WRITING AN ESSAY Whats an essay An essay

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WRITING AN ESSAY

WRITING AN ESSAY

What’s an essay? An essay is a written work that is composed of three

What’s an essay? An essay is a written work that is composed of three or more paragraphs. The purpose of an essay is to communicate to a reader an opinion about a topic and to provide information that supports or defends this opinion.

An essay will do one or more of the following: • state one side

An essay will do one or more of the following: • state one side of an argument and defend it; • explain or describe something; • show the similarities or differences between two things.

An essay has three parts: 1. Introduction – The introductory paragraph tells your reader

An essay has three parts: 1. Introduction – The introductory paragraph tells your reader what the essay is about. It restates the topic in your own words and states your main idea. The main idea of your essay is called thesis statement. The thesis is often stated in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

2. Body – The body paragraphs each contain a supporting point to develop your

2. Body – The body paragraphs each contain a supporting point to develop your thesis. The body paragraphs are sometimes called development paragraphs. They contain specific details, examples, and reasons. 3. Conclusion – The concluding paragraph summarizes your position and completes the essay.

Important notes: Supporting ideas are the points you make to develop your thesis. Each

Important notes: Supporting ideas are the points you make to develop your thesis. Each body paragraph should contain one supporting idea which is developed with details. Details are facts, examples, reasons, descriptions, or personal experiences. All supporting ideas and details should support you thesis.

Introduction • It is the first paragraph of an essay. The purpose of an

Introduction • It is the first paragraph of an essay. The purpose of an introduction is to let the readers know what to expect in the body of the essay. • The introduction contains thesis statement. The thesis, sometimes called the controlling idea, is the main idea of the essay. The thesis statement is the most important sentence of you essay because it expresses your opinion about the topic. The thesis is usually stated in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. • The thesis may preview the points you will make the in the body of your essay, in the order in which they will be discussed.