Three Parts of an Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion

1. Three Parts of an Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion • An essay has three basic parts: an introduction, a body and a conclusion. • Each part has a specific purpose.

2. A good introductory paragraph does several things: • It tells what your topic and main ideas are (specific) • It gives a preview of your essay. • It may provide background information. • It provides a stance and purpose

3. The Thesis Statement • The thesis statement. • This sentence is the main idea of the whole essay. You can write the thesis statement by rewriting the main idea • Example: • Main idea: I like Comedies. • Thesis Statement: Of all the many different kinds of TV shows, comedies are the most popular in the U.S. • Main idea: Native Americans • Thesis Statement: Native Americans have made many valuable contributions to modern U.S. culture • A computer is necessary for college students for three reasons: • Latino culture has enriched North American culture in several areas:

4. The Body Writing Body Paragraphs

5. You can develop body paragraphs by using details and examples Supporting idea Details and examples • Burns calories • Lose weight Regular exercise Feel more relaxed • Details: • Muscles that are working burn more fat calories • You lose weight and look slimmer and trimmer • Examples: • Running, bicycling, or some other aerobic activity • You feel rested and ready to go during the day, and you sleep better at night

6. Topic Sentences/Supporting Sentences, and Concluding Sentences • Use paragraph transitions… • Example: One Way, Another Way, Although, first, in addition, furthermore • Every good paragraph has a topic sentence • Contain a topic and controlling idea • Example: Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness • Example: Driving on freeways requires an aggressive attitude • Supporting sentences explain or prove the topic sentence • Provides the main idea • Concluding Sentences signals the end of the paragraph and links to the next aspect • Example: Finally, lastly, in brief, etc….

7. Writing your concluding paragraph

8. Concluding Paragraph • The last paragraph of your essay is the concluding paragraph. It gives the same information that the introductory paragraph gives, but it is written from a different perspective. Instead of previewing the ideas in your essay, you review them. It restates your thesis statement and sums up your supporting ideas. • Your concluding paragraph may be, but it should restate your thesis statement and sum up the three main ideas from your three body paragraphs. You might also include a strong, last impression.

9. Outlining • An essay has three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion • The introduction consists of two parts: general statements and thesis statement • What makes up good and effective body paragraphs? • Link paragraphs • Topic Sentences • Concluding/transition sentences

10. Quiz…Together… • Immigrants have contributed many delicious foods to U.S. cuisines: Topic Sentence • English speakers put on kimonos, a Japanese word. English speakers sit outside on patios, a Spanish word. English speakers enjoy the fragrance of jasmine flowers, a Persian word. English speakers eat yogurt, a French word: Writing a Topic Sentence. • In conclusion, we now have more variety of greeting cards to choose from, but they are also becoming very expensive—correct or incorrect concluding sentence? • In conclusion, there are many other legends like this one in Hawaii—correct or incorrect concluding sentence? • A college education is a good investment—good or bad thesis statement? • Lasers have several applications in industry and medicine—good or bad thesis statement?