Writing Overview

Writing Overview In other words, this is the place for your thesis statement. Again, make sure that it answers all of the essay question. The introduction is the opening to your essay and therefore it should be clear, strong and persuasive. You need to show that you have understood the question and that you are taking a clear position and presenting a logical argument to support it. It is usually best stated at the end of your introduction section . The introductory paragraph should briefly orient the reader to the topic and provide a conceptual map of the rest of the paper. The introduction starts broadly then narrows down to your specific focusâ€"hence the hourglass shape to the diagram. At the very minimum your essay will need an introduction, body and conclusion. Your line of argument should run through the entire essay, as it links all of your main points and evidence to your central position. It is important to allow enough time to draft, redraft and edit your writing. Be sure to start writing early in order to give yourself time to reflect and improve on your essay. Ask yourself whether your argument is the same at the beginning and the end. If not, you may need to revise your thesis statement and reconsider your structure. The final sentence of your paragraph should summarise or conclude the idea that you introduced in the topic sentence. That way it is obvious that all of your paragraphs tie together. Note that the first sentence of the paragraph may satisfy both goals. That is, you may have a topic sentence that also serves to transition well. An outline makes your assignment easier in that you don't need to worry about the sequence of your arguments. It is also a guarantee that there will be no point that you forget to include in an essay. Once you've coped with this part of an assignment, you can breathe out and relax. Another option is to have a transition sentence first and then a separate topic sentence following it. That is, you have something you want to communicate or argue for and here is your chance to explain it in detail, support it, and defend it. Make sure your thesis statement is clear, specific, declarative, and on-topic. You should be able to provide the thesis statement in one or two sentences for a fairly short paper (about 1-8 pages). It can also lead on to the next paragraph by developing a logical link to the next main idea. Good transitions at the end of paragraphs help the essay to feel more coherent. If you have trouble linking the main ideas across your paragraphs, consider reordering them. They are its ‘building blocks’ and it is important to structure them well. It develops that idea in three parts, with a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding or linking sentence. Then you are ready to state your position and the key points of the argument that you will use to support it. The outline of your future masterpiece is a crucial part of an effective writing process. It is one of the possible instruments for making your content structured and easy to understand. The important point to remember is that you are not writing it for your teacher. Although writing an essay is daunting for many people, it can be pretty straight-forward. It should be an appropriate guide for writing at the middle school, high school, and lower college levels. The typical assignment I have in mind will be an argumentative essay, in which you argue for something, even if just an interpretation of someone an author’s work. It is also a good idea to re-read your introduction and conclusion to ensure that they match.