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What are the parts of an essay?
- Most writers think of essays as having three main parts:
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
- Each is made up of one or several paragraphs.
How do I write an introduction?
- The purpose of this section is to introduce the topic and why it matters, identify the specific focus of the paper, and indicate how the paper will be organized.
- Begin your introduction by telling readers what the general topic of the paper is.
- To keep from being too broad or vague, try to incorporate a keyword from your title in the first sentence.
- Explain why the topic matters. Why should we care?
- For example, you might tell readers that the issue is part of an important debate or provide a statistic explaining how many people are affected.
- Introduce key terms, theories, or texts that will be discussed throughout the paper.
- Defining your terms is particularly important if there are several possible meanings or interpretations of the term.
- State the main point of your paper, and tell us how you will support it.
- Try to frame this as a statement of your focus. This is also known as a purpose statement, thesis argument, or hypothesis.
How do I write the body of my essay?
- The purpose of this section is to provide information and arguments that follow logically from the main point you identified in your introduction.
- Identify the main ideas that support and develop your paper’s main point.
- Place these ideas in a logical order (e.g., by chronology or importance)
- For longer essays, you may be required to use subheadings to label your sections.
- Develop each idea in a paragraph or series of paragraphs. Not sure how to structure your paragraphs? Try this approach:
- Point: Provide a topic sentence that identifies the topic of the paragraph.
- Proof: Give evidence or examples that develop and explain the topic (e.g., these may come from your sources).
- Significance: Conclude the paragraph with sentence that tells the reader how your paragraph supports the main point of your essay.
How do I write the conclusion?
- The purpose of this section is to summarize the main points of the essay and identify the broader significance of the topic or issue.
- Remind the reader of the main point of your essay (without restating it word-for-word).
- Do one (or more) of the following:
- Summarize the key ideas that supported your main point. (Note: No new information or evidence should be introduced in the conclusion.)
- Suggest next steps, future research, or recommendations.
- Answer the question “Why should readers care?” (implications, significance).
How do I create a reference list?
- Find out what style guide you are required to follow (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and follow the guidelines to create a reference list (may be called a bibliography or works cited).
- Be sure to include citations in the text when you refer to sources within your essay.
How do I improve my essay?
- Read assignment instructions carefully and refer to them throughout the writing process.
- Pay close attention to “action” words used in the assignment description
- e.g., describe, evaluate, analyze, explain, argue, trace, outline, synthesize, compare, contrast, critique.
- Make an outline of your main sections before you write.
- For longer essays, you may find it helpful to work on a section at a time, approaching each section as a “mini-essay.”
- Make sure every paragraph, example, and sentence directly supports your main point.
- Avoid very short or very long paragraphs
- Aim for 5-8 sentences or ¾ page.
- Visit your instructor or TA during office hours to talk about your approach to the assignment.
- Leave yourself time to revise your essay before submitting.