By now, you’ve gathered enough opinions on your topic, engaged in some prewriting strategies, and decided on a rough structure for your essay. Now, it’s time to begin writing the different parts of your essay, first using your own voice and opinions to establish the structure and flow.
A first draft—your initial attempt to organize your thoughts in prose writing—is more complete than an outline and elaborates on your ideas in complete sentences and paragraphs. From your thesis statement and notes, you should write at least one draft. For now, disregard spelling, punctuation, and grammar, which are writing mechanics. In this draft, you want to focus on getting your ideas down in a way that reflects your outline and your proposed plan. Focus on the content.
Remember, an essay contains your own position plus the work of experts. It’s important to recognize this balance so that when you begin writing your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, you are aware of how much of your essay should be your own writing and how much should be drawing upon experts whom you’ve researched.
The purpose of an introductory paragraph is to engage your readers and set the tone of your essay. When writing your introduction, think of an inverted pyramid. At the widest part, you will start with broad information about the topic. As you progress to the point, you will narrow into your thesis statement, which is the main point of your essay.
Click on the tabs below to see what your introductory paragraph should contain from the first sentence to the last sentence. Click on the last tab, "Sample Introduction," to see an example.
STRONG INTRODUCTIONS BEGIN BY
Offering a noteworthy statistic or fact: There are over 500 known species of marine sharks (Smithsonian, 2018).
Introducing a question that makes the audience think: Are great white sharks the most dangerous predators in today’s oceans, or are humans?
Citing an interesting quote with an explanation about how it connects to the main point: "French fries kill more people than guns and sharks, yet nobody is afraid of French fries” (Kiyosaki, 2021, p. 2).
Presenting an issue or telling a story: A lone surfer wades into cloudy water. The posted warning, “Sharks Sighted,” foretells disaster.
Defining concepts (without using the dictionary, but just explaining meanings): Sharks are marine fish and feed on marine life and plankton, just like other fish.
Whatever strategy you use to begin your introduction, remember to always elaborate on its meaning after presenting it. Your readers need to know how the attention-grabber is relevant to the topic and main point.
The middle of your introduction is the place to provide your readers with context and background about the topic in your own words. After connecting your attention-grabber to the relevance of the topic, offer the audience more information about it. If your instructor has asked you to write about an issue in your field of study, this is where you would include information about the issue and explain why it is a problem. You are preparing your readers for the big reveal and stance: your thesis. Click on the next tab to learn more.
YOUR THESIS
The tip of your pyramid is where you reveal to the readers why they are here. This is where you present your thesis statement or main argument. Click on the next tab for a sample introduction. The last sentence is the thesis statement.
The CDC, citing the Kaiser Family Foundation, states that "kids ages eight-eighteen now spend on average, a whopping seven and a half hours in front of a screen for entertainment each day” (CDC, 2022, para. 1). Advancements in technology have made knowledge and entertainment accessible to all, allowing for connections between people worldwide. Recently, technology has provided a reliable means of communication in a time when a global pandemic forced drastic changes to lifestyles. On the other hand, the habits of many people have normalized technology as a replacement for face-to-face interactions, and children are among those paying the price. While some argue that daily technology use has little effect on wellbeing, research shows that physical, mental, and social repercussions are undeniable and drastic actions need to be taken to help young people find balance.
STRONG INTRODUCTIONS BEGIN BY
Offering a noteworthy statistic or fact: There are over 500 known species of marine sharks (Smithsonian, 2018).
Introducing a question that makes the audience think: Are great white sharks the most dangerous predators in today’s oceans, or are humans?
Citing an interesting quote with an explanation about how it connects to the main point: "French fries kill more people than guns and sharks, yet nobody is afraid of French fries” (Kiyosaki, 2021, p. 2).
Presenting an issue or telling a story: A lone surfer wades into cloudy water. The posted warning, “Sharks Sighted,” foretells disaster.
Defining concepts (without using the dictionary, but just explaining meanings): Sharks are marine fish and feed on marine life and plankton, just like other fish.
Whatever strategy you use to begin your introduction, remember to always elaborate on its meaning after presenting it. Your readers need to know how the attention-grabber is relevant to the topic and main point.
