Writing an
Essay
Effective Writing
 Is focused on the topic and does not contain
extraneous or loosely related information.
 Has an organizational pattern that enables the
reader to follow the flow of ideas because it
contains a beginning, middle, and end and uses
transitional devices.
 Contains supporting ideas that are developed
through the use of details, examples, vivid
language, and mature word choice.
 Follows the conventions of standard written English
(i.e., punctuation, capitalization, and spelling) and
has variation in sentence structure.
Introduction
An introduction should entice your
reader to continue reading
Contents of an
Introduction
Attention Grabber/hook
Striking fact/statistic (curiosity)
Definition
Quotation
Humor (anecdote)
Rhetorical Question
Introduce your main points (typically each
point is a separate paragraph)
Thesis
Declares what you believe and what you intend to prove
Avoid announcing your intent in the thesis statement.
Phrases such as "I want, " "I plan," "I intend," or "this
paper is about" are overused and unnecessary.
Examples of Hooks
 Striking fact/statistic: In one year, 365 days, 256 people
were killed by toasters.
 Definition: A homograph is a word with two or more
pronunciations. Produce is one example.
 Quotation: True friendship comes when silence between two
people is comfortable, believes writer Dave Gentry.
 Humor/Anecdote: Yesterday morning I watched as my older
sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste
gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped
onto the bus.
 Rhetorical Question: Why me? Why am I always picked last
in gym class?
 Curiosity: A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. Some people might
find a deep and mysterious meaning in this fact.
Friendship
A dictionary contains a definition of
friendship somewhere in the Fs between the
words fear and Friday. An encyclopedia
supplies interesting facts on friendship. But all
the definitions and facts do not convey what
friendship is really all about. It cannot be
understood through words or exaggerations.
The only way to understand friendship is
through experience. It is an experience that
involves all the senses.
Cheating in America
Did you know that 7 out of 10
students have cheated at least once in
the past year? Did you know that 50
percent of those students have cheated
more than twice? These shocking
statistics are from a survey of 9,000
U.S. high school students.
Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2
Months?
The final bell rings. It’s the last day of
school, and summer has finally come!
Students don’t have to think about school for
at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way
it should always be. Schools should continue
using the traditional calendar and not a yearround schedule. There are numerous
downsides to year-round schooling. It has no
positive effects on education, it adds to costs,
and it disrupts the long-awaited summer
vacation.
Summer
Hi, my name is Jen and I’m going to
tell you why summer is my favorite
season. I like summer because it’s
warm, there’s no school, and I get to go
on a family vacation. Those are my
three reasons for summer being my
favorite season. Read on as I tell you
more.
Come up with a hook for
the following:
 Explain why you admire a particular
person.
 If you had to be an animal, which would
you be and why?
 Explain why some cities have a curfew for
teens.
 Describe three major stresses in a
teenager’s life.
Thesis
Declares what you believe and what you
intend to prove.
Avoid directly announcing your intent in
the thesis. Phrases such as “I want,” “I
plan,” “I intend,” or “this paper is
about” are over used and unnecessary.
statement. Phrases such as "I want, " "I
plan," "I intend," or "this paper is
about" are overused and unnecessary.
Theses
 Original Thesis: Many Americans are buying foreign
cars.
Revised Thesis: Many Americans are buying the Toyota
Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy,
and high resale value.
 Original Thesis: San Francisco is an interesting place to
visit.
Revised Thesis: San Francisco is a stimulating place to
visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and
art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.
Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph should:
Begin with a transition word or phrase
Focus on one topic
All body paragraphs should:
Flow in logical order
Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs should include
“beef” to enhance your paper
Cause and effect
Make connections (within the
paragraph or between different
paragraphs)
Transition Words
Sequencing words:








To start off
To kick it off
Primarily
First
Second
Third
Next
Then







Afterwards
In turn
Simultaneously
As a result
Consequently
Therefore
With this in mind
Transition Words
For continuing a thought:
To contrast a thought:
• Consequently
• Clearly
• Then
• Furthermore
• Additionally
• In addition
• Moreover
• In the same way
• Following this further
• Pursuing this further
• Similarly
• Likewise
• By the same token
• However
• On the other hand
• But
• Yet
• Nevertheless
• On the contrary
• Aside from
• Rather
• In contrast
Transition Words
Summarizing (conclusion):
After all
All in all
In short
In summary
To sum up
To summarize
Finally
Body Paragraphs and
Supporting Details
What would be your three main points for the
following topics?:
 Explain why you admire a particular person.
 If you had to be an animal, which would you
be and why?
 Explain why some cities have a curfew for
teens.
 Describe three major stresses in a teenager’s
life.
Conclusion
Wraps up the paper; provides a sense
of closure.
Echo the introduction -- the two should be
similar: they both mention the main points of
your paper
Include a zinger
Leave your reader with something to think about
Challenge the reader
 Encourage them to take action
Leave them with something to think about
 Don’t let the reader forget your essay
Pose a question
Conclusion
The concluding paragraph typically has two
parts:
1. The summary statement is one or two
sentences which restate the thesis in a
fresh way to reinforce the essay's main
idea.
2. The clincher is a final thought which
should create a lasting impression on the
Look at your thesisreader.
statement again and rework it in a new way. Avoid repeating key
words and phrases from the thesis statement because you don't want the summary
statement to sound boring or repetitive. Using a thesaurus is a good way to find new,
interesting words.
Connecting your Conclusion
with your Thesis
 Thesis Statement: Many Americans are buying the
Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel
economy, and high resale value.
Summary Statement: Reasonable pricing, low miles per
gallon, and an attractive resale value have all contributed
to the popularity of the Toyota Corolla in today's market.
 Thesis Statement: San Francisco is a stimulating place
to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters
and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.
Summary Statement: If you love beautiful surroundings,
world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then
San Francisco is the place for you.
Introduction
Body Paragraph
1
Body Paragraph
2
Supporting Details
Supporting Details
1
2
3
Conclusion
1
2
3
Body Paragraph
3
Supporting Details
1
2
3
What brings me happiness…
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love
what you are doing, you will be successful.” I couldn’t agree more with Herman Cain.
My personal happiness stems from many things. Three of the leading notions are my
family, random acts of kindness, and exercising.
Random acts of
kindness
Family
Always
there
for me
We have
a good
time
together.
I love
them
and they
love me.
Proves
there
are still
good
people
in the
world.
Makes
both
parties
feel
good.
“Pay it
forward”
Exercising
Makes me Healthier Gives me
good…
life!
something
endorphins.
to do
when I’m
bored.
Although my happiness is affected by many things, the three central things are the three that
play the biggest part in my everyday life. My family, random acts of kindness, and exercising
play a role in my life every day, and all of these things make me feel warm inside. Just
remember, every minute you spend upset, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.
Let’s create our own!
5 Paragraph Essay Graphic
Organizer