THE ESSAY…

… AND THE HAMBURGER

L.Wallace 2004

THE TRIAD METHOD

Or the HAMBURGER method

The structure and all the ideas are grouped in

THREES

AN ESSAY IS LIKE A HAMBURGER

1. INTRODUCTION

Bun

2. BODY or the filling

MEAT, cheese, lettuce, ketchup, tomato,

mayonnaise

3. CONCLUSION

Bun

THE INTRODUCTION . . .

. . .IS LIKE A HAMBURGER TOO !

It has 3 parts :

1. A GENERAL STATEMENT

2. SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS3. A MORE PRECISE STATEMENT

about the topic.

The first sentence is A GENERAL STATEMENT.

Nowadays it is generally agreed that smoking is dangerous for your health.

THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH . . .

Example :

The 2nd sentence SUPPORTS the first statement.

It indicates the DIRECTION that the essay will take.

In order to stop smoking, some smokers try the « cold turkey » approach, others try to cut down gradually, and a third group use nicotine-replacement therapies.

Example:

Sentence 3 is a MORE PRECISE STATEMENT.

It indicates YOUR INTENTION in the essay.

(or: The points to be covered in the essay.)

Example:

In this essay we will explore these three proven techniques to stop smoking and discuss their effectiveness.

Nowadays it is generally agreed that smoking is dangerous for your health.

Introductory paragraph :

In this essay we will explore these three proven techniques to stop smoking and discuss their effectiveness.

In order to stop smoking, some smokers use nicotine - replacement therapies, others try the « cold turkey » approach, and a third group try by cutting down gradually.

THE BODY OF THE ESSAY

The Body

is the essence

of the essay.

It is made of

a series of

PARAGRAPHS.

A BLOCK OF TEXT EXPLORING

A SINGLE IDEAA paragraph contains

A BEGINNING : TOPIC SENTENCE A MIDDLE : SUPPORTING SENTENCES

AND AN END : CONCLUDING SENTENCE

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH ?

INDENTATION

PARAGRAPH APPEARANCE

Indentation is the first example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The first line of each new paragraph starts at an indentation of about 1.5 centimetres from the margin. It is not necessary to skip a line to indicate a new paragraph. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only

be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶ Indentation is the first example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The first line of each new paragraph starts at an indentation of about 1.5 centimetres from the margin. It is not necessary to skip a line to indicate a new paragraph. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only

be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶

SKIP A LINE

PARAGRAPH APPEARANCE

Skipping a line is the second example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The paragraphs are separated by a space on the page. It is not necessary to indent to indicate a new paragraph, if you skip lines. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶

Skipping a line is the second example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The paragraphs are separated by a space on the page. It is not necessary to indent to indicate a new paragraph, if you skip lines. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH ?

You must avoid going to a new line in the middle of a paragraph, before the concluding sentence. ¶This is caused because people hit the “Enter” key at the end of a sentence, rather than at the end of the paragraph. ¶Another reason for this habit is probably a lack of preparation, a lack of planning. ¶It means that the essay has not been planned properly and that the writer has not given enough thought to the essay nor to the content and structure of the paragraphs. ¶

PARAGRAPH APPEARANCE

Technically speaking, this is not a paragraph. ¶

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS . . .

Each paragraph contains ONE MAIN IDEA.

…ARE LIKE HAMBURGERS TOO !

Each paragraph also has THREE PARTS :

• A CLOSING SENTENCE

• A TOPIC SENTENCE

• TWO OR MORE

SUPPORTING SENTENCES

PARAGRAPH STRUCTURETHE TOPIC SENTENCEIs a GENERAL idea.

It contains No specific details.

EXPRESSIONS TO USE :

• « THERE IS/ THERE ARE »

• A rhetorical QUESTION

• A PIVOT to create a contrast :

However, Despite,

Nevertheless,  Although,The topic sentence stimulates the curiosity of the reader.

• « THERE IS/ THERE ARE »

• The rhetorical QUESTION

• The PIVOT

There are many types of nicotine-replacement products to choose from.

What exactly constitutes the « cold turkey » approach ?

Although « cold turkey » can be an effective method to stop smoking, taking a gradual approach may sometimes be easier for the smoker.

THE SUPPORTING SENTENCES...

SUPPORT...

JUSTIFY...

EXPLAIN...

ILLUSTRATE...

PROVE...

… THE IDEA IN THE TOPIC SENTENCE.

Sources can be cited in the supporting sentences !

EXPRESSIONS TO USE IN SUPPORTING SENTENCES :

• First / Firstly / First of all / To begin with / In the first place

• Second/Secondly/Second of all

• Third / thirdly

• Next / Then / Also / Another / After that

• Finally / Lastly

• On (the) one hand … on the other hand

• In addition / Moreover / What’s more / Furthermore

THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE...

Summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

It is the TOPIC SENTENCE IN REVERSE.

EXPRESSIONS TO USE :

That is why …

As you can see …

Therefore …

So …

THE CONCLUSION

OF THE ESSAY…

… summarizes the main points in the essay.

… reminds the reader of the logic of the essay.

… should not contain ideas that were not mentioned in the essay.

ENJOY MAKING YOUR

HAMBURGERS !