How To Write An Essay and make it flow writing

How To Write An
How To Write An
Essay
Essay
Essay Format, Introductions, Body, Conclusions,
Thesis Statements, and Topic Sentences

The Hamburger Method
Essays, like sandwiches or burgers, are divided
into different parts…
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Paragraph 1: Introduction (The Top Bun)
Paragraph 2: Example 1 (The Meat)
Paragraph 3t Example 2 (The Meat)
Paragraph 4: Example 3 (The Meat)
Paragraph 5: Conclusion (The Bottom Bun)

Essay Format
Body Paragraphs
- Support the main
ideas of the thesis
statement
- Begin with topic
sentences
Body
Paragraph 1
1
Body
Paragraph 2
Body
Paragraph 3
Introduction
- General statements and
information about the
topic
- Thesis statement-lists
the main ideas in the
essay
Conclusion
Brief summary of
main points of the
essay
Thesis Statement

An Introduction
Definition and Purposes
An introduction is the first paragraph in your essay and contains
the thesis statement. The main purposes of an introduction is to…
 catch your reader’s attention so that he/she will become interested
in reading your essay.
 present the focus of your essay and give your reader some general
information about your subject.

Step 1: Grab you readers attention with a general statement about your
topic. This is the HOOK.
Step 2: Briefly explain in 2 5 sentences what the essay will be about by
‐
providing relevant background information. Use the transitional sentence
(BRIDGE) to connect the hook to the thesis statement.
Step 3: End your introduction with a strong THESIS
statement that tells your reader what you intend to
prove to him or her about your topic.
The 3 Steps to Writing Your Introduction

Introduction
• Make a bridge to connect the attention getting sentence(s) to your
thesis statement
• Common way to make a bridge is to explain why the topic is important.
• This bridge is often a few sentences long.
• Conclude introductory paragraph with the most
important idea of the essay-THE THESIS STATEMENT

Step 1:
Hook Your
Reader
Grab your reader’s attention
with a general statement
about the topic.
Remember you have 3 ways to
do this:
1. Dialogue
2. Vivid Description
3. Interesting Fact
You want your reader to look like this

Ways to Hook Your Reader
- Dialogue
- Question
- Vivid description
- An interesting fact
- Sound effect

1. Dialogue
“Hurry or you’ll be late!” called my mother from the bottom of
the stairs. “Today of all days you want to be on time.” If I had only
known what that day would bring, I would have stayed in bed.

2. A Question
Have you ever had a day when you wished you had stayed in
bed? As I rushed to catch the bus on what seemed to be a perfectly
normal day I had no idea what was ahead of me.

3. A Vivid Description
The sun was warm on my back as I raced towards the waiting
yellow school bus. As I nestled into the worn leather seat I was
greeted by the friendly voices of other excited children. The look on
my face was one of confidence and contentment. With a jerk, the bus
rumbled down the road and I was on my way into one of the worst
days of my life.

4. An Interesting Fact
Shock has been known to kill ten-year old. It can cause their
brains to explode and their heart to stop dead still. These facts raced
through my mind as I stood dumbfounded in front of my fourth-grade
classmates. I wish I stayed in bed!

5. Sound Effects
“Buzzzzz!” The sound of my alarm clock droned in my ears as I
struggled to come awake. With a start I sat straight up in my bed. This
was my big day and I had to be on time.

Step 2:
Explain What You
Are
Talking About
Briefly
explain in
2-5
sentences
what the
essay will
be.

Step 3:
Write Your Thesis
Statement
- Your thesis statement tells the reader your
position on a topic.
- It should be clear and concise.
- Your thesis needs to be direct and
to the point.

Thesis Statement
• The thesis is an idea, opinion, or conclusion about your topic, is
proven by your research, and is the last sentence of your
introduction.
• The thesis statement refers to the focused part of your paper which
outlines the arguments and ideas you will present in your paper.
• The information in your essay should support what you said in your
thesis statement.

The Functions of a Thesis Statement

Key Features
Thesis Statement
• states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a
question.
• states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic,
itself.
• is usually at the end of an introduction.
• often lists subtopics.

Subtopics
• You can make your thesis statement more specific by including
subtopics or supporting ideas.
• By doing this, you give your reader a clear idea of what will follow
in the body paragraphs of your essay.

