UNIT 1

The STRUCTURE OF AN essay

&
OUTLINING AN ESSAY
Main content

Definition of an essay

How to format an essay

How to write a thesis statement

& How to outline an essay
Definition of an essay
An essay is a group of paragraphs written about a
single topic and a certain main idea.

It must have at least three paragraphs, but a five-

paragraph essay is a common length for academic
writing.
 The structure of an essay

The introduction (the topic with general ideas &

a thesis statement)

The main body ( the paragraphs that explain and

support the thesis statement)

The conclusion ( It summarizes or restates the

thesis and the supporting ideas of the essay)
 How to format an essay
 Leave a blank line between each line of writing.
 Leave 2,5 cm of space on the sides, and the top
and bottom of the page . This space is margin.
 The first sentence of each paragraph is usually
indented. Paragraphs can begin at the left-hand
margin with no indentation, but you must leave
one line space between each paragraph.
 Put a tittle of your essay at the top of the first
page in the center.
Label the three parts of the essay
Introduction: If you ask average…..meaning of
some existing words
Main body paragraphs:
African Americans……a common English word
The meaning of words…..sides and four corners.
Conclusion: English owes some of its
interesting…….of tomorrow will be?
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement
the sentence that tells the main idea of the
whole essay. It can be compared to a topic
sentence, which gives the main idea of a paragraph
a thesis statement usually comes at or near the
end of the introductory paragraph.
Practice – introductory paragraph
a. Thesis statement: The UK can be divided
into different regions that each has its own
characteristic foods influenced by the culture of
the people who live there.
Topic: British food
Main idea: Each region has its own characteristic
food influenced by the culture of people who live
there.
b
b.Topic: Koala
Thesis statement: As a result of human
population growth, deforestation and
hunting, the number of koalas has declined.
Main idea: number declining due to human
population growth, deforestation and
hunting
Practice – introductory paragraph
c. Topic:Taoism gardens
Thesis statement: No two Taoism gardens are
exactly alike, but all Taoism gardens include four
essential elements: water, mountains, buildings and
bridges.
Main idea: All Taoist gardens include the elements
water, mountain, buildings, and bridges
 Points to remember to write a strong thesis statement

A thesis statement should refer some tasks as follows:

- give the author’s opinion or state an important idea about
the topic
- give an idea that can be discussed or explained
with supporting ideas.
A thesis statement should not
- give a fact about the topic
- state two sides of an argument equally
Practice with thesis statements
F
a….……..The top government official in my country is
the prime minister.
N
b….…….. Some people prefer digital cameras, while
others like traditional cameras.
F
c….…….. India became an independent country in
1947
d ….…….. To be a successful student, good study
habits are more important than intelligence.
N
e….…….. There are several advantages of owning a
car, but there are also many disadvantages.
F half of the families in my country own a house
f….……..
Practice with thesis statements
g….……..Using public transport would be one of the best
ways to solve the traffic and solution problems in cities
round the world.
N
h….…….. While travelling, staying in a hotel offers more
comfort, but sleeping in a tent is less expensive.
F Classical music concerts are very popular in my
i….……..
country.
j ….…….. In order to create a successful advertisement, it is
necessary to consider three issues: who should be targeted,
where the advert should be placed, and what type of advert
should be made.
How to develop a thesis statement

I think that + the sentence with your opinion

A possible thesis statement

Example
I think that a vegetarian diet is one of the
best ways to live a healthy life.
I think that government should restrict the
use of chemicals in the agriculture and food
production.
FUTHER PRACTICE
1. Students should wear uniform at the university.
Give your opinion about this issue.

