Patterns for beginning writing academic essays

1. A Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Academic Essays
Essay Basics

2. Essay Outline
1. Introduction
1. Hook
2. Thesis
2. Body
1. Transition Word (first, second, third,…)
2. Claim
3. Lead-in (for example,…)
4. Example
5. Citation (Author, p. xx).
6. Clarify (In other words,…)
7. Explain (This is significant because…)
3. Conclusion
1. Summarize the claims
2. Restate the thesis
3. Leave the reader with something to think about
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
2

3. How an Essay Looks
1. Introduction
2-4. Body
5. Conclusion
3
Name
Date
Teacher/Class
Assignment
Title
<Introduction Hook> -------------------------------------------------------------. -------------------------------------
-------. ------------------. ------------------------------------------------------------.-------------------------------------------------
------. --------------------------------------------------------. -----------------------------------------.<Thesis> -------------------
---------------------------------------------.
First, <Claim> -----------------------------------. For example, <Quote/Example/Fact> ------------------------------
-----------------------------------. (Author, Year, p. xx). In other words ---------------------. -----------------------------------
-------. ------------------------------------------------. This is significant because -------------------------------------. ----------
------------------------. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Second, <Claim> -----------------------------------. For example, <Quote/Example/Fact> ---------------------
--------------------------------------------. (Author, Year, p. xx). In other words ---------------------. --------------------------
----------------. ------------------------------------------------. This is significant because -------------------------------------. -
---------------------------------. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Third, <Claim> -----------------------------------. For example, <Quote/Example/Fact> -----------------------
------------------------------------------. (Author, Year, p. xx). In other words ---------------------. ----------------------------
--------------. ------------------------------------------------. This is significant because -------------------------------------. ---
-------------------------------. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
In conclusion, <Summarize claims> ----------------------------------------------. <Restate thesis> ------------------------
-. <Leave the reader thinking> ---------------. --------------------------------------. --------------------------------------------. --------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. -------------------------------------
---------. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

4. Introduction Paragraph: Hook
Hook
1. The first few sentences of an essay.
2. Purpose: to get the reader's interest:
a. to grab the reader’s interest and have them want to read more
b. a lead-in to your thesis
c. to get the reader to relate to your topic sentence
Types of Hooks
1. A quote
2. An unusual fact/statistic
3. A thoughtful or relevant question
4. Background information
5. An anecdote
1
* Note: Examples at the end of the presentation. 4

5. Introduction Paragraph: Thesis
Thesis
1. The last sentence(s) of the introductory paragraph.
2. Purpose: A statement which you believe and prove with evidence
in your body paragraphs.
3. The thesis includes:
A. Topic tells what you are writing about
B. Angle tells what your ideas are about the topic
C. Body what you need to do to prove it in the body of
the essay.
* Note: Examples at the end of the presentation. 5

6. Body Paragraph
Body
1. The second, third, fourth…. paragraphs of an essay.
2. Purpose
a. Paragraph(s) that support the main idea/thesis statement.
b. To break down, examine, or study (to analyze)
OUTLINE
Element Example
1. Transition word first, second, third…
2. Claim topic sentence
3. Lead-in for example…
4. Fact/Quote supporting detail
5. Citation (Richards, p. 19)
6. Clarify In other words…
7. Explain This is significant because…
6

7. Body: Transition Word
Definition
Transitions are words and/or phrases that make a connection between paragraphs.
Transitions are also called ‘signal words’. They give the reader clues to help them unde
rstand the text better.
Body
Example
<Transition word> First,
Transition Word(s) first, second, third…
to begin with, next, finally
used to connect, order, and
unify a piece of writing.
7

8. Body: Claim
Definition
A claim or a topic sentence is a statement that tells what your
paragraph will be about.
Body
Example
<Transition word> First, <Claim> I was raised by a family of
firemen, and ever since I was little, everyone in my
family has encouraged me to follow in the family
business.
Claim my family encouraged me to become a
firefighter
this paragraph will only focus on this
claim- it will prove it
8

