Structure

Informative Writing is Structured

We structure all informative writing the same - with a beginning, middle, and end - no matter what the type of information, subject matter, or aim of the writing.

Structure makes the writing easier to follow and understand
Structure makes the information easier to find and to return to
Structure alerts the reader to the main points, the transitions, and new ideas or information
Structure helps the writer to more easily formulate and express the information, evidence, and ideas

Three Parts

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Essay Structures

Here is an important summary of the parts of an essay:

Parts of an Essay.pdf

Essay Structures

Essay Planning and Writing.pdf

Here is an important structural formula for a basic essay:

Essay Format Sample.pdf

Paragraphs

Paragraphs are how we organize essays, reports, and research in semi-formal and formal writing.
Paragraphs have their own structure or organization that presents the sentences in logical and meaningful sequence.
Paragraphs include a Topic Sentence, supporting explanation, evidence, or examples, and a concluding sentence.
Paragraphs have transitions within and between paragraphs that link the ideas and evidence together.

What is a Paragraph?

Paragraphs are the Building Blocks of Writing

Here is a handout that briefly summarizes Paragraphs, Topic Sentences, and the Body of an essay or report.

Pargraphs and Topic Sentences.pdf

Read the following explanation of paragraphs:

What is a Paragraph.pdf

Paragraphs have an internal organization that consists of:

a topic sentence
supporting sentences
and a concluding sentence

While many books or teachers will say that a paragraph can be of any size, this is not generally accepted in academic writing.

in academic writing, a paragraph of only a few sentences or lines is NOT a well-developed paragraph.
paragraphs are usually at LEAST 80/100 words and can be 300 hundred words
an essay should be composed of paragraphs that are mostly similar in length

A standard paragraph NOT a paragraph NOT a paragraph

What is a good Topic Sentence?

The Topic Sentence

A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence. A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It essentially tells what the rest of the paragraph is about.
Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph.
In formal writing, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph (although it can appear elsewhere).
Every paragraph should include a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph.
A topic sentence has several important functions: it substantiates or supports an essay’s thesis statement; it unifies the content of a paragraph and directs the order of the sentences; and it advises the reader of the subject to be discussed and how the paragraph will discuss it.
A paragraph’s topic sentence must be general enough to express the paragraph’s overall subject but it should be specific enough that the reader can understand the paragraph’s main subject and point.
As the thesis statement is the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph.
Further, as is the case with the thesis statement, when the topic sentence makes a claim, the paragraph which follows must expand, describe, or prove it in some way. All sentences after it have to give more information about the sentence, usually proving or supporting the topic sentence by offering facts, evidence, or reasoning.

Here is a detailed explanation of Topic Sentences:

Topic Sentences 2.pdf

The Body

The Body of an essay consists of the paragraphs that provide the evidence and arguments that support the thesis provided in the Introduction.

Usually the body follows a logical order based on the thesis
Usually the strongest argument is presented first among the paragraphs
The evidence might be presented chronologically or logically if later paragraphs would depend on this order

Body paragraphs must not only be linked to the thesis, they must also be linked to each other.

Topic sentences should link the paragraph with the one that came before it
Use transitional phrases or words to link a new paragraph to a preceding one
Use transitional phrasing when concluding a paragraph to link it to the next paragraph and to provide a smooth transition with your ideas and evidence

Here are some sample transitions to use in your topic sentences to link a paragraph to the paragraph that came before:

Introductions

Introductions contain an essay's thesis, explain why the topic is being discussed, and provide the reader with an understanding of what will follow.

Introductions always appear at the beginning. In a short essay, a single introductory paragraph is standard. In longer pieces, the introduction might consist of an introductory section of several paragraphs, preceded by a single introductory paragraph for the entire project.
Introductions do NOT have to be written first when composing a long essay. It is sometimes helpful to wait until after the body paragraphs are written.
A catchy opening sentence will get the reader's attention and make a good, strong first impression.

Academic introductions must be somewhat complex. They must contain a thesis statement which presents the main argument or explains what the essay will be about.

Do not merely re-state the question for the assignment
Do not write, "In the following essay, I will ..." nor "The following essay will ..."
Develop a thesis statement that is sophisticated
Create an opening topic sentence that immediately interests the reader

Conclusions

If first impressions are important, so too are lasting impressions. End your essay, project, or thesis with a well-planned conclusion. This is your last chance to convince the reader of your subject and your credibility.

There are many tips for writing a conclusion, here are a few:

Avoid beginning with phrases like "In conclusion..." or "To sum things up..."
Be sure to refer back to the original thesis but do not merely re-state your thesis.
Add more context as to why the thesis is important or why the evidence/arguments presented support the thesis.
Have a concluding sentence that captures interest and leaves a positive lasting impression.

Here is a handout with guidelines for writing conclusions:

Conclusions, how to end an essay.docx

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Structure

Informative Writing is Structured

Three Parts

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

Essay Structures

Essay Structures

Here is an important structural formula for a basic essay:

Paragraphs

What is a Paragraph?

Paragraphs are the Building Blocks of Writing

Paragraphs have an internal organization that consists of:

a topic sentence

supporting sentences

and a concluding sentence

While many books or teachers will say that a paragraph can be of any size, this is not generally accepted in academic writing.

What is a good Topic Sentence?

The Topic Sentence

The Body

Here are some sample transitions to use in your topic sentences to link a paragraph to the paragraph that came before:

Introductions

Introductions contain an essay's thesis, explain why the topic is being discussed, and provide the reader with an understanding of what will follow.

Academic introductions must be somewhat complex. They must contain a thesis statement which presents the main argument or explains what the essay will be about.

Conclusions

If first impressions are important, so too are lasting impressions. End your essay, project, or thesis with a well-planned conclusion. This is your last chance to convince the reader of your subject and your credibility.

Here is a handout with guidelines for writing conclusions: