Devising a Thesis
In order to write a successful essay > you must find the focal point of your discussion, the
centre of your thoughts. This is the thesis argument.
The purpose: to help you organize a argument. It should be a strong statement.
- Analytical paper: Uses published research sources to build an argument.
- Expository style essay: Explains something with facts.
- Argumentative essay: Gives information with supporting and opposing ideas and
which is the one that is the focus of our attention.
Designing an outline
After you have thought of a thesis statement, you will need to design an outline. In order to
sort trough your ideas keep the following steps in mind:
1) Make sure you have established your thesis statement and your purpose.
2) Gather your notes.
3) Classify your material and order it in a logical way.
4) Rank your points according to their importance
Choosing a pattern of argument
The following tactics may serve as structural guidelines in order to prove your argument:
1) Definition/Discription
2) Example
3) Comparioson/Contrast
4) Cause/Effect
Making an introduction
The best introductions are short and comprehensive. In order to get the readers attention
you need to break the ice. Tactics for opening your essay are:
1) Take the straight and narrow path: State your thesis bluntly and follow it with a brief
statement of the steps in your argument
2) Try shock treatment: Give your reader a stricking, perhaps shocking example,
statistic, or statement to get him or her interested in reading further.
3) Engage your reader: Tell a story o start with an amusing example.
Writing paragraphs
A paragraph should be about one thing, there should be unity. Each is a small step in your
total argument. Meant to lead the reader trough your mental process. Each paragraph
should contain:
1) A topic sentence that reveals the controlling idea
2) Support for the topic sentence