SAN MARTIN UNIVERSITY

LANGUAGE CENTER
Level: IB4 shift: Morning
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WRITING AN ESSAY
What is an Essay?
An Essay is a “short piece of writing based on an academic topic ". It is typically written to try
to persuade the reader using selected research evidence. In general, an academic essay has three
parts:

1. An introduction that gives the reader an idea of what they are about to learn and presents
an argument in the form of a thesis statement or controlling idea.

2. A body that provides evidence used to prove and persuade the reader to accept the
writer's particular point of view.

3. A conclusion that summarizes the content and findings of the essay.

Introduction
a) General introductory remarks (What I think about the topic / how I understand the topic /
my perception etc.)
b) Controlling idea (indicates what points what points that will be discussed in detail in the
body of the Essay.)

The introduction is the first section of your task; it should state the essay’s idea or thesis
statement. This statement is called the controlling idea. It tells your readers what the essay they
are reading will be about.

Example:

Topic: what does a baby can represent in someone’s life?

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General Topic: what does a baby can represent in someone’s life?
Controlling ideas 1. Being Financially Stable
2. Settle down in a good environmental setting
3. Be able to provide a good quality education

Having a baby is one of the blessed gifts someone can receive from the almighty God because it
brings you joy, happiness and change your life forever in different aspects. However, to raise a
child requires many things such as being financially stable to respond to the baby’s needs, settle
down in a good environmental setting and be able to provide a good quality education.

PRACTICE SESSION

1) TOPIC: How should parents discipline their children?

Introduction
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2) TOPIC: How important is your family to you?

Introduction
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