1. Introductions Should capture the audience’s attention.
Should state the thesis .
Should provide an overview of the main points which will be covered in the body of the paper.
Should connect to the next paragraph (in idea and language) 1

2. Writing an Essay (contd.)
Attention Grabbing Ideas
Brief description or story
Comparison or contrast
Dialogue
Inspiring or intriguing quote
Relevant statistic
List of relevant examples
Short summary
Surprising statement
Thought-provoking question

3. Writing an Essay (contd.)
State your thesis.
Identifies the main idea of your essay.
Usually comes in the first or second paragraph.
Similar to a topic sentence but represents the idea of an entire essay versus one paragraph.
Contains a topic and your opinion of the topic. 3

4. Writing an Essay (contd.)
Provide an overview of the main points.
Additional sentences may be used if the main points are not identified in the thesis.
Avoid a mechanical list of points.
Give the reader a clear idea of what is going to be covered.

5. Writing an Essay (contd.)
Body paragraphs
Often begin with a topic sentence
Include several supporting sentences (logos, pathos, ethos)
Use transitions to help ideas flow smoothly
Make sure all ideas relate to the overall thesis of the essay 5

6. Topic Sentences
A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence.
A topic sentence has several important functions:
it substantiates or supports an essay’s thesis statement
it unifies the content of a paragraph and directs the order of the sentences
it advises the reader of the subject to be discussed and how the paragraph will discuss it.

7. Topic Sentences
Readers generally look to the first few sentences in a paragraph to determine the subject and perspective of the paragraph.
That’s why it’s often best to put the topic sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph.
In some cases, however, it’s more effective to place another sentence before the topic sentence—for example, a sentence linking the current paragraph to the previous one, or one providing background information.

8. Supporting Sentences
Try and use a variety of rhetorical appeals in supporting your opinions
Logos (Greek for 'word') refers to the internal consistency of the message--the clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasons, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence. The impact of logos on an audience is sometimes called the argument's logical appeal. Facts, statistics, examples, and other forms of evidence provide logos.
Ethos (Greek for 'character') refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker. Ethos is often conveyed through tone and style of the message and through the way the writer or speaker refers to differing views. It can also be affected by the writer's reputation as it exists independently from the message--his or her expertise in the field, his or her previous record or integrity, and so forth. The impact of ethos is often called the argument's 'ethical appeal' or the 'appeal from credibility.'
Pathos (Greek for 'suffering' or 'experience') is often associated with emotional appeal. However, a better equivalent might be 'appeal to the audience's sympathies and imagination.' An appeal to pathos causes an audience not just to respond emotionally but to identify with the writer's point of view--to feel what the writer feels

9. Transitions
Help notify the reader that the writer is changing directions or making a new point:
To give examples: for example, for instance
To show time or order: first, later
To show location: above, near
To compare: similarly
To contrast: in contrast
To show a cause: because
To show an effect: as a result
To add information: additionally
To show emphasis: in other words, in fact
To conclude or summarize: finally, as a result 9

10. Writing an Essay (contd.)
Concluding paragraph(s)
Should wrap up the entire essay
Should review the developed thesis
Should summarize the main points as necessary
Should end with a memorable thought
Avoid introducing new ideas or concepts
Avoid clichés

11. Signal Phrases
a phrase, clause, or even sentence which leads into a quotation or statistic.  These generally include the speaker/author’s name and some justification for using him or her as an expert in this context; it may also help establish the context for the quotation.
All paragraphs in an APA style paper should use signal phrases when quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing.

12. Model Signal Phrases
In the words of researchers Redelmeier and Tibshirani, “…”
As Matt Sundeen has noted, “…”
 Patti Pena, mother of a child killed by a driver distracted by a cell phone, points out that “…”
 “…” writes Christine Haughney, “…”
 “…” claims wireless spokesperson Annette Jacobs.
Radio hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi offer a persuasive counterargument:  “…”

13. Signal Phrases(contd.)
Useful Verbs:
Acknowledges Adds Admits Addresses Argues Asserts Believes Claims Comments Confirms Contends Compares Declares Denies Disputes Emphasizes Endorses Grants Illustrates Implies Insists Notes Observes Points out Reasons Refutes Rejects Reports Responds Suggests Thinks Writes 13