FROM PARAGRAPH TO ESSAY How they are alike and different 13

THE DIFFERENCE ParagraphEssay 14

THE PARAGRAPH A paragraph is more simple. It has a topic sentence, a little information in the middle to support it and finally a conclusion at the bottom to hold everything together. On top of that, like the strawberry sauce running from top to bottom, there are plenty of transition words that run through the paragraph. Those transitions make it that much sweeter and delicious to read. Yummy Topic Sentence Filling Supporting Sentences So Full Concluding Sentence Saucy transitions through and through 15

THE ESSAY The essay is a bit more complex and bigger. It has many different layers of information which must look good together when complete. Basically, an essay is a bunch of paragraphs that go well together. At the top, there is the sweet, eye catching introduction then a nice thick layer of topic sentence which should be the best part of the paper. After that, a new layer – a paragraph – is started. The first topic is discussed here. All of the ingredients in that paragraph are related to one idea. Then there is another fine layer of information with a new topic sentence and new information different from that in the paragraph before it. You may have a third topic sentence depending on your essay structure. Finally after the introduction and the body, there lays the delicious conclusion the reader must finish. In the concluding paragraph, restate your thesis and offer one last bit of information as you close the essay. This last bit of information can be an opinion, prediction, solution, advice or an interesting thought. Wouldn’t essays be much more fun to write if they looked and tasted like this pancake once completed? The Sweet Introduction The Thick Layered Thesis Statement First Topic Sentence Delicious Support for the First Topic Sentence The Second Topic Sentence More Delicious Support The Filling Concluding Sentence The Final Bite of Advice 16

5-PARAGRAPH ESSAY STRUCTURE The Introduction First Paragraph First, an eye catching, attention grabbing couple of sentences about the topic Then, one strong THESIS statement The First Supporting Idea Second Paragraph First, a topic sentence focusing on a specific point about your thesis Next, three or four supporting sentences backing up and explaining the topic sentence The Second Supporting Idea Third Paragraph First, another topic sentence focusing on a different specific point about your thesis Next, three or four supporting sentences backing up and explaining that idea The Last Supporting Paragraph (Sometimes Optional) Fourth Paragraph Depending on the type of essay, this paragraph will either be used to simply list another point or make another description OR it will be used to refute your argument in an opinion/argumentative essay OR it can tell the other side of the story such as the disadvantages after you have listed the advantages in paragraphs 2 and 3, for example. In some cases, the fourth paragraph can be omitted. Please refer to specific paragraph types to decide how to proceed with this paragraph. The Conclusion Fifth Paragraph First, you should restate your thesis idea. Do not repeat it word for word. Rephrase it a different way. Finally, you should end your essay with an opinion, prediction, solution, advice or an interesting thought to leave the reader with. You are done. Finished! A Few Tips for Writing Don’t Forget! Use transitions throughout each paragraph and essay…just like how you probably want the strawberry sauce to go from top to bottom of that delicious pancake short stack. Be relevant and to the point. Although, there is a lot of different information that goes into one essay, it all must fit together and be related to the thesis statement. Otherwise, it will not taste good…I mean, look good! 17

THE BASIC PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE The Topic Sentence First The topic sentence states what your paragraph is going to be about. The topic sentence must have a controlling idea. Every sentence in the paragraph needs to be related to the idea of the topic sentence. The Body Second The body of the paragraph is a few sentences to back up, support, and give examples and proof of your topic sentence. There should be about three or four supporting sentences in your body. Be sure to use transitions to keep things interesting, organized and easy to follow for the reader. The Concluding Sentence Third The concluding sentence restates your topic idea. At the same time, advice, opinion, or prediction can be added. However, for a single paragraph it is not required as in an essay. Do not repeat your topic sentence word by word for the concluding sentence. 18