How to write an essay Essay Example for Free

How to write an essay Essay 1. An introduction-introducing the topic generally, and then identifying your main or controlling idea (the point of your essay, your view of the assigned topic statement). 2. Middle paragraphs that develop and support the controlling idea. Each paragraph gives a different point or argument supporting the thesis. One point per paragraph, and one paragraph per main point. Don’t forget to give good concrete examples with descriptive details, facts and arguments to support each of your arguments. Develop the paragraph fully and logically with these details, facts and arguments. 3. Conclusion-re-states the controlling idea, summarizes the supporting arguments and provides a closing statement. Title Your title should relate to your main topic to establish the focus of the essay. It should be concise and informative. Examples: â€Å"Reasons for the Fall of Rome† or â€Å"The Emancipation of the Tibetan Nation† The Introduction The introductory paragraph tries to interest the reader, name the subject of the paper, indicate what idea will be expressed about it, and perhaps show how it will be handled. There are many ways to begin an expository essay: Begin with a quotation. It may be directly or indirectly related to the subject. Begin with an interesting fact or statistic. Begin with a short anecdote or narrative. A short narrative is particularly effective for adding a touch of variety to an expository paper. Begin with a paradox. Begin with relevant background material. Background material should, however, be concise and clearly related to your thesis. Begin by stating a long-term effect or effects without immediately stating the cause. Begin with an analogy. Begin with a definition of a term that is important to your topic. This should not be a simple dictionary definition but an explanation of the term as it applies to your topic. The thesis statement A thesis statement alerts your reader to the main argument of the essay and prepares him or her, in a general way, for the content that is to follow. The statement should be brief; there is no point in supplying an outline of everything that a short paper is going to say. But the thesis statement should not merely announce the author’s general interests or plans. Examples: Preliminary thesis statement: I intend to discuss the reasons for the fall of Rome. Revised thesis statement: The major reason for the fall of Rome was bad economic policy. Preliminary thesis statement: I think that Tibet should be its own free nation. Revised thesis statement: Tibet should be its own free nation. Development Your development should have at least three points or arguments supporting your thesis. Each point should take up a whole paragraph. Paragraphs are composed of three elements: Topic sentence: This sentence presents in general terms the subject of the paragraph. The topic sentence may occur anywhere in the paragraph, but is generally the first sentence of the paragraph. Supporting sentences: These sentences form the body of the paragraph. The content of the supporting sentences comprises specific facts or specific arguments which demonstrate the validity of the generalizations presented in the topic sentence. Concluding sentence: This sentence concludes discussion of the point which is the topic of the paragraph and often makes possible the transition to the topic of the next paragraph.