9. Body: Lead-In
Definition
A. A SHORT transition from the claim (topic sentence) into the
example.
B. A word or a full sentence.
Body
Example
<Transition word> First, <claim> I was raised by a family of firemen, and every since I was little, everyone in my family has enc
ouraged me to follow in the family business. (Lead-in) For example,
Lead-in for example,
as stated by the author,
as a famous congressman said,
9

10. Body: Example
Definition
Something that is stated to help explain what you are saying or to
show that a general statement is true
• a fact
• an experience
• a quote
Body
Example
<Transition word> First, <claim> I was raised by a family of firemen, and every since I was little, everyone in my family has
encouraged me to follow in the family business. <Lead-in> For example, <Example> presents
for every Christmas and birthday, from the time I
was born until the time I was too old for parties,
were fireman related: hoses, hats, jackets, axes,
patches, and other gear.
Example fact/quote proving the topic sentence
10

11. Body: Clarify
Definition
After the example or detail, spend at least ONE sentence clarifying what the
fact/quote means in your own words, such as:
• Putting it in plain English (paraphrasing)
• Defining vocabulary if neededBody
Example
<Transition word> First, <claim> I was raised by a family of firemen, and every since I was little, everyone in my family has
encouraged me to follow in the family business. <Lead-in> For example, <Example> presents for every Christmas and birthday,
from the time I was born until the time I was too old for parties, were fireman related: hoses, hats, jackets, axes, patches, and
other gear. <Clarify> In other words, every member of my
family was teaming up to make me a firefighter!
Clarify a summary in your own words to
explain your example
11

12. Body: Explain
Definition
To explain how the example relates to the thesis, why it matters.
Body Example
<Transition word> First, <claim> I was raised by a family of firemen, and every since I was little, everyone in my family has
encouraged me to follow in the family business. <Lead-in> For example, <Example> presents for every Christmas and birthday,
from the time I was born until the time I was too old for parties, were fireman related: hoses, hats, jackets, axes, patches, and
other gear. <Clarify> In other words, every member of my family was teaming up to make me a firefighter!
<Explain> These experiences were crucial to me
because it gave me direction and a lot of support.
Explain how does this relate back to your
thesis
12

13. Conclusion
Definition
The final paragraph of an essay that pulls it all together.
1. Summarize the claims
2. Restate the thesis
3. Leave the reader with something to thing about (1+)
13

14. Hook: Quote Example
“George Bernard Shaw explained, ‘Those who can,
do. Those who can’t, teach.’ Woody Allen took that
definition one step further: ‘Those who can’t teach,
teach gym’.” (hook) Although teaching is often
criticized as a profession, I believe teaching is the
most respectful and rewarding career choices
today. (thesis)
2
Introduction

15. Hook: Fact/Statistic Example
“Of about 3 million youth that are injured
every year playing sports or participating
in recreational activities, only 25% are
treated in hospital emergency rooms.”(hook)
The importance of sports in the United
States has gotten too competitive in the
past 25 years. (thesis)
1
Introduction

16. Hook:
Thoughtful/Relevant Question Example
“Have you ever stayed up all night to
study for an exam, only to sleep through
your exam the next morning?” (hook) This is
why Time Management is such an
important skill to learn. (thesis)
1
Introduction

17. Hook:
Background Information Example
“When we intentionally make false statements, we
lie. Lies are regarded as sins, vices, transgressions,
and immoral offences.” (hook) This is what we are
taught at home, and in our churches, mosques, and
temples. I believe there should be a change in our
political system to punish leaders who are caught in
lies while serving. (thesis)
2
Introduction

18. Hook: Anecdote Example
“When I was a young boy, my father
worked at a coal mine. For 27 years, he
made it his occupation to scrape and claw
and grunt his way into the bowels of the
earth, searching for fuel. On April 19,
2004, the bowels of the earth clawed
back.” (hook) Natural disasters have been a
part of my life for decades. (thesis)
3
Introduction

19. Thesis Example #1
“All successful college students have certain
basic characteristics.” 4
Introduction
• The topic college students
• The angle successful students share certain characteristics
• The body should include examples of some of the shared
characteristics that contribute to college success

