Essay Structure Dayane Evellin de S. Francisco Lívia C. das Neves Segadilha Victor Soares Santibañez

Oh God, I have to write an essay! First of all: there is no need to freek out - all you need is a pen, a sheet of paper and a little patience. Second: brainstorm your ideas. Fill the paper with them and select the most effective sentences. Third: have clearly in mind which will be your topic.

Oh God, I have to write an essay! Fourth: consider the structure given in this explanation and remember that: The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible. - Vladimir Nabokov

Outline Introduction Paragraph Development Conclusion

1. Introduction Importance As it is the reader’s first contact with the text, the introduction consists in: The point in which you present the topic and state a thesis; The moment in which you have to make clear what will be discussed in the essay; The chance to “catch” the reader’s attention.

1. Introduction How to write an introduction? The graph below shows that introduction can be developed in three parts, narrowing the general to the specific:   

1. Introduction From the graph we can assume that: Hook: consists in the essay’s first sentence - the point in which the reader’s interest must be captivated; General Comments: consists in a contextualization on the topic (details, further information, etc.); Thesis Statement: it is the essay’s most important sentence (s), in which you clearly present: a) your object(s) of discussion and b) your position on the subject.

Motivate the reader to read your whole essay! 1. Introduction So, a well-written introduction can… Motivate the reader to read your whole essay!   Three possible ways to build an introduction: 1. With a surprising fact; 2. With a quotation; 3. With an anecdote.

2. Paragraph development If you have a good introduction, the main topics to be discussed will already be pointed out. The next step will be to organize those topics by either: Chronological method: Each paragraph is ordered as the topics discussed happened in time. Spatial method: The author arranges the evidence in a spatial order, discussing details as they occur in space. It is most often used in descriptive essays. Emphatic method: This method consists on letting the most important topic to be discussed last. It is common in argumentative essays. Topical Order: Here, the order of the paragraphs are defined by the subject. By choosing the order that the subject requires to be understood.  

2. Paragraph development Starting paragraphs Controlling idea Topic sentence What each paragraph is expected to have Explanation of controlling idea Example Explanation (of example) -> Why is it important? End of paragraph's idea

2. Paragraph development Transitions Transitions between sections Transitions between paragraphs Transitions within paragraphs Logical Relationship Transitional Expressions Similarity also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand Sequence/Order first, second, third, ... next, then, finally Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus Additional Support or Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end

2. Paragraph development Keep in mind that your paragraphs should also be: Unified — All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single main idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph). Clearly related to the thesis — The sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper. Coherent — The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development. Well-developed — Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph's controlling idea. Explanation of controlling idea.

3. Conclusion Importance: It is your last chance to state your position; It is a chance to prove that your ideas and arguments in the text are valuable; It can present a solution or an answer to a problem, and can give further suggestions;

3. Conclusion Importance It can demonstrate the importance of the subject explored in the text; And last but not least: it can cause a good impression of your text on the reader.

3. Conclusion How to write a conclusion? The graph below shows that a conclusion can be divided in three parts, from more specific to more general:

3. Conclusion From the graph we can assume that you must have to: Restate the main ideas of the text; Synthesize these ideas; Give your position and comments about the subject of the text; Create a strong last sentence that cause a good final impression on the reader.

3. Conclusion So, a well-written conclusion can... Cause a good impression about your text; Give an new view of the subject to the reader; Give the reader something to think about.

Types of conclusion: Summary – gives a summary of the main points of the text; Prediction – usually predicts the consequences of some aspect of the text; Quotation – brings a quotation that can illustrates the author’s idea; Recommendation – gives suggestion to the reader.

Types of conclusion: Call for action – calls the reader’s attention to the subject that was exposed in the text; It is important to remember that a conclusion can combine characteristics of different types of conclusion.

Do not forget: In a conclusion it is important to not give just a summary of the text, but synthesize its main ideas; Be clear and do not lose your point; Do not introduce any new information; Be different, do not repeat the introduction. Above all, do not forget to be creative and do not be afraid of stating your position!