Drew Speckman
Mrs. Stafford
AP Language and Composition - Period 6
3 September 2014
Essay Essentials
All it takes are three essential elements to write a great essay. Unlike most things in life, when it comes to writing, shorter is always better. The more direct the writer is in getting to his/her point, the more effective the argument. Quite simply, with strong introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs, writing a compelling essay is quite achievable.
To "hook" the reader, it is crucial to start off an essay with an enticing introductory paragraph. Incorporating a universal attention-getter will keep readers of all backgrounds reading. The use of transitional sentences will help tie diversified ideas together. Letting someone go while they secretly want something more is one of humanity's best-kept secrets. The same principle applies when it comes to writing the ideal essay. If a writer wants his/her reader(s) to continue to read their piece with enthusiasm, they need to end their introductory paragraph with a bold, yet clear, statement.
English: Title page of Thomas Robert Malthus's An ...
An Essay concerning Humane Understanding in four b...
New paragraph style (Organizer tab) in OpenOffice ...Providing a summation of what was already said, yet hinting at what is still to be read, is a great way to end an introductory paragraph.
Next up are the three body paragraphs where the "meat" of the essay lies. Each body paragraph should lead off with a topic sentence that transitions between what was covered in the previous paragraph, and also what's to be said in the ensuing paragraphs. To make the body paragraphs more interesting, implement foreign insight, as it helps to spruce things up by integrating additional ideas and perspectives. The body paragraph's concluding sentence engrains the writer's point in the reader's memory.
However, the most important component is yet to come: the concluding paragraph. This final "piece of the puzzle" starts with restating the thesis statement, reminding the audience...