Assoc. Prof.

Ken Poff
English 1302: Overview of the Essay and Rules for the Thesis

AThe Four Principles of an Effective Essay@: The Essay Should:

1. Begin with a clearly stated point (thesis).
2. Provide logical, detailed specific support for the thesis. (All points support the thesis).
3. Be organized and coherent. It should Aflow.@
4. Be written in clear, error-free sentences.

The Basic Shape of an Academic Essay:

A. Introduction
-Many different techniques available (try more than one in your draftingBasking questions, start with
a quote, >Broad to Narrow,= definition, overview of the issues, Narrative, Both sides of the issue) but
common sense dictates: the intro leads to the thesis
-End intro paragraph with your thesis (which is the single, unifying point of the essay).

B. Body
-As many paragraphs as it takes to prove the thesis. There is no “5 paragraph rule” here. In fact, I
strongly encourage you to avoid writing essays in the 5 paragraph formula. If you are used to writing
this way, force yourself to write your first essay with 6, 7, possibly even 4 paragraphs.
-Each body paragraph offers a distinct point to help prove the thesis.
-Use topic sentences. A topic sentence establishes and limits the topic of that paragraph, provides a
specific argument for that paragraph, and refersBin some wayBback to the thesis.
-Body can be developed utilizing a number of different approaches: comparison/contrast, cause and
effect, process analysis, narrative, description, classification, definition, exemplification.
-Provide plenty of specific examples and details.

C. Conclusion
-Don=t bring up any Anew@ arguments/issues in the conclusion, but...
-Don=t just repeat the introduction
-The conclusion should Awrap things up;@ it should reiterate the overall point.

Some Notes on the Thesis:

I. The thesis can also be called: Your claim, your central point, your argument.
II. The thesis Should be: A complete sentence, Precise in wording, Limited to a single argument, At or near
the end of the introduction, and of course, arguable.
III. The thesis Should Not be: A fact, A question, Too broad or too narrow for the scope of the essay. It also
should not announce (i.e. AIn this essay, I will show...@) and it should not begin with phrases such as
AIn my opinion...,@ AI personally feel..@
IV. A Plan of Development is an option, not a requirement. (A P.O.D. is when you list the points of your essay
in your thesis: AThe Spurs will win the championship because of their defense, coaches, and fans.@ This
thesis sets up a formulaic 5 paragraph essay.) You will find that for many writing assignments in your
classes a thesis with a plan of development just won’t work. It is much more important that you
remember that your thesis is first and foremost your argument: “The Spurs will win the championship”
is a good, clear thesis.

Some Specific Issues Involved with Literary Analysis:

-Introduction should include the author(s) and title(s) being discussed in the essay.
-Use present tense when referring to the literature.
-Avoid using first person AI,@ however, Awe@ (referring to the audience or reader) is acceptable.
-For the Avoice@ in the work: In most cases, refer to the Aspeaker@ for poetry, the Anarrator@ in fiction.
(There will be times when the name of the speaker/narrator is known, so it is okay to use that name).
-Treat characters as if they are real.
-Assume your audience has read the work(s) you are discussing (so plot summary is not necessary),
-Do use quotes and direct references to the literature to support your points.