The Elements of an Excellent Essay
Title
*Conveys the main point of the essay in 10 words or fewer.
*Find a creative way to attract the reader’s attention and interest.
*Capitalize the first word and all the important words that follow.
Introduction
*Begin with a sentence that captures the reader’s attention.
*Enhance the paragraph with an interesting example, surprising statistic, or other “hook”.
*Give background information on the topic. (Bridge)
*Include the thesis statement.
Thesis Statement
*States the main idea of the essay.
*More general than the supporting material.
*May mention the main point of each of the body paragraphs.
Body Paragraph 1
*Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and relates it to the thesis statement.
*Fill with well-organized examples, quotations, comparisons, and analogies, and/or narration.
*May end with a transition.
Body Paragraph 2
*Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and relates it to the thesis statement.
*Fill with well-organized examples, quotations, comparisons, and analogies, and/or narration.
*May end with a transition.
Body Paragraph 3
*Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and relates it to the thesis statement.
*Fill with well-organized examples, quotations, comparisons, and analogies, and/or narration.
*May end with a transition.
Conclusion
*“Echo” the thesis statement without simply repeating it.
*May pose a question for future thought or suggest a course of action.
*Include a detail or example from the introduction to “tie up” the essay.
*End with a strong image or a bit of wit.
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