2.  Essay – group of paragraphs on a single
subject
 Similar to paragraph structure
 Topic sentence > Introduction &Thesis
 Evidence > Body paragraphs
 Summary statement > Conclusion
 Transitions

3.  Introduction &Thesis
 P1
 Topic sentence
 Evidence
 Summary statement/transitions
 P2
 T
 E
 S /T
 P3
 T
 E
 S /T
 Conclusion

4.  Begins with opening
remarks and closes
with a thesis
statement
 Thesis statement –
presents the main idea
of the paper
Broad, general remarks on subject.
More specific remarks
Thesis

5.  The meat of your paper
 Where you provide the most detail
 3 is the magic number
 Each body paragraph should have a topic
sentence

6.  Begins with a
restatement/summariz
ation of thesis
 Ends with general
closing remarks about
the subject
Thesis
Less specific remarks
General closing remarks

7.  Consider the assignment/ situation
 Answer the question asked
 Consider your purpose – what do you want to
accomplish?
 Always consider your essay’s audience
 Not always the teacher

8.  Makes a point about a topic
 The benefits of owning a cell phone outweigh the
problems.
 When people take good care of their bodies, they
feel better.

9.  Is clearly worded and specific
 Because of their friendly natures, active
personalities, and easy care, dogs make great pets
for families with young children.
 The rules governing the Monopoly board game
are antiquated and should be changed.

10.  After deciding on a topic, create a main idea
 Prewrite
 Identify points from prewriting that support
thesis
 Draft your thesis
 Arrange points (outline?)
 Write the essay
 Revise
 Edit
 Remember – this isn’t a linear process