1. Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

2. CHAPTER 11: WRITING AN ESSAY
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3. CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this chapter, you will learn to:
 identify the basic components of an essay,
 recognize the differences between a topic
sentence and a thesis statement, and
 write a multi-paragraph essay containing
sufficient supporting details and effective
transitions.
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4. WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
 You write an essay when you have more to say
than can be covered in one paragraph.
 An essay has a main point, called a thesis,
supported by subpoints.
 The subpoints are the topic sentences.
 Each paragraph in the body, or main part, of the
essay has a topic sentence.
 Comparing the Single Paragraph and the Essay
 Similarities and differences
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5. ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
 When you write an essay, the thesis is the
focus.
 Other important points that relate to the thesis
are in topic sentences.
 An essay contains the following:
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion
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6. ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
 Writing the Thesis
 Several Characteristics of a thesis:
1. It is expressed in a sentence. A thesis is not the
same as the topic of the essay or the title of the
essay.
2. A thesis does not announce; it makes a point
about the subject.
3. A thesis is not too broad.
4. A thesis is not too narrow.
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7. ORGANIZING AN ESSAY
 Hints for Writing a Thesis
 Your thesis can mention the specific subpointsof
your essay.
 You can make a point without listing your
subpoints.
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8. WRITING THE ESSAY IN STEPS
 Prewritingan Essay—how to generate and
develop ideas for your essay
 Planning an Essay—how to organize your ideas
for your essay
 Drafting and Revising an Essay—how to create,
revise, and edit rough drafts of your essay
 Proofreading an Essay—how to proofread and
make one final check of your essay
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9. PREWRITING AN ESSAY
 Begin by narrowing a topic.
 Listing Ideas
 Brainstorm, freewrite, or list ideas
 Clustering the Ideas
 Clustering related items will make it easier to see
connections between ideas.
 Give the clusters a subtitle that helps move toward a
focus for each body paragraph of the essay.
 Once you have a thesis and a list of details, you can
begin working on the planning part of the essay.
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10. PLANNING AN ESSAY
 Draft an outline
 The Structure of a Formal Outline
 Hints for Outlining
1. Check the topic sentences.
2. Include enough details.
3. Stay on one point.
 Revisiting the Prewriting Stage
 Checklist for Revising the Outline of an Essay
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11. DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
 Start by writing a first draft that includes the
introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
 Writing the Introduction
 Where Does the Thesis Go?
The thesis should appear in the introduction of
the essay, in the first paragraph.
Generally, the thesis is the last sentence in the
introductory paragraph.
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12. DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
 Hints for Writing the Introduction
1. You can begin with some general statements that
gradually lead to your thesis.
2. You can begin with a quotation that smoothly leads to
your thesis.
3. You can tell a story as a way of leading into your thesis.
4. You can explain why this topic is worth writing about.
5. You can use one or more questions to lead into your
thesis.
6. You can open with a contradiction of your main point as
a way of attracting the reader’s interest and leading to
your thesis.
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13. DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
 Writing the Body of the Essay
 In the body, the paragraphs explain, support, and
develop your thesis.
 Each paragraph has its own topic sentence.
It focuses the sentences in the paragraph.
It makes a point connected to the thesis.
 Checklist for Topic Sentences of an Essay
 How Long Are the Body Paragraphs?
Try to make body paragraphs at least seven
sentences long.
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14. DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
 Developing the Body Paragraphs
Work through the stages of gathering ideas,
outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and
proofreading.
Checklist for Developing Body Paragraphs for an
Essay
 Writing the Conclusion
 Last paragraph of the essay.
 Strategies for writing the conclusion:
1. You can restate the thesis in new words.
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15. DRAFTING AND REVISING AN ESSAY
2. You can make a judgment, valuation, or
recommendation.
3. You can conclude by framing your essay.
 Revising the Draft
 Checklist for Revising the Draft of an Essay
 Transitions Within Paragraphs
 INFO BOX: Common Transitions Within a Paragraph
 Transitions Between Paragraphs
 A Draft Essay
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16. PROOFREADINGAN ESSAY
 Creating a Title
 The Final Version of an Essay
 Lines of Detail: A Walk-Through Assignment
 Topics for Writing an Essay
 Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing
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17. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A PART OF THE ESSAY?
A. introduction
B. review
C. conclusion
D. body
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18. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A COMPONENT OF THE ESSAY?
A. introduction
B. review
C. conclusion
D. body
identify the basic components of an essay
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19. THE MAIN POINT OF AN ESSAY IS CALLED
A. a thesis.
B. a topic sentence.
C. subpoints.
D. a title.
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20. THE MAIN POINT OF AN ESSAY IS CALLED
A. a thesis.
B. a topic sentence.
C. subpoints.
D. a title.
recognize the differences between a topic sentence
and a thesis statement
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21. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A THESIS?
A. Working as a nurse has changed my character.
B. I have learned empathy.
C. I have learned patience.
D. I have learned to be kind.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

22. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A THESIS?
A. Working as a nurse has changed my character.
B. I have learned empathy.
C. I have learned patience.
D. I have learned to be kind.
recognize the differences between a topic sentence
and a thesis statement
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.