Jane Schaeffer’s Essay Terms

Essay An essay is a short piece of non-fiction. It has a thesis sentence, and it contains concrete details and commentary.

Introduction The introduction is the first paragraph in n essay. It needs to catch the reader’s attention, introduce the topic, and state the main idea for the essay (the thesis). The thesis sentence is typically the last sentence in the introduction.

Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs are the middle paragraphs in an essay. They develop the main points of your thesis (focus). Good body paragraphs are essential to writing good essays.

Conclusion Conclusion is the final paragraph in the essay. It needs to give the essay a finished feeling. It might summarize, the main ideas, provide further reflection, or suggest future action. Typically, it is all commentary with no new concrete details.

Thesis The thesis sentence states the main idea for the essay. It provides the focus. It is usually the last sentence in the introductory paragraph. It is typically all commentary.

Topic Sentence The topic sentence is the first sentence in a body paragraph. It does for the paragraph what the thesis does for the essay – it states the main idea for the paragraph. It also develops a main point about the thesis. It is all commentary.

Concluding Sentence The last sentence in a body paragraph. It needs to give the paragraph a finished feeling. It might summarize main idea, or it might provide further reflection. (Also known as a clincher.) The sentence needs to be all commentary. Do not close with a concrete detail.

Prewriting The writing you do before you draft your essay. Examples include cluster, web, brainstorming, free writing, outline, research.

1 st Draft The first draft is the initial draft of the paper.

Shaping the Essay Outline your thesis, topic sentences, concrete details, and commentary.

Concrete detail A concrete detail is a specific fact. It cannot be denied or debated. It is not opinion. Synonyms include supporting detail, specific detail, example, quote, illustration, proof, sensory detail, evidence.

Commentary Commentary is not a fact; it is opinion on a concrete detail. Synonyms include insight, reflection, analysis, interpretation, response, feelings, evaluation.

Peer Response Written and oral responses to the work of your peers and classmates.

Chunk One sentence of concrete detail and two sentences of commentary. It is the smallest unified group of thoughts in your essay.

Ratio 1CD:2CM