Essay Structure Notes



Essay Structure Notes

There are three parts of an essay.

A. Funnel Introduction

B. Body Paragraphs

C. Reverse Funnel Conclusion

FUNNEL INTRODUCTION

• An effective funnel introduction consists of 5-6 sentences.

• In a funnel introduction, the structure proceeds from general to specific.

Hook

• The first sentence of the first paragraph is called a hook.

• The hook is a general statement related to the overall essay topic.

• The hook does not mention the literature to be analyzed in the essay. The first time the literature being analyzed should be mentioned is in the third sentence in the introduction.

• The hook should be creative and catchy, to draw the reader into the essay.

Developmental Sentences

• The second sentence in the funnel introduction is used to explain the hook or to expand upon it.

• The third sentence in the funnel introduction “connects the hook to the book” (explains the relevance of the hook to the literature to be analyzed).

• The fourth sentence should give more relevant information about the literature to be discussed and its relevance to the essay topic. This sentence should also lead the reader towards the thesis statement (transition into the thesis statement).

Thesis Statement

• The last sentence in the introduction is the thesis statement.

• The thesis statement is somewhat of an outline for the essay. It is an opinion on the essay topic followed by three supports, or reasons, for this opinion.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

• An effective body paragraph is generally 7 to 10 sentences.

• A body paragraph begins with a sentence called a topic sentence.

Topic Sentences

• The topic sentence of each paragraph will come from one of the three supports in the thesis statement. The supports should be introduced in the same order in which they appear in the thesis statement.

• Each topic sentence should include key words for the paragraph.

• Each topic sentence should summarize, in one sentence, what the paragraph will be about.

• Topic sentences cannot be mere factual statements; they are opinions relating to the essay topic.

• Topic sentences must not give away the three statements/proofs that will be discussed in the rest of the body paragraph.

Statements and Proofs

• After the topic sentence, there must be a series of 3 statements, each one followed by a proof. (S #1, P #1; S #2, P #2; S #3, P #3)

• The statements are opinions for/reasons supporting the topic sentence.

• Statements must not give examples from the text.

• Each statement will be followed by a proof.

• Proofs are specific quotes from the text that support/prove the statement as true.

Tie-In Sentences

• A tie-in sentence must be the last sentence in the body paragraph.

• The tie-in sentence summarizes the main argument of the paragraph.

• The tie-in sentence is basically a rephrasing of the topic sentence.

REVERSE FUNNEL CONCLUSION

• A conclusion should never introduce any new information.

• Effective reverse funnel conclusions are generally 5-6 sentences.

Rephrasing of Thesis Statement

• The writer lets the reader know the end is near by beginning with the words “In conclusion.”

• In this first sentence, the thesis statement is reworded and must include the three supports found in the thesis. This serves as a reminder of what the entire essay argued specifically.

Developmental Sentences

• Next, the author writes a mini summary of the essay.

• This summary highlights the key points addressed in the essay. There should usually be one key point mentioned per body paragraph.

• This summary should be at least three sentences in length (one sentence per body paragraph).

Clinchers

• The last sentence or two in an effective conclusion is called a clincher.

• The clincher should leave the reader with a good last impression.

• The clincher should relate back to the original hook in the funnel introduction.

• A good clincher may also relate the literature/essay topic to the reader, making the literature and essay relevant to him/her.

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