Time for School Essays

To write an effective essay, you must understand the assignment, or question that is being asked. What type of essay? What literary terms should be addressed? What research is needed? Can my essay be outlined effectively? You must review your notes, make a connection to a topic and formulate a claim: a thesis statement.

Once you have reviewed your notes, and brainstorm a topic, you can create a claim you can support with detailed evidence. The evidence should convince your reader and support your claim- thesis statement. The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your introduction; this is typically the last sentence in your introduction. A topic sentence will begin the paragraphs in the body of your essay to follow. Think of the topic sentence as a piece of your detailed claim. The sentence should be carefully focused and relate to part of your claim. Supporting evidence and details can be examples, facts, statistics etc.

The next paragraph of your essay’s body, should once again, have a topic sentence with smooth transitional phrase that links your new detail or supporting evidence. Be sure to include supporting evidence and details in each paragraph. Each paragraph focuses on a detailed idea originating from your thesis statement.

A conclusion will sum up the importance of the essay’s claim. The first sentence of your conclusion, will restate your thesis using different words; it says the same thing as your claim but in a different way. The concluding paragraph should provide a sense that the essay has served its purpose.

Key evidence and a brief overview or summary of the main idea of the essay is a good way to end a paper. A “clincher” sentence may be used as the last sentence in your conclusion to leave your reader wandering. We have all heard the saying, “show don’t tell!” By showing your reader the details, and supporting evidence for your claim, you gain the reader’s trust to believe your claim, or thesis statement. Many instructors require an outline of your essay, to ensure you have focused and organized your paper appropriately. Remember to always stick to the focus of your claim, and support, support, support!

Below is a sample outline to assist in an essay format.

1. Introduction

A.

B.

C. Thesis statement

1. BODY-

   1. Topic sentence (1st reason/detail)

   2. (EXAMPLE-detail)

2. BODY-

   1. Topic sentence (2nd reason)

   2. (EXAMPLE-explain)

3. BODY-

   1. Topic sentence (3rd reason)

   2. (EXAMPLE- explain)

4. Conclusion

   1. RESTATE THESIS

   2. Summarize fine points of paper