How To Wri

te An
Essay
Essay Form
at, Introduc
Thesis State tions, Body,
ments, and Conclusions
Topic Sente ,
nces
0 To gain insights into the different elements that
constitute an academic essay
0 and to develop the skill of creating an
organized, logical, and interconnected essay.
 Essay Format

Introduction
Thesis Statement

Body

Conclusion
 What is the purpose of an
introduction?
Introductions have two jobs:

1. Catch readers’ attention.

2. Introduce the focus and purpose of your writing.
 Questions you might ask
yourself
1. How do I accomplish these jobs without giving away
all of my essay in the introduction?
2. How do I know what will hook readers’ attention
without sharing all the cool details?
3. You might start by using this simple formula and
then choosing a method from the list below.
 Formula Please take a piece of paper and
write down your thoughts on
0 A good introduction = new information what it means for something to
+ ideas that everyone may not agree
be 'controversial’
with.
Think about topics or ideas that
can make people disagree or have
Note: different viewpoints.
To put it another way, if your piece begins
with an idea most people know and After you're done, I'll randomly
agree with, it’s less likely to pull readers select one of you to share your
in. People are made curious by new thoughts with the class!
ideas and opinions that have multiple
perspectives or may be controversial. Controversial (adj) = causing a lot
of disagreement, because many
people
have strong opinions about
the subject being discussed
 Controversial debate topics.
1. Is mandatory organ donation ethical?
2. Should people invest in cryptocurrency?
3. Should you buy Fair trade? (= is a worldwide movement that aims to help farmers
and producers in less economically developed countries )
4. Will the world face a major food insecurity crisis by 2050?
5. Should governments impose population controls?
6. Should people have fewer children to help tackle climate change?
7. Is it important to explore outer space?
8. Should we colonize other planets?
9. Should human doctors be replaced by automated ones?
10. Should the genetic engineering of human embryos be banned?
11. Which line of evidence provides the strongest support for evolution? 
12. Should we create artificial wombs for humans?
13. Should genetically modified crops be banned.
14. What alternative energy source is the best?
15. Is abstract art inferior to representational art?
Academic Introduction example 1
Reference: Academic English UK
 Academic introduction example 2
on Plato’s Allegory of the cave

Step into a world where shadows conceal truths and reality wears
a shroud of uncertainty. Plato's Allegory of the Cave beckons, a
thought-provoking riddle that invites students to explore the
boundary between appearance and reality. Crafted by the ancient
philosopher Plato, this allegory offers a glimpse into a confined
realm where perception is limited to flickering shadows on a wall.
As we venture into the depths of this allegorical tale, we find
ourselves on a journey not only to unravel its mysteries but also to
sharpen the very tool that will guide us – critical thinking. This
essay delves into the contours of the allegory, poised to unveil its
layers and spark the flames of critical inquiry among young minds.
 Other examples
0 Strategy 0 Examples
0 Provide some interesting 0 Today’s gnome owners become
background about the topic in tomorrow’s leaders.
the form of a general statement

0 Use a thought-provoking 0 “Gnomes are creatures to be loved,

quotation not feared!”
Dr. S. Rosner

0 Why don’t many people like

gnomes?
0 Ask a question about your topic
0 In 1693, the first gnome was
brought to America.
0 State a surprising fact or a
puzzling statement 0 Little Susie looked out her window,
only to see her precious gnome,
0 Start with a short story Willard, was being stolen….
 Ways to Start Your Introduction
0 Strategy 0 Examples
0 State a common 0 People don’t learn bad
misconception habits from gnomes.

0 Describe a problem 0 Everyone knows what a

problem gnome-napping
has become in our society.

0 Gnomes are just like

0 Give an analogy children.

0 Show how the topic is 0 Most people know how

related to the reader’s difficult it is to take care of
experience garden gnomes.
The Parts of a Thesis Statement
The Functions of a Thesis
Statement
Academic example of an introduction 3

0 Example
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.

0 1. Attention getter
0 2. State your problem.
0 3. Bridge or transition sentences
0 4. Thesis statement
0 **NOTE: This doesn’t mean your intro is 4 sentences long. It just has 4 parts.
 General instructions:
0 Go to the Weebly Website given by the teacher.
0 You will also find this PowerPoint online.
0 Choose to start with writing an introduction on
‘Plato’s Allegory of the Cave or the use of ChatGPT
( You will find the instructions to both essays online)
 Writing the introduction
0 Engaging hook: Begin with an attention-grabbing sentence that
sparks curiosity and interest. This could be a quote, a question, a
startling fact, or a vivid description related to the topic.
0 Contextual Background: Briefly introduce the topic. Provide a
concise overview of what it portrays.
0 Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main argument or focus of
your essay in a single sentence. This is your thesis statement.
Make sure it's specific and debatable.
0 Overview of Points: Provide a preview of the main points you'll
be discussing in your essay. These points should align with your
thesis statement and give the reader an idea of the structure of
your essay.
 The Body
0 The body is a set of paragraphs that develop
the idea expressed in the thesis statement.
0 Make a list of main ideas that support the thesis statement.
Each main idea becomes the main idea sentence for a body
paragraph.
0 Arrange the main ideas in logical order (time, place,
importance)
0 Plan out each body paragraph by listing major details that
support each main idea
0 Order the details within each paragraph in a logical way.
Each body paragraph may end with a concluding sentence.
 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.
 The Writing Stage
0 After planning and arranging your main ideas and
major details, begin writing your body paragraphs.
0 The number of paragraphs depends on the topic’s
complexity, inclusiveness, and your purpose for
writing.
0 Usually a short essay contains 3 to 5 body
paragraphs, plus an introduction and conclusion
0 Remember to use signal words to make smooth
transitions between sentences and paragraphs.
 Signal/Transition Words
0 For examples: For example, for instance, to
illustrate
0 For organization or chronological order: The
six steps are…, next, finally first, secondly,
third
0 For additional points: Furthermore, in
addition, also, moreover
0 For opposing ideas: On the other hand, in
contrast, although, however
0 For similar ideas: Likewise, similarly, in
comparison
 Signal/Transition Words
0 For exceptions: However, nevertheless, but,
yet, still
0 For emphasis: Above all, finally, more
importantly
0 For understanding: In other words, in essence,
briefly
0 For summarizing: In conclusion, to sum up, for
these reasons, in a nutshell
0 For exams: Remember this, this is important,
this could be on the test
 Conclusion
0 Leave the reader thinking about your topic. Leave
an impression on them!
0 No new information in conclusion
0 Be sure to recap your ideas
0 Should follow logically from the body of the essay
0 Restate your thesis statement in different words
0 You might want to have your reader do something
after reading (“call to action” – Example: Go write
your Senator about this problem.)
 Checklist
0 Click on this link
Now, use the outline to write
a complete essay. Remember
to use transition words and
phrases where necessary.
 Example
Benefits of healthy Eating

Eating healthy can benefit a person in a person’s energy level. When

a person eats healthy, he or she has more energy each day. With
more energy a person can do more daily activities. They will be able
to go to the grocery store or even play with their children at the park
without losing their breath from the exercise. Eating healthy has
many benefits; however, there are also effects to eating unhealthy,
like obesity.