Parts of an Essay

PARTS OF AN ESSAY

ENGLISH 8

ANALOGY GAME

Analyze the relationship of the following words

Multiple Choice

quiet is to loud as slow is to______

• green

• fast

• sluggish

• red

Multiple Choice

swimming : fish :: flying :________

• bird

• whales

• babies

• cars

Multiple Choice

yellow : banana :: red : _________

• guava

• almond

• apple

• color

Multiple Choice

rain : falls :: wind : ___

• struck

• tornado

• blows

• drops

Multiple Choice

Complete the analogy.

page is to book as tree is to ____

• zoo

• farm

• plant

• forest

Open Ended

Complete this analogy:

letter ; _____ : phrase

Open Ended

phrase ; ________ ; paragraph

Open Ended

paragraph; _________

​What is an essay?

​from the French infinitive “essayer” meaning “to try” or “to attempt”

• prose composition with a focused subject of discussion

•  a long, systematic discourse

• “ a literary device for saying almost everything about almost anything” (Aldous Huxley)

Elements of an essay​

What an essay should have

FOCUS

• ​the purpose which is clearly defined and effectively communicated. 

• must be well balanced; not too limited and inconsequential. 

• considering and meeting the needs, interests, and expectations of the readers 

CONTENT

• adequate support to the controlling purpose 

• determining whether the essay development fulfills the commitment started or implied by the controlling purpose. 

•  All details, evidence, or counterarguments should not only relate clearly to the controlling purpose but should have the purpose of strengthening the essay. 

ORGANIZATION

• following an overall strategy or flow

• outlining or summarizing your essay

• ensuring that the introduction and your conclusion could more effectively open and close the essay

CONTENT

• adequate support to the controlling purpose 

• determining whether the essay development fulfills the commitment started or implied by the controlling purpose. 

•  All details, evidence, or counterarguments should not only relate clearly to the controlling purpose but should have the purpose of strengthening the essay. 

Technical Correctness

•  grammar

• spelling

• word choice

• sentence structure 

• mechanics 

• capitalization

• punctuation

​INTRODUCTION

​Gets and sustains attention

• Contains background information

• Sets appropriate context

• Provides a focused subject

• Implies or states a clear, explicit thesis statement

BODY PARAGRAPH

• ONE TOPIC SENTENCE (in every paragraph)

   - an opinion statement

   - a generalization or abstraction

​specific statements of fact

    - detailed reasons

    - concrete examples

    - quotations from authorities with citations

BODY PARAGRAPH

The body should have:

​UNITY : every sentence directly or indirectly supporting the topic sentence

ORDER : statement in some logical manner

​COHERENCE

    - clue words or “glue words”

    - parallel sentence structure for coordinate ideas

    - clear use of pronouns

    - transition devices

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

• brief summary

• reference to statements in the introduction

• application of thesis to the future, to other people or disciplines

​LET'S PRACTICE

​

Multiple Choice

What is the topic sentence of the following paragraph?

Out of all the types of cookies, my favorite is chocolate chip. Chocolate chip cookies are so good fresh out of the oven and with milk. Sure, other cookies are as well, but the gooey chocolate mixed in with the sugar cookie cannot be beat! My grandmother's chocolate chip cookie recipe is what I grew up always eating, and it is to die for! If I am ever asked to choose a dessert or cookie, chocolate chip it is! As you can see, chocolate chip cookies are my fave.

• Out of all the types of cookies, my favorite is chocolate chip.

• My grandmother's chocolate chip cookie recipe is what I grew up always eating, and it is to die for!

• As you can see, chocolate chip cookies are my fave

• Chocolate chip cookies are so good fresh out of the oven and with milk.

Multiple Choice

What is the first paragraph of an essay called?

• Exposition

• Conclusion

• Body Paragraph

• Introduction

Multiple Choice

What is the last paragraph of an essay called?

• Thesis Statement

• Introduction

• Body Paragraph

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

The introductory paragraph has three parts.

Which of the following is NOT part of the paragraph?

• thesis

• background/ explanation of hook

• direct quote

• hook

Multiple Choice

A typical introduction includes

• hook, background information, thesis

• hook, background information, topic sentence

• context, hook, thesis

• hook, topic sentence

Multiple Choice

What should your body paragraphs contain first?

• Examples, quotations, and facts.

• transition sentence

• A topic sentence 

Multiple Choice

A dictionary contains a definition of friendship somewhere in the F’s between the words “fear” and “Friday.” An encyclopedia supplies interesting facts on friendship. But all the definitions and facts do not convey what friendship is really all about. It cannot be understood through words or exaggerations. The only way to understand friendship is through experience. It is an experience that involves all the senses.

What is the hook? 

• A dictionary contains a definition of friendship.

• An encyclopedia supplies interesting facts on friendship.

• A dictionary contains a definition of friendship somewhere in the F’s between the words “fear” and “Friday.”

• The only way to understand friendship is through experience. It is an experience that involves all the senses.

• It has no hook.

Multiple Choice

A __________ statement answers the question, "What's your point?" It is also known as the main idea of your essay.

• Concluding

• Formal

• Thesis

• Introductory

Multiple Choice

What is missing from the following body paragraph?

Secondly, I am special because of my unique musical abilities. I have been playing the piano since I was four years old. I have become quite good at reading sheet music. I also take voice lessons at UGA. I had the lead solo at my spring recital. Finally, I like to write songs. It's always fun to play them for my parents.

• a transition word/phrase

• supporting details

• a topic sentence

• a closing sentence

Multiple Choice

True or False:

The main ideas of your body paragraphs should match up to the main ideas in your thesis statement.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What is the best concluding sentence for the paragraph that follows? My childhood was filled with many battles. When I was about two, my parents and I were in an accident, and I was ejected from the car. Thankfully, I survived without any major injuries. Then, we I had around five, I jumped out of a tree and broke both my arms. That pain level was nearly unbearable. Later, when I was about 10 years old, my parents divorced, and that really took a toll on my mental health. ______________________________________.

• Consequently, my childhood was decent.

• As you can see, I had to face many obstacles as a child.

• In addition, my early childhood was just as exciting.

• Furthermore, I needed a break.