From Paragraph to Essay
1. From Paragraph to Essay
In previous courses, you learned how to write well organized and well supported paragraphs. In ESL 33 you are going to build on that knowledge and learn how to write well organized and well supported essay.
2. The Difference Between Paragraphs and Essays
If you take the parts of a paragraph and expand them, you can create an essay. The topic sentence of your paragraph can become the thesis statement for your essay. Each supporting point can be expanded to become a paragraph by adding more detail and more examples. The only part that is really new for you is the introductory paragraph. Although some paragraphs may present some background information, most do not.
3. The essay Has Three Parts
Each part of the essay has a specific function. When you are writing your essay think carefully about what each part of your essay is doing.
4. Introductory Paragraph
Introductory paragraphs take many forms, but their function is basic the same. Some introductory paragraphs use a short story, some provide background information and others ask use quotations or summaries. We will look at introductory paragraphs in detail in another presentation.
5. Thesis Statements Have Two Parts
Thesis statements, like topic sentences, have two parts. The first part is the general topic. The second part is the specific focus of our essay. In the example, Rome is the general topic. We can write many different essays about Rome. Notice how the focus of the essay changed when the controlling idea changed.
6. Body of Supporting Paragraphs
Supporting paragraphs are often the first thing that the writer writes when he or she starts an essay. These paragraphs are what the writer really wants to say. Often the thesis statement is written latter to introduce these ideas after they are on paper.
7. Concluding Paragraph
The concluding paragraphs are the bottom of the essay. The conclusion can signal the end, summarize or restate the main points, make a call to action, offer a recommendation, or make a prediction based on the information presented in the essay.