Parts Of An Essay
May 10th, 2008 | by Saleha Merchant |There are mainly three parts of an essay:
1- Introduction
2- Supporting Paragraphs
3- Summary Paragraph
Introduction Paragraph
The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay. It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts, quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay.
Supporting Paragraphs
Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay. They develop the main idea of your essay. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay, place each supporting point in its own paragraph and develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.
To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.
Examples of transition words that can help you to link your paragraphs together:
For listing different points
1 First
2 Second
3 Third
For counter examples
1 However
2 Even though
3 On the other hand
4 Nevertheless
For additional ideas
1 Another
2 In addition to
3 Related to
4 Furthermore
To show cause and effect
1 Therefore
2 Thus
3 As a result of
4 Consequently
Summary Paragraph
The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a “conclusion.” It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense that your essay is complete. Restate the strongest points of your essay that support your main idea. Conclude your essay by restating the main idea in different words. And, give your personal opinion or suggest a plan for action.
