Çukurova University

School of Foreign Languages

English Preparatory Program
2022-2023 Academic Year
P2 Block 2 Week 6: Writing - Extra Focus

ESSAY STRUCTURE
 An essay is made up of a group of paragraphs about one subject. Below you can see the parts of a paragraph and
parts of an essay, which are introduction, body and conclusion.

ESSAY

Introduction Paragraph

General Statements
Thesis Statement

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence 2
Body Paragraph
Supporting Sentences and Details
Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentences and Details

Body Paragraph 3

Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentences and Details

Concluding Paragraph

Thesis Restatement
Summary
Final Thought 1/9
 INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

Introduction is the first paragraph of the essay. It begins the essay and has two parts: general statements and
thesis statement.

General statements give the reader background information about the topic of the essay. They should be
interesting enough to take readers’ attention. The number of general statements you write in an introduction
paragraph will depend on how long your essay is. However, you should write at least two or three general
statements in an introduction. The first sentence should be a very general comment about the subject. The
second sentence should be less general, and so on. The last general statement should be the least general of all.

Practice 1: Read the following introduction paragraphs and put the sentences in the correct order, from the
most general to the least general.

1. (1) Therefore, workaholics’ lifestyles can affect their families, social lives and health. (2) In
addition, workaholics may not spend enough time in leisure activities. (3) Nowadays, many men and
women work in law, accounting, real estate and business. (4) These people are serious about
becoming successful; they work long hours during the week and even on weekends, so they are
called ‘workaholics’.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. (1) Therefore, anyone who wants to drive must carry a driver’s license. (2) It is divided into four
steps: studying the traffic laws, taking the written test, learning to drive and taking the driving test.
(3) Getting a driver’s license is a complicated process. (4) Driving a car is a necessity in today’s
busy society, and it is also a special privilege.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

 After general statements, you write the thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence in the
introduction. The thesis statement is the most specific statement of introduction paragraph. It names the
topic and controlling idea(s) for the entire essay.

 Thesis statement introduces the main idea of the essay.

 It may list the subtopics of the main topic.
 It may also mention the method of organization.

Look at the sentences of the paragraphs you have reordered above. Which are the thesis statements?

2/9
  Here are a few points to remember about thesis statement:

1. Thesis statement should be expressed in a complete sentence.

My fear of dark.
My fear of dark has made my life miserable.
2. It can’t be a question.
What are the effects of radiation?
The effects of radiation are often unpredictable.
3. Thesis statement expresses an opinion, attitude, or idea; it does not simply announce the topic of the essay.
I am going to discuss the effects of radiation.
The effects of radiation are often unpredictable.
4. It should express an opinion; not a fact.
Cows produce milk.
The milk that cows produce is not always fit for human consumption.
5. Thesis statement should express only one idea toward one topic. If it contains two or more ideas, you may
run the risk of lacking unity and coherence.
Going to college in Midwest can be fun, and living in a large city is better while at college.
Going to college in Midwest can be fun.

Practice 2: Read these thesis statements below. Put a if the thesis statement is strong, put F if it is a fact (a weak
thesis statement).

1. _____ The top government official in my country is the Prime Minister.

2. _____ To be a successful student, good study habits are more important than intelligence.

3. _____ Using public transport would be one of the best ways to solve the traffic and pollution problems in cities around
the world.

4. _____ India became an independent country in 1947.

5. _____ 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.

6. _____ Classical music concerts are very popular in my country.

3/9
 BODY PARAGRAPHS

The body paragraphs which range in number from two to four are the heart of the essay. Their function is to
explain, illustrate, discuss or prove the thesis statement. Keep in mind these points about body paragraphs:
1. Each body paragraph discusses one aspect of the main topic. If, for example, you were asked to write a paper
about the effects of smoking cigarettes on a person’s health, then each paragraph would have one affect as its
topic.
2. The controlling idea in the body paragraph should echo the central idea in the thesis statement. If your thesis
statement about the effects of smoking cigarette is “Cigarette smoking is a destructive habit,” then the
controlling idea in each paragraph should have something to do with the destructiveness of the effect.
3. The body paragraphs should have coherence and unity. The order of your paragraphs shouldn’t be random.
Also, your sentences need to flow smoothly, the train of thought at the end of one paragraph should be picked
up at the beginning of the next paragraph. This can be achieved through the use of transition and much attention
should be devoted to transition use.
Prewriting: Planning

 After formulating a restricted topic sentence from your prewriting notes, thesis statement is formed.
 After all, each body paragraph should discuss on the aspect of the main topic expressed in the thesis
statement.
 Once you have decided on your thesis, you need to break the thesis down logically into topics for your
paragraphs. In essence, these topics are supporting points for your thesis.
 For example, you want to write about the beautiful sights in your country to persuade people to visit
there or simply to inform your reader about your country: After you have taken considerable notes on
the topic, you might come up with this thesis statement: “My country has some beautiful sights.”
 The main topic of the essay is “sights in my country,” and the central idea is “beautiful”. The main topic
then needs to be broken down into topic for paragraphs, two to four.
 Logically, the topics would be sights, with one sight discussed in each paragraph, and the controlling
idea for each of these topics should be something related to “beautiful” such as “charming, lovely,
glorious, etc.”

 Here is a thesis statement and possible breakdowns into topics for body paragraphs.

e.g. Thesis Statement: Village is the best environment for me to live in.
Question: What makes it a good environment?
Possible Answers: The cooperation among people (main idea of body paragraph 1)
Small number of population (main idea of body paragraph 2)
Its security (main idea of body paragraph 3)

 For a good essay, you need to turn these main ideas into well-developed body paragraphs. You can do
this by supporting the main idea in each body paragraph with examples, facts, supporting ideas, etc.
Look at the following thesis statements and ideas and write supporting ideas for each main idea.

4/9
 1. Thesis Statement: In order to make a good impression at a job interview, you should get prepared well
for the interview.
Question: What should you do to get prepared for the interview?

Answers: a. Plan your answers to possible question.

b. _____________________________________

c. _____________________________________

2. Thesis Statement: Watching TV is not a waste of time.

Question: Why isn’t it a waste of time?

Answers: a. It is a valuable educational tool.

b. ___________________________________
.
c. ___________________________________

3. Thesis Statement: New York and Hong Kong are more alike than people think.
Question: In what ways are they alike?
Answers: a. They are both enormous.

b. ____________________________________

c. ____________________________________

Practice 3: Study the following thesis statements, and then write out three possible topic sentences for the body
paragraphs. You may make use of the transitions given below.

To support, add or continue To introduce details or To indicate order,

exemplify sequence or importance
Besides, To start with,
Also, For example, First,
In addition, such as Second,
Next, In fact, Third,
Then, To illustrate, In the first place,
Moreover, Firstly,
Furthermore, Secondly,
Finally, Last of all,
Lastly,

5/9
 1. Owning a car is a necessity for several reasons.
a. ________________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________________

2. Being unemployed can cause people to lose their self-respect.

a. ________________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________________
3. Learning English isn’t so easy in my country.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
Conclusion paragraph is the last paragraph of the essay. It should consist of restatement of the thesis,
summary and final thought(s). Here are some points about conclusions:

1. A conclusion can restate main points (subtopics) discussed. This restatement should be brief; after all, you
have already discussed them at length.
2. A conclusion can restate the thesis. Generally, to avoid sounding repetitious, it is a good idea to restate the
thesis in different words. The restatement of the thesis is really a reassertion of its importance or validity.
3. A conclusion should not, however, bring up a new topic.

Practice 4: Read the following thesis statements. Circle the best concluding sentence which should be a
restatement of the thesis statement.

1. My greatest problem in learning English is oral communication.

a. In conclusion, learning to read and write in English is difficult.
b. In conclusion, because I do not practice speaking English enough, my speaking skill has not
improved.
c. In conclusion, everyone should practice speaking English more.

2. In my opinion, college grades are necessary because they motivate students to do their homework and to
attend classes regularly.
a. In conclusion, college grades are important.
b. In conclusion, students should be graded for their own good.
c. In conclusion, college grades are important because they cause students to be more serious and to try
harder.

