Parts of an Essay

1
Parts of an Essay

• Introduction

2
Purpose of an introduction

• Capture the readers attention (Hook)
• Use interesting, unique, or creative words and
  ideas
• Set a tone and communicate information
• Helps reader understand the purpose of the paper
• Provide general background information
• Helps reader understand thesis statement
• Thesis statement w/ forecast
• Provides focus and direction for readers (thesis)
• Indicates what the body paragraphs will cover
  (forecast)
• Tells the reader how the paper will be organized

3
Visual Representation of Introduction

• Hook
• Background information
• Thesis statement with
• forecast

4
The Hook

• capture the readers attention (speak about the
  topic in general terms)
• Establishes the tone
• Be interesting use interesting, unique, or
  creative ideas

5
Background Information

• Provide some detailed background information
  about the subject of the essay
• Facts
• How or why something happened
• Name of author and work of literature
• Provides smooth transition from general topic to
  thesis statement

6
Thesis Statement

• Clearly worded answer to a question or clearly
  worded declaration of the views you will assert
  or prove in your paper (purpose of the paper)
• Consists of a subject an opinion forecast
  (how you plan to support the opinion)

7
Body Paragraph

• Topic sentence (1 sentence)
• Concrete detail 1 (1-3 sentences)
• 2 sentences of commentary
• Concrete detail 2 (1-3 sentences)
• 2 sentences of commentary
• Concluding sentence

8
Topic sentence

• First sentence of the body paragraph
• Must have a subject and opinion for the paragraph
• Tells the reader the one idea that will be
  covered in the paragraph
• Just like the thesis statement tells the reader
  what ideas will be covered in the entire paper
• The idea comes from the thesis statement

9
Concrete Detail (CD)

• Specific details that form the backbone or core
  of your body paragraphs
• Each body paragraph needs 2 pieces of CD
• Synonyms for CD
• Fact, specifics, description, evidence, support,
  example, illustration, proof, quotations,
  paraphrase, or plot reference

10
Commentary (CM)

• Your opinion or comment about the concrete
  detail.
• There are no right answers.
• Your opinion of what the concrete detail reveals
• Synonyms CM
• opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation,
  inference, personal response, feelings,
  evaluation, explication, and reflection.
• EACH CONCRETE DETAIL MUST BE SUPPORTED BY TWO
  SENTENCES OF COMMENTARY

11
Concluding Sentence

• The last sentence in the body paragraph
• All commentary (opinion)
• Does not repeat key words
• Gives a finished feeling to the paragraph

12
Conclusion Paragraph

• Brief restatement of thesis statement
• Brief summary (overview) of main points made in
  the paper
• Intensified insight and leave the reader with
  food for thought

13
Brief restatement of thesis statement

• New words, same ideas
• Find synonyms to restate thesis statement
• No new ideas
• Do not introduce new reasons or new ideas not
  already given in then paper

14
Brief Summary of Main Points

• Brief
• Keep it short (1 or 2 sentences)
• Do not summarize the entire paper, just the key
  points (the most important points you want the
  reader to remember or consider)

15
Intensified Insight

• Concluding sentence(s)
• Based on the main points, what should the reader
  consider?
• Based on the main points, why should the reader
  take your side?