2. Internet should be encouraged to use among

students. Give your opinion about this issue
SAMPLE 1
Students should wear uniform at the university.
Give your opinion about this issue.
The issue whether students should wear
uniform at the university is controversial. Some
people think that wearing uniforms makes
students formal whereas others argue it is tedious
for students to wear uniforms. In the final analysis,
I am convinced that students should wear
uniform because this helps save time, save
money and create equality among them
SAMPLE 2
Internet should be encouraged to use among
students. Give your opinion about this issue
In recent years, people have witnessed a lot of
changes thanks to the appearance of Internet.
Internet has contributed to the development of
people’s lives and it has played an important
part in students’ studying and social life as it
is a useful way to find information and to
connect people together.
REVIEW
The topic sentence gives the ……… main idea of a
paragraph Likewise, the thesis statement gives
……..............
idea
the main ……..............of essay
an ……..............
supporting
The ……..............sentences of a paragraph explain
main body
the topic sentence, just as the ……..............
paragraphs of an essay explain the thesis
statement.
The last sentence of a paragraph is called the
concluding...sentence, and the last paragraph of an
essay is called the …….....conclusion
 OUTLINING AN ESSAY
What is an outline?
How to write an outline.
 An outline is a list of the
information you will put in your  Gather ideas and edit
essay them.
The purpose of an outline:  Decide on a topic for
 Writing an outline before you your writing.
actually write an essay will
 Use several different
 show you what to write before
you actually begin writing. types of numbers and
 Help make your essay well letters to show the
organized and clearly focused. organization of the ideas.
 Keep you from forgetting any
important points.
 OUTLINING AN ESSAY
I. Introduction Next, fill more information and
II. First main idea details in the main body by using
III. Second main idea
capital letters, numbers
I. Introduction
IV. Third main idea
II. First main idea
V. Conclusion
A. First supporting point
1. First detail
2. Second detail
B. Second supporting point.
1. First detail
2. Second detail
 Practice:The changing vocabulary of English
I. Thesis statement: African Americans, too, have
both contributed new words to English and
changed the meaning of some existing words.
II. Words introduced by African Americans ( who
came as slaves)
A. OK
1. From an African language
2. Now used all over the world to mean all right
B. Jazz
1. Came from African American musicians in New
Orleans.
2. Extract origin unknown.
Practice:The changing vocabulary of English
III. Words whose meanings changed over time.
A. Cool
1. Original meaning
2. New meanings
B. Square
1. Original meaning
2. New meaning
IV. Conclusion: Existing ethnic groups in the United
States as well as new immigrants will certainly
continue to bring new words to English and give
fresh meanings to existing world.
Practice 3. Label each statement.
s
a….……..Develop clear thinking
M Physical benefits.
b….……..
S Improve concentrations
c….……..
S
d ….…….. Reduce fear, anger and worry
M Metal benefits
e….……..
S Improves blood circulation
f….……..
Practice with thesis statements
S
g….……..Improve digestion.
S
h….…….. Helps you feel calm and peaceful
S Develops self-confidence
i….……..
T Doing yoga regularly can be good for your mind,
j ….……..
your body and your emotions.
S
k ….……..Make you strong and flexible.
C
l ….……..Therefore, to build metal, physical and emotional
health, consider doing yoga.
M
m ….……..Emotional benefits.
 Practice 4. Arrange into an outline
I. Doing yoga regularly can be good for your mind, your body and your
emotions.
II. Metal benefits
A. Develop clear thinking
B. Improve concentrations
III. Physical benefits
A. Make you strong and flexible.
B. Improves blood circulation
C. Improves digestion.
IV. Emotional benefits
A. Develops self-confidence
B. Reduces fear, anger and worry
C. Helps you feel calm and peaceful
V. Therefore, to build metal, physical and emotional health, consider
doing yoga.
 Evaluating an outline
Organization:
Paragraph in the right order
Supporting points and details in the right order
Support
Each main idea related to the thesis statement
Each supporting point related to the paragraph’s main idea
Each detail related to the paragraph’s supporting points
Topic development
Enough main ideas to develop the thesis statement
Enough supporting points for each main point
Enough details for each supporting point
 Practice 5: Evaluating an outline
I. OK
II. Points B, C & D should be swapped (dates - wrong order)
III.
III and IV should be swapped.
Point A might include a second category of people who come to
San Francisco to get rich.
Point B should be deleted ( not relevant)
Point C should be deleted ( not relevant)
Point D could be more specific.
Point F should be deleted ( not a separate subpoint; it might be mentione
in a topic sentence, however.)
Point G could be more specific.
IV. Point B should discuss expenses for food and clothing
( to be parallel with the section on San Francisco today)
V. OK
 REVIEW: Sample answer
I. Mary enjoys both indoor
III. Outdoor hobbies
and outdoor hobbies.
II. Indoor hobbies A. Walking
A. Reading 1. Mountain climbing
1. Novels 2. Around town
2. Poetry B. Bird watching
B. Sewing C. Canoeing
C. Listening to music
IV. Both Mary’s indoor and
1. Pop
outdoor hobbies are
2. Jazz
activities that she enjoys
doing by herself.