ESSAY FORMAT: A General Guide on How to Write an Essay
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH(S) (1+ paragraphs):
 Hook the reader by using one or more of the following techniques:
 Any background information needed
 Define terms
 Statistics that may surprise your reader
 Quotations that relate to the main point
 An unusual fact
 A relevant anecdote (very short story)
NOTE: DO NOT discuss the ideas in your paper here. Why should we read the
paper if you’ve already told us what is in it??? The introduction is to make the
readers interested in reading! DO NOT refer to the assignment. Write your paper
as though the reader knows nothing about the assignment
THESIS STATEMENT – (usually last sentence in introduction paragraph)
 ONE sentence that tells what you will prove in the essay
(your main point - what the entire essay is about in one sentence!!).
 NOT a question
 Do not say “I will..” or “This essay is about…”
PARAGRAPHS (3+ body paragraphs)
 Each paragraph has a claim/point that proves your thesis
 Each paragraph has a topic sentence which tells what the paragraph is about – the claim
or point about the thesis - so the reader knows what to expect in the paragraph
 Each paragraph stays on the same point. To go to another point, start a new paragraph.
 Thoroughly develop each point before going on to another
 Back up your point with specific details and examples
 Use examples and quotes from the scholarly articles and books to prove your point
 Explain your examples well – don’t expect the reader to understand how the example
shows your point
 Examples and quotes are cited appropriately
 Use quotation marks around exact words of the author
 Cite exact author’s words
 Cite author’s IDEAS, even if you put them in your own words.
TRANSITIONS are used from
 one idea to another,
 from one paragraph to another,
 from one story to the other,
 from one comparison or contrast to the next.
 Transitions help the one idea flow into the next idea
 Transitions help the reader know what is coming next:
 Another point (also, in addition, next)
 An example (for example, for instance)
 A contrasting idea (however, on the other hand, in contrast)
 Showing similarity (similarly, likewise)
 Explanation (in other words, that is)
(See APA Manual Fifth Edition 2.01 paragraph 3 or APA Manual Sixth Edition 3.05 for
more transitions).
CONCLUSION (1 paragraph)
 Tie all the ideas together
 Summarize, but do it briefly and use new words – don’t just repeat yourself here
 End with
 a quotation,
 a question,
 a suggestion,
 a reference to the anecdote in the introduction,
 a humorous insightful comment,
 a call to action,
 a look to the future…
GENERAL REMINDERS: (Chapter 2 of APA Manual – 5th edition, Chapter 3 of 6th
edition)
 use complete sentences
 avoid using slang
 do not use contractions (isn’t, it’s, can’t, etc)
 use 3rd person only. avoid using I/we/us and you
 avoid sexist and biased language, especially when describing participants (see 3.123.16 – 6th edition)
 avoid using empty or meaningless words (make all words count)
 use correct punctuation (Chapter 4 – 6th edition)
 proofread as if you do not know anything about what you are reading or
about the assignment
 spell check