writing toolbox

Essay Format

Introduction

The purpose of an introduction is to identify the topic, give background information on the topic and to clearly identify the main point your paper will discuss (Thesis). The following simple format will always guide you in this process:

Identify the topic. Usually this will be the title and author of the work to be discussed. This should be done only in a complete sentence.
Give background information about the topic. This should briefly give the reader some information about the topic, but not the real meat of your paper. Consider this the appetizer before your meal.
Clearly, in one sentence, identify the main idea of the paper. This is called the thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs

The purpose of the body paragraph in an essay is to support the thesis with evidence. This evidence may be in the forms of facts from a story, reasons that are based in logic, or main points needed to be addressed. For our purposes, usually our support is going to be in the form of quotes from the literature that we study. All quotes should be documented using proper MLA Parenthetical Documentation. For information on Parenthetical Documentation please see the MLA handout. The general format for a body paragraph is as follows:

Topic sentence. This will be a complete sentence that identifies the main point of the paragraph.
Supporting Details. Find quotes from the reading material to prove the topic sentence.
Once you have quotes, the process is only half complete. Explain the quotes and clearly make the connection to the reader about how this quote proves the point.
Second Supporting Detail
Further explanation

The Body paragraph format can be repeated for as many body paragraphs that the paper requires. Some body paragraphs may have four supporting details and some may have less. Body paragraphs and what is enough will vary from paper to paper. The most important thing to note is that no matter how many body paragraphs the paper requires the format is always the same. Simply repeat the format.

A note on transition: As you move from body paragraph to body paragraph, or supporting detail to supporting detail, transitional words or phrases are necessary to help guide the reader along.

Conclusion Paragraph

The purpose of the conclusion paragraph is to restate the main point of the paper. Sounds simple, but it requires a little more creativity. When in doubt, follow this formula.

Restate the Thesis statement in different words
Restate all the topic sentences from the body paragraphs; in different words
Write a concluding statement that will wrap up and close the paper.

Connecting Your Details

Once you've arranged all the details in your writing, you need to tie them together so they read smoothly. The words below can help.

Words used to: SHOW LOCATION

Above
Across
Against
Along
Among
Around
Away from
Behind
Below
Beneath
Beside
Between
Beyond
By
Down
In back of
In front of
Inside
Into
Near
Off
On top off
Onto
Outside
Over
Throughout
To the right
Under

Words used to: SHOW TIME

About
After
Afterward
As soon as
At
Before
During
Finally
First
Immediately
Later
Meanwhile
Next week
Next
Now
Second
Soon
Then
Third
Till
Today
Tomorrow
Until
When
Yesterday

Words that: EMPHASIZE A POINT

For this reason
To emphasize
To repeat

Words used to: CONCLUDE or SUMMARIZE

In conclusion
In summary
Last
Therefore
To sum up

Words used to: ADD INFORMATION

Additionally
Again
Along with
Also
And
Another
As well
Besides
Finally
For example
For instance
In addition
Likewise
Moreover
Next

Words used to: CLARIFY

In other words
Put another way
That is

For instance

Words used to: COMPARE THINGS (show similarities)

Also
As
In the same way
Like
Likewise
Similarly

Words used to: CONTRAST THINGS (show differences)

Although
But
Even though
However
On the other hand
Otherwise
Still
Yet

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