Research-Based Essay Quiz

This is the first sentence of an essay and is written to get the reader interested in the essay.

• claim

• lead

• restatement

• evidence

This is usually included in the introduction. In a few short sentences, it gives the information a reader needs to know to understand a topic.

• claim

• lead

• extension

• background information

This is the heart of the essay. It is what an essayist is defending and is usually the last sentence in an introduction.

• extension

• restatement

• claim

• reason statement

This is the first sentence in a body paragraph. It usually includes a transition and then tells the reader the focus of the paragraph.

• evidence

• reason statement

• explanation

• extension

This can be quoted or paraphrased. It is what writers use to support their reason statements and, ultimately, their claims.

• lead

• explanations

• citations

• evidence

One version of this, in parentheses, usually follows a piece of evidence and includes an author's last name and page number.

• claim

• in-text citation

• explanation

• Works Cited page

A writer shows how a piece of evidence supports his or her claim with this.

• explanation

• in-text citation

• Works Cited page

• title

In the first sentence of a conclusion, a writer should...

• hook the reader

• restate the claim

• say goodbye

• leave the reader with something to think about

One strategy to use to write an extension is to answer this question:

• Why is it important to know about this?

• What am I eating for lunch?

• How many stuffed rabbits does Mrs. Bond have in her classroom?

• What happens when a black hole collides with another black hole?

In an essay, a writer should avoid...

• writing about cheese.

• using commas.

• using the words: I, me, and my.

• writing an essay about an essay.