Chapter 4: General Essay Outline
ALL ESSAYS should follow the
below general structure.
A. Introduction
The
introduction paragraph of an essay consists of three broad parts:
Hook + Background + Thesis Statement
a.
Hook
Introduce
the essay by capturing the reader's attention with a quote or interesting
statement (Hook/lead). The hook or lead-in may be a
- a paradox
- an arresting statistic
- a shocking statement
- a question
- a quotation
NOTE: You must cite the quotation if you use this hook. Avoid using
quotes if you cannot provide a proper reputable citation.
- a relevant story
- a description
b.
Background Information
Follow
it up with building your case using logic. Essentially, support your introductory sentence using background info on the
topic or subject.
c.
Thesis Statement
Finalize the introduction paragraph with a thesis statement. The thesis statement
does not indicate the purpose of the essay but
the position of the author and a description of the topic.
What is your argument? Where do you stand on
the issue?
The thesis statement should communicate the issue and main talking
points in the body paragraphs.
The three-point
thesis statement is a popular method that surmises your position into three
main points that indicate your argument. The three points should also be the
three strongest points in your paper and a surmised version of the topic
sentence of three body paragraphs.
Try to avoid
starting the thesis statement with:
“This paper will....” OR “This essay will....”
For example
· Bad Thesis
Statement >>>>'This essay looks into the key causes and
effects of global warming.'
Instead, communicate the strongest points in
your paper.
· Better thesis
statement >>>'Global warming presents a significant issue
in modern society and thus requiring an exploration into the causes of global
warming and its damaging effects on the environment.'
NOTE: In Academic papers, it’s usually considered redundant to include the heading “Introduction” since the first paragraph of every single essay is always the introduction. However, you will need to include the heading, ‘Introduction’ for reports and anything with a table of contents.
B. Body
Similar
to the introduction, the body paragraphs also have a particular format made up
of 4 large parts:
Topic Sentence +
Evidence + Analysis + Evidence2 + Analysis2… + Concluding sentence
NOTE: The evidence+analysis portions
are collectively known as presenting your argument.
a.
Topic Sentence or Lead-in Sentence
Since
each paragraph discusses a particular point, the topic sentence communicates
the position of the paragraph. I am supposed to know the arguments make in the
paragraph by reading the topic sentence. Do not mix multiple topics in a single
paragraph.
b.
Presenting your argument
After
stating the topic sentence, the next step is to present your argument. When you
present your argument, you will give your evidence and analyze it.
i.
Evidence
This
part is either a real-life example, hypothetical example, or a citation from a
secondary or primary source that supports the topic sentence. It should be
specific and appeal to the reader through the three main persuasion paradigms
(ethos, pathos, logos)
ii.
Analysis
This
part is an explanation of the example or citation. Explain, how is it relevant
to the topic sentence?
NOTE: It should note that the Evidence
and Analysis portions are interchangeable. You could either give evidence then
explain it (Evidence+Analysis) or Give a statement then provide supporting
evidence (Analysis+Evidence)
c.
Concluding Statement
To
achieve coherence, there must be a sentence that provides a
transition from one paragraph to the next. Finalize the paragraph with a
concluding statement that ties up the whole paragraph together (summary) and
precludes the next paragraph. Avoid
using citations/Evidence as your concluding statement.
NOTE: When writing your essay, you
should start with your strongest point/argument as the first paragraph and the
weakest point/argument as the last body paragraph.
C. Conclusion
The
conclusion is also made up of three parts:
a.
Restated Thesis
Restate
thesis statement using different words from the beginning. For instance, the
thesis statement written earlier can revise to
The
rise in global warming has necessitated an investigation into the causes and
effects of global warming in the world.
Remember
to stress the importance of thesis statement.
b.
Summary
Follow
it up by summarizing the three main
points in your paper or more depending on the page length.
c.
Takeaway
Finish it up with a concluding statement that ties up the whole
paper. As a reader, what should I take away from the essay? Write a
powerful or memorable statement that leaves a lasting impression on
the reader.
NOTE:
Never introduce new information in the conclusion.
NOTE: Do not mix multiple topics in a single paragraph.
NOTE: Do not mix multiple topics in a single paragraph.
NOTE: In Academic Papers, the heading
“Conclusion” avoids since I should know it is a conclusion because you are
summarizing the info. However, for longer paper (7 Pages+) you can use the
heading conclusion for both APA and MLA papers.
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