HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY

An essay is a piece of writing several paragraphs long instead of just one or two paragraphs. It is
written about one topic, just as a paragraph is. However, the topic of an essay is too long and
too complex to discuss in one paragraph. Therefore, you must divide the topic into several
paragraphs, one for each major point. Then you must tie all of the separate paragraphs together
by adding an introduction and a conclusion.

Writing an essay is no more difficult than writing a paragraph except that an essay is longer. The
principles of organization are the same for both, so if you can write a good paragraph, you can
write a good essay.

An essay has three main parts:

1. An introductory paragraph
2. A body (usually two or more paragraphs)
3. A concluding paragraph

The introductory paragraph consists of two parts: a few general statements about your subject
to attract your reader’s attention and a thesis statement to state the specific subdivisions of
your topic and/or the “plan” of your paper. A thesis statement for an essay is just like a topic
sentence for a paragraph: it names the specific topic and the controlling ideas or major
subdivisions of the topic.

The body consists of two or more paragraphs. Each paragraph develops a subdivision of your
topic, so the number of paragraphs in the body will vary with the number of subdivisions. The
paragraphs of the body are like the main supporting points of a paragraph. Furthermore, just as
you can organize the ideas in a paragraph by chronological order or by order of importance, you
can organize the paragraphs in an essay in the same ways.

The conclusion in an essay, like the concluding sentence in a paragraph, is a summary or review
of the main points discussed in the body.

The only additional element in an essay is the linking expressions between the paragraphs of the
body. These are just like transitions within a paragraph. You use transitions within a paragraph
to connect the ideas between two sentences. Similarly, you use transitions between paragraphs
to connect the ideas between them.

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 General Essay Outline
Writers construct essays using sets of blueprints or outlines to guide them in the writing
process. In outlining an essay, you do not need to write out all the sentences in the paragraphs.
An outline is the skeleton of the essay; it is the structure around which the details and
explanations are organised. The following is a commonly used format for an essay outline:
I. Introduction (Include a lead, thesis statement and 3 main points)
General Statements / Thesis Statement

II. Topic Sentence 1:

A. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example
B. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example
C. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example

III. Topic Sentence 2:

A. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example
B. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example
C. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example

IV. Topic Sentence 3:

A. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example
B. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example
C. Support
1. Detail/example
2. Detail/example

V. Concluding Paragraph (with a summary of points, a restatement of thesis, and a final

comment)

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 INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

It may seem that the most difficult part of writing is getting started. However, writing an
introduction can be easy if you follow certain characteristics of an introductory paragraph.

a. An introductory paragraph should introduce the topic . Do not forget that the
introductory paragraph is the first thing that a reader sees. This paragraph should
inform the reader of the topic being discussed.

b. An introductory paragraph should indicate generally how the topic is going to be

developed. A good introductory paragraph should indicate whether the essay is
going to discuss causes, effects, reasons or examples; whether the essay is going
to classify, describe, narrate or explain a process.

c. Ideally, an introductory paragraph should be inviting; that is, it should be

interesting enough to make the reader want to continue reading. Not only should
you introduce the topic but you should also try to entice the reader to continue
after reading the first sentence.

d. An introductory paragraph should contain the thesis statement . Stating an

opinion about something in the first sentence is not usually very inviting.
Therefore, it is a good idea to place the thesis statement at the end of the
introductory paragraph.

The introduction has TWO parts:

1. General Statements
2. A Thesis Statement

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 GENERAL STATEMENTS

The first sentence in an introductory paragraph should be a very general comment about the
subject. Its purpose is to attract the reader’s attention and to give background information on
the topic. Each subsequent sentence should become more specific than the previous one and
finally lead into the thesis statement. Most general statements in the introductory part include
some or all of the following information:

1. some background to the essay topic,

2. brief definitions of key concepts,
3. a summary of the body of the essay,
4. the writer’s (your) main argument/thesis/opinion about the issue(s) raised in the essay
question, and
5. any limits to the essay in terms of time, place, culture, etc. which narrow the scope of your
essay.

There are no set rules as to the sequence or inclusion of all these components. The basic
principle, however, is to begin with general information/statements and become more
specific/focused during the introduction. To sum up, the writer opens with a general statement
about the topic and then works towards the more specific thesis statement at the end of the
introduction.

THESIS STATEMENT

The thesis acts as the main claim of your paper. Be sure to put it at the end of your introductory
paragraph. Readers anticipate and read closely your thesis, and they want to find a polished
statement there.

The essay, like the paragraph, is controlled by one central idea. In the essay, the sentence
containing the central idea is called the thesis statement. The thesis statement is similar to the
topic sentence in that it contains an expression of an attitude, opinion or idea about a topic;
unlike the topic sentence, however, the thesis statement is broader and expresses the
controlling idea for the entire essay.

