Parts of an Essay

Introduction

Parts of an Essay

Essays, like sandwiches or burgers, are divided into different parts. These parts are the:

  • Introduction
  • Body
  • Conclusion

The Introduction

The introduction opens the essay. It is a short paragraph – usually about THREE sentences. In an argument essay, it usually describes or summarizes both sides of the present situation and says what you are going to do in your essay.

You can write either Situation or Opinion introductions. There’s not much difference between them.

Situation Introductions

Write two sentences to describe the two sides of the present situation. The third sentence – the Thesis sentence – will describe what you are going do in your essay.

  • Sentence 1: One side of the present situation
  • Sentence 2: The other side of the present situation
  • Sentence 3: Thesis: What you are going to do in your essay

Who should take care of our old people?

Sentence 1 In my country, most old people live happily with their children
Sentence 2 Increasingly, however, many families cannot take care of their parents
Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will describe some of the problems involved with taking care of old people, and discuss who should be responsible.

Does Aid to Poor Countries Work?

Sentence 1 For the last fifty years, poor countries have been receiving huge sums of money from rich donor countries.
Sentence 2 Some of this money has improved lives, while much of it has disappeared or made no difference.
Sentence 3 (Thesis) In this essay, I will discuss some arguments for and against foreign aid.

Should dangerous sports be banned?

Sentence 1 Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in sports such as boxing or motor-racing.
Sentence 2 Because of this, many people are opposed to such sports, and want them to be stopped or controlled.
Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against banning dangerous sports.

Opinion Introductions

In this kind you give two opposite opinions in the first two sentences. The third sentence says what you are going to do.

Does space exploration benefit mankind? (1)

Sentence For Many people are excited about space exploration.
Sentence Against However, others feel it is a massive waste of money
Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against space exploration.

Does space exploration benefit mankind? (2)

Sentence For Space, for many people, really is the final frontier. They are excited by the exploration and potential of space.
Sentence Against However, not everyone agrees that this money is well-spent. Many people feel that we should solve problems here on earth before beginning our journey to space
Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against space exploration.

Do Athletes Deserve Their High Salaries?

Sentence 1 Everyday, we read about new record contracts and salaries earned by sportsmen and women. Some people do not agree with these huge payments
Sentence 2 Others believe that our sports heroes deserve every penny.
Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against the high salaries of athletes.

As well as situation or opinion introductions, you can use the following variations:

  • Past and Present: One sentence about the situation in the past, one about the situation today.
  • Here and Elsewhere: One sentence about the situation in one place, one sentence about the situation or problem in another place.
  • You and Other People: One sentence about what most people do or think, one sentence about what you believe, or do, or feel.

Finally, if you are having problem thinking about an introduction, leave some space (enough for three or four sentences) and write or type it later – AFTER you write the body or conclusion.

What do you want to do now?

.

The Body

The Body is the main part of the essay. In an argument essay, it is divided into two or three paragraphs, giving your opinion and reasons.

Each paragraph in the body is between FIVE and SEVEN sentences long.

The Body: Use Paragraphs!

Two words: Use Paragraphs! Students who don’t have paragraphs fail!

The body of the essay should ALWAYS be divided into paragraphs. Never write just one long paragraph. Why?

  • The white space makes your essay easier to read.
  • Having paragraphs shows that you have (probably) put related ideas together.

How many paragraphs in the body? Either two paragraphs (3773) or three (35553).

When do I use 3773 or 35553 layouts?

When do I use two paragraphs or three paragraphs in the body? When do I use 3773 or 35553? It depends on your ideas.

  • Use TWO paragraphs (3773) if you are giving both sides of the argument or situation – one paragraph for, and one against (or the opposite).
  • Use THREE paragraphs if you are only giving one side.
  • Use TWO paragraphs (3773) to agree in one paragraph and then disagree in the second paragraph.
  • Use TWO paragraphs (3773) to disagree in one paragraph and then agree in the second paragraph.
  • Use THREE paragraphs (35553) if you are agreeing in all three paragraphs.
  • Use THREE paragraphs (35553) if you are disagreeing in all three paragraphs.

Finally, even if you are completely confused and your ideas are all mixed up, you should still make a paragraph. Just skip a line somewhere. Your essay will be easier to read.

Conclusion

The Conclusion is the end of the essay. It is a short paragraph – about THREE sentences. It often has the same idea as the Introduction, only in different words.

Some people think of the essay as a sandwich. The Introduction and Conclusion are the bread, and the Body is the filling in the center. If the introduction looks good, people will carry on to the body. Hopefully, the conclusion will leave them with a nice taste in their mouth…

Here are some examples of conclusions. A good conclusion will:

  • rephrase the question
  • summarize the main ideas
  • give your opinion, if you haven’t given it already
  • look to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues or changes)

but will NEVER add new information.

Should we test products on animals?

I agree that we need to make sure that animals who are used for testing new products have the minimum of suffering. However, I am convinced that animal testing is necessary, and that it will continue to benefit humans in new and wonderful ways.

Should we beat children?

In conclusion, physical punishment can be a useful method of discipline. However it should be the last choice for parents. If we want to build a world with less violence we must begin at home, and we must teach our children to be responsible.

Who are the better parents – men or women?

I think this is not an either/or question. Both men and women have strengths and skills that are important for children’s psychological growth. We need to ensure that both parents play an important role in the family in order to give children a good start in life.

Who learns quicker – adults or children?

Finally, I feel that we cannot generalize about children or adults being better learners. It depends on the situation and the motivation of the person, and the level of enthusiasm he or she has for learning.

Should dangerous sports be banned?

In summary, our society would be healthier if more people took part in sports of all kinds. We should continue to try to prevent accidents and injuries. However, we should also ensure that sports are challenging, exciting, and, above all, fun.

Task

 Activity:

Write a five-paragraph essay following the correct orders of its parts. You may choose from the following topic:

1. Implementation of K to 12 in the Philippines

2. Cyber Bullying

3. Global Warming

4. The Government Preparation for 2016 Election

Process

Evaluation

The following rubrics will serve as guide in grading your work.

CRITERIA PERCENTAGE
Organization 20%
Structure 20%
Grammar 20%
Usage 20%
Meaning and relevance to the topic 20%

Total: 100%

Conclusion

               An essay is like a hamburger or sandwich,  because like them, an essay has three major parts: the introduction which states the main thesis and opens the essay. Next is the body which discusses the main thesis and tell the supporting details. It is also the one which determines the taste of your essay. So the writer should be careful in picking up information. Lastly, the conclusion which generalize what were discuss in the essay and leaves a message to the readers.

 

Credits

Teacher Page

             Mastering an essay is a key skill for writing success, and instructors assign essays in a variety of topics ranging from science to English. An essay helps students to develop critical thinking and research skills, as well as the ability to develop and logically defend a position.

            I hope you've learned a lot from this. Happy writing!

            Thank you for visiting my website! :)

Name: Lea Mae P. Abong

Age: 25

Address: Pob. 1, Cuenca, Batangas

Year: 4th year

[img_assist|nid=35987|title=LeaMae Abong|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=216|height=216]