How to write an Essay

What is an essay?

• An essay is a group of paragraphs that support a single point:

• Introduction (with thesis)

• a number of body paragraphs• conclusion

• The main idea in the essay is called a thesis statement. It appears in the introductory paragraph

Essay Format

Introduction

1 paragraph

General information/background

on topic

Thesis statement

Body

1 or more paragraphs

Each has a topic sentence and specific details

Conclusion

1 paragraph

Restate thesis statement

Opinion/ closing statement

Usually the shortest paragraph in the essay

Remember the 3 steps!

• Just like in writing a paragraph, you need to follow the same three steps in essay-writing:

1. Plan your essay (outline)2. Use transitions3. Edit and proofread

Step 1: Essay OutlineThis is an outline of a single-body paragraph essay:

Thesis statement: _____________________________________________________

Topic sentence1: _____________________________________________________

Supporting point1: _____________________________________________________Details for supporting point 1: ____________________________________________

Supporting point 2:_____________________________________________________Details for supporting point 1 ____________________________________________

Conclusion: ________________________________________________________

Step 22. Use transitions Transitions are words to connect your ideas and sentences

To introduce reason 1: First of all or For one thing

To introduce reason 2: Second or a second reason or another reason

To introduce reason 3: Finally or Last of all or A Final reason

Note: The above transitions are just examples to get you started. if you know other transitions, go ahead & use them.

Step 3

3. Edit and proofread

Read your essay out loud.

Is all material on target and support your thesis

Is my essay well-supported?

Do I use transitions to connect ideas?

Have I checked the essay for sentence-skills mistakes?

Example EssayMicrowaves

A microwave is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by heating. Microwaves are very popular today and are found in almost every household. However microwaves are not safe appliances and can be dangerous to our health because they use radiation for heating food.

Radiation is used to make the food molecules move and vibrate therefore causing heat. But because the radiation is so powerful, it affects our health negatively in two ways. First of all, radiation changes the molecular structure of the food therefore reducing the amount of nutrients in the food. That is not helpful to us at all as we eat food to gain nutrients. And secondly, if the food is heated in a plastic container, the plastic could melt and release harmful gases or stick to the food you are eating. If swallowed, plastic could be harmful to the body.

Even though microwaves are widely popular these days, one must be aware of the negative consequences and dangers to avoid unnecessary injuries. One must wonder if the invention of the microwave is a blessing or a curse!

Essay Example

Microwaves

A microwave is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by heating. Microwaves are very popular today and are found in almost every household. However microwaves are not safe appliances and can be dangerous to our health because they use radiation for heating food.

Radiation is used to make the food molecules move and vibrate therefore causing heat. But because the radiation is so powerful, it affects our health negatively in two ways. First of all, radiation changes the molecular structure of the food therefore reducing the amount of nutrients in the food. That is not helpful to us at all as we eat food to gain nutrients. And secondly, if the food is heated in a plastic container, the plastic could melt and release harmful gases or stick to the food you are eating. If swallowed, plastic could be harmful to the body.

Even though microwaves are widely popular these days, one must be aware of the negative consequences and dangers to avoid unnecessary injuries. One must wonder if the invention of the microwave is a blessing or a curse! (thesis statement)

Example Essay Microwaves

A microwave is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by heating. Microwaves are very popular today and are found in almost every household. However microwaves are not safe appliances and can be dangerous to our health because they use radiation for heating food.

Radiation is used to make the food molecules move and vibrate therefore causing heat. But because the radiation is so powerful, it affects our health negatively in two ways. First of all, radiation changes the molecular structure of the food therefore reducing the amount of nutrients in the food. That is not helpful to us at all as we eat food to gain nutrients. And secondly, if the food is heated in a plastic container, the plastic could melt and release harmful gases or stick to the food you are eating. If swallowed, plastic could be harmful to the body.

Even though microwaves are widely popular these days, one must be aware of the negative consequences and dangers to avoid unnecessary injuries. One must wonder if the invention of the microwave is a blessing or a curse! (Topic sentence)

Example Essay Microwaves

A microwave is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by heating. Microwaves are very popular today and are found in almost every household. However microwaves are not safe appliances and can be dangerous to our health because they use radiation for heating food.

Radiation is used to make the food molecules move and vibrate therefore causing heat. But because the radiation is so powerful, it affects our health negatively in two ways. First of all, radiation changes the molecular structure of the food therefore reducing the amount of nutrients in the food. That is not helpful to us at all as we eat food to gain nutrients. And secondly, if the food is heated in a plastic container, the plastic could melt and release harmful gases or stick to the food you are eating. If swallowed, plastic could be harmful to the body.

Even though microwaves are widely popular these days, one must be aware of the negative consequences and dangers to avoid unnecessary injuries. One must wonder if the invention of the microwave is a blessing or a curse! (supporting reasons 1&2)

Notice! the use of background information in the introduction (no specific

details)

how the thesis statement introduces the main idea in the introduction

how the topic sentence introduced the topic of the body paragraph

The use of transitions to introduce supporting points

how every point is supported equally

details don’t add new information. They just support and explain their reasons