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Chapter 2: Structure of Essay

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What is an Essay?
 Oshima & Hogue (2006) states that an essay is a piece of writing
several paragraphs long instead of just one or two paragraphs.
 It is written about one topic, just as a paragraph is. Howefer, the topic
of an essay is too complex to discuss in one paragraph.
 Therefore, you must divide the topic in to several paragraphs, one for
each major point.
 Then you must tie all of the separate paragraphs together by adding
an introduction and a conclusion.

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Structure
of Essay

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Organization of Essay
Oshima and Hogue (2006, p.56) state that there are
three main parts of an essay:

 introductory paragraph
 body paragraph
 concluding paragraph

Each paragraph has its own arrangement.

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Introductory Paragraph
Oshima & Hogue (2006, p.59) states that introductory paragraph
has two parts:

general statement (general topic of the essay, attracts the

readers)
thesis statement(specific topic, limit the discussion, lists
subtopics or subdivision)

The models of introductory paragraph of an essay

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Body Paragraph
“The body paragraphs in an essay are like the
supporting sentences in a paragraph” (Oshima &
Hogue, p.64)

 develop the thesis statement

 contain your opinion on some issue
 you have to support your thesis by writing some
evidence
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Example of thesis statement for logical division of ideas:

The abandonment of health protocols greatly contributes to the widely

spread of Covid-19.

To develop thesis statement above into body paragraphs, you have to:

 discuss about some reason that bring the abandonment of health

protocols to the widely spread of Covid-19
 explain forms of abandonment done by the public
 you can add some examples, evidence, and statistics to support your
statement.

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Example of thesis statement for logical division of ideas:

Social media has several benefits, such as communication media,

promotional media and entertainment media.

 The thesis statement above mentions its subtopics

 The subtopics become its controlling idea which guides the writers to
not pass border line when they develop body paragraphs of the essay.

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Concluding paragraph

The conclusion is the closing paragraph in an essay which has three goals
(Oshima & Hogue, p.72)

 One of the goals is to signals the finishing of the essay, so you have to start
your concluding paragraph with a transition signal, such as in conclusion, to
sum up, etc.
 Another goal is to recap your reader of your key points and there are two
ways to do this: summarizing the subtopics and paraphrasing your thesis.
 The other goal is to leaves your reader with your final thoughts on the topic
(Oshima & Hogue, 2006).

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There are some techniques proposed by Oshima & Hogue

(2006, p.72):

 Make a prediction
 Suggest results or consequences
 Suggest a solution, make a recommendation, or call
for action
 Quote an authority on the topic

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Comprehension Questions:
Exercise 1
Recognizing a Thesis Statement. Identify each of the following as a title (T), a
thesis (TH), or a fact (F).
______1. It is estimated that two hundred grizzly bears live in Yellowstone
National Park.
______2. The survival of grizzly bears in our country should be a top priority.
______3. When bears are young cubs, there are twice as many males as females.
______4. Only about 60 percent of bear cubs survive the first few years of life.
______5. Bears, a precious natural resource

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Comprehension Questions:
Exercise 2
For each of the three general topics given, compose a thesis sentence by (a) limiting or qualifying the
general topic, (b) choosing a controlling idea that could be supported.
1. General Topic: Community
a. limiting or qualifying the general topic:________________________
b. controlling idea : ___________________________________________

2. . General topic: Female vocalist

a. Limited or qualified topic: ____________________________________
b. Controlling idea: ____________________________________________

3. General topic: Credit cards

a. Limited or qualified topic_____________________________________
b. Controlling idea: _________________________________________
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