Building a well-organized Essay
I. Introduction = Thesis Statement + Supporting Ideas
A) Thesis Statement: a clear, specific sentence that gives your essay direction. This sentence should narrow your topic to a single idea that you want readers to gain from you essay—this is the central or main idea of your piece.
B) Main Supporting Ideas: the sentences that accompany your thesis statement should provide the reader with a specific, concise preview of the ideas or supporting details you plan to focus on in your discussion.
***The INTRODUCTION serves to introduce and unify the essay. It must include the main idea you plan to discuss, as well as the title of the work (novel, poem, story, etc.) about which you are writing.
II. Body Paragraphs = Supporting Evidence; Examples
A) Topic Sentence: each paragraph MUST contain a clear topic sentence that gives the paragraph direction.
B) Examples: each paragraph MUST contain specific examples or supporting details that back up the idea set stated in the topic sentence.
C) Quotations: Each paragraph MUST contain at least one quotation that supports your claims.
***Plot summary: Keep plot summary to a minimum!!! It is important to provide some plot summary with your examples; however, too much plot summary will weaken your analysis.
III. Conclusion = restating of the central or main idea of the essay
A) Rewording the thesis statement from the introduction
B) Tie all of the main points of the essay together, and make a final statement about the main focus of your analysis.