Building an Essay

How to Structure your Essays!

Every essay you write will consist of the same elements.. the only thing different is your topic!

There are three elements in every essay paragraph (also known as types of paragraphs)

• Introduction

• Body Paragraphs

• Conclusion

​... in some cases, you may also have a counter-argument in your essay. This will go before your conclusion

What Does Each Element Consist of?

Introductions consist of...

• Hook (attention grabbing starter)

• Background information (what I need to know to read)

• Thesis (Main point & reasons I'm making throughout my essay)

But wait... What is included in a Hook?

• Questions (How/Why only!)

• Quotes (Related/By someone qualified)

• Statistics (Numbers to shock your audience)

• Stories (Narrative showing why the topic is important)

Body Paraghaphs include...

• Topic Sentence (Your thesis, just focused on only one reason)

• Evidence (Quotes/Paraphrases from a text)

• Explanation (Why the evidence proves your point in your topic sentence)

Counter-Arguments include

• Counter-claim (aka, what your opponent thinks and why they're wrong)

• Evidence

• Explanations

• 
  

• 
  

Conclusions include...

• Paraphrased Thesis (Say the same thing in a new way)

• Summary of Body Paragraphs (Review your main points)

• Concluding Statement (Leave the audience thinking)

Multiple Select

What are the elements of a conclusion? (Check all that apply)

• Hook

• Paraphrased Thesis

• Evidence

• Summary of Essay

• Concluding Statement

Poll

Do you feel confident about essay writing?

• Yes

• No

• Meh

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is punctuated correctly?

• “This is a quote”, said Ms. Quinn.

• “This is a quote,” said Ms. Quinn.

• “This is a quote.” said Ms. Quinn.

• “This is a quote.” -Ms. Quinn.