Writing Strong Paragraphs,

Introductions and Conclusions

Contents

What is an Essay?

The Structure of an Essay

The Building Blocks of Essays: Paragraphs

Guidelines for Writing Good Paragraphs

Introductions

Conclusions

Arguments and Evidence

What is an Essay?
Essays are the most commonly assigned form of writing at University and are central to the academic
process. Through essays, scholars communicate with one another; in them, professors and students present
data to one another and explain new ways of thinking about ideas or events.
Professors assign essays to you because they want to give you the opportunity to think, in a deep and
prolonged manner, about a topic. They want you to examine a historical question, create a unique and
interesting answer to that question, and use sound historical evidence to prove that answer.
While they can take many forms and range in length from one page to thirty or more pages, academic
essays share a set of central characteristics. Most significantly, all essays are made up of two basic elements
an argument and evidenceand they generally all follow a similar writing structure.

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Arguments and Evidence

First, let us consider what we mean by the idea that essays are made up of arguments and evidence.
Arguments
The arguments within the essay are your interpretations of a given topic or answer to a question.

Take, for example, an essay assessing the impact of Prime Minister Diefenbakers reaction to the
Cuban Missile Crisis; your argument would be YOUR assessment of what that impact was. For
example: Prime Minister Diefenbakers indecisiveness during the Cuban Missile Crisis not only
damaged his chances of re-election but also hurt Canadas image abroad.

Your arguments are summarized in a clear thesis statement that is presented at the beginning of the
essay. For more information on how to write a strong thesis statement, please see the module
entitled Constructing an Argument.

Evidence
The evidence in an essay is the information and examples that you use to prove to the reader that
your argument is convincing.
Evidence can take the form of historical events, figures, concepts, images, or historical documents
or literature that are relevant to the argument that you are making.
The evidence is generally presented in the body of your essay. In presenting it, you need not only to
give the example, paraphrase, or quotation, but also explain how it illustrates the arguments that
you are making.

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The Structure of an Essay

Whether they are two pages in length or fifteen, most essays follow a similar structure.
Introduction
Essays always begin with a clear introduction. The introduction sets up the historical question,
presents a clear thesis to the reader, and establishes the scope of the essay--the time period,
places, and subjects discussed in the essay.
In a short paper, the introduction is one paragraph in length. In a longer paper (over ten pages), it
could be two or three paragraphs in length. Introductions will be covered in more detail later in this
module.
Body Paragraphs
Following the introduction, the essay contains body paragraphs. These paragraphs systematically,
and in a logical order, develop and prove each argument. In the body paragraphs, you present and
explain the evidence that supports your thesis.
There is no set number of body paragraphs for an essay (you are NO LONGER writing only fiveparagraph essays). Use as many paragraphs as you need to develop the arguments within your
thesis.
Conclusion
The essay ends with a clear conclusion. The conclusion brings together the points made in the essay
and draws out their larger significance.
In a short paper, the conclusion is one paragraph in length. In a longer paper (over ten pages), it
could be two or three paragraphs in length. Conclusions will be covered in more detail later in this
module.

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The Building Blocks of Essays: Paragraphs
Whether you are writing the introduction or the body of your essay, you will always be writing paragraphs.
Indeed, the paragraph is the most basic building block of the essay. It is essential, then, for you to familiarize
yourself with how a good, clear paragraph is constructed.
What is a good paragraph?
A good paragraph is a group of sentences that is unified around ONE central point.

This point is expressed clearly in a topic sentence.

This point is then developed in the paragraph through details, examples, and explanations.
A good paragraph is like a mini-essay; it begins with a clear topic sentence and develops the point in
that sentence through examples and discussion.

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Guidelines for Writing Good Paragraphs

Make sure that you and your reader are clear on the ONE main point that the paragraph is trying to
make.
In general, paragraphs in an essay should be about 150-200 words. Avoid overly long paragraphs as
they usually cover more than one main point and leave your reader confused. Dont be afraid to
start a new paragraph!
Avoid one or two sentence paragraphs.
Transitions are words or phrases that connect ideas and/or show the relationship between them. Use
transitions to connect the sentences within your paragraphs. Examples of transitional words and
phrases include: Nevertheless However Therefore In addition As a result Equally
important
You can also use transitional statements at the beginning and/or end of paragraphs to connect the
paragraph to the paragraphs before or after as well as to your thesis

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Introductions
Of all the different paragraphs, many people consider introductions the most difficult to write. This is because
the introduction must grab the readers attention and provide an absolutely clear, but sufficiently concise
explanation of the papers main point. In a shorter paper, the introduction will only be one paragraph. In a
longer paper, it could be lengthier and involve multiple paragraphs.
Structure of the Introduction
1. Grab the readers attention and introduce the historical question the paper will explore.
2. Clearly explain the scope of the essay - the time period, places, and subjects discussed in the essay.
3. Give basic background if needed and explain the historical setting.
4. State thesis and give an overview of main points or categories of evidence.
5. You can also use your introduction to introduce your main primary sources, if used, historiography,
or theoretical framework.

Good Ideas for the Introduction

Begin with a quotation and show its relevance

Or, begin with a story, example, or anecdote

Or, begin with a paradox or apparent contradiction
Or, emphasize the difference between your evidence or interpretation and the arguments of other
scholars
Always provide background information and establish the historical setting if necessary
Always clearly state your thesis and provide a road map to your reader of what is to come

What to Avoid in the Introduction

Using dictionary definitions

Echoing the instructors question exactly

Using inflated declaration or a clich (Throughout human history; The more things change, the more
they stay the same)
Apologizing for the deficiencies in the paper
Quoting extensively the words and ideas should be your own
Including gratuitous personal preambles (such as long digressions about your personal feelings
about a topic).

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Conclusions
Like the introduction, the conclusion can be a challenging paragraph to write. This is because the conclusion
must review the main points without being repetitive or boring.
Structure of the Conclusion
1. Sum up and review your main points.
2. Re-examine your thesis in light of everything that you have proven
3. Point toward the larger significance of your ideas. If your readers now believe everything in your
thesis, what do they now know and why is it important? In other words, so what?
Good Ideas for Conclusions
If your essay began with a question, include the answer in your conclusion

Use a short, significant quotation or anecdote that summarizes the main intent of the essay
If your essay pointed out a problem, suggest solutions
Widen the perspective of what you have discussed; in light of your thesis, what does your reader
now know about a given time period?

What to Avoid in the Conclusion

The phrase, In conclusion, I have shown that

Recopying your topic sentences or introduction exactly

Putting in minor details or afterthoughts
Using inflated declarations or clich
Apologizing for what you failed to do in the essay
Going off in an entirely new or unrelated direction

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