Essay Structure
Refining the Topic You’ve chosen or been given a topic to write on. Now you can simply start writing, right? Wrong! Many student writers make the mistake of diving right into their essay without taking the time to give it thoughtful consideration. This often causes the essay to lack flow, making it difficult to read. Without a logical sequencing of key points the effect of building to a climax may be lost. One of the most important tasks in writing an essay is organizing your thoughts on paper before you ever begin writing the actual essay. This is sometimes called brainstorming mind-mapping or even simply outlining. Outlining simply sketches out the key points of the essay. Once the points are briefly written down, they may be re- arranged to give the most dramatic effect.
Organizing Your Thoughts Essay writers use a variety of methods to organize their thoughts. Three popular types are the mind-web, point-1y- point outline and the branch method. Each method is diagrammed below.
Examples of Outlining the following examples highlight how you might organize your thoughts around a topic
EXERCISE 1 Using one of the topics that you chose, create an outline for an essay. You may use a mind web, a traditional outline, branch method or any other format that you feel comfortable with. Use the space provided on your notes sheet or a separate piece of paper.
EXERCISE 2 In groups of three or four, discuss the topic you chose and answer the following questions: 1. Why did you choose the topic? 2. What difficulties did you have narrowing your topic? 3. What arguments did you present and why? 4. Why did you choose the evidence you did to support your arguments? 5. Did you discard any arguments and evidence? 6. Are there any counter arguments that could undo your case? 7. Is there evidence that could be used to argue against your case?
Each participant has approximately 5 - 10 minutes to answer the questions above. Members of the groups are free to ask questions of clarification.
Building an Introduction The thesis statement is a focused statement that provides the main point that the writer will discuss. It is usually the central part of the introductory paragraph of the essay. The introduction is meant to accomplish two things: 1. to arouse the reader’s interest 2. to prepare the reader for what is to come in the rest of the essay
Since a topic has likely been provided for the writer, the thesis statement will build on that topic. For example, if the writer is presented with the topic, “Should political decisions be made democratically?” the thesis statement must address that topic.
A simple, yet effective way to build an introduction is to start with a generalization and narrow it down. A generalization is a statement of fact that virtually everyone, regardless of time and place, can agree with. For example, “Human society has always struggled with the degree of freedom allotted to its citizens.” This statement is very broad and would be difficult to write an essay on. What is needed is to narrow the focus a little.
Yes, you can do it but it is not the most effective way to operate. Writing a thesis statement at this point could make the writing seem a little forced and awkward, like shifting from first gear to fourth gear. Yes, you can do it but it is not the most effective way to operate. A transition statement will bridge the gap between the generalization and the thesis statement. Playing off the above example, a transition statement might be “This has led to a variety of government structures and practices in the world.”
From here another transition statement may further clarify the writer’s intent “Political systems in nations tend to be either democratic or authoritarian.” Now the stage is set for the thesis statement outlining the position of the writer - the thesis statement. “Although there may be times where it is necessary for governments to exercise control, societies should be run democratically.” We now have a definitive statement, which answers the topic question and can be defended in the rest of the essay.
EXERCISE 3 Using the outline you have generated in Exercise 1 and the skill you have acquired thus far, write the first draft of an essay. Be sure to include an introduction, body and conclusion. Do not put your name anywhere on the essay. You have one hour to finish. Use the space provided.