5. Structure
Introductory Paragraph
- introduce & ease reader into topic
- move from general sentences to specific ones
- end with your thesis statement
Eg: life – literature – book – topic – thesis
life – history – people – topic – book - thesis
6. Structure
Thesis
- An arguable statement, making clear the
position the author takes on a topic
- Depends upon your purpose & audience
(Topic = what the text is “about;” the subject
addressed by a text
Eg: greed, love, hope, jealousy, etc.)
7. Structure
Body Paragraphs
- where you prove your thesis
Body Paragraph Structure:
1. Point (topic sentence: proves thesis)
2. Proofs (as many as are practical)
3. Comment (relates proofs to thesis)
8. Structure
Concluding Paragraph
- re-state your thesis
- move from specific sentences to
general ones
- ease reader away from essay, and
back to real life again (theme
statement)
9. Structure
The Rebuttal Paragraph
- Acknowledge points of opposing
argument
- Minimize the validity of these points
* Insert after your introductory paragraph!
11. Essay Outline
Thesis (2)
List of rebuttal points (3)
For each body paragraph: (3X4)
- Full topic sentence
- Proofs in point form
- Full comment sentence
Thesis restatement in different words (1)
Theme statement (2)
18. Hints & Tips
Do not write in 1st person (avoid “I”)
Do not start a body / concluding paragraph
with a quotation
Move from your weakest point to your
strongest
Do not use contractions
Do not use colloquial language
Use the present tense
Refer to author by last name
Develop a creative title that relates to thesis
