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.