How to Write an Essay

A brief overview You are required to write an argumentative

essay

The point is to convince someone of something

Therefore, the THESIS is the most important part of the essay

Organization is everything

INTRODUCTION

BODY PARAGRAPH 1

BODY PARAGRAPH 2

BODY PARAGRAPH 3

CONCLUSION

The Introduction

An effective introduction is organized is the following way:

1) Attention grabber2) General information3) THESIS statement4) Guide or directional statement

The Grabber

A quotation or interesting fact to grab the reader’s attention

ie) All leaders are manipulative and corrupt.

General statement Provides general information or an interesting

fact about the topic Leading up to your main argument

ie) Adolf Hitler was named the 1938 Man of the Year by Time Magazine, a title bestowed on Josef Stalin the following year. (Brooks, 2001, p. 56).

Thesis The thesis is your main argument!

Ie) Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin are three rulers that shared the same dictatorial leadership style.

Directional Statement The directional statement is the ‘guide’ or ‘map’ that you

give to the reader. The directional statement informs the reader of exactly

what points your are going to use to support your thesis and in what order

Ie) Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin all ruled over their people through their charismatic personalities, a program of propaganda, and by imposing fear on anyone who dared to disobey them.

A sample Introduction

All leaders are manipulative and corrupt. Adolf Hitler was named the 1938 Man of the Year by Time Magazine, a title also bestowed on Josef Stalin the following year (Brooks, 2001, p. 56). Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin are three rulers who shared the same dictatorial leadership style. All three of these infamous world leaders ruled over their people through their charismatic personalities, a program of propaganda, and by imposing fear on anyone who dared to disobey them.

The BODY of your essay

The body of an essay is composed of paragraphs that link together

Each paragraph contains its own point that supports the thesis

Paragraph structure

Remember our very first conversation about paragraph structure!

Each paragraph needs a TOPIC SENTENCE

Topic Sentence A topic sentence is like a mini-thesis. It is the

main argument of that individual paragraph.

The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph. It is followed by supporting details.

Ie) Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin gathered support through their magnetic charisma.

The body of the essayPARAGRAPH 1: Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin

gathered support through their magnetic charisma.. …Details that support this point. Rest of the paragraph.

PARAGRAPH 2: Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin controlled their nations through well planned propaganda messages. …Details that support this point. Rest of the paragraph.

PARAGRAPH 3: Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin were so powerful that they were able to instill fear in anyone who dared to oppose them. …Details that support this point. Rest of the paragraph.

The Conclusion The conclusion mirrors your introduction.

You include the same information but it should be reworded and in the reverse order.

1) Directional statement2) THESIS STATEMENT3) General statement4) Parting thoughts / significance of essay

Sample Conclusion

Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin were able to lead their nations to historical greatness through their charismatic personalities, well planned propaganda, and an ingrained fear of disobedience. Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin are three rulers that reigned using the same dictatorial leadership style. Dictatorships are not as prevalent in modern political realm and are certainly not celebrated in the same popular culture as they once were. Leadership styles around the world are varied and are kept in check by a vast and instant network of media.

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Your essay will look like this:

All leaders are manipulative and corrupt. Adolf Hitler was named the 1938 Man of the Year by Time Magazine, a title also bestowed on Josef Stalin the following year (Brooks, 2001, p. 56). Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin are three rulers who shared the same dictatorial leadership style. All three of these infamous world leaders ruled over their people through their charismatic personalities, a program of propaganda, and by imposing fear on anyone who dared to disobey them.

Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin gathered support through their magnetic charisma.. …Details that support this point. Rest of the paragraph.

Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin controlled their nations through well planned propaganda messages. …Details that support this point. Rest of the paragraph.

Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin were so powerful that they were able to instill fear in anyone who dared to oppose them. …Details that support this point. Rest of the paragraph.

Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin were able to lead their nations to historical greatness through their charismatic personalities, well planned propaganda, and an ingrained fear of disobedience. Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin are three rulers that reigned using the same dictatorial leadership style. Dictatorships are not as prevalent in modern political realm and are certainly not celebrated in the same popular culture as they once were. Leadership styles around the world are varied and are kept in check by a vast and instant network of media.