Writing an Essay

Essay Writing Workshop for Intermediate to Advanced level

Tabinda Mirza

Is this you?!

DO NOT PANIC!

Today we will learn how to write an essay, step by step!

What is an Essay?

An essay is a written collection of prose, organized and divided neatly into paragraphs

Always remember that an essay is a written form of communication and therefore, must be clear, organized and easily understandable to those reading

What is the Purpose of an Essay?

• An essay is used to state and support an opinion with proof and explanation

• Essays can be used to persuade others to agree with your opinion

Why do we write five paragraph essays?

• The first paragraph is an introductory paragraph

• The middle three paragraph are the body paragraphs

• The last paragraph is the concluding paragraph

ESSAY BURGER

Introductory Paragraph

Introductory Paragraph and Thesis Statement• The first sentence [or two] in your introductory paragraph should

always be a hook sentence to get your audience interested in reading your essay.

• The next sentence should list your three reasons/proofs. These should be ordered from weakest to strongest (or at least important to most important) to make sure the audience want s to keep reading your essay.

• The thesis statement is the most important part of your essay. It is a specific statement that expresses your opinion about a topic without using the words “I believe” or “I think”

• Your thesis statement should only be one sentence long• Your thesis statement is always the last sentence of your

introductory paragraph

Introductory ParagraphSample Introductory Paragraph

Topic: Civil Service for all Canadians in their eighteenth year is compulsory.

Reasons/Proofs:• Already exists in many other countries around the world• In this economy, it is a good way to get some job experience • A good way for Canadians to do something worthwhile for their country

Introductory Paragraph:

The topic of civil service is not one that enters the mind of many teenagers as they approach the time at which they are required to make those life altering decisions that affect everyone. However, there are many benefits to considering this issue. Mandatory civil service at the age of eighteen is an admirable idea because [A] it already exists in many countries around the world, [B] it would allow teenagers to gain valuable job experience and [C] it is an excellent way for individuals to do something worthwhile for their country. For these reasons, [Thesis statement] civil service should be mandatory for all Canadians in their eighteenth year.

The Body Paragraphs

The Body Paragraphs • The body of an essay contains three paragraphs. Each paragraph deals

with one of the three reasons/proofs from your introductory paragraph.• Remember, you must always keep your reasons/proofs in the same order.

Therefore, write about them in the same order as you did in the introductory paragraph.

• At the beginning of each body paragraph, use a transition word to remind the reader which paragraph they’re reading.

• At the beginning if the first paragraph, use the word “First” or “Firstly”• At the beginning of the second paragraph, use the word “Second” or

“Secondly”• At the beginning of the third paragraph, use the word “Third”,

“Thirdly”, or “Finally”.

Body Paragraphs Each body paragraph should follow the structure bellow:

Sentence #1• Topic sentence stating the Reason/Proof dealt with in the

paragraph

Sentence #2 • Offer a piece of evidence to support your reason/proof

Middle Sentences• In your own words, explain how your evidence supports or

proves the reason/proof

Last sentence• Concluding sentences summarizing the paragraph’s

reason/proof and connecting it back to the thesis statement.

Concluding Paragraph First Sentence

The first sentence in your concluding paragraph should restate the thesis statement. DO NOT repeat the thesis exactly the same way you stated it in the introductory paragraph.

Never begin your concluding paragraph with, “In this essay, I have proven that…”

Middle Sentences

Rephrase (but DO NOT copy) the three reasons/proofs. If the reasons/proofs are short and brief, this can be accomplished in one sentence. Otherwise, restate each in its own sentence, each beginning with an appropriate transition word/statements.

Concluding Paragraph Last sentence• Finish your essay with a profound general

statement that leaves your audience thinking about the point of your essay. This may take more than one sentence.

• Never, never, never, even in your wildest dreams, in spite of peer pressure, introduce new information in the concluding paragraph

Concluding Paragraph There are several different reasons why compulsory

civil service for all eighteen-year-old Canadians is a beneficial idea. First, many other successful countries in the world already do it, so Canada can look to their examples. Secondly, young Canadians would have the opportunity to gain valuable job experience for themselves, often doing things that they would never be able to do in their hometowns. Lastly, it would give Canadians the chance to contribute to the development of their country. Given our freedoms and lifestyle opportunities, it only makes sense to give something back to the country that makes it all possible. It is an easy concept to understand, and on that can make a world of a difference.

Tips for Writing Formal Essays

• Do not use personal pronouns (I, we, you) These suggest your essay is an opinion instead of factual• Write in Present tense• Do not use rhetorical devises or creative

writing skills • Do not use contractions (Can’t, won’t,

couldn’t) • Do not use slang or informal language

Tips for Writing Formal Essays

Avoid using vague language (be specific)In an essay do not simply summarize your

novel/play (assume that whoever is reading knows the novel/play well)

In your body paragraph, be as detailed and specific as possible when explaining and supporting your evidence and quotations

Use transition words to move smoothly from one idea to the next (in addition, lastly, for example, therefore)

NEVER bring up new information in your closing paragraph

And that is how it is done!