Essay Structure

(based on paragraph structure)

Created by Rebecca Soble, Fall 2010, updated Spring 2013

 REMEMBER THE PARAGRAPH?
• Topic sentence
• Supporting sentence A
– Detail sentence A1
– Detail sentence A2
• Supporting sentence B
– Detail sentence B1
– Detail sentence B2
• Concluding Sentence
• Closing Comment (optional)
 Each part of the paragraph
becomes a whole paragraph
• Topic Sentence • Introduction Paragraph, with:
becomes… – Background Information
– THESIS STATEMENT (last)
• Each supporting • A whole paragraph, with:
section becomes… – Topic Sentence
– Supporting Ideas/Details
– Conclusion (optional)
• Concluding • Concluding paragraph, with:
Sentence – Conclusion that rephrases the
becomes… THESIS STATEMENT
– Closing Comment
 Watching television is a good way to improve one’s English.
First of all, you can learn new vocabulary words by watching
television. One source of vocabulary is news programs, which
provide vocabulary about current events and world issues.
Furthermore, you can learn vocabulary easily from news programs
because they often show the words on the screen. In addition, by
following series such as “Lost” and “The Simpsons”, you can learn
common spoken expressions and English slang phrases. Since these
phrases aren’t usually taught in school, this is one of the best ways
to learn these phrases. Secondly, it is possible to improve your
listening skills by watching television. For example, music video
programs can help your listening. Even though you may not
understand everything you hear, you can get more familiar with the
sounds of English and the pronunciation of words. Naturally, the
more you listen, the more you will understand. In short, TV helps us
to improve our English in an enjoyable way. (169 words)
 Here it is again, broken into its parts.
• Topic Sentence: Watching television is a good way to improve one’s English.
• First Supporting Sentence and supporting details: First of all, you can learn new
vocabulary words by watching television. One source of vocabulary is news
programs, which provide vocabulary about current events and world issues.
Furthermore, you can learn vocabulary easily from news programs because
they often show the words on the screen. In addition, by following series
such as “Lost” and “The Simpsons”, you can learn common spoken
expressions and English slang phrases. Since these phrases aren’t usually
taught in school, this is one of the best ways to learn these phrases.
• Second Supporting Sentence, and supporting details: Secondly, it is possible to
improve your listening skills by watching television. For example, music video
programs can help your listening. Even though you may not understand
everything you hear, you can get more familiar with the sounds of English and
the pronunciation of words. Naturally, the more you listen, the more you will
understand.
• Conclusion: In short, TV helps us to improve our English in an enjoyable way.
 Let’s make the Topic Sentence into an
Introductory Paragraph
• First, start GENERAL.
If you want to learn English, there are many ways to do it.
• Then, gradually get more specific.
Many people take courses, try to learn from books, or even
pay for expensive private tutoring. But actually, one of the
best ways to learn English is from TV.
• Your background info should be ONLY 2-3 sentences.
• Finally, end with your THESIS STATEMENT, which clearly
states the 2-3 ideas you will include in your paragraph.
Watching television can help improve both your vocabulary
and your listening skills.
 Compare them side-by-side
Original Topic Sentence New Introduction

Watching television is a If you want to learn English, there

good way to improve one’s are many ways to do it. Many
English. people take courses, try to learn
from books, or even pay for
expensive private tutoring. But
actually, one of the best ways to
learn English is from TV. Watching
television can help improve both
your vocabulary and your
listening skills.
It MUST BE CLEAR from your THESIS
STATEMENT exactly what topics
you will discuss in your essay.
Watching television can help
improve both your vocabulary
and your listening skills.

