THE ACADEMIC ESSAY

Essay is a short collection of paragraphs that present facts, opinions, and ideas on a topic. The structure of an essay is the same as that of a paragraph – it is composed of an introduction, a body and a conclusion. But if in paragraphs the main idea is in the topic sentence, in essays the main idea is in the thesis statement – in the last sentence of an introduction. An essay usually has from three to ten paragraphs. Each paragraph discusses one idea, often stated in the thesis sentence of a paragraph. Topics of essays may range from your pets and hobbies to arguments about unpopular laws or international conflicts.

Structure of an essay. The academic essay usually has from three to ten paragraphs. Each paragraph discusses an idea that is stated in the topic sentence of the paragraph. The idea is related to the topic of the whole essay. A paragraph can be developed into the essay. The diagram below shows the relationship between the essay and the paragraph:

Parts of the essay:

1. Introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the essay. It serves two purposes – to introduce the topic of the essay and get the reader interested. The essay begins with general statements that introduce the topic. The last sentence of the paragraph is a clear thesis statement that introduces the main ideas of the essay. Usually these are two or three controlling (limiting) ideas: A, B, C.

2. The body of the essay is made up of one or more paragraphs. Each of the body paragraphs supports one of the controlling ideas given in a thesis statement:

1. Topic sentence that clearly states controlling idea A.

- Supporting sentences;

- More supporting sentences;

- Example or detail;

- Sentence concluding idea A.

2. Topic sentence that clearly states controlling idea B.

- Supporting sentences;

- Personal story to illustrate;

- Example or detail;

- Sentence concluding idea B.

3. Topic sentence that clearly states controlling idea C.

- Supporting sentences;

- Example or detail;

- Supporting sentences;

- Supporting sentences;

- Sentence concluding idea B.

3. Concluding paragraph is the last paragraph of the essay. It does three important things:

- Signals the end of the essay;

- Summarizes the main points;

- Leaves the reader with the writer’s final thoughts on the subject.

The structure of the concluding paragraph can be compared to the structure of the introductory paragraph. Just as the introductory paragraph has two parts, the general statements and the thesis statement, the concluding paragraph has two parts – the concluding sentences and the final thoughts.

1. STUDYING AN EXAMPLE ESSAY

This example essay - the Prologue to Bertrand Russell’s Authobiography is not a classic essay, but it is an excellent and very well structured example of the esay form. Read the Prologue and answer the following questions, which will help you think about the structure of an essay.

Date: 2014-12-29; view: 968