Choosing a topic is important and can be the hardest part
of an essay. Here are a few helpful tips:

Understand your assignment

Choose something Interesting

Brainstorm ideas
• This is step 1. If you understand what the assignment is
asking, choosing a topic will come easier.
• You will find it easier to construct an essay if your Topic
is interesting. Try to pick something challenging and
meaningful so it will keep you motivated.
• List as many as you can so you have a variety to choose
from.
 Review background information
• Some topics may require pre-research. This
step will assure you that you will stay
interested throughout the writing process.
 Finalize your choice
• Narrow down your choices and pick what
interests you the most.
It is good to choose a topic based on your
strong traits in writing. Personal experiences
may helpful for choosing a topic, but should
be minimized when conducting supporting
paragraphs.
Intro
-Attention Getter
-Thesis
Body Paragraph(s)
-Attention Getter/ Transition
-Supporting Facts
-Supporting Facts
-Supporting Facts
-Conclusion/ Transition
Conclusion
-Restate Thesis
Quote to Remember
“Tell them what you are going to tell
them,
Tell them,
Them them what you told them”
-Professor Joseph Stoltz
What is a thesis’s purpose?
A thesis statement affirms your claims and what you aim to prove.
A thesis statement is usually in the first paragraph and should be very specific!
A thesis statement can and probably will change as your writing evolves.
How to form a thesis
In order for a STRONG thesis statement, there must be a lot of thought and
research to compose a valid claim.
When you begin, you will have a “working thesis” because as you think and write
it will change.
Your thesis should be able to be supported with evidence to make your
argument stronger.
A great thesis clearly states what you believe and plan on proving.
Why body paragraphs are so
important...
They
are key to arguing the truth behind the thesis.
Considered the “meat” of an essay
With proper organization, they engage the reader
into believing the stated thesis
A perfect place to include researched sources
Introduction/ Transition Statement
Evidence supporting argument
Evidence supporting argument
Evidence supporting argument
Conclusion/ Transition
The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It lets your audience know
that you accomplished what you were trying to explain. Here are tips to
consider:

Restate your Thesis Statement

Summarize your essay

DO NOT bring up new ideas

Closing Statement
• Your Thesis Statement is the core of your essay and should be restated just
incase your reader forgets your argument.
• Briefly explain main/important points from your body paragraphs. It will
refresh the memory and help the reader remember your explanations.
• New ideas will confuse your reader. Your Ideas should have already been
stated in your body paragraphs.
• This part is important because you want to make sure that once you conclude
your essay, your reader leaves still interested about your topic.
The conclusion is the opposite of your introduction but they also share the
same points. You may find it helpful to use points from your introduction, but
to make sure to reword your explanation so there is no repetition.
Why
use sources?
 Avoid Plagiarism.
Plagiarism is taking credit for work that is not your own
idea.
 When you write papers in College, your work is held to
the same standards of citation as the work of your
professors (Harvard).
The person who did the work before you deserves the credit
for the work they did.
 Citing your sources enables your reader to dig deeper into
the topic to find more information
Establish credibility and authority in your
topic

How to Cite your sources?
Depending on your class, your teacher may suggest a
number of different formats. Popular formats include –
APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian.
Helpful website that displays the various styles with
examples - http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/
Most citations should include the basic information such
as: Title, author name, publication date (Writing Lab)

Creating a Citation and Works Cited Page
The body of the paper needs to have a citation that comes
after the thought or quote. Even when you summarize or
paraphrase a fact. The style is dependant upon the format
the paper is holding to.
Be consistent with the format (don’t change mid project).