WRITING
A CLOSER LOOK AT ACADEMIC ESSAYS
The Introduction
Every essay needs an introduction. The role of an introduction is to make the
reader want to read. It also tells the readers some background on the subject,
exactly what the essay is about, and what will be discussed.
An introduction is made up of several parts.
– A Hook – the first few sentences need to catch the attention of the
reader. This could be interesting information about the topic or
something controversial.
– A narrowing of the topic – this shows the reader how the author got to
a particular specific part of a more general topic.
– A Thesis Statement – expressing the theme of the essay (and the
specific points that will be used to support it – optional)
The Hook
There are several ways to write an effective hook so that your introduction
attracts the attention of the reader.
– Factual statements or historical background
– A brief description
– The narration of an incident
– A question
– A shared experience
Match the sample hooks with their types
1.
Factual statement or
historical background
D
2.
A brief description
E
3.
The narration of an
incident
A
4.
A question
B
5.
A shared experience
C
A. A sudden noise from outside
made me notice something
strange in the garden …
B. Have you ever imagined yourself
as the prime minister of this
country?
C. For university students, English is
one of the most difficult
languages to learn.
D. 35% of people over the age of 40
are dissatisfied with their
appearance.
E. I would love to be in a room
decorated with hundreds of
roses in many different colors.
The following introductory paragraph is written in the wrong
order. Work out the correct order for the sentences.
(1) Unfortunately, many people can’t look as good as they should
because they are unable to do what is needed. (2) If married and in a
relationship people want to look great to family and friends. (3) There are
three simple ways to achieve a perfect body: exercise, eat healthy and
plastic surgery. (4) It’s a fact that every person, regardless of culture,
want to look fantastic to other people. (5) If a person is single then they
want to look sexy, fashionable, and stylish to attract a mate.
The following introductory paragraph is written in the wrong
order. Work out the correct order for the sentences.
General
4
5 or 2
2 or 5
1
3
- (any person, any culture, look good)
- (single person, attract mate, look good)
- (married person, stay looking good)
- (people cannot do this – not easy to do)
- (three simple ways to do)
Specific
(4) It’s a fact that every person, regardless of culture, want to look
fantastic to other people. (5) If a person is single then they want to look
sexy, fashionable, and stylish to attract a mate. (2) If married and in a
relationship people want to look great to family and friends. (1)
Unfortunately, many people can’t look as good as they should because
they are unable to do what is needed. (3) There are three simple ways to
achieve a perfect body: exercise, eat healthy and plastic surgery.
Extra Topic Introduction – The Handshake
General statement
General culture – Greetings
Narrower statement
Greeting examples – Bow or shake hands
Narrower statement
English culture – Shake hands
Narrower statement
Shake hands – How to shake hands
Narrower statement
If handshake done well – Message about
character
Specific thesis statement It is my view that a proper handshake has four
ingredients: pressure, movement, eye contact
and verbal message.
Extra Topic Introduction – The Handshake
The way people greet each other when they first meet varies from
culture to culture. In some cultures people bow and in others they shake
hands. In English speaking countries shaking hands is the custom. How
people shake hands sends an important message about their character. If
done well, a handshake gives the impression of strength and honesty and
if done badly, it gives one of weakness and dishonesty. It is my view that
a proper handshake has four ingredients: pressure, movement, eye
contact and verbal message.
87 words
Thesis Statement
An effective thesis statement informs the reader about the topic, the author’s
opinion, and/or the main points of the body paragraphs.
e.g. Urban planners can significantly reduce neighbourhood crime through
the use of target hardening, access control, and offender deflection.
• Note: Pp. 18-19 ex: 5, 6
What is a Thesis Statement?
• A thesis statement is a sentence containing the central and controlling
idea of the essay
• It is similar to the topic sentence of a paragraph
• It is a broader statement as it is for the entire essay (not just a paragraph)
Important Points
–
–
–
–
–
–
should be a complete sentence
should be a complete thought
should express one idea towards the topic
expresses an opinion / attitude (not just an announcement the topic)
should not (usually) be a question
should not express a fact (they cannot be argued with)
Examples
“My fear of the dark”
•Not a thesis statement – why not?
•Not a complete sentence
“My fear of the dark has made my life miserable”
“I am going to discuss the effects of radiation”
•Not a thesis statement – why not?
•Should not just announce the subject to be discussed!
“The effects of radiation are often unpredictable”
Examples
“Cows produce milk”
•Not a thesis statement – why not?
•Should express an opinion, not a fact!
“The milk cows produce is not always fit for human consumption”
“There are many advantages and disadvantages of going to college”
Not a thesis statement – why not?
Not an arguable point!
“The advantages of going to college outweigh the disadvantages”
Examples
“Going to college in the Midwest can be fun, and I have found that living in a
suburb of a large city is the best place to live while at college”
•Not a thesis statement – why not?
•Should only express one idea about the topic!
“Going to college in the Midwest can be fun”
Strong; Fact; Weak (No Clear Opinion)?
1.
The top government official in my country is the prime minister.
F
2.
Some people prefer digital cameras, while others like traditional
cameras.
W
3.
India became an independent country in 1947.
F
4.
To be a successful student, good study habits are more
important than intelligence.
S
5.
There are several advantages of owning a car, but there are also
many disadvantages.
W
Strong; Fact; Weak (No Clear Opinion)?
1.
Half of the families in my country own a house.
F
2.
Using public transport would be one of the best ways to solve
the traffic and pollution problems in cities around the world.
S
3.
While travelling, staying in a hotel offers more comfort, but
sleeping in a tent is less expensive.
W
4.
Classical music concerts are very popular in my country.
F
5.
In order to create a successful advertisement, it is necessary to
consider three issues: who should be targeted, where the advert
should be placed, and what type of advert should be made.
S
Body Paragraphs
The main idea of an essay needs supporting ideas. Writers should have two or
three strong ideas that support it. Each of these ideas will eventually become a
separate body paragraph. Remember that it is important to provide specific
examples and details within the paragraph. These will be done not only
through using your own ideas, but also by using the ideas of others in an
academically acceptable way.
Each body paragraph should have
its own theme
supporting sentences
details and examples
The Conclusion
Every essay needs a conclusion. The role of a conclusion is to finish the essay with
everything made clear, including the writer’s intention and final opinion.
A conclusion is made up of several parts.
• A concluding sentence: The restatement of the topic/thesis statement (not in
the same words as the introduction)
• A summary of the main points of the essay
• A final comment about the essay’s main idea which may show the writer’s
opinion.
• Possibly, suggestions for action.
NOTE – A conclusion should NOT add any extra
information that has not previously been considered.
Introduction
Topic
Thesis Statement:
Body I
Topic Sentence:
Supporting Details (Not in full sentences):


Body II
Topic Sentence:
Supporting Details (Not in full sentences):


Body III
Topic Sentence:
Supporting Details (Not in full sentences):

Statement
Concluding

Restatement of the Thesis Statement: