Basic Essay
Structure
Central
Idea
The central idea is the
focus of any type of
composition. It states
what you are going to
prove.
A central idea
should be
opinion-based.
(Why argue a fact?)
In a composition, the
central idea should
appear in the
introduction after you
have attracted the
reader’s attention.
Ideally, the central idea
should appear in the
middle of the
introductory paragraph.
State the central
idea in one
complete
sentence.
Sample Central Idea:
Harlan High School
should strengthen its
academic expectations.
Thesis
Statement
The thesis states how you
are going to prove your
central idea or the
reasons for the opinion in
your central idea.
You must make a
reference (a hook) to
your central idea in your
thesis; however, do
NOT quote directly
from the central idea.
The points you will use to
prove your central idea
must be stated in your
thesis in the order you will
present them.
The three points in the
thesis should also be in
parallel structure.
The thesis statement
should be the last
sentence of your
introduction.
Sample Thesis:
To improve academic achievement,
Harlan High School should expect
more not only from students, but
also from the teachers and
administrators.
The paragraph is a series of sentences
developing
one topic.
The Topic Sentence
• The topic of a paragraph is
stated in one sentence. This is
called the topic sentence.
The rest of the paragraph consists
of sentences that develop or
explain the main idea.
•
Through the centuries rats have
managed to survive all our efforts to
destroy them. We have poisoned
them and trapped them. We have
fumigated, flooded, and burned
them. We have tried germ warfare.
Some rats even survived atomic
bomb tests conducted on Entwetok
atoll in the Pacific after World War
II. In spite of all our efforts, these
enemies of ours continue to prove
that they are the most indestructible
of pests.
Developing a Paragraph
COMMENTARY
Each detail sentence should be
accompanied by commentary.
Commentary is your explanation of
how a specific detail supports the
central idea.
When you write commentary,
you are “commenting on” a point
you have made.
Synonyms for commentary include
Analysis
Interpretation
Insight
Evaluation
Explication
Discussion
Speculation
Commentary is a difficult
skill to master because all the
opinions and interpretations
must come from you. Teachers
cannot supply the information
you will need to write
commentary. It is up to you
think of some original,
individual statements to make
about your details and
examples.
NO COMMENTARY
Driving in the fog to Sacramento was a
frightening experience. No signs were visible from the
freeway, so I couldn’t see if there were any gas stations
nearby to fill my near-empty tank. In addition, it was
12:00 noon, and the fog was so thick that I couldn’t
read the exit sign until I started passing them. To
make matters worse, a police car suddenly appeared
ahead and drove at forty miles per hour for the next
thirty minutes, and none of us were allowed to pass
him. When I finally reached Sacramento that day, a
great sense of relief permeated my body and mind.
COMMENTARY
Driving in the fog to Sacramento was a
frightening experience. No signs were visible from the
freeway, so I couldn’t see if there were any gas stations
nearby to fill my near-empty tank. I panicked at the
thought of being stranded alone in a strange place. I
kept hoping to see a station materialize in the fog and
couldn’t make up my mind what to do.In addition, it
was 12:00 noon, and the fog was so thick that I
couldn’t read the exit sign until I started passing
them. I realized I had driven on for hours, dreading
the never-ending blurring lines on the horizon. I had
been expecting the weather to lift suddenly and let
me get back on schedule.To make matters worse, a
police car suddenly appeared ahead and drove at
forty miles per hour for the next thirty minutes, and
none of us were allowed to pass him. It was as
though an invisible force field had been thrown up
behind the patrol car. No one felt brave enough to
dare going around him, and so we sulked behind him
for what seemed like hours. When I finally reached
Sacramento that day, a great sense of relief
permeated my body and mind.
No Commentary
Saturday morning cartoons are often criticized by
public officials because of their violence and themes.
Critics complain about coyotes jumping off cliffs, of dogs
and cats blackening each other’s eyes, and Martians
spying on earth and making plans to destroy it. These
same animals battle over birds, carrots, or the right to a
hole in the ground. Finally, when the fights are over, the
most violent person often gets food, toys, or candy as a
reward. Children’s programming needs to be changed to
avoid the messages that do nothing but harm those who
watch them every week.
Commentary
Saturday morning cartoons are often criticized by
public officials because of their violence and themes.
Critics complain about coyotes jumping off cliffs, of dogs
and cats blackening each other’s eyes, and Martians
spying on earth and making plans to destroy it. This
violence may be realistic, but there is no accompanying
realistic blood, pain, or mutilation. These scenes
emphasize destruction and winning through physical harm
to others. These same animals battle over birds, carrots, or
the right to a hole in the ground. The theme of these
actions - - greed and selfishness - - is not appropriate for
young children. The wrong values are encouraged and
children do not see any examples of peaceful resolution
to problems. Finally, when the fights are over, the most
violent person often gets food, toys, or candy as a
reward. The idea that showing greed or inflicting pain is
rewarded in any way, large or small, is a subtly
distasteful message. If children see this behavior being
successful on television, they have no reason not to try it
themselves. Children’s programming needs to be
changed to avoid the messages that do nothing but harm
those who watch them every week.
Unity in the Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.
The concluding or
clincher sentence
• Restate the topic sentence in different words.
• A clincher sentence or concluding sentence
clinches the point made in the paragraph.
• It summarizes the paragraph.
Coherence in a Paragraph
• Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear
and logical relation to each other.
• Put details or examples or
incidents in logical order.
chronological
in relation to each other
in order of importance
4
3
2
1
Connecting Sentences
Within the Paragraph
chronological
order
Transition words
objects in relation to
one another
in order of
importance
first
next to
however
meanwhile
in front of
furthermore
later
beside
as a result
afterwards
between
in fact
finally
behind
yet
Types of Paragraphs
• The narrative paragraph
• tells a story
• The persuasive paragraph.
• tries to convince the audience
• The descriptive paragraph
• describes something
• The expository or explanatory paragraph
• gives information or explains something
Writing
Conclusions
WRITING
CONCLUSIONS
A conclusion provides a thoughtful end to
a piece of writing; unfortunately, many
conclusions are little more than
summaries of what has already been said.
One of the first things a reader remembers
after having read a piece of writing is the last
words the writer uses. For that reason, a
writer should understand and take advantage
of the power of an effective conclusion.
Effective conclusions are particularly
important in persuasive essays since they are
the last chance the writer has to convince the
reader. The following is a collection of
suggestions for writing effective conclusions.
Use a summary statement rather than phrases like
the following: "In summary...," "To conclude...,"
"To summarize...," or "In closing...." These are too
obvious and vague to be effective. Use a transitional
phrase which summarizes a point in your essay
instead.
A sample summary statement is as follows: "As we
have seen, poverty is a known contributor to crime;
therefore, it should not be discounted when
considering ways to prevent crime."
Avoid:
* Ending with a rephrased thesis
statement that contains no
substantive changes.
* Introducing a new idea or
subtopic (although you may end
with a provocative question).
* Focusing on a minor point in
the essay.
*
Concluding with a sentence
tacked on to your final point.
*
Apologizing for your view by saying
such things as "I may not be an expert"
or "At least this is my opinion."
*
Attempting to make up for an
incomplete structure. (If you say you
will discuss four books, but only
attempt a complete discussion of two
books, do not try to cover the
remaining texts in a concluding
paragraph. In such a situation, it's best
to limit your paper to topics you can
realistically cover.)
REMEMBER:
Your conclusion should be analytical and
insightful.
DO NOT REGURGITATE on your reader by
repeating yourself.