Important Parts of an Essay

Mrs. West 9th Grade College English

Parts of an Essay
Introduction
Opening sentence attention grabber or hook Thesis statement Background information Topic sentence Analysis (commentary) Evidence (concrete detail) Transitioning thought

Body paragraph

Conclusion

Summary Reworded thesis statement Final thought/Insight *Now we will take a look closer at each part

Introduction
An introduction should: Capture the readers attention and keep it Set a tone and communicate information to help the reader understand the purpose of the paper. Provide general background information State a thesis which provides focus and direction for the readers. Indicate what is to follow in the body of the essay.

Whats in an Introduction?
An introduction should provide the readers with a reason to keep reading In addition to engaging readers interest, opening sentences contain background information *For example: an essay discussing the theme of a story will include background information, such as reference to the title and the author of the work being examined, as well as information about the characters that are relevant to the topic. Opening sentences lead toward the thesis, which is placed at the end of the introductory paragraph

What is a Thesis Statement?

Main idea statement that guides the essay A clearly worded statement of the views or ideas that a writer will confirm, declare, or prove in a paper. A thesis focuses the essay. Beyond defining the topic of a paper, the thesis should express an insight or position that is interesting and valuable enough to write about

How to Write a Thesis

The thesis statement has 3 main parts: Subject, Opinion, and the Body Paragraph Reasons Subject (S)-tells the reader exactly what the essay focuses on. Opinion (O)-gives the statement or insight about the subject. Body Paragraph Reasons (B1, B2, B3)-the authors 3 supports that will be shown in the essay (these are the 3 ideas you talk about in your body paragraphs)

Thesis Example
Tuesdays with Morrie (S) is a powerful story that teaches important life lessons (O) such as live life to the fullest (B1), money should not be the top priority in life (B2), and that a person must learn to die before they learn to live

Body
The body paragraphs develop a convincing case to prove and support the claim made in the thesis. The body of an essay explores the ideas relevant to the thesis (the 3 supports) In addition, the body of the essay must continuously remind readers of the thesis without simply repeating it.

Topic Sentence
The topic sentence of each paragraph of the body of an essay introduces an element of the thesis that will become the subject of the paragraph. Topic sentences start out each body paragraph Rather than simply repeating the thesis, strong topic sentences draw on it; they develop an aspect of the thesis that will be further expanded in the paragraph.

What to Include in the Body

3 supports (1 support for each body paragraphrelates back to thesis) Transitions Varying sentence structure

Evidence/Interpretation of Evidence
It is the responsibility of the writer to provide an interpretation for the reader. Each body paragraph should contain evidence and interpretation of evidence to develop some aspect of the thesis. Without using evidence and support is it impossible for an author to prove his/her thesis statement

Evidence/Interpretation of Evidence
The types of evidence that can be used to prove a writers point of view are limitless. Some of the types of evidence include:
Documented facts Quotations from text Details from text related to plot, character, setting, style Information from reference materials Ideas from critical sources First-hand observations of procedures, events, results of an experiment References to a work of art, music or performance References to familiar elements of culture, politics

Conclusion
The conclusion of an essay should bring the readers back into what the essay set out to prove and reemphasize the overall claim or statement (the thesis.) Conclusions consist of the following: Rewording of thesis sentence in a new way Summary of body paragraph reasons/ reference to points made as proof of the thesis