The thesis statement is the most important sentence in the introduction. It states the specific
topic and lists the major subtopics that will be discussed in the body of the essay. Furthermore,
it often indicates the method of organization such as chronological or cause and effect.

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Here are a few points to remember about the thesis statement;

1. The thesis statement should be expressed in a complete sentence. Since the thesis
statement is the main statement for the entire essay, it should express a complete
thought; therefore, it should be expressed in a complete sentence, and since it makes a
statement, it should not be written as a question.

NOT a thesis statement: My fear of the dark.

Thesis statement: My fear of the dark has made my life miserable.

2. A thesis statement expresses an opinion, attitude or idea : It does not simply announce
the topic the essay will develop.

NOT a strong thesis statement: The large movement of people from rural to urban areas
has major effects on cities.

A better thesis statement: The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has
major effects on a city’s ability to provide housing, employment, and adequate sanitation.

3. A thesis statement must be arguable: Your thesis must make an arguable assertion.

To test whether your assertion is arguable, ask yourself whether it would be possible to
argue the opposite. If not, then it's not a thesis -- it's more of a fact.

NOT an arguable thesis statement: “Computers are becoming an efficient mechanism for
managing and transmitting information in large businesses.” (Who's going to dispute this? It's
not an arguable assertion -- it's a fact.)

An arguable thesis statement: “Heavy use of computers may disrupt family cohesion and
increase divorce in society.” (This is arguable because many people may not believe it. It would
make a good thesis!)

4. A thesis statement should be specific: Avoid broad, vague generalizations. Your thesis
should include detail and specificity, offering the reader the why behind your reasoning.

A POOR thesis statement: “Working women in Turkey face several problems.”

A specific thesis statement: “A working woman in Turkey may face several problems, the
important of which are gender discrimination and lower payment for the same post.”

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 BODY PARAGRAPHS
Developmental paragraphs, which range in number in the typical student essay from about two
to four, are the heart of the essay, for their function is to explain, illustrate, discuss, or prove
the thesis statement. Keep in mind these points about the developmental paragraphs:

1. Each developmental paragraph discusses one aspect of the main topic. If, for example,
you were asked to write a paper about the effects of smoking cigarettes on a person’s
health, then each paragraph would have as its topic an effect.

2. The controlling idea in the developmental paragraph should echo the central idea in the
thesis statement. If your thesis statement about the effects of smoking cigarettes is
‘Cigarette smoking is a harmful habit,’ then the controlling idea in each paragraph should
have something to do with the harmful effects of smoking.

3. The developmental paragraphs should have coherence and unity. The order of your
paragraphs should not be random. There are various ways to order your paragraphs. Just
as your sentences need to flow smoothly, the train of thought at the end of one
paragraph should be picked up at the beginning of the next paragraph; this can be
achieved through the use of transitions.

4. Use logical connectors to join sentences and maintain coherence.

Here is a short list of useful logical connectors:

To add another related point: and, also, too, besides, as well, in addition (to), furthermore, etc.
To add a similar point: similarly, likewise, etc.
To connect two statements or phrases when the second one adds something different or
seems surprising after the first one: but, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other
hand, yet, whereas, while, except, etc.
To show connection between actions and consequences: so, therefore, so that, as a result,
consequently, then, thus, hence, etc.
When a particular fact does not prevent something from happening: although, though, in spite
of, despite, etc.

5. Each paragraph is a self-contained, fully developed unit. Like the essay itself, every
paragraph has three parts:
a. Beginning: Topic sentence that is directly connected to the thesis.
b. Middle: Several sentences that explain and illustrate the topic sentence.
c. End: A conclusion that draws together the point made in the paragraph.

6. To develop the topic in each body paragraph you should provide supporting points and
evidence. You may use the following items: paraphrases, quotations, explanations,
details, examples, experiences, opinions, theories, statistics etc.

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 THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

This is the place to briefly sum up your findings. No new elements/ideas should be introduced.
Make sure you do not disagree with the main body of the paper or disregard major areas
discussed. To write a strong conclusion:

1. Start your conclusion with one of these words: To sum up, In conclusion, To put in a
nutshell, Taking all these into consideration, To conclude, In short, etc.
2. Review the main points, or briefly describe your feelings about the topic.
3. Conclusion provides a final perspective on your topic.
4. Do not give the reader a vague idea about the essay topic you have just written.
5. End your conclusion carefully and clearly. Your conclusion should not bring up a new
topic.

The conclusion should be written after the body and introduction. The primary function of the
conclusion is to summarize the main points in your essay, and to confirm the thesis stated in the
introduction. The introduction and conclusion, when read together, should give a good
overview of the essay’s thesis/main argument, the main sub-topic areas and the main
points/claims relating to each sub-topic. Most conclusions contain the following components.

1. a summary of the major points/claims raised in the body;

2. a rephrased thesis statement;
3. statements qualifying the thesis.