BASIC ESSAY STRUCTURE ENL 211 (Spring 2016)

Basic Essay Structure: What are essays? ◦ What is an essay? ◦ A short collection of paragraphs that presents facts, opinions, and ideas about a topic. ◦ Topics can vary ◦ There are many different types of essays: ◦ Narrative ◦ Comparison ◦ Cause-effect ◦ Argument ◦ Reaction ◦ One essay can encompass many different types of writing, however we will focus on specific types of writing for each essay that is completed in this course

Parts of an Essay Introduction (Containing a Thesis Statement) Conclusion Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3

Parts of an Essay: Basic Components Open your Great Writing textbook to pp 5. Work with a partner and complete this in-class assignment. These questions will help you understand the basic skeletal structure of what should be included in every single essay that you write… especially in this class!

PARTS OF AN ESSAY: THE INTRODUCTION

The Introduction ◦ Composed of three parts: 1. The hook 2. Connecting information 3. The thesis statement INTRODUCTION =

The Hook ◦ An opening statement (first sentence) that catches the readers attention and makes them want to read more ◦ Different types of hooks 1. Ask a question: Where does the produce and meat you make your meals come from? (An essay on the slow food movement) 2. Use an interesting observation: New puppy owners always look exhausted. (An essay on raising a puppy)

The Hook 3. Describe a unique scenario With only two seconds left on the shot clock, Trevor Cooney fakes a guard and takes a shot. Swish… the ball falls through the net and Syracuse Basketball wins the game. (An essay about motivation in basketball players) 4. Begin with a famous quote “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” (An essay on interpersonal communication skills) 5. Use a surprising or shocking statistic Lung cancer kills more people in one year than all criminal and accidental deaths combined. (An essay on cancer risks)

Connecting Information ◦ Usually three or four sentences that come after the hook and help the reader discover the topic ◦ These sentences can: ◦ Give background information ◦ Give an example This statistic is shocking, but good news is that people are now well-informed about the risks connected to lung cancer. They know that their risk of contracting this terrible disease decreases if they either stop smoking or do not smoke at all. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about other types of cancer. Many people are not aware that their everyday behavior can lead to the development of different forms of cancer.

The Thesis Statement ◦ The very last sentence in the introduction paragraph ◦ Tells the reader exactly what to expect in the essay (specifically, the organization of the main ideas) By eating better, exercising regularly, and staying out of the sun, people can reduce their risk of cancer. Direct Thesis Statement vs. Indirect Thesis Statement

Model Introduction Paragraph Cancer Risks Lung cancer kills more people in one year than all criminal and accidental deaths combined. This statistic is shocking, but good news is that people are now well-informed about the risks connected to lung cancer. They know that their risk of contracting this terrible disease decreases if they either stop smoking or do not smoke at all. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about other types of cancer. Many people are not aware that their everyday behavior can lead to the development of different forms of cancer. By eating better, exercising regularly, and staying out of the sun, people can reduce their risk of cancer.

PARTS OF AN ESSAY: THE BODY

The Body ◦ Body paragraphs contain the following elements: (1) Topic sentence (2) Supporting Details (3) Concluding sentence (a) Summarize the main idea of the paragraph (b) Link the current body paragraph to the next body paragraph EVERY BODY PARAGRAPH =

PARTS OF AN ESSAY: THE CONCLUSION

The Conclusion ◦ Should begin with a phrase or statement that tells the reader that they are reading the conclusion In conclusion,In summary, To summarize, From the information given, In sum, ◦ Should NOT introduce any new information, but rather should summarize or reconsider the main points in the essay

The Conclusion ◦ Should contain a final sentence that offers a: 1.Suggestion 2.Opinion 3.Prediction 4.Restate the main issue that has been addressed throughout the essay