Steps to an essay
My way
Marin Joja
My First encounter with an essay
The second attempt
The first attempt
The third attempt
Me and my ¨Essay¨ NOW
WHY …..?
About an Essay AGAIN
•It is not enough
DISCURSIVE ESSAYS : OPINION;
FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY
ESSAY PROVIDING SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS
How to write ;
Body Paragraph
Introductory paragraph
Concluding paragraph
A Complete essay
Correction of an essay ( a few words)
PARAGRAPH
Topic
Controling idea
Topic
Fast Food
have negative effects
Controling idea
Eating fast food can have negative effects.
• Eating fast food can have negative effects
Suporting sentences(facts ,figures,….)
• It can raise cholesterol contributing to heart disease.
• It causes weight gain.
• Low energy level of the body
Eating fast food can have negative effects.
To begin with ,it can raise cholesterol and stimulate heart disease.
Secondly, it causes weight gain.
Finally ,it causes low energy level of the body.
To sum up, if you eat too much fast food you can ruin your health.
Writing a paragraph
– Basic Rules.
1.
2.
3.
4.
In Paragraph you deal with ONLY ONE IDEA
UNITY
Firstly ,write good topic sentence
Brainstorm ideas then group or cluster them
Write supporting sentence - each sentence relates to
controlling idea
• The topic sentence introduces the topic (subject) of a paragraph. It
also serves to express idea or opinion about the topic.
•
the topic
In Zadar there are
topic
and
the controlling idea
lots of beatiful historical monuments .
controlling idea
a topic sentence has the two parts.
•
•
Topic
Ideas
(what you’re writing about)
(what you think about the topic)
P
A
A
R
A
G
R
A
P
H
MAIN IDEA
Topic + Controlling idea
MAJOR SUPPORTING SENTENCE
( supports the main idea)
MINORSUPPORTING SENTENCE
(supports the major supporting sentence)
facts,numbers ,figures……
Concluding sentence
Topic
Zadar is a well-known attraction for cultural tourists.
Topic Sentence
In Zadar there are lots of beatiful historical monuments.
Major
Supporting Details
There are two restaurants from the
17th century that have traditional
Dalmatian Cousine
.
There are a few remains of
arhitecture from Roman empire.
Terere are a few of the oldest
churches in Europe
Minor Supporting Details
One of the specalities are
marinated anchovies.
For example, St. Donat is a unique
The most famous is Forum
church from the 9th century
Topic sentence can¨t states only facts , it has to express opinion or some idea.
Decide which sentence, a or b, is a fact.
a. Rice is a cereal.
b. In some countries, people eat too much rice.
a. The potato is a vegetable.
b. Potatoes are good for you.
a. Rice contains starch.
b. Rice should be cooked in a special pot.
a. Drinking coffee helps you concentrate.
b. Coffee is made from coffee beans
Choose one of the topics.Write controlling idea.Write supporting
sentences.Write a conclusion
Topic:
Controlling idea :
Supporting sentence (it refers to controlling idea):
1.
2.
3.
4.
Conclusion:
Dramatic Opener or Hook
Transitional Sentence
Thesis Statement
The introduction has two main purposes:
1. to attract the attention of the reader.
2. to indicate what the essay will be about
Types of Introductions
Funnel Introduction:
Begins with one or two general sentences about the topic.
Sentences become increasingly focused on the topic.
Ends with your thesis statement.
Thesis
Statement
The Foundation of a Paper
Definition
A thesis statement is the central opinion
in a paper. It is this opinion that the
writer tries to prove in the paper. A
thesis statement is sometimes called
the focus of the paper,
controlling
idea, or central idea.
Rev 2/2010
Thesis Statement
3
Elements
A thesis statement usually has three parts:
topic, position and limit.
Topic
The topic is usually the topic of the paper.
It is usually the subject of the sentence.
A dog
Position
The position is the writers position on the
topic. It is usually the verb in the sentence.
A dog would be a perfect pet
Limit
The limit narrows the topic to a workable size
A dog would be a perfect pet because they are very loyal, they are easy
to train, and they make good companions..
