Writing an Essay
Weaving It Together: Book 3
What is an essay?
• An essay is a piece of writing that is several paragraphs
long.
• An essay is about one topic, just like a paragraph.
• Since its topic is broad, the essay is divided into
paragraphs, one for each major point.
• To tie all the parts together, an introduction is added to
the beginning and a conclusion to the end.
• And essay can be three, four, or five paragraphs long.
An essay has three parts:
1. An introduction (This is the first paragraph.)
2. A body (one, two, or more paragraphs) (These are
the middle paragraphs.)
3. A conclusion (This is the last paragraph.)
The Introduction
The introduction has two parts:
1. General statements:
•
These statements give the reader background information about
the topic of the essay.
2.
•
Thesis statement:
This statement introduces the main idea of the essay.
•
It is just like a topic sentence in a paragraph.
•
It states the main topic and tells what will be said in the body
paragraphs.
•
The thesis is usually the last sentence of the paragraph.
The introduction is the first paragraph of the essay.
The Body
• The body consists of one or more paragraphs.
• Each of these paragraphs has a topic sentence,
supporting details, and sometimes a concluding
sentence.
• The body paragraphs support whatever is
mentioned in the thesis statement.
• The body paragraphs are similar to the supporting
points of a paragraph.
The Conclusion
• The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay.
• It summarizes the main points discussed in the body
or restates the thesis in different words.
• It also leaves the reader with a final thought about
the topic.
Transition Words are used to
connect the paragraphs.
Some examples of transition words are…
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Therefore,
However,
Moreover,
Lastly,
Next,
Also,
Furthermore,
In addition to…
Similarly
For instance,
Especially,
Such as
As a result,
For example,
Above all,
Besides
In brief,
In short,
In conclusion,
In the meantime,
Soon,
Later
In summary
To summarize
Finally
Before
After
First, (Second, third, etc…)
Next, or The next step
Finally,… Lastly,…
Meanwhile
Three hours later
In the morning…
At 6 o’clock
1-More About the Thesis
Statement
• The essay is controlled by one main idea. This main
idea is called the thesis statement.
• The thesis statement is similar to the topic sentence
in the paragraph. It gives the controlling idea for
the whole essay.
• Each of the topic sentences in the body paragraphs
should relate to the thesis statement.
I
Essay Analysis
• Analyze the structure of an essay in Weaving It Together:
Book 3, p. 20 entitled “Superstitions in My Country.”
1. How many paragraphs does this essay have?
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Where is the thesis statement?
What is the thesis statement? Underline it.
What is the topic sentence for each of the body paragraphs?
Underline them.
What is the connection between the thesis statement and the
topic sentence for each of the body paragraphs?
How many body paragraphs does the essay have?
What does the conclusion do?
List the transition words in the essay.
2- More About the Thesis
Statement
It is important to remember these points about a thesis statement:
1. The thesis statement should be a complete sentence.
2. The thesis statement should express an opinion, an idea, or a belief. The thesis
statement is something you can argue about. It should not be a plain fact.
Example:
Not a thesis statement:
Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
Thesis statement:
The water in our homes may contain harmful chemicals.
2-More About the Thesis
Statement
cont’d
3. The thesis statement should not be a detail or an example.
Example:
Not a thesis statement:
In Hong Kong, number eight is lucky.
Thesis statement:
There are many superstitious beliefs about even numbers around the world.
4. The thesis statement may state or list how it will support and opinion.
Example:
Thesis statement:
Television has a bad influence on children.
Thesis statement:
There are many superstitious beliefs about even numbers around the world.
More About the
Introduction