Essay Structure - Wappingers Central School District
How to write a thematic essay
Step 1. Read the Historical Context and underline key terms.
Step 2. Read the Question or Task and write down anything that pops into your head about the topic.
Step 3. Organize yourself! Create a chart or Thinking Map so you know where you are going to put your information in your essay.
Step 4. Write your INTRODUCTION
How do I start my essay?
Use the 4 T’s of Introduction writing:
- Your introduction should have at least one declarative sentence for each of the 4 T’s. A declarative sentence is a statement of fact.
1. Topic- What is your essay generally about? Define any terms or provide a basic background statement about the topic.
2. Time Period- What is the date or era of the topic? If you don’t know the exact dates, state something about where in history the topic might fit or how old the topic is.
3. Thesis- What is the purpose of your paper? Create a declarative sentence that states the controlling idea or purpose of your paper. This basically tells the reader what the essay will be about.
NEVER write “In this essay, I will tell you about…” or “This essay
will be about…” That is an unacceptable format for a thesis statement.
4. Transition- Connect your paragraphs together so they “flow.” Lead into the next paragraph. Provide some information about how the next paragraph relates to the one you’re writing.
Step 5. Write your BODY PARAGRAPHS
• Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence.
• Explain the terms, ideas and information related to the topic of the paragraph.
• Link ideas together smoothly with transitional words and phrases.
Here are some useful transition words:
To show addition:
again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too
To give examples:
for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate
To compare:
also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly
To contrast:
although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet
To summarize or conclude:
all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up
To show time:
after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while
To show place or direction:
above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)
To indicate logical relationship:
accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus
Step 6. Write your CONCLUSION
How do I finish my essay?
1. Restate your thesis. Review with the reader the purpose of your paper. Try to write your thesis using different words than you did in your introduction.
2. Provide a one sentence summary of each paragraph you wrote. So if you have four body paragraphs, try to have four sentences to “sum things up.”
3. Have a closing statement that finishes the paragraph. If can be something general about the topic to end with. The concluding sentence should sum up your evidence and re-state its effect.
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ALWAYS
▪ Answer the question that is being asked in the task
▪ Use specific details, examples, dates, names, and/or places whenever possible
▪ Remember the audience you are writing to (someone who knows nothing about the topic you are writing about)
▪ Write as neatly as possible
▪ Proof-read your essay before handing it in!
▪
Never
▪ Use: I, my, I am, or any form of “This essay is going to be about…”
▪ Abbreviate or use contractions in your writing
▪ Use “etc”
▪ Plagiarize (which means NEVER using the historical context word for word as part of your essay) or cheat
▪ Use historically incorrect or inaccurate information
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