20. Thesis Example #2
“For most adult students returning to
college, the problems that they face along
the way are outweighed by their
achievements.”
4
Introduction
• The topic adult college students
• The angle the problems they face along the way are
outweighed by their achievements
• The body an explanation of the problems first and then an
explanation of achievements second

21. Thesis Example #3
“Adult students returning to college make
up a higher percentage of entering
students than they did twenty years ago
because of a number of statistical,
economic, and social reasons.”
Introduction
4
• The topic adult college students returning to college
• The angle there are reasons for the higher percentage of
adults returning to college
• The body an explanation of the statistical reasons first,
economic reasons second, and social reasons third

22. Transition Word List
Transition Word Groups Examples
Order Words first, next, then, last, finally
To Compare Things In the same way, similarly,
likewise, like, as, and, also
To Summarize or Conclude as a result, finally, in conclusion,
therefore, last, and in summary
To Add Information again, also, another, and, besides, for
example, for instance, next, finally,
as well, along with
To Contrast Things but, yet, otherwise, however, on the
other hand, still, although, and even
though
To Emphasize a Point again, for this reason, and in fact
Body

23. Related Works
1. sam82097nama. “Introductory-Paragraph-with-Hook-and-Thesis---Obesity-Pro
mpt...”Introductory-Paragraph-with-Hook-and-Thesis---Obesity-Prompt –
Introduction to Persuasive Essay Writing Hook Statements (I.e.beginwithaqu
ote,Anunusual, www.coursehero.com/file/17590244/Introductory-Paragrap
h-with-Hook-and-Thesis-Obesity-Prompt/.
2. “Hooks and Attention Grabbers.pdf.” Scribd, Scribd, www.scribd.com/d
ocument/340949968/Hooks-and-Attention-Grabbers-pdf.
3. Hanski, Mike. “How to Write a Good Hook for Your Essay.” On College Life and
Writing | Bid4papers Blog, 15 Sept. 2016, bid4papers.com/blog/hook-for-ess
ay/.
4. “Thesis Definition.” Suny Empire State College, www.esc.edu/online-writing-cen
ter/resources/academic-writing/process/shaping-information/thesis-definiti
on/.

24. Name
Date
Teacher/Class
Assignment
Title
<Introduction Hook> -------------------------------------------------------------. ---------------------------------------
-----. ------------------. ------------------------------------------------------------.------------------------------------------------------
-. --------------------------------------------------------. -----------------------------------------.<Thesis> ---------------------------
-------------------------------------.
First, <Claim> -----------------------------------. For example, <Quote/Example/Fact> --------------------------------
---------------------------------. (Author, Year, p. xx). In other words ---------------------. ---------------------------------------
---. ------------------------------------------------. This is significant because -------------------------------------. ----------------
------------------. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Second, <Claim> -----------------------------------. For example, <Quote/Example/Fact> -----------------------
------------------------------------------. (Author, Year, p. xx). In other words ---------------------. ------------------------------
------------. ------------------------------------------------. This is significant because -------------------------------------. -------
---------------------------. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Third, <Claim> -----------------------------------. For example, <Quote/Example/Fact> -------------------------
----------------------------------------. (Author, Year, p. xx). In other words ---------------------. --------------------------------
----------. ------------------------------------------------. This is significant because -------------------------------------. ---------
-------------------------. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
In conclusion, <Summarize claims> ----------------------------------------------. <Restate thesis> -------------------------.
<Leave the reader thinking> ---------------. --------------------------------------. --------------------------------------------. -------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. --------------------------------------------
--. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
1. Introduction
2. Body 1
3. Body 2
4. Body 3
5. Conclusion

25. 25
Elements of an Essay
1. Introduction
1. Hook
2. Thesis
2. Body
1. Transition Word (first, second, third,…)
2. Claim
3. Lead-in (for example,…)
4. Example
5. Citation (Author, p. xx).
6. Clarify (In other words,…)
7. Explain (This is significant because…)
3. Conclusion
1. Summarize the claims
2. Restate the thesis
3. Leave the reader with something to think about