ESSAY WRITING GUIDE
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH:
Hook
Thesis
Transition
BODY PARAGRAPH 1:
Strongest point
Introduction
Examples
Explanation
Conclusion that ties to thesis
Transition
BODY PARAGRAPH 2:
Weakest point
Introduction
Examples
Explanation
Conclusion that ties to thesis
Transition
BODY PARAGRAPH 3:
Second-strongest point
Introduction
Examples
Explanation
Conclusion that ties to thesis
Transition
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH:
Restated thesis
Concise summary of the body and how it ties to thesis
Signal for the end of essay
INTRODUCTION
AN INTRODUCTION SHOULD DO THE FOLLOWING:
alert a reader’s interest
indicate the scope and direction of the paper, and act as a navigation guide to its reading.
show the reader how you are interpreting and approaching the question
provide a context for the main issue
indicate the focus of the paper
indicate your conclusion and point of view
ANY INTRODUCTION MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
Brief, relevant background information and/or other contextualising material
An essay map
A thesis statement
Your point of view
THE STRUCTURE OF THE INTRODUCTION
It is a good idea to keep to a simple structure. An effective introduction is one that begins with a very general
statement about the subject, then gradually narrows down to the specific thesis statement. The pattern is
shown below:
General statement about the subject
Too General: Crime has been an issue throughout time.
More Specific: The question of the severity of punishments for juveniles is an issue that has
garnered attention due to the increasing number of juvenile shootings in the last several
years.
Too General: Man has always wondered about the meaning of information.
More Specific: The Age of Information brought about through the digital revolution of
computers has posed significant questions about the value and worth of this information:
Does having instant access to every newspaper and journal blog in the world make us more
intelligent, value-based people?
Beginning to focus onto the topic
Becoming more specific
(Essay map)
Specific thesis statement
YOU CAN ADD INTEREST TO THE INTRODUCTION BY:
giving one or two examples of the kind of thing you are going to write about
giving unusual or colourful details
beginning with a relevant quotation (from anywhere except a dry textbook)
beginning with a question (which can be answered in the essay's conclusion)
making sure your grammar and word use are absolutely right
Sample History Essay Introduction
The perception of World War I and World War II as two separate wars is quickly
changing; instead, many historians are starting to think of them as one war that lasted 30 years.
This characterization is apt in many ways, because both conflicts are so interconnected that it is
difficult to see where one war ends and the other begins. However, there are still clear distinctions
between the two events, and the immediate effects of World War II were much more extreme in
three ways: politically, Germany was divided; socioeconomically, the economy was completely
destroyed; and culturally, even though both periods saw a rise in new forms of literature and art,
post-WWII society had the added task of confronting the Nazi past.
Sample Essay Hooks
Type of Hook Examples
Quotation - General Patton once said, “If a man does his best,
what else is there?”
- When Hillary Clinton said “we must stop thinking of
the individual and start thinking about what is best for
society,” she highlighted one of the biggest issues in
American politics.
Anecdote - There was nothing more isolating than being alone in
a foreign country, with no cell phone, no money, and
no ability to speak the language.
- It was Christmas of 1995 when my parents taught
me a valuable lesson: always expect the unexpected.
Rhetorical question - Have you ever wondered what you would do if you
couldn’t fail?
- What’s the one thing you can do to make the world a
better place?
Interesting fact - China is going to spend $850 billion to clean up its
water supply over the next decade.
- Ancient Egyptians used heavy eye makeup to keep
evil spirits at bay and to protect their eyes from
infection.
Simile or metaphor - When I first went to Japan, it was like a baby bird
trying to fly for the first time.
- The high rate of poverty in America is the country’s
elephant in the room.
Sample Thesis Statement
In order to get more girls interested in science, the approach must be two-fold: first, put a greater
emphasis on science, math, and technology classes in school, and second, address the social
stigma that surrounds women in scientific fields.
Evidence has shown that music education promotes cognitive development, so funding music
programs at all levels of the school system should be a high priority for state governments.
Considering the buoyancy, mass, and dimensions of Jack and Rose’s makeshift raft, they could
have both easily fit on the door at the end of Titanic.