Writing a Multi-Paragraph Essay

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Writing a Multi-Paragraph Essay

• Introduction
• Ideas should go from general to specific.
• Paragraph should be four to five sentences
  including thesis statement.

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Writing an Introduction

• Begin with something to catch the readers
  attention, i.e. feeling or emotional words or
  a question/ anecdote / interesting or provocative
  statement / famous quotation, etc.

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Writing an Introduction

• Thesis Statement
• ThesisAnswer to prompt your opinion
• Must include the author title of the book.
• Thesis shows your opinion about an arguable
  topic.
• Thesis should go at the end of the paragraph.

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Example Introduction

• Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can lead
  to horrible circumstances. Sometimes, people are
  not even aware of what they are doing when they
  are doing it, but their emotions take over and
  make them do terrible things. In Arthur Millers
  The Crucible, jealousy and revenge take hold of
  young Abigail Williams causing her to wreak havoc
  on an entire town. Ultimately, it is Abigails
  actions that result in the witch trials and the
  killing of many innocent people.

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Terms to Know

• Topic Sentence (TS)
• This sentence is the first sentence in your
  paragraph and lets the reader know what the main
  focus of the paragraph will be.
• Concluding Sentence (CS)
• This is the last sentence in your paragraph.
  Sums it up and ties back to the thesis (As a
  result,)

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Terms to Know

• Concrete Detail (CD)
• This is the stuff from the literature its the
  evidence for your commentary!
• Plot References/Paraphrasing
• facts, examples from story (what happened).
• Direct Quote- (DQ)
• Include citation
• Use the 4-step quote method.

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Terms to Know

• Commentary (CM)
• This is the stuff from inside your head!
• This is the answer to so what?
• Your words and explanations.
• May be referred to as analysis, interpreting,
  opinion, inference, insight, reasons,
  elaboration.

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Writing Body Paragraphs

• Sent. 1 -Topic Sentence TS
• Sent. 2 CD starts with For example
• Sent. 3 DQ- From the text, must be cited.
• Sent. 4 2 CM (It also indicates This is
  because This is important becauseThis shows
  that)
• Sent, 5 Concluding Sentence CS Sums it up
  and ties back to the thesis (As a result,)

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Example of Body Paragraph

• In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry
  is a champion to many of the more insecure
  students at Hogwarts. For example, when Malfoy
  takes Nevilles Rememberall, Harry gets on a
  broom and gets it back. He simply cannot stand
  someone who picks on others. Because of this,
  Harry becomes a hero to those less fortunate. In
  other words, he has found a place where he
  belongs, and he becomes determined to protect the
  vulnerable people he has grown fond of.

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Writing a Conclusion

• Like Intro., just three to five sentences
• All CM no CD
• Do NOT repeat your thesis statement or
  introductory paragraph, RESTATE it using
  different words.
• Reflect what your essay said provide closure,
  moving this time from specific to general.
• Try to relate your thesis to the world at large.
• Do NOT add any new information!

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Quotation Verbs

•  When introducing a quotation, choose a verb that
  best reflects what you want to say with the
  material you have chosen to quote. The following
  is a list of alternatives to the word states

• demonstrates
• objects
• adds
• defends
• maintains
• argues
• assumes

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Quotation Verbs

• disputes
• remarks
• challenges
• establishes
• shows
• claims
• specifies
• compares
• feels
• contrasts

• concludes
• illustrates
• suggests
• stresses
• contends
• introduces
• questions
• justifies
• presents
• believes

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Transition Words

• To improve your writing you need to make sure
  that your ideas, both in sentences and
  paragraphs, stick together or have coherence and
  that the gap between ideas is bridged smoothly.
  One way to do this is by using transitions -
  words or phrases or techniques that help bring
  two ideas together. Transitional words and
  phrases represent one way of gaining coherence.

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Transition Words

• Certain words help continue an idea, indicate a
  shift of thought or contrast, or sum up a
  conclusion. Check the following list of words to
  find those that will pull your sentences and
  paragraphs together.

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Transition Words

• For continuing a common line of reasoning
• consequentlyclearly, thenfurthermoreadditionall
  yandin additionmoreover

• in the same wayfollowing this furtheralsopursui
  ng this furtherin the light of the... it is
• becausebesides thateasy to see that

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Transition Words

• To change the line of reasoning (contrast)
• howeveron the other handbutyetneverthelesson
  the contrary

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Transition Words

• For opening a paragraph initially or for general
  use
• admittedlyassuredlycertainlygrantedno
  doubtnobody deniesobviouslyof course

• undoubtedlyunquestionablygenerally speakingin
  general
• to be sureat this levelin this situation

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Transition Words

• To restate a point within a paragraph in another
  way or in a more exacting way
• in other words
• point in fact
• specifically
•  

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Transition Words

• Transitional chains, to use in separating
  sections of a paragraph which is arranged
  chronologically
• first... second... third...generally...
  furthermore... finallyin the first place...
  also... lastlyin the first place... pursuing
  this further... finallyto be sure...
  additionally... lastlybasically... similarly...
  as well

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Transition Words

• To signal conclusion in a paragraph or the entire
  essay
• Therefore
• Hence
• In final analysis
• In conclusion
• Lastly
• Finally
•  

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A Few More Tips!

• Do not use first person.
• State your position and then defend it with
  support.
• Describe plot elements using present tense.
• Avoid informal, conversational expressions that
  are, u know, like, well, so, lol, idk, etc.