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If you know how to write a good paragraph, you can write a good essay. An essay is nothing more than a series of paragraphs. Basically, the same rules apply with minor alterations. You have to think, plan, organize, write a sloppy copy, read and revise, and write your final copy. Reread the points for paragraph writing. Now don’t you feel confident!
Some students like to view the five paragraph essay as if it were a Big Mac!
The bun is the introduction and the conclusion, which acts as the framework for the Mickey D’s special! The chopped meat, tomato and lettuce are the body where all the flavor and good taste are. Think of the five paragraph essay this way and maybe it will be more enjoyable to write!
The classic essay is the five paragraph essay. It has three basic parts:
THE THREE MAIN PARTS OF AN ESSAY |
INTRODUCTION |
Presents the main point in a thesis statement with three supports. |
BODY |
Presents support (subtopics) of the thesis statement; usually three paragraphs. Each paragraph is an expansion of the three supports. |
CONCLUSION |
Wraps up the essay with a reminder of the thesis statement |
Outline for the five paragraph essay.
INTRODUCTORY PARARAPH
General Topic Sentence:
1. Support One:
2. Support Two:
3. Support Three:
Transition
FIRST SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH
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SECOND SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH
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THIRD SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH |
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Repeat Support One and give details and/or explanations |
Repeat Support Two and give details and/or explanations
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Repeat Support Three and give details and/or explanations |
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Transitions |
Transitions |
Transition |
CONCLUSION
Rephrase the main topic by synthesis or summary; include the supports too. Do not simply restate the thesis; this is boring. Try to be original.
HINTS:
Introduction:
- Entice the reader; set the tone for the essay
- Make sure your supports are good and solid
- Write in the active voice; it is more interesting
- Vary you sentence structure; use different patterns for interest
- Be clear and concise
Body:
- Write three paragraphs; use each support as the basis for one paragraph
- Make sure each of the body paragraphs has a topic sentence that reflects one of the supports
- You may include the transition in the topic sentence
- Use strong details or explanations to flesh out your supports
- As in the introduction, vary sentence structure and write in the active voice; active verbs are generally more descriptive
- Make sure each supporting paragraph in the body has a concluding sentence
Conclusion:
- Summarize your essay
- Try to be original here
- Do not introduce new material
- Make this conclusion as powerful as you can
- Vary sentence structure for interest
- Somehow include your thesis and supports
ESSAYS ON EXAMS
If you have mastered the skill of essay writing, you will do well on essay questions on exams. However, the most critical factor in doing well on essay exams is in answering the question. This sounds simplistic; but, it is the major reason why students do poorly on essay exam questions. Teachers always say: “Read the question; read the question; read the question!”
Essay Exam questions must be read with a pen in hand. Students must underline key words in the question to make sure they understand what the question asks. They must also make sure they are answering all parts. The question must be read a few times to make sure it is understood by the student. The question often has clues as to how the answer is to be framed.
Answer essay test questions using the three step writing process. Keep the following ideas in mind when you proceed with the essay question.
- Pre-Writing:
- Read the question to know exactly what topic has been identified
- Analyze the terminology used in the question so that you know exactly what the question calls for
- Remember the following definitions:
Discuss |
Answer fully, give major & minor supports |
Explain |
Make clear, clarify |
Sketch |
Mention only important points |
Analyze |
Break down the topic into all its parts |
Classify |
Group according to relationship, categorize |
Summarize |
To be brief, but state all the important ideas |
Define or Identify |
Be specific in distinguishing all characteristics of the idea, word, term, person, etc. |
Enumerate |
List briefly |
Illustrate |
Give examples to show that the concept or idea is understood |
Compare |
Show similarities |
Compare/Contrast |
Show relative importance (if several) or the importance (if only one) |
- Jot down all the ideas or thoughts you have on the subject
- Begin to plan your answer
- Think about how the pieces of information relate
- Think about a purpose or central idea thesis for the answer
- Think about any specific techniques or method of development that would help organize the information in relationship to the question
- Make a rough outline, while being aware of time limits imposed by the teacher or testing period
2. Composing:
………………Formulate you topic sentence or introductory paragraph
- The topic sentence or introduction may often restate the question itself. For example, the question, “What were three major causes of the Civil War? may lead to the topic sentence, “There were three major causes of the Civil War.” On the other hand, the question may require more than simply restating the question. In any case, when you have the topic sentence, re-read the question to see that your topic sentence addresses the requirements of the question.
- Make sure your introductory covers all the information you wish to discuss
- Write the introductory paragraph
…………… Develop supports
- Refer to jot lists and/or outlines
- Develop sentences which support you main idea
- Always keep the questions and topic sentence in mind
…………… Write a concluding paragraph
3. Post Writing:
- Pretend you are another person and re-read your answer
- Check to see if your ideas are stated clearly and accurately
- Check for correct spelling, capitalization and punctuation
- Insert corrections and additions and delete the unnecessary.
- Make all changes as neat as possible
- Cross through with one line and write above the crossed out material
- Be sure the final product states the intended response and fulfills all the requirements of the question
Use the chart below to help you determine what information the question requires.
WHAT IS THE QUESTION ASKING
KIND OF QUESTION |
WORD CLUES |
Compare |
Compare, similarities, resemblances, likenesses |
Contrast |
Different, differ, contrast |
Define |
Explain |
Describe |
Describe |
Diagram |
Draw, chart, sketch, diagram |
Discuss |
Explain, tell, discuss |
Explain |
Explain, why, how, what |
Illustrate |
Show, illustrate |
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