A thesis consists of
A thesis statement or sentence has three main parts:
 1. Your topic
 2. Your opinion about the topic
 3. Give a broad (not specific) statement about your opinion
and why it’s important (reason)

Example
 Topic: The Lion King
 Opinion: is a great movie
 SO WHAT?: It’s a great movie because it teaches good life lessons.
FINAL THESIS STATEMENT:
The Lion King is a great movie because it teaches children important
lessons about life.
Each of body paragraphs would focus on ONE life lesson that the movie
teaches.

The Parts of a Thesis Statement

Things to AVOID
You should avoid using statements like,
“This essay will discuss…” or “I’m going
to write about…”.
AVOID statements that are too broad, too specific, or too
 Long-term drug use can have disastrous
effects on one’s marriage, career, and
health.
In this essay, I am going to discuss the
effects of long-term drug abuse.

This is your attention grabber.
“Holy Crap! Look at the crazy cloud!” This is what Dorothy
was thinking when she grabbed Toto right before the
storm.
This is your brief explanation of what you will be
talking about or, in this case, what is going on.
“Storm Shelter App Helps Pin Point People Amid Tornado
Rubble” is a news story reported by Rachel Hubbard about
new technology.
This is your thesis, where you hit your point home.
Technology is positive for society because it can help save
lives.
Introduction Paragraph = Tornado

Smoking related diseases
‐
cause an estimated 440,000
American deaths each year.
Even with facts like these, the
whole country is divided on this
issue. Some people believe that
smoking should be banned
everywhere while others are not
so harsh. However,
tobacco should be
outlawed because smoking
endangers everyone’s health,
pollutes the environment, and
drains us of valuable energy.
Model Introduction Paragraph
Hook
(Interesting Fact)
Brief
Explanation
(Leads into thesis)
Thesis
(What you will be
proving)

Have you ever noticed
that Athens is a popular name
for cities? All cities that are
named Athens are named after
the Greek goddess Athena. The
daughter of Zeus, Athena is the
goddess of wisdom, just wars,
and architecture. She is the
best all-around Greek
mythology character because
she is very wise, a great
tactician, and she only helps
fight justified wars.
Hook
(Thought-provoking
question)
Brief
Explanation
(Leads into thesis)
Thesis
(What you will be proving)
Another Model Introduction Paragraph

How To Write An Essay and make it flow writing

Going to a new school can be exciting, but for an
international student, the years of education in a different
country can be difficult and tumultuous. When I first arrived in
the U.S. to attend a university, I was overwhelmed and confused
by everything new. Fortunately, I met three very special friends
who made a positive impact on my life during those years and
helped me survive the trials of being a foreigner in a completely
different educational system.
General Statements
Example of an Introduction
Thesis Statements

Introduction
- First part of an essay
- Try to capture the reader’s attention
Introduction Format
1. Attention getter
2. State your problem
3. Bridge or transition sentences
4. Thesis statement (always at the end)

Example of an Introduction
Gnome-Phobia in America
1. In 2004, the Gnome Liberation Front (GLF) was created. This group of people believes
that gnomes should be free, not prisoners of their owner’s garden. 2. The GLF has now
begun gnome-napping, the act of stealing gnomes and “freeing them” in the wilderness;
however, the law is unwilling to do anything. 3. Many police state that the gnomes are not a
serious enough offense to deal with and that they have larger crimes to deal with. This is
not acceptable. The law should be taking the gnome-napping more seriously because
people are committing a crime. 4. Gnome-napping is stealing personal property, and is
illegal, morally wrong, and disrespectful.
1. Attention getter
2. State your problem.
3. Bridge or transition sentences
4. Thesis statement
**NOTE: This doesn’t mean your intro is 4 sentences long. It just has 4 parts.

Ways to Start Your Introduction
Strategy
- Provide some interesting background about
the topic in the form of a general statement
- Use a thought-provoking quotation
- Ask a question about your topic
- State a surprising fact or a puzzling
statement
- Start with a short story
Examples
- Today’s gnome owners become tomorrow’s
leaders.
- “Gnomes are creatures to be loved, not
feared!” Dr. S. Rosner.
- Why don’t many people like gnomes?
- In 1693, the first gnome was brought to
America.
- Little Susie looked out her window, only to
see her precious gnome, Willard, was being
stolen….

Ways to Start Your Introduction
Strategy
- State a common misconception
- Describe a problem
- Give an analogy
- Show how the topic is related to
the reader’s experience
Examples
- People don’t learn bad habits from
gnomes.
- Everyone knows what a problem gnome-
napping has become in our society.
- Gnomes are just like children.
- Most people know how difficult it is to
take care of garden gnomes.

