A Basic American Essay Format
What precedes the thesis is typically the old, familiar information that the reader needs in order to understand the conversation that the thesis joins. The old information is in PROBLEM OR QUESTION that the thesis addresses.
Problem ---> Thesis
(Old information) (new information)
Introduction (Begins with a hook, narrows to a thesis)
- Opens with an attention-grabber (Also known as a "hook" or "lead")
- Explains the question/problem being investigated
- Includes background information (perhaps a definition of key terms, summary of events leading up to the problem, etc)
- Introduces a thesis statement
- May include a mapping statement
Body/Support Paragraphs
- Each paragraph supports the thesis
- Each paragraph includes a topic sentence
- Each paragraph provides specific evidence (sense details, facts, quotations, statistics) that support the main idea and the essay's thesis
Conclusion
- Complements the introduction
- Often answers the question "So what?" to indicate the essay's significance
- Helps the reader move from the parts of the essay to the big picture
- May include a restated thesis
- Brings a sense of completeness and closure to the piece