Transcript The Multi-Paragraph Essay

The Elements of An Excellent Essay
Title
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph 1-3
Conclusion
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Introduction
Also called the introductory paragraph.
The first paragraph in an essay.
It includes the thesis, always at the end of the
paragraph.
•Begin with a sentence that captures the reader’s
attention
•Give background information on the topic
•Enhance the paragraph with an interesting example,
•Surprising statistic, or other thought-provoking item
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•Include the thesis statement
Thesis
States the main idea of the essay
More general than the supporting material
Should mention the specific main point of each
of the body paragraphs
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Thesis
A sentence with a subject and opinion.
(opinion = commentary)
This comes in your introductory paragraph and
always at the end.
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Writing a Thesis
A thesis is a general sentence with a subject
and an opinion (commentary), and three prongs.
Example: Australia is the best country for a
vacation because it has kangaroos, beaches,
and shrimp on the bobby.
In this sentence, Australia is the subject.
The rest of the sentence tells the writer’s
opinion, or commentary, about it—that it’s the
best country for a vacation, and three specific
categories (prongs) to tell why.
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Body Paragraph
Middle paragraph in an essay.
It develops a point you want to make that
supports your thesis.
•Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point
of the paragraph and relates it to the appropriate
prong in the thesis statement
•Fill with well-organized evidence, examples,
quotations, comparisons, analogies, and/or narration –
THEN ANALYZE EACH ITEM TWO TIMES - EAA
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•Should end with a concluding/transitional sentence
Concrete Details ~ CD
Specific details that form the backbone,
skeleton, framework, or core of your body
paragraphs.
Synonyms for concrete detail include facts,
specifics, examples, descriptions,
illustrations, support, proof, supporting
evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot
references.
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Body Paragraph 2-3
•Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point
of the paragraph and relates it to appropriate prong in
the thesis statement
•Fill with well-organized evidence, examples,
quotations, comparisons, analogies, and/or narration THEN ANALYZE EACH ITEM TWO TIMES – EAA
•Should end with a concluding/transitional sentence
•REPEAT EXACTLY AS BODY PARAGRAPH #1
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Conclusion
Also called the concluding paragraph.
The last paragraph in your essay.
It could sum up your ideas . . .
…reflect on what you said in your essay,
…give more commentary about your subject,
…or give a personal statement about the
subject.
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Conclusion (cont.)
Your conclusion is ALL commentary and does
NOT include concrete detail.
It does NOT repeat key words from your paper
and especially NOT from your thesis and
introductory paragraphs.
It gives a finished feeling to your whole essay.
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Conclusion (cont.)
May pose a question for future thought (but be
sure it is VERY good) or suggest a course of
action
Include a detail or example from the introduction
to “tie up” the essay.
End with a strong image or a bit of wit.
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