Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes

Centro de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades

Licenciatura en Enseñanza del Inglés

Title of the Paper

Name of the student

Name of the course and semester Commented [BS1]: For example: Academic/Creative Writing,
3rd semester

Instructor

Date (Month, Day, Year)

Author Note Commented [BLSP2]: Check with instructor to see if this is

required.

Genre: Commented [BLSP3]: When considering genre, consider

whether the text is a specific type of report, letter, etc. and include
also the way or context with which the text will be delivered to the
Audience: intended audience.
Commented [BLSP4]: Who is the target audience? Who
Purpose: would most likely benefit having read the text? Also, include the
relationship between the target audience and the writer.
Commented [BLSP5]: What’s the purpose (intention) of the
text?
 Title of Work
Begin with an introduction paragraph…
An introduction paragraph typically contains three elements: hook, background information, and
thesis statement. A hook can be a famous quote, essential (profound) question, or compelling statistic or
fact. A famous quote – because it’s famous or the person to said it is famous – can be considered
“common knowledge” in that it has become to a degree “common” since it’s well known or the person is
well known. For this reason, simply stating the quote and the person’s name – with no citation and
reference – will suffice. If the famous quote comes from a published article or some other academic
source, then including a citation and reference is recommended, however. Background information
follows and can also be considered context of the problem or any historical information that is needed
before introducing the thesis statement. Background information is not a summary of what the writer is
to develop later in the body of the work, but rather a way to provide context so that the thesis statement
has a greater impact. Do not confuse an abstract and introduction paragraph as they are two completely
different types of texts. Most shorter texts do not require abstracts, but check with your instructor to see
whether one is required or not. The last sentence of the instruction paragraph is the thesis statement, or
main idea of the entire essay. A thesis statement includes a topic, an opinion, and then usually goes on
to state reasons or ways. An example of a thesis statement:
Cell phones allow English language learners to engage with the target language by easily
accessing course content outside of class, making it easier to interact with classmates both inside
and outside of class, and allowing the receive more timely feedback from the instructor based on
the objectives of the course.
Also, avoid personalizing signposts that explicitly state to the reader purpose, organization, and
the like. Some examples of personalized signposts to avoid:
 This paper addresses…
 In this paper, I will discuss…
Commented [BS6]: Use the same title as it appears in title page
above. Also, begin here with a page break (control + enter).
Commented [BS7]: Remove italics and begin writing an
introduction paragraph here. All paragraphs should include a 0.5
inch indentation by using the slider bars in the ruler. If ruler does
not appear, select ruler by going to View>Ruler. To change units of
measure to inches, go to File>Options>Advanced>Display.
Commented [BS8]: Main idea to include in topic sentence of
first body paragraph. Topic sentences are claims that are
declarative sentences with a topic (subject) and an opinion. Try to
avoid there is/there are sentences as topic sentences and try to
avoid the verb to be used as a main verb. Try to use more dynamic
as opposed to stative verbs to establish the main idea of the body
paragraph.
Commented [BS9]: Main idea to include in topic sentence of
the second body paragraph. Topic sentences are claims that are
declarative sentences with a topic (subject) and an opinion. Try to
avoid there is/there are sentences as topic sentences and try to
avoid the verb to be used as a main verb. Try to use more dynamic
as opposed to stative verbs to establish the main idea of the body
paragraph.
Commented [BS10]: Main idea to include in topic sentence of
the third body paragraph (of a five paragraph essay). Topic
sentences are claims that are declarative sentences with a topic
(subject) and an opinion. Try to avoid there is/there are sentences
as topic sentences and try to avoid the verb to be used as a main
verb. Try to use more dynamic as opposed to stative verbs to
establish the main idea of the body paragraph.
Commented [BS11]: Notice how the thesis statement provides
a “road map” of what is to be stated in the body paragraphs that
follow.
Commented [BS12]: More examples:
http://englishforuniversity.com/academic-writing/signposts-in-
academic-writing/
  This essay is organized as follows…

 I now will discuss…

 Here is another example of…

 Etc.

In academic writing, proper signposting can be thought of by simply using sentence connectors that are Commented [BS13]: Examples:
http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/stonebrink/ESL042/tran
sitionsscribd.doc
commonly used in academic texts.

Continue to write the entire essay in the third person and stick to organizing claims as premises

that form an overall argument, point of view, or some other organization structure. Some typical

organization structures for essays include the following (Aaron, 2001):

 “Spatial: In describing a person, place, or thing, move through space systematically from a

starting point to other features – for instance, top to bottom, near to far, left to right, etc.

 Chronological: In recounting a sequence of events, arrange the events as they actually occurred

in time, first to last.

 General to the specific: Begin with an overall discussion of the subject; then fill in details, facts,

examples, and other support.

 Specific to the general: First provide the support; then draw a conclusion from it.

 Climactic: Arrange ideas In order of increasing importance to your thesis or increasing interest

to the reader.

 Problem solving: First outline a problem that needs solving; then propose a solution” (p. 24).

It’s always a good idea to verify the organizational structure of your essay with your instructor before

you begin your first draft.

The last paragraph of the essay should be a conclusion paragraph, which is organized the

opposite to the introduction paragraph. The introduction paragraph begins general (hook and

background information) and moves to the specific (thesis statement) while the conclusion paragraph
begins with the specific (restated and reworded thesis statement) and moves to the general (closing

statement). Begin the conclusion paragraph by restating and rewording the thesis statement that reminds

the reader what the main point of the essay is. Then, state the significance, relevance, big picture, etc. of

the main point of the essay. Avoid simply restating or summarizing the main points of the essay. The

significance relevance, etc. could also be thought of as a reflection as long as the text stays in the third

person. It’s a good idea to check with the instructor beforehand on what to include in this section to

clarify any doubts that you might have. Finally, the last sentence of the conclusion paragraph (and of

the essay) is a closing statement that completes the text.

Refer to IMCHATS for a quick APA reference when drafting any academic writing text

assigned in any course throughout the curriculum.

 References Commented [BS14]: Set indentation slider bars in ruler
opposed to those set in text above: first line flush left and
subsequent lines with a 0.5 inch indentation.
Aaron, J. (2001). The little brown compact handbook. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
Also, spacing is slightly different in references section. Use single
spacing within each reference and double spacing between each
reference. Also, include one double space between the
(References) heading and the first reference. Make sure there is no
extra spacing set before or after paragraphs.
Commented [BS15]: Set indentation slider bars in ruler
opposed to those set in text above: first line flush left and
subsequent lines with a 0.5 inch indentation.