Parts of an Essay
This is the first paragraph of an essay.
Introductory Paragraph (or Introduction)
This is the main argument of an essay. It's often found in the Thesis Statement. (hint: also called an Assertion)
Claim
This is the first sentence of an Introductory Paragraph. (hint: sometimes called the Attention-Getter)
Hook
This is an essay that creates an argument supported by evidence and analysis.
Argumentative Essay
Which is the Thesis?
(a) How can a city dweller eat healthier, live in a better environment, and save money all at the same time?
(b) Urban agriculture is our chance to save money, help our environment, and improve health. Urban agriculture can benefit all of society.
(c) Natural resources are limited in urban areas, so nothing should go to waste.
(b)
This is the middle section (and longest part) of an essay. It builds on the Thesis Statement and typically includes topic sentences, evidence and commentary/analysis.
Body Paragraphs
This is any material—books, articles, interviews, or media—that provides information, evidence, or context to support an argument.
Source
This is generally the last sentence of the Introductory Paragraph. Contains the author's main idea/assertion.
Thesis Statement
This is an essay that tells a story and employs characters and themes.
Which is the Textual Evidence?
a) Jones angrily demanded the administration apologize to the country, saying, “It is just amazing to me how we… were told we had to remove this man [Saddam Hussein], but the reason we were given was not accurate” (qtd. in Funk).
b) Once an ardent supporter of the Iraq War, Jones became one of its most vocal critics, forever advocating for truth, accountability, increased discourse, and safety of American troops.
c) Jones's outrage became public, declaring his opposition to the war at an April 2005 Armed Services Committee meeting.
(a)
This is the final paragraph of an essay. It often restates the Thesis Statement and answers the questions: "So what?" and "Why does this matter?"
Conclusion Paragraph
This is a rhetorical appeal that seeks to persuade the reader through establishing credibility and a sense of understanding/qualification.
Ethos
This is the first sentence of the Body Paragraph. It introduces what the paragraph will be about.
Topic Sentence
This is an essay that seeks to persuade the reader to believe a certain idea, principle or philosophy.
Persuasive Essay
Which is the Hook?
(a) The main purpose of this essay is to critically appraise the role Egypt played in the conflict between the Arabs and Jews by over-viewing its main phases and outcomes for both parties.
(b) In 1882, conflict sparked in the Middle East.
(c) Jewish immigration and targeted land purchases in the area later called the State of Palestine marked the beginning of a long-lasting hostility between the nations.
(b)
This is the opposite of the author's claim/argument.
TWO IN ONE (double the points for both)
1) This is information that is unbiased and based on fact rather than opinion.
2) This is information that has a bias and leans more on opinions and feelings.
1) Objective
2) Subjective
This is the third section of the Body Paragraph. It connects the Example/Evidence to the Thesis Statement and builds on the Topic Sentence.
Analysis/Commentary
This is an essay that explores different positions/ideas and shows their similarities and differences.
Compare and Contrast Essay
Which is the Topic Sentence?
(a) As stated in J.P. O'brien's article on capital structure implications, "if bad investments are financed with equity, mostly shareholders will lose."
(b) For example, the capital structure of a company is noted to have an effect on the agency costs and firm investment strategy.
(c) Additionally, there is another argument that the capital structure can have other forms of indirect bearing on a firm’s valuation.
(c)
This is included in the Body Paragraphs and is used to support, prove, or validate a writer's claims and thesis statement. (hint: usually is placed in quotations)
Textual Evidence
This is a rhetorical appeal that seeks to persuade the reader through data, statistics and reason.
Logos
This is found in the Conclusion Paragraph. It reminds the reader of the Thesis Statement (often using different words).
Restatement of the Thesis
This is an essay that focuses on providing the reader with information on a given topic, text or series of texts.
Which is the Analysis/Commentary?
(a) Here, the desert paired with the concept of “repenting” reminds the reader of biblical characters who roam the desert for religious soul-searching, and it rejects the traditional notion of repentance as something requiring physical hardship.
(b) Near the beginning of the poem, Oliver writes, “You do not have to walk on your knees/ for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting” (3-4).
(c) One religious concept that Oliver rejects is that of a harsh and self-sacrificing repentance.
(a)