Rev 2/2010
Thesis Statement
8
topic, position
limit.
Subject: dogs.
Focused Topic (POSITION): make a great pet for me
Three Major Points (LIMIT: they are very loyal, they are easy to train,
and they make good companions.
Thesis Statement:
Because of its sense of loyalty, its ability to be
trained, and its good companionship, a dog is the
perfect pet for me.
Thesis Statement – Examples
•Subject: The Best Place for the Perfect Family Vacation
Focused Topic: Zadar
Three Major Points: recreational activities, pleasant location,
economical lodging
Thesis Statement:
The best place for the perfect family is Zadar because of the fun
recreational activities, the beautiful scenery in a pleasant location,
and the economical lodging available
Subject: Sports and Activities
Focused Topic: My Three Favorite Activities
Three Major Points: soccer, biking, roller blading
Thesis Statement:
When I have some free time to myself I like to spend it
outside playing soccer, riding my bike, or roller blading.
topic,
position
limit.
Write thesis statement for your essay of a perfect pet
Subject:
Focused Topic (POSITION):
Three Major Points (LIMIT:
Thesis Statement:
Writing of a body of an essay
How to write a controlling idea for a paragraph
First choose an animal for a pet
then answer this
Why a ….. would be a good pet ?
(brain storming)
• Next, I look over my list and decide on the
three major points, or reasons, that I
want to discuss in my essay.
• I decide that a dog would be the best pet
for me because they're . .
1. loyal
2. easy to train
3. fun to take places
.
•
•
•
•
Loyal,
easy to take care,
Fun to take places
are controlling ideas of three
paragraphs of a body.
Example:
Loyal ( controlling idea )
–supporting sentences
Sit togehter,
ready to fetch………
The body (supporting sentences)
develops the topic sentence
the major (main) supporting sentences
(providing the main arguments about the topic) and
the minor supporting sentences
(providing additional details and telling us more
about the major supporting sentences)
OWING A CAR HAS CERTAIN DISADVANTAGES. (topic sentence)
Topic - owing a car
Controlling idea - certain disadvantages
1 Expensive
major (main) supporting sentences
1 price of petrol constantly rising
2 regular maintenance and repairs
minor supporting sentences ■
minor supporting sentences ■
2 Stressful
1 traffic jams
2 no parking space
3 dangerous
inexperienced drivers cause a lot of accidenT
bad conditions of roads
Paragraph structure
Supporting sentence
Do what they are told
Example – detail
Plas fetches,wrestle
Example -detail
Suppotring
sentence
Controlling idea
loyal
Example -detail
Suppotring
sentence
First Body Paragraph Major Point 1
Topic Sentence:__________________________
Supporting sentence 1 :______________________
Expanded Detail:___________________________
Supporting sentence 2:______________________
Expanded Detail:__________________________
Expanded Detail: ____________________
Concluding Sentence :_______________________________
First Body Paragraph - Major Point 1
Topic Sentence: One of the great things about a dog is that they are extremely loyal.
Supporting sentence: Dogs are always happy to see you when you come home from school or
work.
Expanded Detail: My friend Elise's dog goes crazy whenever she comes home.
Supporting sentence 2: Dogs also seem to be in a good mood, which can really cheer a person
up.
Expanded Detail: Unlike some people, dogs don't get mad or yell and complain.
Concluding Sentence: A dog will be there for you when you need him, something snake can
never be expected to do.
THE CONCLUSION
Just as every essay has a clear beginning, it should have a clear ending.
The last paragraph, also know as the conclusion, should make your essay
sound finished.
• The concluding paragraph typically has two parts:
• 1. The summary statement is one or two sentences which
restate the thesis in a fresh way to reinforce the essay's main
idea.
2. The clincher is a final thought which should create a lasting
impression on the reader.
• A concluding paragraph consists of a summary of the points
made in your body paragraphs, a restatement of the thesis
statement, and/or a final comment on your topic.
• Write the conclusion for your essay about your favourite pet