How to structure your essay

1. How to structure your essay These guidelines apply to any persuasive, expository or analytical writing you will do in this class. They do not apply to more creative and narrative writing forms.

2. What every essay needs….. • 1. An introduction • Introduce the text to be discussed, the author and the genre • Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare, play (NOT BOOK OR STORY! • A strong thesis • 2. Body paragraphs • Should be organized, follow a logical pattern, detailed • Should be evenly paced • DO NOT be afraid to use more than one paragraph to discuss a single point • 3. A conclusion • Does NOT need to be long • Should BRIEFLY recap thesis/ main point in a new way (don’t just repeat the thesis) • Should make a unifying statement (You’ve spent all this time proving your point, tell me why I should care)

3. What no essay should include… • 1. Never start an essay by introducing yourself and your topic. I know who you are. • Ex. My name is April Rames and I will be discussing the role of fate in my essay about Romeo and Juliet. • 2. Wishy-washy language. Be confident but polite. Write as though your thesis is correct and the most intelligent conclusion that could be drawn. • DO NOT DO THIS: I think fate is to blame for all of their problems, but others may disagree. OR Romeo might be to blame. • 3. Incorrect quotes or paraphrasing. CHECK YOUR FACTS!

4. In more detail….How to create a thesis • 1. Your thesis should be specific and direct but does not need to “Map out” the future of the essay. • Good example: Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare proves that the choices Romeo and Juliet make, and not fate, cause their tragic end. • Not so good example: Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare proves that the choices Romeo and Juliet make, such as killing Tybalt, getting married in secrete and faking Juliet’s death, and not fate, cause their tragic end .(TOO MUCH)

5. More on Thesis Statements • 2. Your thesis should make a point that could be debated, not one that is generally accepted without proof. • Bad example: Shakespeare’s tragic play Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two star-crossed lovers. (Well, duh.) • Good example: Shakespeare uses the tragic lives of Romeo and Juliet as an example of the decaying effects of a corrupt society. • Better example: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet proves that the decaying effects of a corrupt society reach even the most innocent of it’s members.

6. More on Thesis Statements…. • 3. Your thesis should guide your entire essay. • Each body paragraph should be able to refer back to the thesis. • At the beginning or end of each individual argument, the thesis should be referenced but not directly repeated. • 4. Your thesis should state clearly the point you want to make with your essay. • 5. Your thesis should be as concise as possible. Try to confine it to one sentence whenever possible.

7. Conclusions…. • 1. Conclusions DO NOT need to be long. Do not write a full paragraph when two or three sentences will do. • 2. Your conclusion should include: • a. A “wrap-up” sentence. • b. A sentence which shows a connection between the thesis and the reader or larger world • c. A sentence that makes it clear you have proved your point and are done.