How To Write a Basic Essay

1. How to Write an
Essay—the Basics
By Mrs. W. Scruggs
Pinecrest

2. Before you start, make sure you
understand the question!
• What does the prompt ask you to do or answer?
• What do you want to prove to answer the prompt?
• This answer will become the CLAIM (THESIS) you will prove with
your essay.
• So what is a thesis/claim?
– Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
– If the thesis isn’t debatable, then you have nothing to
prove. There are some easy ways to do this. This is the most
important sentence for your essay. If this is weak, then your
essay will be weak, too!

3. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
So there are a couple of ways to simply give yourself something to
prove with most essay prompts:
1. Although…, …
With this thesis starter, you start with a dependent clause that is
the opposite of what you want to prove, then state what you
really think. ***DO NOT EVER WRITE “I’m going to show, I’m going
to prove, or anything with I in it!!!! That is NOT formal writing for
academic purposes.
Dependent clause that is the
opposite of your claim!
Example: Although the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger” loves
the youth and wants to be with him, she cannot overcome her
own nature and sends him to his death.
Independent clause that is what
you will prove in your essay!

4. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
2. 3-part thesis statement …because + 3 reasons
With this thesis starter, you start with a statement of what you want to prove broadly,
because…then you give 3 reasons why.
It should
*Be arguable
*Have three parts
*Be parallel in structure
Sample of how to form it: I want to argue that social network sites are good for kids and
society.
Now I need to think of three points
Social networks…
(this is your broad
idea or issue)
Notice that each part of the prong
starts with a verb in the same form. This
is parallel structure
Connect people (key point #1)
Educate people (key point #2)
Entertain people (key point #3)

5. Basic Structure of an Essay
Introduction
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
Conclusion

6. Introduction Format:
1. Interesting opening sentence:
-you can give background info on the problem or text
-or you can start with an anecdote that relates to the
subject
-or you can start with an interesting fact or idea
about the topic
-or if literature prompt, you can put the
prompt in context
2. THESIS STATEMENT YOU
ALREADY WROTE.

7. Body Paragraph Format:
TS (topic sentence): this is one aspect of the THESIS (CLAIM) that
you will prove in this paragraph.
*CD/E #1(Concrete Detail/Evidence
sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as
For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
*CD/E #2(Concrete Detail/Evidence
sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as
For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences THE
(or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
*CD/E #3(Concrete Detail/Evidence
sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as
For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
You will write at LEAST 3
of these body
paragraphs. You write
MORE if the paper is
longer—or for AP!!
Conclusion (Summary sentence): this is a summary (1 sentence) explaining how this
topic proves your thesis. An easy way to do this is to start with Because...(then state
your three points from evidence--don’t re-write the quotes)…, then the word proves
that … (insert the idea from your topic sentence).

8. Conclusion Paragraph
Sentence 1: Briefly restate your
key points (in your topic
sentences.
Sentence 2: Briefly state that the
points support/prove your
THESIS/CLAIM from your intro
paragraph.
Sentence 3: Wrap it all up with a
prediction about the topic, a
recommended res
course of action
(if it fits the prompt), or a relevant
quotation. DO NOT INTRODUCE
NEW INFORMATION IN YOUR
CONCLUSION—EVER!!
Never write the words
In conclusion!! If you
do this, it’s VERY
WEAK and you’re
NOT concluding it!!!
Just do what I’ve told
you to do.