Elements of an Essay

Elements of an Essay Language and Composition Fall 2011

Do Now • Pass in your homework • Take a packet from the front table • Complete the K and W columns of the KWL

Today in class… • Review the elements of a successful essay • Complete the essay mapping exercises • These will be collected at the end of class. You MUST COMPLETE THEM IN CLASS.

Parts of an Essay • Three main sections • And introduction (one paragraph) • Central/body paragraphs (three or more) • A conclusion (one paragraph)

Introduction • The first paragraph of the essay. • Like the topic sentence but more developed and substantial • Three parts • Motivator • Thesis Statement • Blueprint

Introduction • Motivator • The beginning of the introductory paragraph. • Purpose is to get the reader interested in reading more • Hooks the reader and draws them in

Introduction • Thesis statement • Main idea of your essay – this is the single idea that your ENTIRE essay will support • Just like topic sentence • The thesis statement will also have a limited subject and precise opinion

Introduction • Blueprint • Short list of the main points you will present in the essay. • If your essay has three central paragraphs, your blueprint will have three points • One point for the topic of each central paragraph

Central Paragraphs • Three of more central paragraphs • Each paragraph MUST support the essay’s main point (thesis statement) • Each central paragraph is like a one-paragraph essay (T.S. with specific supports)

Conclusion • Like the re-worded topic sentence in the one-paragraph essay • Gives a sense of finality • Two parts: • Reworded thesis statement • Clincher

Conclusion • Reworded Thesis Statement • Remind your readers what you were supporting • Must match the claim in the thesis statement! • Just like conclusion in a one paragraph essay

Conclusion • Clincher • Final sentence or two that leaves no doubt that the essay has reached its end

Blueprints • A blueprint is a list of the ideas in your topic sentences • Thesis statement: Streetlights installed at least ten feet high is a good idea Topic sentence: They can light up a wider area Topic Sentence: They are harder to vandalize Topic Sentence: They don’t block people’s view • The Blueprint for this essay would be: Because they light up a wider area, they are harder to vandalize, and they don’t block people’s view…

Thesis and Blueprint • Blueprints can work with a thesis statement to answer the questions Why? How? When? • Why? – Because… • How? – By… • When? – When…

Sample Thesis Statements Since its fairly recent beginning, television has had both fans and foes. Many worry about the effects of extensive television viewing on both children and adults, fearing that it will cause a decline in intelligence in future generations. Ray Bradbury shows a similar concern in his science fiction story, “The Pedestrian”. Bradbury uses the literary elements of setting, character, and symbolism to predict that television will lead future generations to an inferior and unfulfilling existence.

Do Now • Pass in your homework • Take a packet from the front table • In your journals, explain what is wrong with the following sentences: Alison, the girl with the blonde hair. Sipping yummy lemonade. Today after school.

Central Paragraphs • Each central paragraph needs: • A transition from the preceding paragraph • Provides coherence • A reminder of the thesis • Connects paragraph’s idea to the main idea of the essay • Main idea of the paragraph

Let’s Look at an Example…

Elements of an Essay