The middle of your introduction is the place to provide your readers with context and background about the topic in your own words. After connecting your attention-grabber to the relevance of the topic, offer the audience more information about it. If your instructor has asked you to write about an issue in your field of study, this is where you would include information about the issue and explain why it is a problem. You are preparing your readers for the big reveal and stance: your thesis. Click on the next tab to learn more.
YOUR THESIS
The tip of your pyramid is where you reveal to the readers why they are here. This is where you present your thesis statement or main argument. Click on the next tab for a sample introduction. The last sentence is the thesis statement.
The CDC, citing the Kaiser Family Foundation, states that "kids ages eight-eighteen now spend on average, a whopping seven and a half hours in front of a screen for entertainment each day” (CDC, 2022, para. 1). Advancements in technology have made knowledge and entertainment accessible to all, allowing for connections between people worldwide. Recently, technology has provided a reliable means of communication in a time when a global pandemic forced drastic changes to lifestyles. On the other hand, the habits of many people have normalized technology as a replacement for face-to-face interactions, and children are among those paying the price. While some argue that daily technology use has little effect on wellbeing, research shows that physical, mental, and social repercussions are undeniable and drastic actions need to be taken to help young people find balance.
Five-to-eight sentences is the typical length for an introductory paragraph.
Topic sentences are like mini-thesis statements that begin single paragraphs or groups of paragraphs. It is a topic sentence’s job to reveal what that paragraph will be about. The words you use in your topic sentences should be your own. You can look at your thesis statement to plan out what your topic sentences will say. This helps you organize the structure of your essay. Below, notice the sample topic sentences are linked to the thesis statement.
It is important to recognize that each of the topic sentences has an angle, just like the thesis statement, but on a smaller scale because you are supporting a part of the main point. Not all paragraphs will have a topic sentence, because sometimes several paragraphs will support just one topic sentence if you have a lot of different points to make regarding the one topic. If that is the case, it is smart to use transition words to begin paragraphs that support a main topic sentence. Doing so provides a smooth flow to your writing, and everything appears more cohesive.
Below are some transition words you can use for your topic sentences. Click on the tabs for various words you can use depending on the meaning you are trying to convey.
In addition
Moreover
Also
Likewise
Similarly
Furthermore
Although
Whereas
Nevertheless
Above all
Despite
Whereas
While
Since
Whenever
Unless
In case
So as to
Notably
Including Like
Namely
Chiefly
To clarify
Consequently
Therefore
Accordingly
Hence
Thus
For
Ultimately
In essence
Altogether
Overall
Usually
In brief
Before
Then
Since
When
After
Now
Beyond
Nearby
Wherever
To the rear
Below
Beneath
In addition
Moreover
Also
Likewise
Similarly
Furthermore
Although
Whereas
Nevertheless
Above all
Despite
Whereas
While
Since
Whenever
Unless
In case
So as to
Notably
Including Like
Namely
Chiefly
To clarify
Consequently
Therefore
Accordingly
Hence
Thus
For
Ultimately
In essence
Altogether
Overall
Usually
In brief
Before
Then
Since
When
After
Now
Beyond
Nearby
Wherever
To the rear
Below
Beneath
It helps to know what parts of your body paragraphs will be your own words and where you will include outside research. It also helps to know that each body paragraph focuses on one topic only, which usually supports a part of your thesis statement. The order in which the information below is presented is the order you should follow when building your body paragraph. Also, keep in mind that a body paragraph is typically five to eight sentences long, and try not to exceed half of a double-spaced Microsoft Word page.
Since you just learned about topic sentences above, use those same principles and remember that your topic sentence is always your own writing. Avoid starting a paragraph with anything other than a solid topic sentence. See the examples above.
After your topic sentence, the next task is to present a sentence or two that provides some background on the topic or points about the topic which support your stance, all in your own words.
The middle portion of your body paragraph is where you will present some evidence to back your claims. How do you introduce that evidence? You use signal phrases. This is introducing your research in your own words. There are many signal phrases you can use, but here are some options:
According to last name (year of publication)...
As last name (year of publication) indicated...
Last name (year of publication) claimed that...
