Do Now:

List what you remember about

how to structure an introduction
to an essay.

THESIS=
THE MAIN CLAIM OF YOUR

PAPER!

Needs to be specific
Needs to be evidence-based
Present a specific claim to your

inquiry

Development
Develop your ideas deeply as opposed to

having many points and only using one or

two examples.

Be sure to analyze the connections

between your evidence and your

claims/conclusions (CPR!!!)

Essay:
Body Paragraphs
The Body paragraphs will each develop a
specific set of ways in which the thesis
statement is true.

It is the job of the

body paragraph to
Function as a branch of the

thesis statement (the

thesis is the tree)

To prove how some specific

aspect of the thesis

statement (the stated
argument) is true.

Present convincing and

relevant evidence and

analysis

Body Paragraphs
Topic sentence:

presents the main claim

for the paragraph

AND

is a logical branch of the

thesis statement

i.e. a branch of the argument

that needs to be proven
logically in order to show the
audience how the thesis is
true.

May be your EBC for one of your

inquiry paths!

Concluding Sentences

Function:
wrap up each paragraph
Revisit the connection between the
paragraph and the thesis statement

Structure:
begin with a concluding transition

Thus,
As such,
Overall,
All in all,
(etc.)

Cleverly rephrases the topic

sentence

Introductions

Start with a LEAD, not a generalization.

Generalization:

Everyone always wants to be in power.

The American Dream means having social mobility and the

freedom to pursue your own sense of success and happiness.

Lead:

A story/anecdote that depicts someone who is craving

power

Ask an open-ended question: What does the American

Dream mean to you? or What if you lived in a society
that forced you to live as a peasant, and where you had
no economic freedom or mobility? Would you feel
happy? Would you feel successful?

Begin with a relevant quotation (song lyrics count!).

When possible, try to choose a quotation by someone
who would interest your audience.

Introductions
Need to transition between the
lead and your thesis

It is okay to provide some

relevant background information
on your topic.

Conclusions

Wrap up the argument

Revisit main points, including

The thesis statement
The main claims in the argument
Depending, the most poignant examples

Make the reader feel the paper was worth his/her

time and attention

End with a clincher:

Inspire a connection between the papers central

claim (thesis) and the readers world
An open ended question
An answer to the question you asked in your lead
Urge the audience to take an action (be sure to
specify the action)

Language

Use Tier II and III whenever possible

Write in the present tense when

referring to the text. (In his essay, Dr.
Oz states, .)

It is okay to use the past tense when

writing about historical events.

Maintain a professional, objective tone

Use third person point of view

Avoid first person (too
opinionated/secular)
Avoid second person (inappropriate;
overly casual in tone)

Can be off topic (not talking about the

reader, but using you in an explanation)
May sound like you are finger wagging the
reader

Mechanics/Conventions
Your grammar doesnt have to be perfect

~BUT~
You must still communicate effectively
Avoid confusing your reader!
Avoid misconstruing the meaning of your words!
Apostrophes

Capitals
Homophones

Commas

Mechanics/Conventions

Mechanics/Conventions

Sentence Structure
Uneven success=
Run ons
Fused sentences
Comma splices

Fragments

Closure
:

1. Do you have any questions?