BASSIC ESSAY STRUCTURE REVIEW

Which of the following does an INTRODUCTION NEED to have?

• A statement to clearly state the writer's position

• A joke to make the readers laugh

• A recommendation to solve a problem

• A prediction about what may happen in the future

The statement to clearly state the writer's position + the purpose of the essay is called ...

• TOPIC STATEMENT

• THESIS STATEMENT

• PURPOSE STATEMENT

• INTRODUCTION STATEMENT

What is the 'hook' or 'lead in' in the introduction paragraph?

• A summary of a previously written essay

• A sentence to clearly state the writer's position

• A story, statistics, or relevant quotation that draws reader's attention

• An example to illustrate the writer's point

The thesis statement ...

• is usually the FIRST sentence in the introduction.

• is usually the LAST sentence in the introduction.

• is usually more than one sentence.

• is a FACTUAL STATEMENT and cannot be disagreed with.

Question: Some people believe that solar power is the future of energy. Do you agree or disagree?

Rate this thesis statement: 'I believe that solar power need to be utilized more in the future for its renewability and safety.

• :D

• :|

• :<

Answer explanation

This thesis statement gives the writer's point of view (should be utilized) and two main ideas they plan on discussing (renewability and safety)

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniforms?

Rate this thesis statement: 'This essay will discuss both positive and negative sides of school uniforms.'

• :D

• :|

• :<

Answer explanation

This thesis statement is just OK because while it does state the purpose (This essay will discuss ...), it does not show the main ideas (what are the general positives and negatives?)

Question: Some people believe solar power is the future of energy. Do you agree or disagree?

Rate this thesis statement: 'In my opinion, the supply of power from the sun is much more than from fossil fuels.'

• :D

• :|

• :<

Answer explanation

This thesis statement is not good because it presents an inarguable fact.

Each body paragraph should try to explain ...

• one part of the thesis statement

• the whole thesis statement

• two parts of the thesis statement

• something not related to the thesis statement

The sentence that contains the main idea of each body paragraph is called the .......

• theme sentence

• focus sentence

• topic sentence

• key sentence

The other sentences in a BODY PARAGRAPH should ...

• discuss something besides the idea in its TOPIC SENTENCE.

• be at least 5 sentences.

• always have at least 3 SUPPORTING SENTENCES.

• discuss only the idea in its TOPIC SENTENCE.