HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY

By Barends Yoshi in English IV (writing) Edit Doc Delete

Parts of an Essay Paper
By Susan Brandt, eHow Contributor, edited by: Yasser Barends
When writing an essay, there are three main parts to include. This guide is meant for a short, three to five paragraph
essay.
Introductory Paragraph
1.

The introduction presents the argument you are making in your essay. It will include an opening sentence to
introduce the topic to your reader. The second, third and fourth sentences will be the supporting points to the
argument you are making and will be fleshed out in paragraphs two, three and four. The final sentence in
your introductory paragraph should be the thesis of your paper, the point you are trying to prove.

DETAILS PARAGRAPH
Consist of 2 3 main points of the paper. You may either combine/mix the 2 3 points all in one long paragraph,
separate them into three separate paragraphs or make two paragraphs which covers all the main problems. Here is an
example of what having a 3 separated main points look like on paper.
First Supporting Paragraph
1.

Paragraph two should include the strongest illustration or point that proves your thesis. If the reader were to
stop after simply reading your first and second paragraphs, he should already have a compelling reason to
believe your thesis. The last sentence of this paragraph should be a segue into your second point or
argument, contained in paragraph three.

Second Supporting Paragraph

1.

The third paragraph should contain your second strongest argument for your thesis. The last sentence of this
paragraph should be a segue into the third point of your essay, contained in paragraph four.

Third Supporting Paragraph

1.

Supporting paragraph three should contain your weakest argument that proves your thesis. The final
sentence of this paragraph should sum up this third argument as well lead the reader into the final
paragraph, or conclusion.

Conclusion
1.

The concluding paragraph of your essay should have either your final thoughts, feelings, point of views,
ideas, advices, hope, dream, etc. The final sentence of this paragraph should leave the reader certain that
your thesis has been proved.

Essay Structure (Essay Procedures)

Introduction

The introduction is a very important part of the essay structure. It gives a summary of what your essay will contain. It
states the purpose of your writing. The introduction will, in some cases, follow an abstract. The abstract is similar to
the introduction, but always comes after the title page.

Body/Details
The body of the essay consists of research data and information you have gathered about your thesis. Thebody,
consisting of paragraphs, supports your thesis, which is on of the key points of your essay structure. It provides a
consistent view throughout your paper.

Using paragraphs
Each paragraph should have one main idea. Each main idea should provide supporting details to your topic and thesis.
The topic sentence of each paragraph should be linked to the main idea. The supporting sentences should explain the
main idea and provide supporting details, affecting the essay structure.

Paragraph size.
Each paragraph should be similar in length. In addition, each paragraph should contain at least three to five
sentences. However, they do not have to be uniform in structure.

Review your writing

After you have written your first draft, carefully review your paper. Make sure that each paragraph makes sense. Also,
be sure that you have not strayed from your point. Each paragraph should be relevant to your thesis. If you have found
that any of your body paragraphs strays from your thesis, a rewrite, or omission, may be necessary.

Conclusion
Your conclusion is the end of your paper. It reviews the contents of your paper. The conclusion should review your
thesis and give a summary of a few of your main ideas. Depending on your instructors requirements, your conclusion
can range from one paragraph to a page in length.

Steps in Writing the Essay (VERY IMPORTANT)

-

Choosing the topic : not title

Brainstorming : gather all data

Doing research : Read and understand the topic

Outline : choose the materials of writing

Introduction : 1st paragraph

Thesis statement : The main problem/point

Body : Details

Conclusion : Opinions and thoughts

Editing and proofreading : Check and Re-check.

Deciding title.

Email: Yasser.barends@gmail.com