The Elements of An Excellent Essay

1. The Elements of An Excellent Essay • Title • Introduction • Thesis Statement • Body Paragraph 1-3 • Conclusion

2. 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 • Include the thesis statement

3. 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

4. Thesis • A sentence with a subject and opinion. • (opinion = commentary) • This comes in your introductory paragraph and always at the end.

5. 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.

6. 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 • Should end with a concluding/transitional sentence

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.