body ParagraphsBody ParagraphsThe M.E.A.T. of the Essay

Parts of an EssayParts of an Essay

Body Paragrapho Main Ideao Evidence (information that

helps prove your thesis)

o Analysis (your interpretation of evidence as it relates to thesis)

o Tie Back to Thesis

A strong thesis is useless without A strong thesis is useless without evidence to support it and a clear, evidence to support it and a clear,

logical explanation of your reasoning.logical explanation of your reasoning.

Body ParagraphBody ParagraphMain Idea : •Stated in the first or topic sentence•Indicates what the paragraph is about and how it relates to thesis

Evidence: •Without evidence, your thesis is merely an idea or opinion•Use evidence to persuade reader to accept your claim •Always fully explain and cite your evidence

Analysis: •Explains in your own words why the evidence you chose proves the point you made in the topic sentence•Answers the questions why? how? or so what? because the reader can’t read your mind.

Tie Back to Thesis: •Remind your reader of the paper’s purpose and serves as a transition

Evidence ChecklistEvidence Checklist Is my evidence relevant to the paragraph’s main

idea and the overall thesis of my essay?

Have I explained where this evidence comes from, if necessary?

Have I cited the evidence?

Have I explained for clarity any quotes, vocabulary, or statistics? (not for analysis)

Analysis Key TermsAnalysis Key TermsAnalysis key terms and phrases are used to signal

to your reader/listener that you are about to analyze a point, document, evidence, etc. Think of them like a clue for your reader. Use Analysis Key Terms whenever you are about to insert your own

perspective.

Highlights Illustrates Sheds light on Indicates

Depicts Portrays Significant

because

Implies

Reveals Exemplifies Demonstrates Symbolize

s

The ConclusionThe ConclusionFinally….

Parts of an EssayParts of an Essay

Conclusion o Restate Thesiso Restate Main Ideaso Closing Statement

(or further implications)

The conclusion is the last thing your The conclusion is the last thing your audience will read. If there is audience will read. If there is

something you really want them to something you really want them to remember, it should be in the remember, it should be in the

conclusion. conclusion.

ConclusionConclusionRestate Thesis: •Remind the reader of your original claim•DO NOT copy and paste, please rephrase

Restate Main Ideas: •Pinpoint certain proofs to reinforce thesis •No detail necessary •Summarizes the highlights of each body paragraph

Closing Statement: •Should provide a fluid ending; doesn’t need to be mind-blowing. •You can’t use personal pronouns, but this is an appropriate place to discuss further questions, implications, or personal opinions.