Parts of an Essay

Information provided in the Introduction to give the reader necessary information for the writing/argument to follow.

Background Information

A middle paragraph in an essay. It develops a supporting point written as a topic sentence that supports your claim or thesis.

Body Paragraph

Explains and supports your claim or thesis. Helps the reader understand why you are making the claim or stating the idea as true.

Reasons

direct quotation

This is the exact repetition of someone's written or spoken words. He said, "I will be there by 2."

Words and groups of words that smooth the reading by showing the reader how the ideas are related.

transitional words and phrases

characteristics of a good title

Brief, refers to something important or central in the essay, interesting (would make a reader want to read the essay), all important words in capital letters, centered at top of the essay

One sentence that states the main idea of the whole essay. It is your answer to the prompt. It states what you're trying to express or prove in your essay. It is usually one sentence.

Claim/Thesis Statement/Sentence

The final sentence in the conclusion. It should leave a lasting impression and often refers to the "Hook" from the first sentence. It "clinches" the essay.

Clincher

The last paragraph of the essay. Restates (says again in new words) the claim or thesis, briefly summarizes the main points, and often reconnects to hook in the essay Introduction. It should leave the reader with a lasting impression.

Conclusion

quotations, inferences, paraphrasing, facts

Concrete Supporting Details/Evidence

The first sentence or idea that gains the readers attention and leads into the main idea of the essay.

Hook

first paragraph of an essay that contains the hook, background, and states the thesis

Introduction

The three main structural elements of an essay

Introduction, Body, Conclusion

Part of a quote sandwich that introduces the author or speaker of the quotation

Part 1 of a quote sandwich

Part of a quote sandwich that quotes the textual evidence using quotation marks.

Part 2 of a quote sandwich

Part of a quote sandwich that explains the meaning, relevance, or importance of the textual evidence. This connects the quote directly to the topic sentence.

Part 3 of a quote sandwich

The exact words of a speaker or writer should be enclosed in these.

Quotation Marks "..."

1. Winter break is almost here! 2. Most importantly, winter break is a time when students get to have time off from school. 3. Last year my winter break was full of parties, and it was one that I will never forget.

Sentence 1

1. Winter break is almost here! 2. Most importantly, winter break is a time when students like me get to have time off from school. 3. Last year my winter break was full of parties, and it was one that I will never forget. Identify the section that has the background information.

Sentence 2

1. Winter break is almost here! 2. I love it that winter break is a time when students get to have time off from school. 3. Last year my winter break was full of parties, and it was one that I will never forget. Identify the section that has the thesis statement/main idea/claim.

Sentence 3

Commentary/Explanation/Elaboration

These sentences connect the concrete evidence to the topic sentence. They explain why the evidence supports the idea expressed in the topic sentence.

one or two words that sum up what the writing is about

Topic (not topic sentence)

A sentence within a Body Paragraph that tells the topic of the paragraph. This idea must support the thesis statement (claim, main idea).

Topic Sentence/Supporting Point

The part of the conclusion that touches briefly upon the main points of the body paragraphs.

brief summary

Each paragraph can be __________ at the beginning by hitting the "Tab" button.

indented

Each paragraph may be_____ at the beginning and aligned to the ________. The paragraphs may also be separated by a_________________________.

indented, left margin, double space

A quote sandwich needs to include...

lead-in , quote, explanation and connection to topic sentence

The place on the page to which your essay should be aligned

left-hand margin

The part of the conclusion that repeats the main idea in a different way.

restatement of thesis

indirect quotation

when the meaning but not the exact words of an author or speaker is given; often preceded by the word "that." He said that he would be here by 2.