2. Learning Objectives:
• Revise the techniques of writing paragraph
• Recognize the techniques of writing strong
introductory paragraph incorporating thesis statement
• Assess how and when to use which organizing
technique
• Identify the do’s and don’ts of writing conclusion
• Develop logical thinking
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3. What is an Essay?
• An essay is a "short formal piece of
writing, dealing with a single subject"
4. Structure of an Essay
I. Introduction
A. Background information
B. Thesis sentence (including 3 specific
points)
II. Topic sentence for 1st body paragraph
A. Point one
B. Point two (at least 2 points, but
more points are fine)
5. Structure of an Essay
III. Topic sentence for 2nd body paragraph
A. Point one
B. Point two
IV. Topic sentence for 3rd body paragraph
A. Point one
B. Point two
V. Conclusion
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Structure of an Essay
The three main parts of an essay
• The Introduction
• The main body
• The conclusion
8. Introduction
• Hook Statement----- Attention getter
• Transition Sentences----- general
statement regarding the topic
• Thesis statement------- specific points
always at the end
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9. The Hook
• An opening sentence or two that grabs
the reader’s interest and introduces the
general topic of the essay
– Historical information
– A surprising statement
– A declarative statement
– A quote
– A question
– A common misperception
10. The Hook
• Strategy
– Provide some
interesting
background about the
topic in the form of a
general statement
– Use a thought-
provoking quotation
• Examples
– The lesson of the
history is that, instead of
settling any problem
finally, wars create
more problems and
generate greater
tensions which results
another war.
– “All war is symptom of
man’s failure as a
thinking animal”.
John Steinbeck
11. The Hook
• Strategy
– Ask a question
about your topic
– State a surprising
fact or a puzzling
statement
• Examples
– Why don’t many people
admire War/peace?
– In “War before
Civilization’’, Lawrence
H. Keeley, says
approximately 90-95%
of known societies
through history engaged
in at least occasional
warfare, and many
fought constantly.
12. The Hook
• Strategy
– State a common
misconception
– Describe a Declarative
statement or problem
• Examples
– Wars don’t settle
anything rather it paves
the way for another war.
– Everyone knows the
biggest threat to our 21st
century civilization is the
third (nuclear war)
World war.
13. Hook
The author Aldous Huxley once said, “To
his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the
constant popularity of dogs.”
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14. Transition Sentence
• The transitional sentence connects the
hook to the thesis statement.
• Make a bridge to connect the attention
getting sentence(s) to your thesis
statement
15. Thesis Statement
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Specific, precise, usually one or two sentences
in length, found at the end of the introduction
Determines the writer’s view point in more
specific way
16. Thesis Statement
• A thesis statement clearly identifies the
topic being discussed.
– Narrows the topic down to a specific focus of
an investigation.
– Establishes a direction for the entire paper.
17. Thesis Statement
– Points forward to the conclusion.
– Always stated in your introduction. (Usually
at the end of the first paragraph).
– Always take a stand and justify further
discussion.
20. Thesis Statement
Thesis statement is
strong:
• Specific
• Precise
• Arguable
• Forceful
Thesis statement is
weak:
• A declaration
• Insult the opposing
side
• Broad
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21. Introduction (Hook)
War Settles Nothing
The lesson of the history is that, instead of settling any
problem finally, wars create more problems and generate
greater tensions which result another war. WWI led to
WWII, which led to cold war, which further gave birth to
Afghan-Russia War, which ended in 9/11 and War on
terror. Therefore, now world is at the verge of potential
threat of another great WWIII.
1. Attention getter
22. Introduction (Transitional)
War Settles Nothing
Many people now a days believe that war is a permanent
solution of the conflicts like Palestinian issue, Kashmir issue,
and many more, but they are oblivion that it is easy to start a
war and it is far difficult to control its negative consequences.
Furthermore, they need to understand that modern war is not a
conventional war rather a technological war which means
Nuclear war.
2. Bridge or transition sentences
23. Introduction (Thesis)
War Settles Nothing
Therefore, it is pertinent to understand that
war can never settle anything permanently as
for as the living world exist.
3. Thesis statement
24. War Settles Nothing
1. The lesson of the history is that, instead of settling any problem
finally, wars create more problems and generate greater
tensions which result another war. WWI led to WWII, which led
to cold war, which further gave birth to Afghan-Russia War,
which ended in 9/11 and War on terror. Therefore, now world is
at the verge of potential threat of another great WWIII. 2. Many
people now a days believe that war is a permanent solution of
the conflicts like Palestinian issue, Kashmir issue, and many
more, but they are oblivion that it is easy to start a war and it is
far difficult to control its negative consequences. Furthermore,
they need to understand that modern war is not a conventional
war rather a technological war which means Nuclear war.3.
Therefore, it is pertinent to understand that war can never settle
anything permanently as for as the living world exist.
