Essay Structure and Components

The first paragraph in an essay that gets the reader's attention, provides background information, and states the main points that will be discussed throughout the essay

• introduction

• body paragraph

• conclusion

• thesis

The paragraphs in the middle of the essay that review the main points, give evidence, and provide explanation are called...

• introduction

• body paragraphs

• conclusion

• thesis

The final paragraph in an essay that restates the main points and wraps up the argument or explanation

• introduction

• body paragraph

• conclusion

• thesis

In which paragraph can you locate the thesis statement?

• introduction

• body paragraphs

• conclusion

Each body paragraph starts with a _______ ________ that relates back to the thesis statement and states the main focus of that paragraph

• thesis statement

• topic sentence

• cite evidence

• interesting idea

Words used throughout the essay to help the writing flow from one idea/paragraph to the next

• coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but...)

• figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole...)

• transition words (First, Next, Finally...)

• good adjectives (orange, green, purple...)

The thesis is the...

• roadmap of the essay

• heart and soul

• cause and effect of the essay

• theme of the story

A thesis statement (select ALL that apply)

• • Restates the prompt and answers the question/s

• • Is one sentence at the end of the intro paragraph 

• • Shows the roadmap for the body paragraphs

• • Does not include the words yes/no or I/me/my

• • Is the very first sentence of the essay

What 3 things do we look for when we break down a prompt? (select all that apply)

• what the prompt wants us to do (ie. compare/contrast, explanin, analyze, give reasons)

• what texts we need to use

• what the prompt tells us (facts about what we have read)

• what the prompt wants us to learn about