Retno Lestari

An essay can have many purposes, but the basic

structure is the same no matter what. You may be
writing an essay to argue for a particular point of view or
to explain the steps necessary to complete a task. Either
way, your essay will have the same basic format. If you
follow a few simple steps, you will find that the essay
almost writes itself. You will be responsible only for
supplying ideas, which are the important part of the
essay anyway.
Don't let the thought of putting pen to paper
daunt you. Get started!
You may have no choice as to your topic. If this is
the case, you still may not be ready to jump to the
next step. Think about the type of paper you are
expected to produce. Should it be a general
overview, or a specific analysis of the topic? If it
should be an overview, then you are probably
ready to move to the next step. If it should be a
specific analysis, make sure your topic is fairly
specific. If it is too general, you must choose a
narrower subtopic to discuss.


For example, the topic "KENYA" is a general one. If
your objective is to write an overview, this topic is
suitable. If your objective is to write a specific
analysis, this topic is too general. You must narrow it
to something like "Politics in Kenya" or "Kenya's
Culture.

Once you have determined that your topic will be
suitable, you can move on.
The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your
ideas about the topic on paper, in a moderately
organized format. The structure you create here may
still change before the essay is complete, so don't
agonize over this. Decide whether you prefer the cut-
and-dried structure of an outline or a more flowing
structure. If you start one or the other and decide it
isn't working for you, you can always switch later.
If youve got some notes but you dont know
how to start the next stage, get a nice big clean
sheet of paper and write down phrases which
summarise all of your thoughts about the
subject, the different questions and ideas youve
had in your mind, and the areas and problems
that have been covered in your reading.

Then look for similarities, and related concerns,
and group them together in whatever way
makes sense to you.
After that, see if you can number these
areas into an order the order in which
you will weave your way through the
material.

And voila! Youve accidentally created an
essay structure. Now just check it, tweak
it a bit to make it more coherent, and
youre ready to go.
Two dull kinds of essay structure:

The one thats not well enough organised:
1. Definition of the thing
2. Some stuff about the thing
3. Summary

The one thats too formulaic:
1. Introduction, saying that we will discuss
the thing
2. Three arguments in favour of the thing
3. Three arguments against the thing
4. Summary of the above
Six really awful ways to begin the
essayWhy have baked beans become so
popular in twentieth century Britain?:
The question of why baked beans have
become so popular in twentieth century Britain
is an interesting
The Oxford English Dictionary defines baked
beans as
In this essay I will explore the question of why
baked beans have become so popular in
twentieth
The Penguin English Dictionary defines
popular as
The twentieth century has been going for quite
a while now and
The Collins English Dictionary defines
twentieth century as
! Why are these awful? Because they are so
predictable, uninspiring and limp. What
should you do instead? Something else.
Six really awful ways to begin the
essayWhy have baked beans become so
popular in twentieth century Britain?:


I Introduction
General Statements
Thesis statement

II Body
A. Topic Sentence
1. Support
2. Support
3. Support
(Concluding sentence)
B. Topic Sentence
1. Support
2. Support
3. Support
(Concluding sentence)

C. Topic Sentence
1.Support
2. Support
3. Support
(Concluding sentence)

III Conclusion
Restatement or summary of the main points; final comment
Introduction
Gives the reader an idea of what the essay will be about and will
let the grader know if you are on the right track
Start strong, End Strong

Body
Showcases the main points of your argument and gives the grader
a sense that you do know what you are discussing

Conclusion
Wraps the main points and brings your whole argument to a
logical end
Start strong, End Strong


A strong introduction is the start to a strong
answer
Again, Start Strong!!
A good introduction will give allow you to lay
out your main points
If you can, state how many points you will
discuss
Example: There are 3 main developments in
the..
Example: Four main events in human history
led to the.
If you are having trouble writing an
introduction, take the main points of the
question and simply use them to make a
statement
Example: Nausea and vomiting commonly
happen in pregnancy
Example: Birds have a unique and interesting
anatomy, and this.
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
How to write an
Introductory paragraph
One today is worth two tomorrows.
Ben Franklin

Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
When you write an introductory
paragraph, keep in mind that . .
.
Writing an introductory paragraph is like
greeting someone. The paragraph should be
short and to the point like saying, Hello!

