PARTS OF AN ESSAY Introduction Paragraph
The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay. It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important.
How do I write one?
1. Write the thesis statement. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement.
2. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts, quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay.
Supporting Paragraphs
Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay. They develop the main idea of your essay.
How do I write them?
1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay.
2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph.
3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.
To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.
Conclusion Paragraph
The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a "conclusion." It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense that your essay is complete.
How do I write one?
1. Restate the strongest points of your essay that support your main idea.
2. Conclude your essay by restating the main idea in different words.
3. Give your personal opinion or suggest a plan for action.
Examples of transition words to link your paragraphs together:
For Counter Examples
However
Even though
On the other hand
Nevertheless
| Words that Show Addition
Another
in addition to
Related to
Furthermore
Also
Moreover
And
| For listing different points
First
Second
Third
Next
Finally
| Words that show comparison
Like
Just as
Equally
Similarly
In the same way
As
| Words that show contrast
But However
Yet
Although
In contrast
Inspite of
Despite
Instead
On the other hand
On the contrary
| To show cause and effect
Therefire
Thus
Asa result
Consequently
Since
If... then
| Words that Summarize or
Conclude
in summary
in conclusion
to conclude
finally
to sum up
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