When writing an essay, follow these eight basic steps:
- Select a topic:
Be sure the topic is narrow enough to make it manageable within the space of
an essay
- Write a thesis sentence:
Be sure the thesis statement(or sentence) expresses a controlling idea that is
neither too
broad nor too specific to be developed effectively
- Select a method of development:
Check through all the methods before you finally settle on the one which will
best serve your thesis:
| definition |
example |
| compare and contrast |
cause and effect |
| classification |
process analysis |
- Organize the essay:
Begin by listing the major divisions which the body paragraphs in your essay
will discuss; then fill in the primary supports that each body paragraph of
the essay will contain
- Write topic sentences for the body paragraphs of the essay:
For each body paragraph, furnish a topic sentence that directly relates to the
thesis sentence
- Write the body paragraphs of the essay:
Each body paragraph should develop the primary support covered in that
paragraph's topic sentence
- Furnish a paragraph of introduction:
An introductory paragraph should state the thesis of the essay, introduce the
divisions in the body paragraphs of the essay, gain the interest of the reader
- Write a paragraph of conclusion:
- Restate the thesis and divisions of the essay
- Bring the essay to an appropriate and effective close
- Avoid digressing into new issues
Source: Ida Masters Hollowell, James A. Levernier, A. Franklin
Parks, Structuring Paragraphs: A Guide to Effective Writing.
2nd ed. New York: St. Martin's,1986.
Website overview: Since 1996 the
Study Guides and Strategies web site
has been researched, authored, maintained and supported by
Joe Landsberger
as an international, learner-centric, educational public service. Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt,
and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners. Please be aware that the Guides welcome, and are under, continuous review and revision. For that reason, reproduction of all content on the Internet
can only be with permission through a licensed
agreement. No request to link to the Web site is necessary.
|
