It is not enough to makeup your verse of plain words Roman When writing an essay, follow these eight basic steps:Select a topic: Be sure the topic is narrow enough to make it manageable within the space of an essayWrite a thesis sentence: Be sure the thesis statement(or sentence) expresses a controlling idea that is neither toobroad nor too specific to be developed effectivelySelect a method of development: Check through all the methods before you finally settle on the one which will best serve your thesis:definition example compare and contrast cause and effect classification process analysis Organize the essay:Begin by listing the major divisions which the body paragraphs in your essay will discuss; then fill in the primary supports that each body paragraph of the essay will containWrite topic sentences for the body paragraphs of the essay: For each body paragraph, furnish a topic sentence that directly relates to the thesis sentenceWrite the body paragraphs of the essay: Each body paragraph should develop the primary support covered in that paragraph's topic sentenceFurnish a paragraph of introduction: An introductory paragraph should state the thesis of the essay, introduce the divisions in the body paragraphs of the essay, gain the interest of the readerWrite a paragraph of conclusion: A concluding paragraph should restate the thesis and divisions of the essay bring the essay to an appropriate and effective close without digressing into new issues. Source: Ida Masters Hollowell, James A. Levernier, A. Franklin Parks, Structuring Paragraphs: A Guide to Effective Writing. 2nd ed. New York: St. Martin's,1986. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Feedback to improve this page(please specify which page)Return to Study Guides English Indexhttp://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguidesStudy Guides and Strategies was created and is maintained by Joe Landsberger, Supervisor, ISS/Learning Center, Unive...