3. My major goals are getting a part time job and mastering the use of English language.
a. In conclusion, if I do not reach my goals, I will be unhappy.
b. In brief, finding a job and using English well are important to me.
c. In summary, my major goals are getting a part time job and mastering the use of English language.

6/9
A MODEL ESSAY:

WHY PEOPLE SAVE BOOKS

Many people who like to read also save the books they have read. If you walk into any home, you are
likely to see anywhere from a single bookshelf to a whole library full of all kinds of books. I know a family
whose library has shelves reaching up to their ceiling; they keep a ladder for climbing up to the high books.
Obviously, they have collected books for many years, and though they rarely actually open the books again,
they keep them on the shelves, dusted and lined up neatly. Why do people save their books? There may be
several reasons, but three stand out.
One reason people save their books is to use them as reference materials. People whose job training
included studying a lot of textbook material may save some of these books for future reference. For instance, a
doctor may keep his Gray’s Anatomy and his pharmacology books; an English teacher will hold on to The
Norton Anthology of British Literature and other anthologies and novels for reference; a lawyer usually keeps
his/her case books. But it isn’t only the professionals who save their books. People who like to cook keep their
recipe books. Those interested in electronic equipment hold on to their books about stereos, computers,
videotape machines, and the like. Many families keep encyclopaedias and almanacs handy for their children to
use for school. Having your own reference book available is so much more convenient than running to the
library every time you want to check a fact.
Another reason some people save books is to make a good impression. Some think that a library full of
literary classics, dictionaries and books about art, science, and history make them look well-read and therefore
sophisticated. Of course, this impression may be inaccurate. Some have never bothered to read the majority of
those books at all! In fact, a few people even have libraries with fake books. Also, some people like to reveal to
visitors their wide range of tastes and interests. They can subtly reveal their interests in Peruvian art, Indian
music, philosophy, or animals without saying a word.
While some people may keep their books for practical reference and for conveying an impression, I
suspect that there is a deeper reason. People who enjoy reading have discovered the magic of books. Each book,
whether it’s The Treasury of Houseplants or Murder on the Orient Express, has transported the reader to
another place. Therefore, each book really represents an experience from which the reader may have grown or
learned something. When I sit in my study, I am surrounded by my whole adult life. The Standard First Aid and
Personal Safety Manuel, in addition to providing information, reminds me of the first-aid course I took and how
more assured I felt as a result. Bulfinch’s Mythology brings the oral history of Western civilization to my
fingertips, reminding me of my link with other times and people. Of course, all the novels have become part of
the mosaic of my life. In short, saving books makes me feel more secure as I hold on to what they have given
me.
In fact, if you think about it, security is at the bottom of all these reasons. It’s a secure feeling to know
you have information at hand when you need it. There is a kind of security, even though it may be false,in
knowing you make a good impression. Finally, books that you’ve read and kept envelop you with a warm and
cosy cloak of your life.

7/9
 ESSAY OUTLINE

Introduction:
Thesis statement:

Body Paragraph 1:
Supporting idea:
Detail:
Body Paragraph 2:
Supporting idea:
Detail:
Body Paragraph 3:
Supporting idea:
Detail:

Concluding Paragraph:

8/9
ANSWER KEY – Essay Structure

Practice 1 Practice 2
1. 3 / 4 / 2 / 1 1. F
2. 4 / 1 / 3 / 2 2.
3.
4. F
5.
6. F

Practice 3
1. Owning a car is a necessity for several reasons.
a. To start with, it’s comfortable.
b. Also, it’s time saving.
c. Finally, it’s accessible.
2. This city is the best place for me to live in.
a. First of all, it has a good climate.
b. Secondly, there are many social activities to do.
c. Last of all, it has a convenient transportation system.
3. Learning English isn’t so easy in my country.
a. First, there isn’t a good curriculum at schools.
b. Next, language courses are expensive.
c. Lastly, we don’t have enough opportunities to practice it.

Practice 4
1. b
2. c
3. b

9/9