3-essay_org.ppt

Organizing an Academic Essay ? 2007 by Tang Y.Z Introduction Conclusion Body Paragraphs Introduction What is an essay ? An essay is a piece of writing that usually has five or more paragraphs. An essay is written about one topic that has several main points. The main points are introduced in an introductory paragraph and supported in body paragraphs. The conclusion is the last paragraph. Introduction _____________ Conclusion _____________ Parts of an Essay An Introduction An introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in an essay. It contains two parts. 1. General Statements: a few sentences about your subject that catch the attention of your reader. 2. A Thesis Statement: one sentence that tells your reader the main points of your topic and states the overall “plan” of your essay. Example An Introduction General Statements Thesis Statement “Metropolitan City is full of charm and scenic beauty, so visitors from around the world come to enjoy its famous theaters,museums, countless ethnic restaurants, and scenic wonders. Although Metropolitan City seems like a paradise, it isn’t. The city has several serious problems: poor public transportation, congested streets, and expensive housing” (Hogue, A. Oshima, A., 1991, p. 92). Parts of an Essay Body Paragraphs The body consists of one or more paragraphs following the introduction. Each paragraph supports the main idea of your essay by breaking it down into smaller ideas or sub- topics. Each body paragraph consists of a topic sentence and several supporting sentences. A conclusion sentence draws the paragraph together. Example Body Paragraph Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences Concluding Sentence “The first and most important problem is Metropolitan City’s inadequate public transportation system. Thousands of residents rely on the city’s buses and streetcars to travel throughout this large city, but Metro Transportation System’s daily schedules are totally unreliable. A bus or streetcar that should arri