Once you have used your signal phrasing to introduce your research, it's time to present it. You can do this two ways:
A quote
"using words verbatim with quotation marks around it" (last name, year of publication, page or paragraph number). Please note: All quotes require a page or paragraph number in the in-text citation
OR
A paraphrase
When you paraphrase, you take the author's phrasing and you put it into your own phrasing, but you still use an in-text citation at the end (last name, year of publication).
Paraphrasing is a better choice in most instances; quotes should be used sparingly, when you think using the author's words verbatim will make a special impact in supporting your claim/stance.
Now that you have presented your research in the middle of your body paragraph, you can provide an explanation of its meaning in your words. Remember, you are educating your audience on your stance by providing the evidence and then unpacking it in your own words.
When you are unpacking the research in your own words, also keep in mind you are educating your audience on why this research is relevant to your main argument/thesis statement. Every body paragraph is supporting the thesis statement, so unpacking the evidence in a way that shines light on a part of your main point is important. This part should also be in your own words.
Concluding the topic of your body paragraph is important because it reiterates that particular support of the thesis statement and allows you to move forward to the next body paragraph with a new topic. This should also be in your own words.
When you have reached your conclusion paragraph, you are probably feeling accomplished and proud of how far you have come. Even though you are close to the finish line, remember that an effective conclusion should wrap up your essay and main points without repetitive language and accomplish the following:
Your thesis, or controlling idea, should be reiterated but not restated in your conclusion.
If your thesis is this:
Because human habits are causing drastic climate change, society needs to take actions to reduce carbon footprints and save our planet.
A revisit could look like this:
Recognizing society’s part in climate change is important but taking that knowledge and changing daily habits will make the biggest difference.
It’s important to summarize your main points without presenting any new information.
Instead of, The first action humans can take to reduce carbon footprints is to stop buying brand new clothing because it is hurting the environment.
Try, Because research points to an environmental issue with brand new clothing purchases, changing to vintage is a helpful solution.
By revisiting a startling statistic, you are driving the point home, urging action, and allowing your audience to soak in the big picture perspective.
You wrote this in your intro: Research concludes that there is a “95% probability that human-produced greenhouse gases have caused the increase in temperatures over the past 50 years” (Nasa, 2021, para. 17).
Revisit it in the conclusion like this: The shocking facts about societal habits uncover a sense of urgency; our nation must act now to reverse climate change.
By recommending a course of action in your conclusion, you are helping your audience think further about the topic and what might need more research or action.
For example, if you are arguing that we can make positive changes to our climate, reiterate the actions that can be taken to do so.
Connecting to a larger theme in your conclusion can link your thesis statement to the overall big picture. For example, if you were asked to write about an issue in your field of study, and you wrote about climate change, you might discuss the field of Climatology and how the two connect for future research.
Your thesis, or controlling idea, should be reiterated but not restated in your conclusion.
If your thesis is this:
Because human habits are causing drastic climate change, society needs to take actions to reduce carbon footprints and save our planet.
A revisit could look like this:
Recognizing society’s part in climate change is important but taking that knowledge and changing daily habits will make the biggest difference.
It’s important to summarize your main points without presenting any new information.
Instead of, The first action humans can take to reduce carbon footprints is to stop buying brand new clothing because it is hurting the environment.
Try, Because research points to an environmental issue with brand new clothing purchases, changing to vintage is a helpful solution.
By revisiting a startling statistic, you are driving the point home, urging action, and allowing your audience to soak in the big picture perspective.
You wrote this in your intro: Research concludes that there is a “95% probability that human-produced greenhouse gases have caused the increase in temperatures over the past 50 years” (Nasa, 2021, para. 17).
Revisit it in the conclusion like this: The shocking facts about societal habits uncover a sense of urgency; our nation must act now to reverse climate change.
By recommending a course of action in your conclusion, you are helping your audience think further about the topic and what might need more research or action.
For example, if you are arguing that we can make positive changes to our climate, reiterate the actions that can be taken to do so.
Connecting to a larger theme in your conclusion can link your thesis statement to the overall big picture. For example, if you were asked to write about an issue in your field of study, and you wrote about climate change, you might discuss the field of Climatology and how the two connect for future research.