The Essay Essay Structure Introduction Introduces the topic

The Essay

Essay Structure �Introduction Introduces the topic of your essay Contains thesis statement Should engage the reader �Body Contains the paragraphs which support thesis statement �Conclusion Summarizes and ties the essay together Restates (a reworded) thesis statement

What is a thesis statement? Tells the reader what you are going to say about a topic A specific topic + a particular stand, feeling, or feature = an effective thesis statement Simpler: Topic + opinion = thesis statement A thesis statement MUST be DEBATABLE!

Examples �Writing Assignment: Research paper about a historical event Specific topic: The Monroe Doctrine Thesis statement: The Monroe Doctrine (topic) benefited England as much as it did the United States (opinion).

Examples �Writing Assignment: Persuasive essay about a school problem �Specific Topic: Litter on the school grounds �Thesis Statement: The excessive litter on the school grounds (topic) reflects negatively on our school (opinion).

Body Paragraphs �Where you give evidence, examples, arguments, and reasoning to support your thesis. �Body paragraphs have two parts: the topic sentence and the supporting details. �Should flow logically

Transitions � Help readers move from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. To show causes and effects: accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore, thus, etc. To show comparison: also, in the same way, likewise, similarly, etc. To show contrast: although, however, in contrast, instead, nevertheless, on the contrary, yet, etc. To show examples: for example, for instance, in fact, such as, etc. To show sequence: again, also, besides, finally, furthermore, next, etc. To show time: at first, before, eventually, finally, meanwhile, etc. To signal a conclusion: as a result, as we have seen, finally, in a word, in brief, therefore, thus, to summarize, etc.

Conclusion �The last paragraph of your essay �Ties together your essay �Give a summary of the main points �Restate thesis in a slightly reworded fashion �More than one sentence

In-Text Citation: What is it? �Giving credit to the owner of words or ideas that are not your own �Immediately follows a direct quote or paraphrase �Failing to do this would be PLAGIARISM �Good rule of thumb: if it comes directly from your brain to the paper, you do not need to cite. �Good rule of thumb #2: When in doubt, cite!

Works Cited Page �Last page of the paper �Lists alphabetically and in MLA style all of the sources used in the paper �See sample paper

Revision: Never turn in your first draft �Think about your paper from your reader’s viewpoint. Is it well organized, clear, and logical? �Read your paper aloud to yourself �Let someone else read your paper

Title �Give your paper a title after your paper is written. �It should be interesting and intriguing �Follow MLA guidelines

MLA Formatting and Style MLA Formatting Basics � 12 Point Times New Roman � 1 inch margins � Double spaced � Header: Last Name and page number right justified � Tab to indent each paragraph � Title centered, not italicized, underlined, bolded, or in quotations � One space after punctuation � Heading left justified with name, teacher, course, and date according to MLA formatting rules � In-text citations and works cited page

�Use the Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab as a reference for MLA formatting and citation http: //owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/747 /01/

�Sample Paper