Essay Guide
(tips for avoiding common problems)
1. Introduction

Somewhere in the introduction you identify the story and the author.

Orient the reader to your topic. Talk generally about your topic: the importance, relate it to
life, tie it back to an opening quote, etc.

Do NOT begin your paper by explaining your thesis (or arguing your claim) “No stems in the
intro” In other words, only mention the points of your bubble map in the body paragraphs.

Do NOT open with your thesis statement. Use a hook instead. Put your thesis in the last line
of the paragraph.
2. Topic sentences

Most importantly, be sure that your topic sentences support your thesis. Be sure that each one
focuses clearly on the thesis. Otherwise, your FOCUS grade will go down the toilet.

Be precise in your thinking and your writing. Make sure you take the time to word your
topic sentences to say what you really mean. This is the worst place in the entire essay to be
sloppy or lazy.

They should be short as possible within reason. This helps you maintain focus. You can
always explain more later on in the paragraph.

Starting with a bubble map is VERY helpful.

Make sure your topic sentences are not too narrow and not too broad. Too narrow and you
limit what you can talk about. Too general you can’t adequately cover the topic.

Do not use an example as a topic sentence. Examples support ideas, not the other way around.
Not: Bob was virtuous in the cafe. Instead: Bob was virtuous because he cared for others. In
the café... (now use SSS)

Parallel structure is a fantastic way to do all of the above.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Mr. Smith is complex. (Bob cut the tree down to “see” better)
Mr. Smith is unethical. (Bob cut the tree down to defy the town)
Mr. Smith is misunderstood. (Bob cut the tree down to heal himself)
Mr. Smith is deceitful. (Bob cut the tree down to be become a man)
3. Citing textual evidence to support your topic sentences.

Sometimes you paraphrase from the text to support your topic sentence. In other words, you
explain what happened or what the author argued (in your own words). When you do this you
still need to cite the page number in parenthesis at the end of the paraphrase.

Sometimes you can choose a direct quote. Here is how to know what quotes to choose:
i. Choose a quote that requires some analysis; one that is not obvious.
ii. Choose a quote that is powerful or memorable.
“A rose by any other name is still a rose” is a better quote than “renounce thy name.”
The first quote requires analysis to explain what it means and it is more powerful,
interesting and memorable. It shows Juliet’s inner struggle and requires an inference to
understand. The second quote already says what you want to say: Juliet wants Romeo
to renounce his name. What can you write about? Nothing. All you can do is repeat
what is obvious.
State your topic
sentence, then:
1.
Use a
paraphrase
to support
2.
Use SSS to
support
3.
Use a
paraphrase
with an
imbedded 
quote to
support

Use SSS appropriately when citing textual evidence. Don’t drop a quote bomb. Orient the
reader. Give him the Speaker and Situation to introduce the quote. THEN you explain the
Significance
Sometimes “imbed” the quote into a sentence. Example: Scout was “too old to get in a fist
fight,” implying that she is a tough young lady, since she has apparently had a history of
fighting (5).
4. Focus clinchers
 Close each paragraph with a focus clincher. Frequently remind the reader what your topic
sentence is. Wrap up the paragraph and end it powerfully with a strong statement. Try to be
subtle (don’t repeat your topic sentence word for word), but make sure the reader is reminded
of your topic sentence.
5. Focus words
 Occasionally, without over doing it, use focus words throughout the paragraph to remind the
reader of the topic sentence (or thesis statement) For example, if your topic sentence is Atticus
was a wise man, occasionally use the word wise, or wisdom or even Scout’s sage.
6. Conclusion paragraph
 Begin with a restatement (a paraphrase) of your thesis. It’s quite okay to repeat your thesis,
word for word from the introduction. However, it generally sounds more professional to
rephrase it.

Next, summarize your topic sentences. Do NOT mechanically repeat them. You will lose a
point on the rubric. Say the same basic ideas, but in a different way. Or, lump them all
together in a few statements rather than individually one at a time. You could summarize them
by giving a different example from the text that summarizes them together.

End with a clincher. This should be a powerful last line.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
End with a “tieback” (this is the best technique and be used with all of the others
End with a quote (from the text or from life)
End with a strong statement
End with a challenge
End with a question