PURPOSE OF THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH Attract the attention of the readers (promote interest). ‹ Lead readers to the thesis by first dealing with the general subject. ‹ State the thesis.

HOW TO BEGIN AN ESSAY: An introduction should generally be four to five sentences long.  Begin your introduction with a general statement, and with each sentence that follows get more and more specific until you get to the last sentence, which is a clearly stated thesis

Body Paragraphs An essential aspect of your body paragraphs is the presence of a Topic Sentence Your topic sentence is the sentence that focuses the paragraph and outlines exactly what that paragraph is going to be about.

Topic Sentence The topic sentence is usually the very first sentence of the paragraph By placing the topic sentence first in your paragraph, however, you can go ahead and state what you are going to talk about in that paragraph and then devote the rest of the paragraph to supporting and developing that point !!!!!!!

The Structure of Your Body Paragraphs Begin each body paragraph with general statement, or topic sentence, about a point that you wanted to make in that paragraph and then devote that entire paragraph to developing more specifically that statement, using examples to back up the points you make.

Structure of the Body Remember that each statement you make in your body paragraph should relate back to your thesis statement somehow whether in support, defense, or explanation of the statement

Cont…. Each body paragraph should be ended by making a reference back to the topic sentence you started the paragraph with and then back to your thesis statement to tie it all together.

Things to Remember When Writing Your Body Paragraphs Use the same language in your body paragraphs that you did in your introduction. For instance, if you have phrased one of the points you wish to make a certain way in your introduction, phrase it the same way in your body paragraph.

Things to Remember When Writing Your Body Paragraphs Devote each body paragraph to only one point. DO NOT try to include too much information into each paragraph. Make sure that you phrase everything clearly so that your specific audience can understand what you are trying to say

Things to Remember When Writing Your Body Paragraphs Paragraphs are used as a way to introduce a new idea, and break your paper down into a series of related points that you wish to make in support of your thesis statement.

Each of Your Paragraphs Should Contain These Elements: UNITY, DEVELOPMENT, and COHERENCE Paragraph Unity: Paragraph Unity means that your paragraph develops one main point, that is set forth by your topic sentence, and that all of the sentences in the paragraph relate to and support that main point

DEVELOPMENT Paragraph Development means that you have included all of the necessary information, explanation and support for your main point or topic sentence so that your reader fully understands the point you are trying to make.

COHERENCE Paragraph Coherence means that you have developed your point in an organized and logical way, which shows the connections between your sentences and ideas.

TRANSITIONS Transitions between paragraphs as well as between sentences are essential in order for a paper to be readable, for the reader to fully understand the connections between the points you are trying to make and for the overall coherence of your essay

Where Do We Need Transitions? Between Sections -- This divides the major ideas or topics of your paper Between Paragraphs -- This divides the minor ideas of your writing because you must show a logical connection between your paragraphs.

Where Do I Need Transitions? Between Sentences -- This shows the relationship between your sentences. These transitions are generally only a word or two, and can be done through the use of conjunctions which are words used to combine two sentences and show the relationship between them. Between Parts of a Sentence -- This shows how phrases connect within your sentences. Remember to use a variety of transitional expressions

Integrating Sources Integrating sources into your body paragraphs is hard work but rewarding if done well. There are entire manuals devoted to it, and the links below will provide you with all the information you need on MLA vs. APA formats, parenthetical vs. footnoting styles, and in-depth examples and exercises on documentation. (You should of course always check with your professor about styles and formats before proceeding).

In-Text Sources Use your sources as support for your insights, not as the backbone of your paper. A patchwork of sources stuck in a paper like random letters in a ransom note does not a research paper make.

Sources Summarize (condense a text by stating the main ideas in your own words) and paraphrase (say the same thing in a different way) much more often than you use direct quotes (same words as the original, in quotation marks).

Sources Don't use direct quotes as fillers but because the author says something so aptly or dramatically that a paraphrase would lose that power. Or, if you're analyzing the language of a passage.

And…Sources If multiple sources say the same thing, summarize what they say and put a few key names in brackets at the end of the sentence. This can both add credibility and reduce space!

Sources Sources When you do use direct quotes, the most fluid way to integrate them is to incorporate key words right into your text. So write: "We can see this change when Othello calls his wife a 'strumpet' (4.2.81) . . . ." rather than include the entire line where he called her a strumpet.

More Tips Don't summarize plots of primary sources. Assume your audience has read the work. Only explain as much as you need to establish context for an example.

Exercises to try http://www.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerold/menudoc.htm