1. Attention getter
2. Bridge or transition sentences
3. Thesis statement
25. Introduction Example
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Favorite Pet
The author Aldous Huxley once said, “To his dog,
every man is Napoleon; hence the constant
popularity of dogs.” As I consider the pet I would like
to have share my life, it’s Huxley’s quote that sums
up why a dog would be the best choice. Because of
its sense of loyalty, its ability to protect you and its
great companionship, a dog is the perfect pet.
26. Body of Essay
• The body is a set of paragraphs that
develop the idea expressed in the thesis
statement.
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27. Body of Essay
All the paragraphs:
• A Topic Sentence (umbrella sentence)
• Two supporting arguments/evidences at
least
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29. Example Essay Outline
Thesis Statement
It is pertinent to understand that war can never settle anything permanently
as far as the living world exist.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence
Mankind apparently learns nothing from history and repeats same mistakes
again and again and our history is replete with the examples that war
settles nothing.
Main Points:
1. WWI, WW2 mere destruction and source of another war
2. Crusades inflict infinite injures and destruction yet settled nothing
3. Other great wars of the world settled nothing but paved way for new and
more tense wars.
30. Example Essay Outline
.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence:
It is altogether unnatural that human beings strive for peace but
to secure peace they have to restore to war.
Main Points: 1. Justice can not be ensured through injustice
2. Honor can not me restored through
humiliation
3. Freedom can not be attained through slavery
31. Example Essay Outline
Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence:
Another analysis of causes of wars will also prove that
wars settles nothing.
Main Points:
1. Religious (differences are engulfing day by day)
2. Political ( more political parties and alliances are
emerging)
3. Territory ( locals never accepted defeat, rather firm
in resolve)
32. Conclusion
• The conclusion is the final paragraph of
the essay.
Summaries the main points.
Restates the thesis.
Makes a final comment
Emphasize an action
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Conclusion
33. Conclusion
• Introduction arouse an interest which a
conclusion must satisfy it.
• Avoid abrupt and feeble ending which
may spoil the whole effect of the essay.
• Sum up the arguments
• A suitable quotation
• Striking sentence
34. Signal/Transition Words
• For examples: For example, for instance, to
illustrate
• For organization or chronological order: The six
steps are…, next, finally first, secondly, third
• For additional points: Furthermore, in addition, also,
moreover
• For opposing ideas: On the other hand, in contrast,
although, however
• For similar ideas: Likewise, similarly, in comparison
35. Signal/Transition Words
• For exceptions: However, nevertheless, but, yet,
still
• For emphasis: Above all, finally, more importantly
• For understanding: In other words, in essence,
briefly
• For summarizing: In conclusion, to sum up, for
these reasons, in a nutshell
• For exams: Remember this, this is important, this
could be on the test
39. Descriptive Essay
• Descriptive writing creates a picture of a
person, place or thing
• Descriptions are words that give listener
or reader some idea of how something
looks, sounds, smells or tastes.
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40. Descriptive Essay
• A descriptive essay explains how
someone or something looks or feels.
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42. Planning
What or who do you want to describe?
What is your reason for writing your
description?
What are the particular qualities that you
want to focus on?
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43. Drafting
What sights, sounds, smells, tastes?
Which details can you include ?
What details should be left out?
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45. Sensory Details
Focus on the Five Senses
Sensory description uses sight, sound,
smell, touch, and taste
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46. Sensory Details
Example:
My sister and I walked along the boardwalk
each afternoon of our vacation.
My sister and I walked along the boardwalk
one afternoon on our vacation. The hot
boards warmed our bare feet.
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49. Introductory Paragraph
Hook: something that gets the reader
interested. Question, description,
Statement, statistic, fact. Etc.
Transition sentence: from the hook to the
main topic/ background information.
Thesis statement: 3 clear points of
development
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50. Introduction
I can still remember the beautiful breeze on my
face, the smell of the salty air and the sound of
crashing waves on the shore. That day was the
most relaxing day of my life. I will never forget the
feeling of relaxation that I felt when I went to
Jamaica, it was like I had left my world of
frustration and busyness. The beach is such a
perfect place to relax for me because of its
wonderful weather, the beautiful scenery, and its
friendly people.
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52. Body Paragraph
The weather in Jamaica is perfect relaxation
weather. First, It never gets below 80 degrees and
the breeze is always light and refreshing. Also, It
hardly ever rains there and you don’t ever have to
worry about snow! In addition, I can relax on the
beach and never have to worry about catching a
chill at night. It is easy to see how the weather
makes it so easy to relax on the beach in
Jamaica.
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53. Concluding Paragraph
Restate the thesis
Summarize the points of development .
Give a suggestion, opinion, or prediction.
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54. Conclusion Paragraph
I can’t think of any better place to relax than
the beach. The pleasant weather makes it
comfortable all year round, the scenery has
beauty beyond imagination, and the people
are the friendliest I’ve ever met. Anyone
who really needs to relax should consider
booking the next flight to the wonderful
beaches of Jamaica. .
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56. Assignment
Write an essay of about 300-500 words on
any one of the given topics:
The house I grew up in
My perfect vacation
I wish I lived in that house
Plagiarised essay will be marked 0
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