Also, you dont want to get into the meat of
the essay. Simply give the audience a
concise idea of your essays purpose.
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
Is the most important paragraph of the essay
Must be at least 50 words long or three
sentences minimum
Needs to do three things
Briefly introduce the topic
Cleary state your position
Provide three reasons
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
Even though there are several
ways to begin an essay, I
recommended that you choose
one particular method and perfect
it.
Why?
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
Because
if you keep using the same
method, you will . . .
Become an expert in this particular
method.

Moreover, if you already know how you
will begin your essay, you will be more
prepared, relaxed, and confident.
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
Let us consider different
types of introductory
paragraphs . . .
General statement introduction

Question introduction

Quotation introduction
Examples of general statement
introduction
Almost every time that you turn on the television you will
find a number of shows which are extremely violent.

Many public schools have decided that their students should
use uniforms.

In the United States of America the public burning of our
flag has become a common sight.
(These are three different example of how you can begin your paragraph. I f you
will notice in the first sentence you simply introduce the topic. You do not state
your position yet.)
Examples of question introduction
Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on
prime time television?

Do you think that to improve our public school education
the students should be required to wear uniforms?

Should we allow citizens to burn the United States flag
in public?
(You can also begin your essay by asking a question. A question usually
takes you to the heart of the problem quickly.)
Quotation introduction
A recent article in Time magazine states that the
viewing of extremely violent television shows is the
number one cause of violence in our inner cities.
The Monitor recently conducted a study and concluded
that students in public schools where uniforms are
mandatory have less problems and perform better
academically.
A recent article in The Austin Statesman states that
most Americans are very much against flag burning in
public and are in favor of passing a law banning this
activity.
(Finally, you can begin an essay by providing some information from a magazine
or newspaper you might have read. This introduction is a bit more difficult to write,
but just as effective as the other ones.)
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
In the next three slides you will
view completed introductory
paragraphs.
General statement introduction
Today smoking is an issue
which is on everybodys mind. The
whole country is divided on this
issue. Some people believe that
smoking should be banned
everywhere while others are not so
harsh. However, I believe that
tobacco should be outlawed
because smoking endangers
everyones health, pollutes the
environment, and drains us of
valuable energy.( 57)
Interrogatory introduction
What do you think about
banning smoking? The whole
country is divided on whether
smoking should be banned. I
firmly believe that smoking
should be outlawed because it
endangers everyones health; it
pollutes the environment, and it
drains us of valuable energy.
Quotation introduction
In The Monitor it was
recently stated that smoking is
the greatest threat to our health.
The whole country is divided on
this issue. I believe that tobacco
should be outlawed because it
endangers everyones health; it
pollutes the environment, and it
drains of valuable resources. (49)
Final reminders !!!!
Be concise and to the point!
Do not go into too much detail!
At least 50 words minimum!
You must do three things . . .
introduce topic
state position
provide reasons

Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
Assignment: Write an introductory
paragraph for the following topic.
Many high school seniors have many
financial obligations and need some form of
income. Do you think that seniors should
be allowed to go half a day to school and
work half a day?
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
The next slides present a
couple sample
introductory paragraphs.
Created by Jos J. Gonzlez,
Jr.
Spring 2002
Do you think that college athletes
should be paid more than just tuition?
Many people believe that college athletes
should get paid while others believe they
should not. I adamantly believe that
college athletes should be paid because
they practice long hours; the schools are
profiting through the athletes efforts, and
this would make college life much less
stressful for the athletes.
Go in logical order- if asking for a timeline,
either start from latest and go to earliest or go
from earliest to latest

If question asks for multiple elements,
discuss elements in the same order the
question presents them

Have good transitions within the
paragraphs, sentences, words
Give guideposts- First, Second, After,
Therefore, Another, etc.

