STEPS OF A BASIC ESSAY
I. Introduction (
establishes the paper’s topic
)
A. Opening statements (
Sentences containing some general comments about the subject at
hand)
B. Thesis Statement (
1-2 sentences saying what the paper is about and how it will be broken
down. Whatever points are specified here will be reiterated in the Body in the *same
order*.
)
EX: Teenage drivers have the highest rate of accidents than any other group of
drivers. Due to their lack of judgment, lack of experience, and unwarranted
aggression, the high insurance premiums of teenage drivers are more than
justified.
II. Body
(
describes the paper’s main points
)
A. First Topic
(not the strongest point)
1. Write one or two paragraphs (dependent on paper length) discussing the
first idea in
detail.
In the same section, back up each paragraph with research, facts, examples, an
anecdote (a short personal story), or some type of descriptive justification.
2. The last sentence in this section should be a transitional one.
Try to make a statement
that sums up the last paragraph, while also introducing the new topic.
EX: Not only do teen drivers’ decisions show a marked lack of judgment, but they also
show a problematic lack of experience.
B.
Second Topic
(also not the strongest point)
1. Write one or two paragraphs discussing the 2nd idea in detail.
2. In the same section, back up the ideas with research, facts, examples,
an anecdote, or
some type of descriptive justification.
3. The last sentence in this section should be a transitional one as well. Try to make a
statement that sums up the last paragraph, while also introducing the new topic.
