Introduction to essay writing

1. WRITING ESSAYS
Exercise 1: Read the essay below and put the paragraphs in the correct order. Underline
the thesis statement and topic sentences. Write the topic of the essay (what is it about?).
Topic: .....................................................................................................................
Problems at the Cinema
_____ Once you get your tickets, you face with other problems, such as some
annoying audiences. Little kids race up and down the aisles. Teenagers try to
impress their friends by talking back to the screen, whistling, and making
disturbing noises. Adults act as if they were at home in their own living
rooms and comment loudly on the ages of the stars or why movies aren't as
good anymore.
_____ First of all, just getting to the theatre has plenty of difficulties.
Leaving a home with a TV and a video recorder is not an attractive idea on a
cold, or rainy night. Even if the weather is warm, you still have to drive and
look for a parking space is another pain. Then when you get there, you worry
about whether there will be enough tickets, whether you will get seats
together, and whether many people will sneak into the line ahead of you
while buying tickets.
_____ After arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was
not going to be a movie goer anymore. I was tired of the problems of getting
to the movies and some of the audiences. The next day I arranged to have
cable TV service installed in my home. I may now see movies a bit later than
other people, but I'll be more relaxed watching films in the comfort of my
own living room.
______ I am a movie fanatic. I used to go to the cinema almost twice or three
times a week with my friends. However, my friends have stopped asking me
if I want to go out to the movies because I often prefer to wait for a movie to
show up on TV or watch a DVD at home. I don’t enjoy going to the cinema
anymore because of the problems in getting to the theatre, and the behaviour
of some audiences.

2. PARTS OF AN ESSAY
RULES:
Rule 1:In the ___________, I should (1)give the reader background
information that the reader needs to understand about the topic, (2) write a
________ statement that tells the reader what the essay will be about
(SUBJECT) and what points I will make in the essay (MAIN FOCUS).
e.g. :Love (………….) is a powerful force which can add a sense of security,
and belonging (………………) to a person’s life.
There are some techniques to follow in the introduction:
a) Move from general to specific
b) ________________________
c) ________________________
d) ________________________
e) ________________________
Exercise 2:Write an essay about the reasons why running is becoming an extremely
popular sport for all ages. Write the introduction below.
Rule 2:In the ................. part of your essay, I should write 2 or 3 paragraphs.
Each body paragraph:
 starts with a ___________ sentence that supports the thesis statement,
 has several sentences which support the topic sentence,
 can have a concluding sentence, but generally doesn’t need one.
1. Body paragraph 2. paragraph
A) WEIGHT CONTROL B) PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-
BEING -
 Helps self-control
 Burns calories  Prevents depression
 Encourages a healthy diet  Aids sleep
 Suppresses appetite

3. Exercise 3: Write 2 body paragraphs below.
1. Body Paragraph
2. Body Paragraph
Rule 3:In the ....................... part of my essay, I should (1)give the thesis
again, but differently summarise the main ideas, (2) give something more to
think about, and (3)should notgive any new information.
Techniques I can use in the conclusionare as follows:
1- Restate your main points.
2- ____________________
3- ____________________
4- ____________________
5- ____________________
Exercise 4: Write a conclusion paragraph for the topic (the reasons why running is
becoming an extremely popular sport for all ages) below.

4. HOMEWORK: Choose one of the topics below and write an opinion
essay(with an introduction, 2 body paragraphs and a conclusion).
1. TV: could you be without it? Discuss.
2. Automobiles make our life better and easier. Do you agree or disagree?
3. Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the
written word as the main source of information?
4. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a
country. Do you agree or disagree?

5. ANSWER KEY
WRITING ESSAYS
Exercise 1: Read the essay below and put the paragraphs in the correct order. Underline
the thesis statement and topic sentences. Write the topic of the essay (what is it about?).
Topic: The reasons why the author doesn’t like going to the cinema
Problems at the Cinema
__3___ Once you get your tickets, you face with other problems, such as
some annoying audiences. Little kids race up and down the aisles. Teenagers
try to impress their friends by talking back to the screen, whistling, and
making disturbing noises. Adults act as if they were at home in their own
living rooms and comment loudly on the ages of the stars or why movies
aren't as good anymore.
___2__ First of all, just getting to the theatre has plenty of difficulties.
Leaving a home with a TV and a video recorder is not an attractive idea on a
cold, or rainy night. Even if the weather is warm, you still have to drive and
look for a parking space is another pain. Then when you get there, you worry
about whether there will be enough tickets, whether you will get seats
together, and whether many people will sneak into the line ahead of you
while buying tickets.
___4__ After arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was
not going to be a movie goer anymore. I was tired of the problems of getting
to the movies and some of the audiences. The next day I arranged to have
cable TV service installed in my home. I may now see movies a bit later than
other people, but I'll be more relaxed watching films in the comfort of my
own living room.
___1__ I am a movie fanatic. I used to go to the cinema almost twice or three
times a week with my friends. However, my friends have stopped asking me
if I want to go out to the movies because I often prefer to wait for a movie to
show up on TV or watch a DVD at home. I don’t enjoy going to the cinema
anymore because of the problems in getting to the theatre, and the behaviour
of some audiences.

6. PARTS OF AN ESSAY
RULES:
Rule 1: In theintroduction, I should (1)give the reader background
information that the reader needs to understand about the topic, (2) write a -
thesis statement that tells the reader what the essay will be about (SUBJECT)
and what points I will make in the essay (MAIN FOCUS).
e.g. :Love (subject) is a powerful force which can add a sense of security,
and belonging (main focus) to a person’s life.
There are some techniques to follow in the introduction:
a) Move from general to specific
b) Use an anecdote
c) Use a quotation
d) Ask a question
e) Present facts and statistics
Exercise 2:Write an essay about the reasons why running is becoming an extremely
popular sport for all ages. Write the introduction below.
Rule 2: In thebody part of your essay, I should write 2 or 3 paragraphs.
Each body paragraph:
 starts with a topic sentence that supports the thesis statement,
 has several sentences which support the topic sentence,
 can have a concluding sentence, but generally doesn’t need one.
1. Body paragraph 2. paragraph
A) WEIGHT CONTROL B) PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-
BEING -
 Helps self-control
 Burns calories  Prevents depression
 Encourages a healthy diet  Aids sleep
 Suppresses appetite
Exercise 3: Write 2 body paragraphs below.
3. Body Paragraph

7. 4. Body Paragraph
Rule 3: In the conclusion part of my essay, I should (1)give the thesis again,
but differently summarise the main ideas, (2) give something more to think
about, and (3)should not give any new information.
Techniques I can use in the conclusion are as follows:
1- Restate your main points.
2- Ask a question
3- Suggest the solution
4- Make a recommendation
5- Make a prediction
Exercise 4: Write a conclusion paragraph for the topic (the reasons why running is
becoming an extremely popular sport for all ages) below.