Organizing an Academic Essay

IntroductionWhat is an essay ?

An essay is a piece of writing that usually has five or moreparagraphs. An essay is written about one topic that hasseveral main points. The main points are introduced in anintroductory paragraph and supported in bodyparagraphs. The conclusion is the last paragraph.EssayIntroduction_____________Body Paragraph 1_____________Body Paragraph 2_____________Body Paragraph 3_____________Conclusion_____________

Term 1112 Ms.Fatema K.Parts of an EssayAn IntroductionAn introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in an essay. It contains two parts.1. General Statements: a few sentences about your subject that catch the attention of your reader.2. A Thesis Statement: one sentence that tells your reader the main points of your topic and states the overall plan of your essay.

Term 1113 Ms.Fatema K.Example

An IntroductionGeneral StatementsThesis StatementMetropolitan City is full of charm and scenic beauty, so visitorsfrom around the world come to enjoy its famous theaters,museums,countless ethnic restaurants, and scenic wonders. AlthoughMetropolitan City seems like a paradise, it isnt. The city hasseveral serious problems: poor public transportation, congestedstreets, and expensive housing (Hogue, A. & Oshima, A., 1991, p. 92).

ENG 101/Term 1116 Ms.Fatema K.An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no matter what. You may be writing an essay to argue for a particular point of view or to explain the steps necessary to complete a task. Either way, your essay will have the same basic format.IntroductionThe introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus.It sets the tone for the essay , letting the reader know if the paper will be light and humorous or serious or sarcastic.The introduction should invite the reader to read the essay.The introduction will include the thesis statement ; which lets the reader know what the paper will be about.

Eng 101/Term 1114Ms.Fatema K.Types of introduction :1. Funnel :It is also called the inverted pyramid.It is the easiest approach to use.The first sentence is broad and generalWords are usually used in this sentence that are repeated in the thesis statement.Each sentence in the introduction narrows a little more to the last sentence , which is the thesis.

Thesis Statement

Eng 1015Ms.Fatema K.2. Turn about :This strategy involves starting with the idea, belief or opinion that is opposite of your own claim or thesis. You first present the opposite party's opinion, the turn about with a "but or however", and present your own point of view. This strategy is especially useful in argumentation.

7 Ms.Fatema K.An example :"Reproduction is something that is in the nature of human beings. Giving birth to children, bringing them up and when they get older looking forwardto them having children are all built in wishes and expectations of almost everybody. But in a limited environment, humans cannot keep expanding their population. There must be some ways to control the population." (Gamze Gumuslu, Adv 2003)

8 3. Dramatic Entrance ; As your writing skills improve, you should strive not only for sentence variety but also for variety in essay opening.A dramatic , humorous or otherwise interesting opening will generate interest in the reader.The type of introduction that serves this purpose is the Dramatic Entrance.

Eng 1019Ms.Fatema K.Parts of an EssayBody ParagraphsThe body consists of one or more paragraphs following theintroduction. Each paragraph supports the main idea ofyour essay by breaking it down into smaller ideas or sub-topics. Each body paragraph consists of a topic sentenceand several supporting sentences. A conclusion sentencedraws the paragraph together.

Body Paragraph 1Body Paragraph 2Body Paragraph 3Introduction

ENG 10110 Ms.Fatema K.Parts of an EssayConclusion The conclusion paragraph is the last paragraph in the essay. Itcompletes the essay by summarizing or repeating the mostimportant ideas. The conclusion can also include an opinion, aprediction, or a solution to a problem.

Body Paragraph 1IntroductionConclusionBody Paragraph 2Body Paragraph 3

ENG 10111 Ms.Fatema K.Example

Body ParagraphTopic SentenceSupporting SentencesConcluding SentenceThe first and most important problem is Metropolitan Citys inadequatepublic transportation system. Thousands of residents rely on the citys busesand streetcars to travel throughout this large city, but Metro TransportationSystems daily schedules are totally unreliable. A bus or streetcar that shouldarrive at 7:45 may not arrive until 8:00 or later. Moreover, it is not unusualfor a bus driver to pass up groups of people waiting for the bus, because hewants to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, people often end up going towork late or missing important appointments. In order for people to get totheir destinations on time, people must allow for waiting time at the bus andstreetcar stops (Hogue, A. & Oshima, A., 1991, p. 79).

ENG 10112 Ms.Fatema K.Example

ConclusionSummary of Main IdeasPredictionIn conclusion, Metropolitan City must improve its public transit system,clear up the massive traffic jams caused by slow-moving traffic in thedowntown areas, and keep rentals down to affordable levels. In other words,Metropolitan City must improve its image, or it will soon become just anothermediocre city due to the lack of administrative responsibility to solve theseunfortunate problems(Hogue, A. & Oshima, A., 1991, p. 79).

ENG 10113 Ms.Fatema K.Overview of an EssayBody ParagraphsSupport the main ideas of the thesis statementBegin with topic sentences

IntroductionGeneral statements and information about the topicThesis statement- lists the main ideas in the essayConclusionBrief summary of main points of the essayBody Paragraph 1Body Paragraph 2Body Paragraph 3

ENG 101/TERM 11114 Ms.Fatema K.