1. Essay Writing
ENG 4U
Connolly

2. The framework of your writing
Essay Structure
The framework of your writing

3. Structure Introductory Paragraph - introduce & ease reader into topic
- move from general sentences to specific ones
- end with your thesis statement
Eg: life – literature – book – topic – thesis
life – history – people – topic – book - thesis

4. Structure
Thesis
- An arguable statement, making clear the position the author takes on a topic
- Depends upon your purpose & audience
(Topic = what the text is “about;” the subject addressed by a text
Eg: greed, love, hope, jealousy, etc.)

5. Structure Body Paragraphs - where you prove your thesis
Body Paragraph Structure:
1. Point (topic sentence: proves thesis)
2. Proofs (as many as are practical)
3. Comment (relates proofs to thesis)

6. Structure Concluding Paragraph - re-state your thesis
- move from specific sentences to general ones
- ease reader away from essay, and back to real life again (theme statement)

7. Essay Format
MLA Style

8. Essay Format: Page 1

9. Essay Format: Works Cited

10. Essay Format: In-Text Citation
Author’s name in text -- page information in parentheses:
eg: Murray claims that food is good for you (35-7).
Author’s name in reference -- name and page information in parenthesis:
eg: There are many reasons why food is good for you (Murray 35-7).
Full reference in text -- no parentheses necessary:
eg: Murray, in pages 35-7 of his book, explains why food is good for you.

11. Hints & Tips
Advice for top marks

12. Hints & Tips Do not write in 1st person (avoid “I”)
Move from your weakest point to your strongest
Do not use contractions
Do not use colloquial language
Use the present tense
Refer to author by last name
Develop a creative title that relates to thesis