So your two body paragraphs will be about

vocabulary (1) and listening (2).
 Make the 1st section into a body paragraph.
• First, start with a topic sentence, WITH A SIGNAL PHRASE.
First of all, you can learn new vocabulary words by watching television.
• Then, add the details.
One source of vocabulary is news programs, which provide vocabulary about
current events and world issues. Furthermore, you can learn vocabulary
easily from news programs because they often show the words on the
screen. In addition, by following series such as “Lost” and “The Simpsons”,
you can learn common spoken expressions and English slang phrases. Since
these phrases aren’t usually taught in school, this is one of the best ways to
learn these phrases.
• This is your opportunity to write more. You should include more details or
examples than you would in a paragraph.
Another source of vocabulary on television is documentary programs.
Because these focus on a particular topic, you can learn a lot of vocabulary
about that topic. It can be especially helpful if the documentary also has
subtitles.
 Compare them side-by-side
Original Supporting Section
First of all, you can learn new
vocabulary words by watching
television. One source of vocabulary
is news programs, which provide
vocabulary about current events and
world issues. Furthermore, you can
learn vocabulary easily from news
programs because they often show
the words on the screen. In
addition, by following series such as
“Lost” and “The Simpsons”, you can
learn common spoken expressions
and English slang phrases. Since
these phrases aren’t usually taught
in school, this is one of the best ways
to learn these phrases. (86)
New Body Paragraph 1
First of all, you can learn new vocabulary words by
watching television. One source of vocabulary is news
programs, which provide vocabulary about current events
and world issues. Furthermore, you can learn vocabulary
easily from news programs because they often show the
words on the screen. In addition, by following series such
as “Lost” and “The Simpsons”, you can learn common
spoken expressions and English slang phrases. Since these
phrases aren’t usually taught in school, this is one of the
best ways to learn these phrases. Another source of
vocabulary on television is documentary programs.
Because these focus on a particular topic, you can learn a
lot of vocabulary about that topic. It can be especially
helpful if the documentary also has subtitles. (123)
 Compare them side-by-side
Original Supporting Section
Secondly, it is possible to
improve your listening skills by
watching television. For
example, music video programs
can help your listening. Even
though you may not understand
everything you hear, you can get
more familiar with the sounds of
English and the pronunciation of
words. Naturally, the more you
listen, the more you will
understand. (55)
New Body Paragraph 2
Secondly, it is possible to improve your listening
skills by watching television. For example, music
video programs can help your listening. Even
though you may not understand everything you
hear, you can get more familiar with the sounds of
English and the pronunciation of words. Another
key to learning listening with television is to use
subtitles. It can be good to watch the same show
twice, once with subtitles and the again without
them, to see how much you can hear once you
know what to expect. Naturally, the more you
listen, the more you will understand. (97)
Let’s make the concluding sentence and
comment into a complete paragraph.
• Rephrase the THESIS STATEMENT, USE a CONCLUSION
SIGNAL PHRASE.

– Watching television can help improve both your

vocabulary and your listening skills.

– In brief, your vocabulary and listening skills are two parts of

English that can be developed by watching television.

• Add a closing comment.

– If you do it for at least an hour every day, you should notice
improvement within a few weeks.
 Compare them side-by-side
Original Conclusion New Concluding Paragraph

In short, TV helps us to In brief, watching news, TV series, and

improve our English in an music videos are great ways to develop
enjoyable way. different skills with English. If you do it
for at least an hour every day, you
should notice improvement within a few
weeks. It will be especially helpful if you
take notes while you watch, and try to
practice what you learn with other
people as well.
 Let’s look at the whole thing!
If you want to learn English, there are many ways to do it. Many people take courses, try to learn
from books, or even pay for expensive private tutoring. But actually, one of the best ways to
learn English is from TV. Watching television can help improve both your vocabulary and your
listening skills.
First of all, you can learn new vocabulary words by watching television. One source of
vocabulary is news programs, which provide vocabulary about current events and world issues.
Furthermore, you can learn vocabulary easily from news programs because they often show the
words on the screen. In addition, by following series such as “Lost” and “The Simpsons”, you can
learn common spoken expressions and English slang phrases. Since these phrases aren’t usually
taught in school, this is one of the best ways to learn these phrases. Another source of vocabulary
on television is documentary programs. Because these focus on a particular topic, you can learn a
lot of vocabulary about that topic. It can be especially helpful if the documentary also has
subtitles.
Secondly, it is possible to improve your listening skills by watching television. For example, music
video programs can help your listening. Even though you may not understand everything you
hear, you can get more familiar with the sounds of English and the pronunciation of words.
Another key to learning listening with television is to use subtitles. It can be good to watch the
same show twice, once with subtitles and the again without them, to see how much you can hear
once you know what to expect. Naturally, the more you listen, the more you will understand.
In brief, your vocabulary and listening skills are two parts of English that can be developed by
watching television. If you do it for at least an hour every day, you should notice improvement
within a few weeks. (312)