Essay Basics

Essay Overview

1. Topic

Be sure to “answer the question”. Look carefully at the essay prompt. What are the key words? Which are the instruction words (e.g., “compare”, “discuss”, “give your opinion”). Underline or highlight these words.
Make sure your Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences, Supporting Sentences and Conclusion relate directly to the question. You must write on topic in every part of the essay. If any part of your essay is off topic, change or delete it!

2. Introduction

The first sentence of the introduction may be a “hook” which catches the reader’s attention.
The Introduction must include a Thesis Statement. The Thesis Statement gives your position (opinion or point of view) on the topic. It should be one sentence which gives an answer to the question you have been asked. Often, the Thesis Statement is the last sentence of the Introduction.
The Thesis Statement may include the topic of each body paragraph (e.g., “The internet can help students learn English in three main ways: X, Y and Z”, where X, Y and Z are the main ideas of the body paragraphs).
The other sentences of the Introduction lead the reader to the idea of your Thesis Statement. They may connect your “hook” to the Thesis Statement.

3. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs will each have a Topic Sentence, which gives the main idea of the paragraph in one sentence, plus Evidence. Evidence is other sentences which support the Topic Sentences with examples, explanations and/or other details.

The last sentence of the body paragraphs may summarise the paragraph or lead into the next paragraph.

4. Conclusion:

In the Conclusion, the Thesis is restated. At this point, the reasons behind your Thesis should be clear to the reader. The Conclusion may summarise the main points of the essay.

Never introduce new ideas in the Conclusion. End strongly.