Structuring your essay

English 104

Introduction• One paragraph (for shorter essays)• Gives the reader general information about

your topic, such as background• Leads to the thesis statement

IntroductionExample:

At the 2011 TED Global convention, Mark Pagel, professor at the University of Reading and head of the Evolution Laboratory, presented an interesting theory regarding the impact of language on humans as a species. Pagel states that language is unique to humans and the defining factor in our evolutionary success. Although Pagel makes a convincing case regarding language’s transformative power, his logic is flawed since it is confined to verbal language; it is not verbal language but written language that has enabled the technological growth of the human species.

Main BodyIn the body of your essay, you should:

Explore your thesis in-depthAvoid simply repeating your thesis without elaborating

Clarify and define any vague terminologyProvide concrete supporting evidence from

credible sourcesInclude quotations and citationsDiscuss quotations and how they relate to your

thesis statement and support your argumentAssume your reader has already read/watched

the material Avoid simply summarizing the text

Main Body Example:

Thesis: Although Pagel makes a convincing case regarding language’s transformative power, his logic is flawed since it is confined to verbal language; it is not verbal language but written language that has enabled the technological growth of the human species.

It is true that humans are a uniquely successful species. No other species has acquired the same level of technological growth. As Pagel says, “the world has changed out of all proportion to what we would recognize even 1,000 or 2,000 years ago. And all of this because of cumulative cultural adaptation. The chairs you’re sitting in, the lights in this auditorium, my microphone […] all are a result of cumulative cultural adaptation.” Thesis statement is expanded upon ‘Success’ is defined as technological growth A quotation is provided showing a point of agreement with the

speaker, Mark Pagel

Main Body Example:

Thesis: Although Pagel makes a convincing case regarding language’s transformative power, his logic is flawed since it is confined to verbal language; it is not verbal language but written language that has enabled the technological growth of the human species.

Pagel, however, states that ‘cumulative cultural adaptation,’ i.e. the ability to learn from others and to build on their ideas, is a uniquely human ability resulting from language; Pagel says, “Once we have language, we can put our ideas together and cooperate to have a prosperity that we couldn’t have before we acquired it. And this is why our species has prospered around the world while the rest of the animals sit behind bars in zoos, languishing. That’s why we build space shuttles and cathedrals while the rest of the world sticks sticks into the ground to extract termites.” A statement about the speech is supported using a direct quotation. Always support a paraphrase with an in-text citation or direct quotation

Main Body Example:

Thesis: Although Pagel makes a convincing case regarding language’s transformative power, his logic is flawed since it is confined to verbal language; it is not verbal language but written language that has enabled the technological growth of the human species.

Pagel defines ‘language’ as verbal language. Pagel states, “your language relies on pulses, discrete pulses of sound […] we know that there are words we cannot use, phrases we cannot say, because if we do so, we might be accosted, jailed, or even killed. And all this from a puff of air emanating from our mouths.” His discussion of language is confined to the verbal, for language is ‘pulses of sound’ and ‘a puff of air emanating from our mouths.’ Even at the end of the speech, language is still confined to the verbal, for Pagel speaks of it in terms of “fine motor control of their mouths.” ‘Verbal language’ from the thesis statement is explored

further and supported with direct quotations from the speech

The quotations’ relation to the topic is clarified

Main Body Example:

Thesis: Although Pagel makes a convincing case regarding language’s transformative power, his logic is flawed since it is confined to verbal language; it is not verbal language but written language that has enabled the technological growth of the human species.

While other species may not have human language, all species have a method of verbal or visual communication, which can even be similar to human verbal language. For example, studies show that “dolphin whistle repertoires contain higher-order internal structure or organizational complexity. This suggests their whistle ‘language’ contains elements loosely analogous to grammar or syntax in human language” (Dorminey). Verbal communication, then, is not a uniquely human gift as Pagel claims. However, written communication is specific to humanity. Nowhere does Pagel discuss written language, when it is in fact written language that has enabled cumulative cultural adaptation to span generations, ultimately allowing each generation to improve upon the ideas of their ancestors. Claim is supported using specific, quoted exampleConclusion is drawnPaper moves on to discuss written communication

ConclusionBrings the essay to a feeling of closureSummarizes the main points of your paper

Tip: After finishing the first draft of your essay, you may wish to go back and refine your thesis statement to make sure it fits with your overall paper.

Common StructureClassical Oration

Introduction/BackgroundGains readers’ interestPresents relevant informationStates your claim (thesis)

Lines of ArgumentPresents valid, logical reasons supporting your claim

Alternative ArgumentsExamines alternative points of viewNotes the advantages and disadvantages of these

viewsExplains why your view is better than others

ConclusionSummarizes the argumentElaborates on the implications of your claim

Common StructureClassical Oration

Used by ancient Greeks and RomansLets readers/listeners know what your

subject is, how you intend to cover it, and what evidence you have to offer

Not every argument will follow this structure or include all the componentsHowever, many arguments will resemble the

classical oration and include some of the elements

Alternative StructuresToulmin Argument

Components:Claim: the argument you wish to proveQualifiers: any limits you place on your claimReasons/Evidence: support for your claimWarrants: underlying assumptions that support

your claimBacking: evidence for warrant

Thinking about the above will help you to come up with ideas when structuring your essay, and also help you to examine the arguments of others

Alternative StructuresRogerian Argument

Introduction: describe the issue showing understanding and respect for alternative positions

Contexts: describe contexts in which alternative positions may be valid

Your position: state your position on the issue and present the circumstances in which your opinion would be valid

Benefits to opponent: explain to opponents the benefits of adopting your position

Alternative StructuresRogerian and Invitational Arguments

Non-confrontationalWillingness to think about opposing positions and

their validityAim is to work together to resolve a dispute and

arrive at a greater understanding, rather than to ‘win’ the argument

Emphasis is on respect for the opposition and mutual communication

Strives for connection, collaboration, and conversation

Good for peer-review sessions and group discussions

Useful when structuring your own arguments to learn opposing positions accurately and to understand your opponents’ points of view

Works CitedDorminey, Bruce. “Researchers Closer to Decoding Dolphin

Speak.” Forbes. Forbes Media, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 19 Dec. 2014.

Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters.

Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 6th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print.

Pagel, Mark. “How Language Transformed Humanity.”

TEDGlobal. Edinburgh International Conference Center, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. 13 Jul. 2011. Conference Presentation.