1. A BRIDGE TO UNDERSTANDING
BUILDING AN ESSAY
A BRIDGE TO UNDERSTANDING

2. STEP ONE: Understanding the Parts
BUILDING AN ESSAY
STEP ONE:
Understanding the Parts

3. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Parts Of An Essay
1. Title
2. Introduction Paragraph
3. Body Paragraphs x (3)
4. Conclusion

4. Understanding the Parts
BUILDING AN ESSAY
Understanding the Parts
Thesis Statement
Transitions
Transitions
Transitions
Introduction
Conclusion
BODY
BODY
BODY
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details

5. STEP TWO: The Introduction/Thesis
BUILDING AN ESSAY
STEP TWO:
The Introduction/Thesis
Thesis Statement
Introduction

6. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Introduction
1. Decide what your writing purpose is going to be.
Example: Carefully examine the directions for writing the essay. Ask: “What is my piece of writing going to answer?”

7. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Introduction
2. Create a thesis statement (the answer to the question posed by the directions).
* All of the other writing in the essay should support this statement.

8. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Introduction
3. Reference (refer to) the literature or thing you are writing about.
Example: Work in the title of the piece of literature you are writing about.

9. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Introduction
4. When writing about literature, mention the author’s name.

10. Step Three: Body BUILDING AN ESSAY Thesis Statement BODY BODY BODY
Transitions
Transitions
Transitions
BODY
BODY
BODY
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details

11. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Body
1. In the three body paragraphs, you will give your three reasons to support your thesis statement.

12. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Body
2. The first sentence in each of your body paragraphs should include a transition word or phrase to “give the reader a reference point” to understand your support.

13. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Body
3. Your body paragraphs will include:
Transitions
Reason/Evidence
Support Examples/Details

14. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Body
4. Your examples and details should come directly from the text of the story or article.
You can quote, paraphrase, or list the examples from the text.

15. BUILDING AN ESSAY
Step Four: Conclusion
Thesis Statement
Conclusion

16. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Conclusion
In a simple essay, summarize your support (reasons) for the thesis statement.

17. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Conclusion
2. Then, restate your thesis statement using different phrasing.

18. Step Five: Title BUILDING AN ESSAY Thesis Statement Introduction
Transitions
Transitions
Transitions
Introduction
Conclusion
BODY
BODY
BODY
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details

19. BUILDING AN ESSAY The Title
Write your title last.
Make it specific.
Make it reflects exactly what you’ve written.
Include a subject & verb.

20. Step Six: Will It Hold Up
BUILDING AN ESSAY
Step Six: Will It Hold Up
Thesis Statement
Transitions
Transitions
Transitions
Introduction
Conclusion
BODY
BODY
BODY
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details
Reasons:
Examples
Details

21. BUILDING AN ESSAY Revising & Editing
Throw out anything that doesn’t support the thesis.
Check your transitions.
Check to see if ideas “flow.”
Check spelling & grammar.
Read it out loud.