Handout: The Basic Structure of a Multiple-Paragraph Essay

The Basic Structure of the Essay

1. Opening Paragraph Î "Tell them what you're gonna tell
them" “three questions” w create interest x “personal anecdote”
É Ê
2. Body Paragraphs (2+) Î "Tell them (explain it)" Can you imagine a world My greatest fear in life is deep
without water? What things water. As a child I was always
3. Concluding Paragraph Î "Remind them what you told them do you do everyday that afraid to enter a large body of
(with different words)" depend on water? Which of water out of fear that an
these activities would you underwater creature might
most miss if water was taken attack me. In spite of this basic
away? fear of water, I now have come
Introduction Guidelines (CIT) to realize how much I need it.
1) Create interest Ä can use any of the seven different ways to Ê É
create interest (lots of choices here)
As human beings, we depend on a vast amount of resources to
2) Introduce the topic Ä use a declarative sentence to do so – meet all our needs and wants. While water has many uses, it has
constant (i.e: As human beings, we depend on a vast amount of served as the perfect human resource available for our hygiene,
resources to meet all our needs and wants.) entertainment, and survival.
3) Thesis statement Ä In one sentence, present the topic of the
essay (i.e: While water has many uses, it has served as the
perfect human resource available to us for our hygiene,
entertainment, and survival.)
Create Interest: (see 7 ways to do this)

Create Interest: (see 7 ways to do this)
Introduce Topic: People in different countries or regions have
depended on the specific foods available to
them based on the unique geography and
available resources where they live.
Thesis Statement: Although most European farmers in the
18OO’s lived off of bread, The Irish exclusive
dependency on the potato led to the grave
consequences of death, starvation, and
dispersion of the general population.
Introduce Topic: Humankind has had a tenuous relationship
throughout history with particular animals
that have not become domesticated or part of
our heritage.
Thesis Statement: Wolves, though closely related to the common
house dog, are still unique and mysterious
animals that must be understood by the
general public.
 Handout: The Basic Structure of a Multiple-Paragraph Essay
Body Paragraphs Guidelines (TSC)
Each main body paragraph will focus on a single idea, reason, or
example that supports your thesis. Each paragraph will have a clear
topic sentence (a mini thesis that states the main idea of the
paragraph) and as much discussion or explanation as is necessary
to explain the point. You should try to use details and specific
examples to make your ideas clear and convincing. Each body
paragraph should end with a sentence that brings the topic to a
natural close.
1. Topic sentence – one sentence that tells what the main topic of the
paragraph is about
2. supporting details – in the form of facts, examples, and/or expert
opinion
3. clincher (sentence of repose/rest/summary) – a sentence that
wraps up your body paragraph in a way that makes it feel complete.
Transitions between body paragraphs: Transitions connect your
paragraphs to one another, especially the main body ones. It's not
effective to simply jump from one idea to the next; you need to use
the end of one paragraph and/or the beginning of the next to show
the relationship between the two ideas.
Between each paragraph and the one that follows, you need a
transition. It can be built in to the topic sentence of the next
paragraph, or it can be the concluding sentence of the first. It can
even be a little of both. To express the relationship between the
two paragraphs, think about words and phrases that compare and
contrast:
ƒ Does the first paragraph tell us a pro and the second a con? (i.e: "on the
other hand...")
ƒ Does the second paragraph tell us something of greater significance? (i.e:
"more importantly.....")
ƒ An earlier historical example? (i.e: "even before…)
ƒ A different kind of consideration? (i.e: money versus time).
ƒ List of Reasons: One reason J Another reason J The Last reason
ƒ Order of Events: First J Next J Finally
ƒ About people’s Opinions: Some people… J Others.. J But most…
ƒ Describing a place: Directly in front… J One the right… J To the left…
Conclusion Guidelines (LRT)
1. Link to the Introduction – The “link” begins the conclusion and
is a connection or continuation of the opening way in which you
created interest. (see below for more on “link”)
2. Restate the thesis – use different words from the initial thesis in
the opening paragraph, but keep the same idea. (see below for more on
“restating thesis”)
3. Twist – A final sentence which causes the reader to nod in approval
or smile in agreement. (suggestion: Whatever the last phrase or words
of the twist, use that in the title.)
Examples of Ways to “Link” the Conclusion (C) to the
Introduction (I):
• When you use a personal anecdote in the I, finish the story here in
the C.
• When you start with passage of time in I, show time has elapsed
here in the C. Example: "Later that day..." (Remind the reader that
time has passed).
• What did you learn? In the C, write a response to the personal
anecdote you had in the I.
• If you asked 3 questions in your I, you should respond to the 3
questions here in the 3.
Restate the Thesis:
• General (introduction) – specific (conclusion)
• Specific (introduction) – general (conclusion)