Saturday, September 3, 2016

DRAFTING THE ESSAY


Writing a Thesis
A thesis statement expresses a main idea that can be developed with stated reasons.  This statement is usually an opinion, feeling attitude, belief, or point of view about the topic.  It should not be a statement of fact that needs no development.
The thesis must create an adequate focus for the paper.  If the main idea is too broad, it cannot be adequately developed on one paper; if it is too narrow, an entire paper is not needed to develop it.
The thesis can be the first sentence of the introduction, or can be placed anywhere in the introductory paragraph.



What kind of information to include?
Include information that proves, illustrates, explains, or defines the thesis.
Support your thesis and give specific information and concrete details that include examples, facts, statistics, and other concrete information.
The specific details should relate directly to the main idea.  Supporting sentences often explain how the specific detail proves the thesis statement.
Supporting sentences should express unity.  Every sentence should support the thesis.



Building Strong Sentences
Plan your sentences using a map or outline
Put your sentences in a logical order.  Sentences that have a logical connection and consistency illustrate cohesion.
Two tools that help make sentences coherent are transitions and repeated key words.  These help clarify the relationship between ideas.



Organizing Supporting Sentences
The most logical ways to organize supporting statements are
            Time relation (present to past OR past to present)
            Space relation (near to far OR far to near; circular; height positions)
            Order of importance (often the strongest supporting sentences come first and last)



Writing the Introduction
Because the introduction establishes the reader’s attitude toward the topic and toward the writer, it is the most important part of the essay.
The introduction should
            Get the reader interested in the topic (attention-getter)
            Provide background information about the topic (factual material)
            State the thesis of the essay (main idea)
Attention-Getter and Background Information  
Some essays start gradually by getting the reader ready for the thesis.  Background information gets the reader in the mood for the rest of the essay.
Strategies for attention-getting and background information:
A good story or anecdote
History, facts, or initial information
An appropriate quotation
A problem the reader should know about concerning the topic
A question that limits your topic
A statement that popular ideas about your topic are wrong
A reference to something historical, something in the news, a current event, or a literary work
A strong opinion.
Appeal to Audience:  address the audience of the essay. 
Length and Placement:  how much background information to provide depends upon the length of the essay and the strategy the writer uses to get the reader prepared for the thesis.
Thesis or Thesis statement:  This sentence should be in the introduction in order to create a focus for the essay.



Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph in the body of the essay develops one main point that supports the thesis.
The body paragraphs usually follow the traditional paragraph pattern of topic sentence, supporting sentences, and conclusion.  Not every paragraph necessarily has a stated topic sentence, but every paragraph has a main idea.
Effective body paragraphs use transitions within and between paragraphs to create coherence.



Order of Body Paragraphs
You can organize your paragraphs in a number of ways; the important consideration is to make the order clear and logical to the reader.
Possible presentations:
            Chronological order
            Order of importance
            Combination of plans



Conclusion
The conclusion is the final paragraph.  If the essay is very long, the conclusion might be more than one paragraph, but usually have only one paragraph.
Strategies for concluding:
Refer back to the story, problem, question, or quote that began the introduction
Emphasize the important point.  Remind the reader of the thesis of the essay and how its major details are developed.
Avoid beginning the conclusion with “in conclusion” or “finally” or “to summarize.”  This is obvious to the reader.
Do not repeat the thesis statement word for word and list the major details explained in the introduction.
Avoid beginning a new argument in the conclusion.




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