Essay Basics Follow this formula to success!

Five paragraphs required. 1.Introduction 2.Body paragraph #1 3.Body paragraph #2 4.Body paragraph #3 5.Conclusion

Introduction T.A.G. it! Give the title-author-genre of your text. Thesis statement. State clearly the subject you will address in your essay. Sometimes this is combined with your T.A.G. Summary or description of the text you will analyze. Usually several sentences long. Quick review or introduction to the supporting ideas developed in the body paragraphs of your essay which prove or demonstrate your thesis. A transition sentence leading your reader into the body of the essay. Sometimes the transition sentence occurs at the beginning of the next paragraph.

Example of an introduction: In the memoir Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals, the author describes how she survives a harrowing year helping to integrate Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas in This memoir details how nine students, known as the Little Rock Nine, were the first to enroll at the all-white high school. Although Brown v. Board of Education declared that it was no longer legal to have separate but equal schools in 1954, putting this into practice was quite a difficult ordeal. White students tormented the narrator and the other African American students both with mental and physical abuse. Melba could not have surived this year without the help of her grandmother, India Patillo, Danny, a member of the 101 st Airborne Division, and Link a white senior at Central High School.

Let’s take that paragraph apart! How are all the elements necessary in an introduction accounted for?

T.A.G. and thesis: In the memoir Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals, the author describes how she survives a harrowing year helping to integrate Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas in 1957.

Summary of text: This memoir details how nine students, known as the Little Rock Nine, were the first to enroll at the all-white high school. Although Brown v. Board of Education declared that it was no longer legal to have separate but equal schools in 1954, putting this into practice was quite a difficult ordeal. White students tormented the narrator and the other African American students both with mental and physical abuse.

Introduction to 3 body paragraphs: Melba could not have surived this year without the help of her grandmother, India Patillo, Danny, a member of the 101 st Airborne Division, and Link a white senior at Central High School.

Hey! There’s no transition! Well, I guess the transition will have to occur in the first body paragraph. Let’s look at that now:

Body paragraphs. Each of your three body paragraphs should explain in full one reason or example for your thesis and several specific and relevant details which support your example. You may even include a quotation which supports this reason or example (include page number). Don’t forget to include a complete and clear explanation of how the reason or example is relevant to your thesis. Friday, we worked up an outline for one body paragraph, let’s look at that now.

Here is precisely what your body paragraph will need: Topic sentence introducing the topic of your paragraph. This often includes a transition from the last paragraph. Many supporting details to prove or demonstrate the main topic of your body paragraph. Be sure you explain how these details are relevant to your topic and the thesis. Concluding sentence which sums up the paragraph and this reason for your thesis.

Body Paragraph #1 Grandma India

Supporting Information Gives her a diary to write down her feelings and talk to God. Inspires her by telling her she is a warrior on the battlefield of her lord. (p. 44) Gives her the idea of turning the tables on her attackers by telling her to use non-violent resistance: thank them. That way, they’ll be thrown off balance and you will feel powerful and able to endure their torments more easily. (pp )

Here is this paragraph written up: The person who probably helped Melba the most was Grandma India. She gave Melba a diary to write down her feelings and talk to God. This gave Melba an outlet to express herself. Grandma India also told Melba that she should look upon herself as a warrior for God. “You’re a warrior on the battlefield for your Lord. God’s warriors don’t cry ‘cause they trust he’s always by their side, ” (p.44). This advice helped inspire Melba and made her realize that what she was doing was important and valuable and it helped her become more courageous. Another specific piece of advice that Grandma India gave Melba was to “take charge of these mind games,” (p. 164). In fact, Grandma went further, she told Melba, “They win when you respond the way they expect you to. Change the rules of the game, girl,” (p. 165). When Melba said they would just think she was crazy, Grandma explained that they would realize she was no longer their victim and they would stop. Of course, they did not completely stop, but Melba did feel stronger and more in control of her own self-esteem. Her tormentors were no longer able to make her feel bad about herself. Grandma India’s advice and support was crucial to Melba’s ability to survive the year at Central.

Let’s take that paragraph apart! How are all the elements necessary in a body paragraph accounted for?

Topic sentence The person who probably helped Melba the most was Grandma India.

Supporting details: She gave Melba a diary to write down her feelings and talk to God. This gave Melba an outlet to express herself. Grandma India also told Melba that she should look upon herself as a warrior for God. “You’re a warrior on the battlefield for your Lord. God’s warriors don’t cry ‘cause they trust he’s always by their side, ” (p.44). This advice helped inspire Melba and made her realize that what she was doing was important and valuable and it helped her become more courageous. Another specific piece of advice that Grandma India gave Melba was to “take charge of these mind games,” (p. 164). In fact, Grandma went further, she told Melba, “They win when you respond the way they expect you to. Change the rules of the game, girl,” (p. 165). When Melba said they would just think she was crazy, Grandma explained that they would realize she was no longer their victim and they would stop. Of course, they did not completely stop, but Melba did feel stronger and more in control of her own self-esteem. Her tormentors were no longer able to make her feel bad about herself.

Concluding sentence Grandma India’s advice and support was crucial to Melba’s ability to survive the year at Central.

Conclusion: A general introductory sentence guiding the reader into the conclusion which often includes: Restatement of thesis, in new words Quick review of all three reasons or examples and why they prove your thesis statement Some concluding remarks about how well you have proved your point, and general concluding remarks about how important your topic is and how important it is that your reader be convinced of your opinion.

Here’s an example of a conclusion: Thus, Melba survived her difficult year at Central High School. She could not have done so without the help of her grandmother, Danny, and Link. All of these people helped make Melba strong enough to overcome the taunts and abuse of the segregationists. In a way, we all rely on others to help us through difficult situations, whether it be a child learning to ride a bike, an adult returning to college, or an older person who needs home health care. In this case, however, a young teenager was able to help change the world with the strength she got from the help of important people in her life.