Paragraphs help organize thoughts, points

These sentences are supporting sentences
and including examples, reasoning, facts,
data, definitions, and descriptions add
credibility to your essay
Example of Body Paragraph Structure
Topic Sentence
Topic and controlling idea
Supporting Point Sentence
Example
Supporting Point Sentence
Example
Supporting Point Sentence
Example
Concluding Sentence
Essay Question: Discuss the 3 elements in early
human culture discussed in class and how these
developments are thought to be related to
major aspects of the domestication and
development of domestic dogs and cats
10000 ybp humans began farming
15000 ybp humans lived nomadic lifestyles
Finally, 8000 ybp towns began to be
formed.
Essay Question: Discuss the 3 elements in early
human culture discussed in class and how these
developments are thought to be related to
major aspects of the domestication and
development of domestic dogs and cats
The first domestication is early humans living
nomadic life (15000 ybp)
Around 10000 ybp the humans began giving
their.
The last event which led to
domestication(8000 ybp) OR

The latest event which led to domestication
Before settling in towns, humans began
settling into agricultural communities
The earliest form of domestication occurred
15000 ybp when
AgainStart strong, END STRONG!!
Signal end- In conclusionThese many different
Summarize your main points
Give guideposts
In conclusion, In summary, In closing, Finally,
Overall, As a whole, etc.
Show the reader/grader that you know what you are
talking about
Be confident- if you sound confident, you will make
your essay sound 100% more believable

Bad Conclusion
Essay Question: Discuss cross-reactive
immunoglobulins (antibodies), as they relate to one
of the core infectious agents against which dogs are
immunized.
I dont really know if my answer is correct, but
Antibodies relate to dogs
Cav-1 and Cav-2 are shots given to dogs.
The end.


Good Conclusions
Essay Question: Discuss cross-reactive
immunoglobulins (antibodies), as they relate to one
of the core infectious agents against which dogs are
immunized.
In conclusion- EASIEST WAY TO SIGNAL NEAR END
Cross-reactive immunity is a fascinating science that should
continue to be explored.
Diseases such as ICH and ITB can easily be avoided through
such methods as cross-reactive immunity.
Easy Way to Get Points
Write Legibly
Even though you are writing quickly, you can still write neatly
0.5 points off if grader has to struggle with more than 3 words
Limited to space
If more than 1 letter out of box, 0.5 points off
If have part of letter out, no points off
Full and Correct sentences
No run-on sentences- The dog runs the cat
Grammatically correct!!!
Directed to answering question
Stay on topic- If asking about Spitz, dont discuss Hounds
Out of
the lines
y-ok
Common Mistakes
Illegible writing
Writing outside the box
Not directing answer to the question
No introduction or conclusion
Unnecessary detailsend up complicating answer
Saying I dont know
Saying I believe- only exception if essay asks for
opinion


You will often need to describe something
before you give an analysis of it. But the more
analysis the better. Only include as much
description as is needed for the analysis to
make sense.

The analysis is what you will get the marks for.
Of course, a muddled, illogical and
unsubstantiated analysis can still leave you with
no marks. Well be looking for a clear,
coherent and consistent analysis,
supported by evidence.
Dont just repeat what some books
(or your lecture notes) say we
want your analysis.

However, you should also show your
awareness of other peoples
analyses!
Dont use superfluous words, phrases or sentences.
If a sentence means the same thing with a word taken
out, take it out.
The same applies to whole phrases and sentences
within the wider context of a paragraph.
Using words and phrases which dont add anything to
what youre saying will mean that your examiners will
conclude that:
(a) you dont have enough to say to meet the
required essay length, and that
(b) you are trying to hide this by means of a slow,
repetitive and boring writing style. Which is not
clever.

Plagiarism using other peoples
words and ideas without
acknowledging where you got them
from is regarded as an enormous
sin, the penalties for which are
actually worse than just getting zero
for the essay. Just say no. Or more
specifically, make sure that you have
got perfect references
Main Idea
Main Example 1 Main Example 2
Main Example 2
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 2
Example 1
Example 3
Five-Paragraph Essay
Organizer
Name _____________________