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The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay - Coggle Diagram
The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay
1) Essay
writing process
Preparation: You decide what you are going to write about
Writing: You start by writing the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion
Revision: Check the content and organization
2) Preparation for writing an essay
Understand your assignment
What is the goal of this essay?
Define topic
Choose your own topic
Do your research
read and take notes from primary and secondary sources to support arguments
Come up with a thesis:
A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay
Create an outline
Create an outline that allows the ease of starting to write and also that you do not deviate from the topic or objective
Writing the introduction
Hook your reader
The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader's interest and curiosity.
Provide background on your topic
it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument.
Present the thesis statement
formulate your thesis statement—the central argument you’re going to make.
Map the structure
you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay.
Writing the main body
Length of the body text
On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay.
Paragraph structure
It is important to organize it into paragraphs and each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.
Writing the conclusion
A good conclusion
Returns to your thesis
Ties together your main points
Shows why your argument matters
A bad conclusion
Including new arguments or evidence
Undermining your arguments
Using concluding phrases
Essay checklist
My essay follows the requirements of the assignment
My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.
My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.
I use paragraphs to structure the essay.
I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.
Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.
I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.