WRITING GUIDE & STYLE SHEET

Elements and Organization of a three-point thesis

The Five Paragraph Essay

 

Title—creatively convey the main point of the essay in ten words

 

Introduction — Begin with a sentence that captures the reader’s attention. Give background information. Enhance the paragraph with an interesting example, surprising statistic, or other “hook.” Include a thesis statement.

 

Thesis statement — State the main idea of the essay.  You may mention the main points of teach of the body paragraphs.

 

Body paragraph 1 — Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and relates it to the thesis statement. Develop the paragraph with well-organized examples, quotations, comparisons, analogies, and/or narration. End with a transitional statement.

 

Body paragraph 2— Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and relates it to the thesis statement. Develop the paragraph with well-organized examples, quotations, comparisons, analogies, and/or narration. End with a transitional statement.

 

Body paragraph 3 — Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and relates it to the thesis statement. Develop the paragraph with well-organized examples, quotations, comparisons, analogies, and/or narration. End with a transitional statement.

 

Conclusion — Echo the thesis statement without simply repeating it. You may pose a question for future thought or suggest a course of action. Include a detail or an example from the introduction to help “tie up” the essay. End with a strong image or a bit of wit.

 

NOTE: Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.

 

The Formula Expanded: The Eight-Paragraph Essay (Still a Three-Point Thesis)

 

This formula (of 8 paragraphs) assumes that your essay has a limit of 1700-2000 words. For longer assignments the breakdown of sections is similar. but scaled up for the number of paragraphs you feel you need to complete each part.

 

Para 1 — Introduction

 

Main Text: Paras 2 and 3 — Theoretical overview and general comments relevant to the perspective you are going to employ in the following section

 

Paras 4 and 5 — Discuss in closer detail, possibly including the use of empirical data and case studies, how the perspective(s) discussed in Paras 2 & 3 help to examine the key issues raised in the title of the essay as they are experienced in specific contexts

 

Paras 6 and 7 — Critique the argument you have just made, including a discussion of the limits and constraints of the claims the theory and supporting evidence can provide. Are you going to offer an alternative view (with supporting evidence) or are you going to speculate on how the existing perspective needs to be refined? Sum up to a closing position.

 

Para 8 — Conclusion.

 

NOTE: The three-point thesis is a fast and easy way to write a thesis and structure your

essay. However, you do not need it for a successful essay. You may find that your topic is best covered in two points or in four or five points. Learn to be flexible and to allow the subject matter to suggest the format of your essay rather than trying to force every essay into a three-point thesis.

 

Thesis, Schmesis! Go Ahead and Prove It!

Once you have selected a topic, you are ready to begin developing your thesis statement. A thesis statement is defined as the main point of your paper. It is a declaration or statement of what you intend to prove about a topic.

 

The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your introductory paragraph. It sets the tone of your paper and will prepare the reader for what is to come. The thesis statement is usually a single sentence, but can be expressed in several sentences in lengthier papers.

 

Types of Thesis Statements

Your thesis statement will depend on the type of paper you are writing. Is it a literary essay, an analytical paper or are you arguing a position? For the purposes of this guide, we will discuss three types of research papers — analytical, argumentative and the literary essay.

 

An analytical thesis statement will answer the question of how or why. The statement will explain what you are analyzing, the parts of your analysis and the order of your presentation.

 

Example: Modern-day female artists reveal that they are undervalued and rarely see the same success of their male counterparts for two reasons: the media and the government.

 

An argumentative thesis statement makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with supporting evidence. While this statement can be an opinion, an evaluation, or an interpretation, it should be a statement that readers could possibly disagree with. The statement should explain your claim or assertion, the evidence that supports the claim, and the order of your evidence or supporting research.

 

Example: Due to allegations of steroid drug use, baseball has experienced a decline in popularity.

 

In the literary essay, you will analyze a work of literature. You may be evaluating a literary concept such as plot, setting, imagery or genre and your thesis statement should reflect the literary technique or concept you are investigating.

 

Example: John Steinbeck's use of metaphor to convey the struggle of humanity is evident throughout The Grapes of  Wrath, but is described best in the image of the turtle crossing the road.

 

Developing a thesis statement requires preliminary research:

• Make sure there is sufficient information (articles and books) about your topic.

• Verify the supporting evidence of your thesis statement.

• Examine the bibliography sections of books and articles. This may give you a rough idea as to the amount of information available on your topic.

• Consider revising your thesis statement if your preliminary research leads you to other conclusions.

 

Tips for Developing a Thesis Statement

 

Your thesis statement should:

• Be clear and express one main idea.

• Take a stand on a topic.

• Not contain first-person language (e.g. I think or In my opinion)

• Answer a question. Formulate your topic as a question and then write a one-sentence answer to the question; this answer will become your thesis statement.

• Be located at the end of your introductory paragraph. (This is not ALWAYS the perfect place for your thesis, but is the most common placement.

 

Source: Questia Newsletter@ QuestiaNews .com <http://www .questia.cominewsletter/volume- 1 - issue-9/index.html?CRID=nullCRnull&OFFID. news20060122eHstartingpoints>