IntroductionOpening sentence – attention grabber or hookThesis statementBackground information

Body paragraphTopic sentenceAnalysis (commentary)Evidence (concrete detail)Transitioning thought

ConclusionSummaryReworded thesis statementFinal thought/Insight

*Now we will take a look closer at each part…

An introduction should:Capture the reader’s attention and keep it Set a tone and communicate information to

help the reader understand the purpose of the paper.

Provide general background information State a thesis which provides focus and

direction for the readers.Indicate what is to follow in the body of the

essay.

An introduction should provide the readers with a reason to keep reading

In addition to engaging reader’s interest, opening sentences contain background information

For example: an essay discussing the theme of a story will include background information, such as reference to the title and the author of the work being examined, as well as information about the characters that are relevant to the topic.

Opening sentences in the introduction lead toward the thesis-placed at the end of the introductory paragraph

A main idea to serve as a statement to guide the essay

A clearly worded statement of the views or ideas that a writer will confirm, declare, or prove in a paper. A thesis focuses the essay.

Beyond defining the topic of a paper, the thesis should express an insight or position that is interesting and valuable enough to write about

The thesis statement has three main parts: Subject, Opinion, and the Body Paragraph Reasons

Subject (S)-tells the reader exactly what the essay focuses on.

Opinion (O)-gives the statement or insight about the subject. 

Body Paragraph Reasons (B1, B2, B3)-the author’s three supports that will be shown in the essay (these are the three ideas that are discussed in the body paragraphs)

Tuesday’s with Morrie (S) is a powerful story that teaches important life lessons (O,) such as live life to the fullest (B1), money should not be the top priority in life (B2), a person must learn to die before they learn to live (B3).

The body paragraphs develop a convincing case to prove and support the claim made in the thesis.

The body of an essay explores the ideas relevant to the thesis (the three supports)

In addition, the body of the essay must continuously remind readers of the thesis without simply repeating it.

The topic sentence of each paragraph of the body of an essay introduces an element of the thesis that will become the subject of the paragraph.

Topic sentences start out each body paragraph Rather than simply repeating the thesis, strong

topic sentences draw on it; they develop an aspect of the thesis that will be further expanded in the paragraph.

Three supports (1 support for each body paragraph-relates back to thesis)

Transitions Varying sentence structure

It is the responsibility of the writer to provide an interpretation for the reader.

Each body paragraph should contain evidence and interpretation of evidence to develop some aspect of the thesis.

Without using evidence and support is it impossible for an author to prove his/her thesis statement

The types of evidence that can be used to prove a writer’s point of view are limitless. Some of the types of evidence include:Documented factsQuotations from textDetails from text related to plot, character,

setting, styleInformation from reference materialsIdeas from critical sourcesFirst-hand observations of procedures, events,

results of an experimentReferences to a work of art, music or

performanceReferences to familiar elements of culture,

politics

The conclusion of an essay should bring the readers back into what the essay set out to prove and reemphasize the overall claim or statement (the thesis.)

Conclusions consist of the following:Rewording of thesis sentence in a new waySummary of body paragraph reasons/

reference to points made as proof of the thesis

Final thought or insight