1. ACADEMIC WRITING
FROM PARAGRAPH TO ESSAY

2. THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
An introductory paragraph has 2 parts:
1) GENERAL STAMENTS
2) THESIS STATEMENT

3. GENERAL STAMENTS
• introduce the general topic of the essay.
• capture the reader’s interest.
THESIS STATEMENT
• states the specific topic.
• may list subtopics or subdivisions of the main
topic or subtopics.
• may indicate the pattern organization of the
essay.
• is normally the last sentence in the introductory
paragraph

4.  The functions of the thesis statement is
to be informative and direct. This means
it’s not normally very exciting.

5. THESIS STATEMENT
Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis
Statement?
• to better organize and develop your
argument
• to provide your reader with a “guide” to your
argument (distilling them into a sentence or
two)

6. • Sometimes a thesis statement lists the
subtopics that will be discussed in the body.
Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing
potential, companies should exploit this potential by
using Web pages that offer both advertising and
customer support.

7. Thesis Statements Pitfalls
• The thesis is too general
Lasers are very useful. (too general)
Lasers have several applications in industry and
medicine.
• The thesis makes a simple announcement.
I am going to write about sports injuries.
(announcement)
Avoid sports injuries by taking a few simple
precautions.

8. • The thesis states an obvious fact.
The Internet is a communication superhighway.
(obvious fact)
The explosion of the Internet has had both
positive and negative consequences.

9. THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
This is the final paragraph in an essay.
 It signals the end of the essay.
 It reminds your reader of your main points
 It leaves your reader with your final thoughts on
the topic.

10. Some basic principles you can follow to write
an effective conclusion:
The conclusion should follow logically from
the body of the essay.
The conclusion must summarize the whole
essay, not just one or two major points.
The conclusion should not raise any new
points but must be related to the thesis
statement or body of the essay.

11. THANK YOU