The Several-Paragraph Essay
Example Essay
Part 1: The Several-Paragraph
Essay
• You will be writing in a form sometimes
called the Thesis-Support Essay.
Thesis Statement
• A thesis statement must
– State the main idea or point of the whole
paper
– Be a statement, not a question or command
– Be a complete thought
– Not be too broad or too narrow
– Not be an announcement
– State one idea, not two or three
The Structure of a SeveralParagraph Essay
Introductory paragraph
First supporting paragraph:
Topic sentence and supporting sentences
Second supporting paragraph:
Topic sentence and supporting sentences
Third supporting paragraph:
Topic sentence and supporting sentences
Concluding paragraph
First Paragraph; Introductory
Paragraph: Parts
• Introductory Material
(optional)
– Background
– Other introductory
strategy
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anecdote
Detail
Quotation
Rhetorical question
Generalization
Definition
Thesis Statement (required)
• Note: only the thesis
statement is
absolutely required
Plan of Development (optional)
My mom is a generous person. She is
generous at home, at work, and at
church.
OR: My mom is a generous person at
home, at work, and at church.
Second Paragraph; First
Supporting Paragraph
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences: details, examples, explanations
Two Parts: 1. topic sentence
• Main idea of this supporting paragraph
• Must support thesis statement idea
• Must be placed as the first sentence in the
paragraph
2. Supporting sentences
• Details, examples, and facts that support
or prove the topic sentence idea
• Must be at least three sentences of
support
Third Paragraph; Second
Supporting Paragraph
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences: details, examples, explanations
You must have at least two supporting paragraphs for an essay!
Fourth Paragraph; Third Supporting
Paragraph
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences: details, examples, explanations
Fifth Paragraph; Concluding
Paragraph
• Summary
• Restatement of Thesis Statement
• Concluding Thoughts (various strategies
are possible)
Note: You do not have to use all three of the
elements listed here in your conclusion.
There is no set length for a concluding
paragraph!
Outline of the Several-Paragraph
Essay
•
Introductory Paragraph
– Introductory Material
– Thesis Statement
– Plan of Development
•
First Supporting Paragraph
– Topic Sentence
– Support
•
Second Supporting Paragraph
– Topic Sentence
– Support
•
Third Supporting Paragraph
– Topic Sentence
– Support
•
Concluding Paragraph
– Summary
– Restatement of Thesis Statement
– Concluding Thoughts
• Unified
• Flexible
A Different Kind of Paragraph
• The introductory and concluding
paragraphs are actually a new kind of
paragraph.
• They do not contain supporting detail!
• Instead, they are transitional paragraphs,
designed to get you into the paper
(introductory paragraph) and then out of it
(concluding paragraph).