Writing an Essay

When should I write my intro? You should always write your THESIS before you begin writing anything else. You need to know where you’re planning to take the rest of the essay before you write! Many people find it easier to write the rest of the intro last, once everything else is written. It’s easier to introduce ideas once you know them well. If you write your intro first, you may end up putting too much information into it in an attempt to get your thoughts on the page right away. The intro should have only general information: NO SPECIFICS!

What goes into the intro? You should NOT have the following: Specific pieces of evidence More than one argument (the thesis should be the only one in the essay) You SHOULD HAVE: A general introduction to the ideas A “hook” or “lead” that draws the reader in You should never assume that your reader knows what you’re talking about. NEVER. Introduce the general ideas of the text you’re working from so that anyone could understand your thesis. Your intro should connect your “hook” with your thesis in a logical, smooth flow of ideas.

What is a “hook”? A “hook,” also known as a “lead,” grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to keep reading. There are many good ways to do this: A quotation (weak) Use a relevant quote from an expert, text, or character, then follow it with context and analysis. Never just let it sit there naked. An anecdote (better) A “mini-story” to illustrate your point. A piece of surprising/shocking information (best) This tidbit of information should be new to your speaker, and it may even be an exclamation. Starting with a question is very, very risky, and not recommended. Your reader may have a different answer than yours!

Body Paragraphs A basic, easy to remember format: The MEAL Plan M: Main idea Start your paragraph by stating the main idea. Tell the reader what this paragraph will be about by stating it outright. E: Evidence This is usually a quote or paraphrase, or sometimes a fact. This must come from a source other than your own mind. Anecdotes (which are like mini-stories) can be helpful (pathos!) but aren’t enough on their own. A: Analysis Analysis will make up the bulk of your paragraph. In a standard 7 sentence paragraph, you’d devote 3-4 sentences to it. You’ll analyze the evidence, which supports the main idea. This is where you get to explain things to your reader and make sense of the whole thing. L: Link Link your ideas back to the thesis by stating how the evidence and analysis support your argument.

Argumentative Paragraphs Another way to think of body paragraphs if you’re writing an argumentative or persuasive essay: Toulmin’s Model of Argument The basics: Claim, Evidence, and Warrant The claim is your main idea. This is what you’re arguing in this paragraph. It’s any statement that CLAIMS something to be true. The evidence is the same as in the MEAL Plan—a quote, paraphrase, or fact that comes from a primary source (not from you.) The warrant is a bit like the analysis and the link combined: it connects the evidence to the claim and explains WHY that piece of evidence is supportive of that claim.

What works as evidence? The key here is that it needs to come from a source Primary sources are best Primary Source: “A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event” (Princeton.edu) If you’re talking about Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, then use quotes and events from that play, or from Plutarch or other contemporary historians. Wikipedia and other encyclopedia entries are secondary. Secondary sources are just okay “In scholarship, a secondary source is a document or recording that relates or discusses information originally presented elsewhere.” (wikipedia.org) Make sure your source is RELIABLE Wikipedia is more up to date than other encyclopedias, but can be edited by anyone and may not always be reliable

Paragraphs From the Grammar and Composition Guide Topic Sentence: the general sentence in the paragraph that states the topic of the paragraph and reveals the writer’s purpose (to explain and/or to support and/or to illustrate). Generally, the topic sentence tells the reader; all of the other sentences show the reader. Paragraph Unity : the principle that all the sentences and pieces of information in the paragraph are related to the main idea and to each other (unity = one paragraph, one idea). Paragraph Development: the principle that the topic sentence is fully explained, supported, and/or illustrated with specific examples, details, facts, reasons, and/or incidents. These sentences show rather than tell the reader, answering the questions how and why of the topic sentence. Paragraph Coherence: the principle that all sentences within a paragraph cohere or “stick together” or flow together smoothly and logically so that there is no sudden jump in thought from one sentence to another.

Counterarguments, Rebuttals, and Concessions Counterargument: The argument against your thesis Rebuttal: Also known as a refutation, this is your argument against the counterargument. Concession: “To concede” is to yield, or give away something. In this case, it’s conceding that the counterargument has a point. Be sure to always state that the rest of your argument is still stronger than the rest of the counterargument after conceding one or two points. Where do these things go? You can put your rebuttal paragraph anywhere you like, but its usually either the first or the last body paragraph. That paragraph should contain any of these things you wish to include in your essay.

Conclusions One thing that should NEVER be in your conclusion: The phrase “in conclusion.” It’s boring, formulaic, and overly obvious. Any observant reader can see that the conclusion is coming because the essay is about to end. So what SHOULD be there? Restatement of the thesis and main ideas in new ways (do not be repetitive) Relate back to the audience and real life. Just as you drew the reader in with your hook, you should send them out with a closer: a mission; something to think about or do

Citations In text, you should use whatever “sticks out” from the Works Cited page (see below). Ex. According to Caesar, “Cowards die many times before their death / the valiant never taste of death but once” (Shakespeare). Works Cited: Format with a hanging indent. Use Purdue’s OWL or EasyBib to help you find the order. For the textbook, use this citation: Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. The Language of Literature. Ed. Arthur N. Applebee, Andrea B. Bermudez, et al. Evanston, IL: McDougall Littell, 2000. 691-793. Print.