© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

An Introduction to Writing:An Introduction to Writing: Part 3 Part 3

English Brushup, English Brushup, 3E3E

John LanganJohn Langan

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Structure of the Traditional EssayStructure of the Traditional Essay

Parts of an essay:•IntroductoryIntroductory paragraph

•BodyBody (supporting) (supporting) paragraphs

•Concluding Concluding paragraph

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Point and Support in an Point and Support in an EssayEssay

In an essayessay, the thesisthesis appears in the introductory introductory paragraphparagraph, and the supportsupport appears in the paragraphsparagraphs

that followthat follow..

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Introductory ParagraphsIntroductory Paragraphsshouldshould

•attractattract the reader’s interest;interest;•advanceadvance the thesis; and

•previewpreview the major points that will support the thesis.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Common Methods of IntroductionCommon Methods of Introduction

1: Begin with a general statementgeneral statement of your topic.2: Start with an idea or a situationidea or a situation that is the oppositeopposite of the one you will develop.3: Use an incident or a brief storyincident or a brief story.4: Ask one or more questionsquestions.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Body/ Supporting ParagraphsBody/ Supporting Paragraphsshould

beginbegin with a topictopic sentencesentence that states the point to be detailed in that paragraph.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Transitional SentencesTransitional SentencesTransitional,Transitional, or linkinglinking, , sentencessentences are used between paragraphs to help tie them smoothly together.Ex.: Many of the other patrons are Many of the other patrons are even even more of a problemmore of a problem than the concession than the concession

stand.stand. (Concession stand reminds us of the previous supporting paragraph, while Many of the other patrons introduces the point to be developed next.)

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Concluding ParagraphsConcluding Paragraphs

•briefly restatebriefly restate the thesisthesis and the main supporting pointssupporting points,, and

•presentpresent a concluding concluding thoughtthought about the subject of the subject of the paper.paper.

The End

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Common Methods of ConclusionCommon Methods of Conclusion

1: Provide a summary and summary and a final thought.a final thought.

2: End with a predictionprediction or recommendationrecommendation..

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Some Tips on Writing with a ComputerSome Tips on Writing with a Computer

First and most important tip:

If you don’t write using a computer,

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.English Brushup, 3E

Introduction: Part 3

Some Tips on Writing with a ComputerSome Tips on Writing with a Computer

•SaveSave your work frequently.

•KeepKeep a backup diskbackup disk..

•PrintPrint out your work at the end of every session.

•CopyCopy your file before making major changes – you might want to go back to the original!