E ssay S tructure ( B ody and C onclusion)

B asic E ssay S tructure I ntroduction B ody Paragraphs C onclusion

I ntroduction

B ody Paragraphs

C onclusion

B ody T he body paragraphs in an essay should: D evelop your topic P rove your points H ave a pattern (e.g. chronological order, comparison/contrast, or a combination of both)

T he body paragraphs in an essay should:

D evelop your topic

P rove your points

H ave a pattern (e.g. chronological order,

comparison/contrast, or a combination of both)

P aragraph S tructure A P aragraph I s: A group of related sentences that discuss one (and usually only one) main idea. A paragraph can be as short as one sentence or as long as ten sentences or more. The length of a paragraph is not important, it should be long enough to develop the main idea clearly.

A P aragraph I s:

A group of related sentences that discuss one

(and usually only one) main idea. A paragraph

can be as short as one sentence or as long as

ten sentences or more. The length of a

paragraph is not important, it should be long

enough to develop the main idea clearly.

P aragraph S tructure T hree P arts of a P aragraph T opic sentence S upporting sentences C oncluding sentence (if necessary)

T hree P arts of a P aragraph

T opic sentence

S upporting sentences

C oncluding sentence (if necessary)

P aragraph S tructure T opic S entence T opic (states the topic) C ontrolling idea (controls or limits the topic to a specific area) Gold, (topic) a precious metal, is known for two important characteristics . (controlling idea)

T opic S entence

T opic (states the topic)

C ontrolling idea (controls or limits the topic to a specific area)

Gold, (topic) a precious metal, is known for two

important characteristics . (controlling idea)

P aragraph S tructure W riting T opic S entences A topic sentence must be a complete sentence, with a subject and a verb. A topic sentence should neither be too general nor too specific. A topic sentence should not have unrelated controlling ideas.

W riting T opic S entences

A topic sentence must be a complete sentence,

with a subject and a verb.

A topic sentence should neither be too general

nor too specific.

A topic sentence should not have unrelated

controlling ideas.

P aragraph S tructure S upporting S entences E xplain or prove the topic sentence A re specific and factual C an be examples, statistics, or quotations

S upporting S entences

E xplain or prove the topic sentence

A re specific and factual

C an be examples, statistics, or quotations

P aragraph S tructure C oncluding S entence S ignals the end of the paragraph. L eaves the reader with the most important ideas. It can do this in two ways: B y summarizing the main points of the paragraph. B y repeating the topic sentences in different words. A paragraph doesn’t always need a concluding sentence.

C oncluding S entence

S ignals the end of the paragraph.

L eaves the reader with the most important

ideas. It can do this in two ways:

B y summarizing the main points of the paragraph.

B y repeating the topic sentences in different words.

A paragraph doesn’t always need a concluding sentence.

C oncluding P aragraph S ignals the end of the essay R eminds your reader of your main points: You can: S ummarize your subtopics. P araphrase your thesis. I t leaves your reader with your final thoughts.

S ignals the end of the essay

R eminds your reader of your main

points: You can:

S ummarize your subtopics.

P araphrase your thesis.

I t leaves your reader with your final thoughts.

C oncluding P aragraph W ays to write a memorable conclusion M ake a prediction S uggest results or consequences. S uggest a solution, make a recommendation. Q uote an authority on the topic.

W ays to write a memorable conclusion

M ake a prediction

S uggest results or consequences.

S uggest a solution, make a recommendation.

Q uote an authority on the topic.

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