Essay Writing 101

Basic Structure An essay is like a burger or sandwich.

What makes an essay: Introduction Main Body Paragraphs Conclusion

MEAL or TEEC Clincher Statement

What is an ESSAY: -It follows a specific format -It has ONE subject -Its purpose can be to inform, persuade, or analyze.

Helpful Tips: -Use formal language: USE full words: Do not, cannot, it is -No Contractions.Do NOT use: don’t, can’t , it’s, I’m -Do NOT say things like: I believe or I think, or you should…. -Do NOT use “I” or “You”-weakens your argument Exceptions to the rule: -The ONLY time you can use “I” is if you are providing an example about something that happened to you. -The ONLY time you can use “you” is in your hook or clincher statement.

Introduction: The introduction tells the reader what your essay is going to be about. The structure: 1. A hook 2. Background Information 3. A Thesis Statement 4. Preview of your points

The Hook: A good introduction starts off with a sentence to grab the reader's attention, or to HOOK the reader into reading the rest of the essay.

Examples: -A Quote-King James once said, "Smoking is hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and dangerous to the lungs" (BrainyQuotes). -An Interesting Fact/Stat-Everyday in Canada, 13,000 people die because of smoking related illnesses. -A Rhetorical Question-Why would a person smoke?

Background Information: -Background information leads the reader into the topic. It creates a nice transition to your THESIS (main point). Example: While smoking rates have gone down in Canada, it is still a common habit. Even today, people can be found smoking in many public areas like parks, sidewalks, and community squares.

Thesis Statement: Every introduction needs to include a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence telling the reader what the essay will be about. If the essay is argumentative, the thesis statement will say what the essay will argue. (The thesis states the big, overall argument.)

Thesis Statement Example: Smoking negatively affects people by causing higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness.

Putting it all together: Why would a person smoke? While smoking rates have gone down in Canada, it is still a common habit. Even today, people can be found smoking in many public areas like parks, sidewalks, and community squares. Therefore, smoking negatively affects people by causing higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness.

Main Body Paragraphs: -EACH of your body paragraphs should have one main point that supports your thesis. -Each paragraph should follow the TEEC or MEAL method. Topic Main Idea Evidence Evidence Explain Analyze the evidence Conclusion Link back to thesis

Example: Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer. Researchers at the University of Alberta's Hospital, a leading facility in Cancer research, have discovered that, "one in every three people who smoke will die as a result of cancer"(45). Although people who start this habit may not be thinking of the end result of their decision, these statistics are telling of the harmful and deadly consequences that occur from smoking. While smoking is expensive on the wallet, the cancer it causes is also expensive in creating increased health costs and a shorter life span.

Transitions between Paragraphs

Transitions between IDEAS/Paragraphs ™Transitional devices are words or phrases that help carry a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another. And finally, transitional devices link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.

Conclusion: This paragraph is how the writer ends the essay by wrapping up the key points and restating the thesis statement. This is the FINAL chance to tell the reader or convince the reader of your essay’s argument. End with a clincher statement--one really impactful sentence. Remember to have unity.