Things you should know before you write your essay
The introductory paragraph opens with a broad, general statement related to the thesis and then gradually narrows to a single point- the thesis/claim. Sentence by sentence it “closes in” on the thesis/claim. It moves from the general to the specific, from “pan shot” to close-up, from broad observation to punch line. That is its whole purpose – to introduce the subject in a general way and then come to the point. Your thesis/claim is an opinion.
1. You can begin your general statement with a quote about the topic, explain who said it and under what conditions. You can begin with a statistic that deals with your topic and mention the source of the statistic. You can begin with analogy or example of the topic. You can begin with a general statement about your topic.
2. After the general statement is made, it must be explained. What does it mean?
3. Then you can apply the general statement to the specific thing you are referring to through the reading. Transitional words such as:
Contrast: “In contrast” “However”
Extension: “ Moreover “Therefore”
Reinforcing: “ Similarly” “Likewise”
This is where you would mention your source (within the context of 1984…)
4. Explain/provide a general summation of how the topic pertains to the text.
5. It’s at this point that you would state your thesis/claim. This is your opinion. This is the thing that you are saying about the topic. Incorporate add to the thesis/claim the proof or how you’re going to prove your opinion/claim.
Between paragraphs and even within paragraphs you need transitions:
Contrast: But, However, On the other hand, Yet
Illustration: For example, For instance, That is
Extension: Similarly, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition,
Conclusion: Therefore, Consequently As a result, Thus
The Next Step Then, After that, It follows
Conjunction And, moreover - And although – And in one respect- And once- And so- And as it is
Extension: So, even though - It follows then – In this way - From that andle - By the same token - On that account – Given this
Endorsement: Not surprisingly _ Of course _ And moreover _Most important of all - Even more - In particular
Contrast: But instead – But at the same time – And yet - But even - But then again - But perhaps – Yet still - But while
Narrative: Following this – And after that _ But then - So began - But so far - More recently
Remember, the purpose of the body/middle paragraphs is to provide examples/evidence that supports your thesis/claim. You need to show rather than tell through example and explanation. Make your work more readable by varying the type of evidence you use. Make sure your evidence does real work. In the development of your thesis/claim, you need to show that you have the ability to analyze, criticize, discuss, and evaluate the issues you are writing about.
The number of paragraphs in the middle section depends entirely upon how many points you want to cover and how thoroughly you want to cover them. Just remember to rely on the topic sentences for each paragraph and the extent that they explain the thesis/claim
In your conclusion you need to start off by rephrasing your thesis/claim. Read your thesis to a friend and ask that friend to reword your thesis/claim. Then you need to summarize the main points in your paper. Give each paragraph a one sentence summary. Pick up the theme of the introduction. Then you need to suggest wider implications to society/ future trends.
· Remember to check on the requirements of the assignment and the “Things to avoid” when writing. Those two items were provided to you on your actual assignment page.
The introductory paragraph opens with a broad, general statement related to the thesis and then gradually narrows to a single point- the thesis/claim. Sentence by sentence it “closes in” on the thesis/claim. It moves from the general to the specific, from “pan shot” to close-up, from broad observation to punch line. That is its whole purpose – to introduce the subject in a general way and then come to the point. Your thesis/claim is an opinion.
1. You can begin your general statement with a quote about the topic, explain who said it and under what conditions. You can begin with a statistic that deals with your topic and mention the source of the statistic. You can begin with analogy or example of the topic. You can begin with a general statement about your topic.
2. After the general statement is made, it must be explained. What does it mean?
3. Then you can apply the general statement to the specific thing you are referring to through the reading. Transitional words such as:
Contrast: “In contrast” “However”
Extension: “ Moreover “Therefore”
Reinforcing: “ Similarly” “Likewise”
This is where you would mention your source (within the context of 1984…)
4. Explain/provide a general summation of how the topic pertains to the text.
5. It’s at this point that you would state your thesis/claim. This is your opinion. This is the thing that you are saying about the topic. Incorporate add to the thesis/claim the proof or how you’re going to prove your opinion/claim.
Between paragraphs and even within paragraphs you need transitions:
Contrast: But, However, On the other hand, Yet
Illustration: For example, For instance, That is
Extension: Similarly, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition,
Conclusion: Therefore, Consequently As a result, Thus
The Next Step Then, After that, It follows
Conjunction And, moreover - And although – And in one respect- And once- And so- And as it is
Extension: So, even though - It follows then – In this way - From that andle - By the same token - On that account – Given this
Endorsement: Not surprisingly _ Of course _ And moreover _Most important of all - Even more - In particular
Contrast: But instead – But at the same time – And yet - But even - But then again - But perhaps – Yet still - But while
Narrative: Following this – And after that _ But then - So began - But so far - More recently
Remember, the purpose of the body/middle paragraphs is to provide examples/evidence that supports your thesis/claim. You need to show rather than tell through example and explanation. Make your work more readable by varying the type of evidence you use. Make sure your evidence does real work. In the development of your thesis/claim, you need to show that you have the ability to analyze, criticize, discuss, and evaluate the issues you are writing about.
The number of paragraphs in the middle section depends entirely upon how many points you want to cover and how thoroughly you want to cover them. Just remember to rely on the topic sentences for each paragraph and the extent that they explain the thesis/claim
In your conclusion you need to start off by rephrasing your thesis/claim. Read your thesis to a friend and ask that friend to reword your thesis/claim. Then you need to summarize the main points in your paper. Give each paragraph a one sentence summary. Pick up the theme of the introduction. Then you need to suggest wider implications to society/ future trends.
· Remember to check on the requirements of the assignment and the “Things to avoid” when writing. Those two items were provided to you on your actual assignment page.