Steps for an Effective Essay

Key aspects of the essay:

1. Clear organization: Introduction, subheadings, conclusion. Well constructed paragraphs.

2. Thesis: The main point you want to show in your paper.

3. Please make reference to theories, discussions, activities, and problems analyzed in class.

4. Be critical rather than descriptive.

5. Cite your sources. Avoid plagiarism.

Structure of the essay:

• Introduction:
• The introduction acquaints the reader with the topic. Its purpose is to get the readers’ attention and make them want to read the essay. For this reason, you should try to make your introduction interesting, engaging, and original.
• Organization of the essay: The introduction also helps organize the essay. It should tell the readers what you are going to say in your essay.
• Thesis
• The introduction should also contain your thesis. The thesis should clearly and specifically convey your point. To find your thesis, ask yourself these questions:
• What point am I attempting to make in this essay?
• Has this point been clearly indicated to my audience in my essay?
• Context: the introduction also needs to place your thesis or argument into some larger context.

• Body Paragraphs

• The purpose of a body paragraph is to develop and prove the thesis. Each body paragraph should make just one point that clearly develops and supports the thesis. In the same way that you have a thesis to indicate the point of the essay, you should have a topic sentence for each body paragraph.
• The topic sentence states the point of the paragraph, and all of the other sentences should support, develop, and explain that point. Because the topic sentence plays an important role in your paragraph, it must be crafted with care. When you’ve written a topic sentence, ask yourself the following questions:
• Does the topic sentence declare a single point of my argument?
• Does the topic sentence further my argument?
• Is the topic sentence relevant to my thesis?
• Is there a clear relationship between this topic sentence and the paragraph that came before?
• Does the topic sentence control my paragraph?
• To develop body paragraphs, do the following:
• Provide details and explanation.
• Give examples.
• Cite statistics, cases, theories, where appropriate.
• Include research as necessary.
• A paragraph should: (i) be supportive, i.e., a supportive paragraph’s main idea clearly develops the argument of the thesis, (ii) be strong, i.e., a strong paragraph develops its main idea, using sufficient evidence, and (iii) be considerate, i.e., a considerate paragraph is a coherent paragraph, which makes sense within the text as a whole.
• Arrangement: You must also consider your method of reasoning when you construct your paragraph. Are you using inductive logic, working from clues towards your conclusion? If so, your paragraph will reflect this way of thinking: your evidence will come early on in the paragraph, and the topic sentence will appear at the end. If, on the other hand, you are using deductive logic, your paragraph will very likely be arranged like a syllogism.
• The other side/s: Because every thesis presents an arguable point, you as a writer are obligated to acknowledge in your paper the other side/s of an argument. Consider what your opponents might say against your argument. Then determine where and how you want to deal with the opposition. Do you want to dismiss the opposition in the first paragraph? Do you want to list each opposing argument and rebut them one by one? Your decisions will determine how you structure your paper.

• Conclusion:

• The purpose of the conclusion is to bring the essay to a satisfying close. You should avoid bringing up a new point in your conclusion and you should avoid lengthy and excessive summary. The most successful conclusions are thoughtful and reflective.
• Back to context. After having presented your topic and proven your thesis, you want to be able to make an overarching statement based on that information. Just as the introduction sought to place the paper in the larger context about the topic, so should the conclusion insist on returning the reader to that ongoing conversation, but with the feeling that they have learned something more.
• A summary of what the reader has just read is important to the conclusion -- particularly if your argument has been complicated or has covered a lot of ground. But this is not enough.
• If you struggle with concluding your work, reread the essay and ask yourself the following questions:
• What have I learned from having written this essay?
• What are the implications or consequences of my thesis?
• What is the last impression with which I want to leave my audience?

Adapted from Florida Gulf Coast University’s Writing Center and Dartmouth University’ Writing Program

Evaluation criteria (from the course outline)

1. Does the research paper adequately deal with the selected topic? Does the research paper show an understanding of the topic dealt with?

2. Does the research paper show a clear, coherent, and comprehensive treatment of the selected topic?

3. Does the research paper integrate knowledge acquired throughout the course? Does it make specific reference to theories discussed in class?

4. Does the research paper make reference to class discussions and activities?

5. Does the research paper follow the style, language, citation method, and organization analyzed in class?