WRITING THE ESSAY - Definition From Paragraph to Essay.
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Transcript of WRITING THE ESSAY - Definition From Paragraph to Essay.
WRITINGTHE ESSAY - Definition
From Paragraph
to Essay
What is an Essay?
A writing of several paragraphs One topic Too complex for one paragraph Divided into several paragraphs One for each major point Treated more completely
Let’s Review . . . Parts of the Paragraph:
Topic Sentence (TS): Contains the Main Idea
A. Supporting Detail Sentence1. Example2. Example
B. Supporting Sentence1. Example2. Example
C. Supporting Sentence1. Example2. Example
Concluding Sentence (CS): Re-states the Main Idea
What are the Parts of an Essay?
1. Introductory paragraph Contains Thesis Statement (last sentence)
2. Body paragraph(s) Develop(s) Thesis Statement
3. Conclusion paragraph Short! Summarizes the essay Re-states the Thesis Statement
From Paragraph to Essay
Writing an essay = writing a paragraph
Only MORE…..
PARAGRAPH:
Topic Sentence: Contains the Main
Idea
A. Support B. SupportC. Support
Concluding Sentence: Re-states the Main Idea
ESSAY: (3 Paragraphs)
I. INTRODUCTION►“Hook”►General Statement
►Thesis Statement
II. BODY PARAGRAPH(S)A. Topic Sentence
1. Support a. Example b. Example 2. Support a. Example b. Example 3. Support a. Example b. ExampleB. Concluding sentence
III. CONCLUSION►Restatement or summary of
the main points►Final comment
Let’s take a closer look:
The Introductory Paragraph
A great “hook”
Comments and background
A Thesis Statement
First, let’s look at the “Hook”
A “hook” is a question
comment quote
inspires “grabs” reader’s interest “catches” attention want to read more
Comments and background Can give your reader any info they’ll need to
understand your topic.
Might be a “history” of an issue
Might define/explain terminology to be used
Might introduce people/places/concepts to be discussed
Must be brief!
Most important sentence in the essay
Clearly states: Topic Writer’s perspective on the topic Three-part “map” of the essay
The Thesis Statement
1) Expresses the controlling idea for the entire essay.
The Thesis Statement is the main statement for the entire essay, so make it a statement
. . .NOT an announcement NOT a Thesis Statement:
I am going to discuss the effects of radiation.Thesis Statement:
The effects of radiation are often unpredictable.
. . . and NOT a question:NOT a Thesis Statement:
Why do I want to be a teacher?Thesis Statement:
There are many rewarding aspects of being a teacher.
2) Expresses only one idea about the topic.
NOT a Thesis Statement: Going to college in the Midwest can be fun, and I have found that living in a suburb of a large city is the best way to live while at college.
Thesis Statement: Going to college in the Midwest can be fun.
3) Expresses a perspective or attitude about the topic.
It expresses a perspective, not just a fact:
NOT a Thesis Statement: Cows produce milk.Thesis Statement: The milk which cows produce is not
always fit for humans.
4) Expresses an idea that needs to be explained or proved.
It is a statement that can be argued:NOT a Thesis Statement: There are many advantages and
disadvantages about going to college (not an arguable point).
Thesis Statement: The advantages of going to college far
outweigh the disadvantages.
Let’s take a closer look:
The Body Paragraph(s) Need(s) topic sentence and
concluding sentence
Support(s) main idea
Each support detail addresses one part of Thesis Statement “map”
Facts, statistics, examples,
illustrations
Concluding Paragraph
Signals the end of the essay Restates your main points Don’t use the same words used in
thesis statement or topic sentences Don’t introduce new ideas! Gives your final thoughts on topic
Last chance to convince your reader