Organizing and developing an essay

WRITING SKILL:ORGANIZING AND DEVELOPING AN

ESSAYSarah Warfield

VCU ELPSpring 2016

ANALYSIS ESSAYAn analysis essay examines a topic by breaking it down into smaller parts.

PARTS OF AN ESSAYEvery essay containsan introductionone or more body paragraphsa conclusion

INTRODUCTIONThe reader should be interested

INTRODUCTIONa “hook”background informationgeneral statements a thesis statementtopic and controlling idea

Tells the reader the purpose of the essay

HOOKcatches the reader’s attention

THESIS STATEMENTtopic and controlling ideacontrolling idea: a specific idea of an opinion about the topic

THESIS STATEMENTA role model inspires people to do their best.TOPIC = role modelCONTROLLING IDEA = inspires people to do their best

THESIS STATEMENTThe “data model” is a powerful tool for management feedback and strategic planning.TOPIC: The “data model”CONTROLLING IDEA: a power powerful tool for management feedback and strategic planning

THESIS STATEMENTPeople in the past spent a great deal of effort protecting themselves from witches.TOPIC: People in the pastCONTROLLING IDEA: spent a great deal of effort protecting themselves from witches

THESIS STATEMENTThere are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world. TOPIC: pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the worldCONTROLLING IDEA: many ideas

THESIS STATEMENTTo be an effective CEO requires certain characteristics. TOPIC: to be an effective CEO CONTROLLING IDEA: requires certain characteristics

BODY PARAGRAPHSTopic sentenceSupporting sentencesTransition Words

BODY PARAGRAPHSTopic sentenceIntroduce the topic and the controlling idea

BODY PARAGRAPHSSupporting sentencesAll relate to or develop the topicCreate unityOrganize the sentences for coherence

BODY PARAGRAPHSSupporting sentences

BODY PARAGRAPHSTransition Wordsfirstin additionfor example

show the relationship between supporting ideas

CONCLUSIONEnds the essayRestate the thesis in different words and/or summarize the main pointsRemind the reader why they are reading the essayHelp the leader look beyond the essay or think about other ideas