Body Paragraphs
Support and Expand your THESIS

The Body
The body is a set of paragraphs that develop the idea expressed in
the thesis statement.
- Make a list of main ideas that support the thesis statement. Each main
idea becomes the main idea sentence for a body paragraph.
- Arrange the main ideas in logical order (time, place, importance)
- Plan out each body paragraph by listing major details that support each
main idea
- Order the details within each paragraph in a logical way. Each body
paragraph may end with a concluding sentence.

The Body
•After planning and arranging your main ideas and major details, begin
writing your body paragraphs.
•Contain topic sentences – sentences that introduce
the paragraph and its connection to your thesis statement.
•Provided support for your thesis – this can be in examples,
quotes, statistics, etc.
•Connect back, through elaboration, to the
thesis statement and the introductory paragraph.

The Body
•The number of paragraphs depends on the topic’s complexity,
inclusiveness, and your purpose for writing.
•Usually a short essay contains 3 to 5 body paragraphs
•Essays can be funny, serious, or a little of both
•Remember to use signal words to make smooth transitions between
sentences and paragraphs.

Example Essay Outline
Thesis Statement
Gnome-napping is stealing personal property, and is illegal, morally wrong, and disrespectful.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: Gnome-napping is stealing someone’s personal property, and stealing is illegal.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence: It is morally wrong to take anyone’s property, whether it is a gnome or a car.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.
Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence: The GLF is incredibly disrespectful because they take items that don’t belong them.
Main Points: 1.
2.
3.

Key Features of the body paragraph
•Topic sentence
•Supporting sentences
•Elaborating or Explanatory sentences
•Concluding or transition sentence

Body Paragraph
- Topic sentences state the main idea of the paragraph and it is the first sentence in
body paragraph.
- The rest of the paragraph must expand on, describe, or prove what the topic
sentence states in some way.
- Support sentence gives a reason in support of the paragraph’s topic
sentence. Proof sentence proves a support sentence by providing
a detail or quotation from a source.
- Conclusion (one sentence) refers back to the topic, provides a
logical closing, and may provide a transition to the next body paragraph.

Which are good topic sentences?
- Texas has 267,000 square miles.
- Texas is so big that you can find many things to do.
- There are several ways of accurately telling how old fossils are.
- The animal dies and sinks to the sea floor.
- There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.
- All dogs need food.
- Three cities have serious pollution problems.





Topic Sentence
One of the first people I met was Joe Frieda. I first met Joe
standing in a line at the bookstore. I was having a difficult time finding
the books for the English classes I was taking my first semester here. He
not only helped me find my books, but he also gave me some good
advice on where to get tutorial help on campus and where I could find
some good restaurants. We've become better friends since then and he
has been so helpful in answering any questions I have about going to
school in the U.S. and about American culture. If I hadn't met Joe that
day, I might still be looking for the right books for my classes!
Concluding Sentence Supporting Sentences
Example of the body

Signal/Transition Words
• For examples: for example, for instance, to illustrate
• For organization or chronological order: The six steps are…, next, finally
first, secondly, third
• For additional points: furthermore, in addition, also, moreover, likewise,
similarly
• For opposing ideas: on the other hand, in contrast, although, however,
in comparison

Signal/Transition Words
• For exceptions: However, nevertheless, even so, but, yet, still
• For emphasis: Above all, finally, more importantly, remember this,
this is important
• For understanding: In other words, in essence, briefly
• For summarizing: In conclusion, to sum up, for these reasons, in a
nutshell

Concluding Paragraph
•The introduction begins with a general
approach to the topic and then moves
toward the more specific aspect(s) of it
•The conclusion begins with the more
specific aspect(s) and moves toward
the general topic of your essay
Think of these two paragraphs as funnels,
one leading toward the body of your
essay, while the other leads the reader
away from the body.

Conclusion
•The conclusion paragraph is the last paragraph in the essay. It completes the essay by summarizing or repeating
the most important ideas. The conclusion can also include an opinion, a prediction, or a solution to a problem.
•You may want to illustrate your essay with a picture or drawing.
•You may end with a quotation or fact that leaves the reader thinking.

