Basic Essay Structure

1
Basic Essay Structure

• Minimum 3 body paragraphs
• 1 paragraph per point

2
Introduction

• State the thesis and present the 3 main points
  that will be discussed in the essay
• A thesis is an opinion (argument, point of view)
  that is based on an interpretation of
  given/collected facts
• Main points evidence/facts that support the
  thesis
• Note avoid presenting too much in detail here.
  Leave it for the Body of the essay. Also, dont
  waste time trying to come up with a hook

3
Body Type 1

• Strong
• Weakest
• Strongest
• This structure is used to present a strong
  argument/persuasion
• Each point requires an explanation of the
  evidence/fact in relation to the thesis

4
Body Type 2

• Weakest
• Strong
• Strongest
• This structure is used to argue against a
  well-established school of thought

5
Compare and Contrast

• Compare discuss the similarities
• Contrast discuss the differences
• 2 styles point-by-point and blocking

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Compare and Contrast

• Point-by-Point
• Main Point 1 A and B
• Main Point 2 A and B
• Main Point 3 A and B

• Blocking
• A Points 1, 2 and 3
• B Points 1, 2 and 3
• Note Points for A and B have the same topic

7
Compare and Contrast

• In both cases, there has to be a strong thesis
  and a well-organized body

8
Conclusion

• Summarize the essay rather than restate the thesis

9
Ways to write an effective concluding paragraph

• Werier, C., Scarry, S., and Scarry, J. (2002).
  The Essay Workplace. Toronto Nelson.

10
1

• Return to the material in the introduction, and
  finish what was started there
• Remind the reader(s) of the thesis, using
  different wording

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2

• Summarize the essay by repeating the main points
  (usually in one sentence)

12
3

• Depending on the essay,
• Make a prediction(s)
• Give a warning or advice
• Offer a solution
• Suggest an alternative
• Or tell the results
• to show the significance of the thesis

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4

• End with an anecdote (a story) to illustrate the
  thesis
• make sure the story is not too long, and has a
  point that is related to the thesis!!!

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What not to do

• Do not introduce a new point
• Do not apologize
• Do not leave things in the air, leaving the
  reader(s) unsatisfiedweak last sentence

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Last word of advice

• No matter what method you use, make sure the
  conclusion has a strong finish