Conclusion
• A good conclusion will make the reader think hard about everything he
or she has just read.
• Leave the reader thinking about your topic. Leave an impression on
them!
• No new information in conclusion
• Should follow logically from the body of the essay
• Restate your thesis statement in different words

Summary of Main Ideas
The significance of the kindness that these three people
showed me and the impact that it has made on my life during
my experience as an international student at State University
cannot be underestimated. I will never forget their friendship
and will remember their examples of kindness to me whenever
I encounter other foreigners in my own country.
Promise or Resolution
Example of Conclusion

I used to think carrots tasted gross. I also did not like broccoli or cauliflower or most
other vegetables. Then I learned how to cook my own vegetables, and now they taste pretty
good! It is easy to be healthy when you help in the kitchen.
One day, my dad got tired of hearing me complain about eating vegetables. He
decided I should learn how to cook them myself. We went to the market. Dad gave me
money to buy my own vegetables. it was fun to see all the colors and shapes. I picked out
ones that looked fresh and bright. Maybe vegetables weren’t so bad after all. When we got
home, we made vegetable lasagna. it was fun, and, with Dad’s help, I used a real knife to cut
up the vegetables. Then I filled a pan with pasta, cheese, and vegetables. We watched it
bubble in the oven. it smelled delicious. When I served dinner to my family, I felt proud. I
also cleaned my plate of every single bite of vegetables.
I now like to eat carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. I am good at cutting
carrots. Try to find new recipes with vegetables to cook. Go ask an adult if you can help go
shopping and make dinner together. You may be surprised how yummy vegetables can be!
Example of an essay

Going to a new school can be exciting, but for an international student, the years of
education in a different country can be difficult and tumultuous. When I first arrived in the U.S. to
attend a university, I was overwhelmed and confused by everything new. Fortunately, I met three
very special friends who made a positive impact on my life during those years and helped me survive
the trials of being a foreigner in a completely different educational system.
One of the first people I met was Joe Frieda. I first met Joe standing in a line at the
bookstore. I was having a difficult time finding the books for the English classes I was taking my first
semester here. He not only helped me find my books, but he also gave me some good advice on
where to get tutorial help on campus and where I could find some good restaurants. We've become
better friends since then and he has been so helpful in answering any questions I have about going
to school in the U.S. and about American culture. If I hadn't met Joe that day, I might still be looking
for the right books for my classes!
The significance of the kindness that these three people showed me and the impact that it
has made on my life during my experience as an international student at State University cannot be
underestimated. I will never forget their friendship and will remember their examples of kindness to
me whenever I encounter other foreigners in my own country.
Example of an essay

Write a Title
• Take time to reread your essay. Check for grammar or spelling
errors.
• Once the essay is exactly right, give it a title. Try to make the
title one that will make the reader curious.
•An attention-grabbing title will make people want to read your
work.

I used to think carrots tasted gross. I also did not like broccoli or cauliflower or most other vegetables.
Then I learned how to cook my own vegetables, and now they taste pretty good! It is easy to be healthy when
you help in the kitchen.
One day, my dad got tired of hearing me complain about eating vegetables. He decided I should learn
how to cook them myself. We went to the market. Dad gave me money to buy my own vegetables. it was fun to
see all the colors and shapes. I picked out ones that looked fresh and bright. Maybe vegetables weren’t so bad
after all. When we got home, we made vegetable lasagna. it was fun, and, with Dad’s help, I used a real knife to
cut up the vegetables. Then I filled a pan with pasta, cheese, and vegetables. We watched it bubble in the oven.
it smelled delicious. When I served dinner to my family, I felt proud. I also cleaned my plate of every single bite
of vegetables.
I now like to eat carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. I am good at cutting carrots. Try to find new
recipes with vegetables to cook. Go ask an adult if you can help go shopping and make dinner together. You
may be surprised how yummy vegetables can be!
Yucky to Yummy

Going to a new school can be exciting, but for an international student, the years of education in a different
country can be difficult and tumultuous. When I first arrived in the U.S. to attend a university, I was overwhelmed and
confused by everything new. Fortunately, I met three very special friends who made a positive impact on my life during
those years and helped me survive the trials of being a foreigner in a completely different educational system.
One of the first people I met was Joe Frieda. I first met Joe standing in a line at the bookstore. I was having a
difficult time finding the books for the English classes I was taking my first semester here. He not only helped me find my
books, but he also gave me some good advice on where to get tutorial help on campus and where I could find some good
restaurants. We've become better friends since then and he has been so helpful in answering any questions I have about
going to school in the U.S. and about American culture. If I hadn't met Joe that day, I might still be looking for the right
books for my classes!
The significance of the kindness that these three people showed me and the impact that it has made on my life
during my experience as an international student at State University cannot be underestimated. I will never forget their
friendship and will remember their examples of kindness to me whenever I encounter other foreigners in my own country.
Fortunate Friendships

How To Write An Essay and make it flow writing

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