Essay Writing

Mushima Muke MA. LIN. Sc, IR, BA.Ed

What is an essay?
Def: An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or
argument using evidence, analysis and interpretation.
There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length
of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements.
However, most essays at university level are argumentative: they aim to persuade the
reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.
Preparation for writing an essay
Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you
want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow
to make sure you’re prepared:
1. Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the
length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with
your teacher or professor?
2. Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic, try to pick
something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
3. Do your research: Read primary and secondary sources and take notes to help
you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for
your points.
4. Come up with a thesis: The thesis is the central point or argument that you
want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep
referring back to it as you write.
5. Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline.
This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.
Writing the Introduction
The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and
inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the
text.
1. Hook your Reader (Prompt)
The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and
curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing
question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the
topic.
2. Provide Background on your Topic
It is important to give context that will help your reader understand your
argument.
This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of
important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms.
Do not provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate
in the body of your essay.
3. Present the Thesis Statement
You should formulate your thesis statement—the central argument you’re going to
make.
The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is
usually one or two sentences long.
4. Map the Structure (Outline)
In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be
covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and
gives a preview of how your argument will develop.
Writing the Main Body
The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis,
provide evidence, and develop your ideas.
Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you
have gathered to support your argument.
Length of the Body Text
The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body
comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a graduate school essay, the body could take
up 7–10 pages.
 What is a Paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that all pertain to the same central idea or
issue.
A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a
unit” (Lunsford and Connors 116)
• The length and look of a portion in a paper do not indicate whether it is a
paragraph. For example, in some writing styles, particularly journalistic forms, a
paragraph might be as short as one sentence.
• A paragraph is, in the end, a statement or a set of sentences that support one
major concept.
How to organize a paragraph
• The organization you choose will depend on the controlling idea of the
paragraph
• Narration: Tell a story. Go chronologically, from start to finish.
• Description: Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes,
sounds, or feels like. Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic.
• Process: Explain how something works, step by step. Perhaps follow a
sequence—first, second, third. Classification: Separate into groups or explain the
various parts of a topic.
• Illustration: Give examples and explain how those examples support your point.
 STRUCTURE OF A PARAGRAPH
Introduction: the first section of a paragraph; should include the topic sentence
and any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that give background
information or provide a transition.

Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This
idea directs the paragraph’s development. Often, the controlling idea of a
paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence (states the main idea of
the paragraph).
Body: follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts,
arguments, analysis, examples, and other information.
A supporting sentence is a sentence with information that supports a main idea
or claim. Supporting sentences give a reader details to understand a main idea, or
evidence to show why a claim is true or correct.

Paragraph development continues with an elaboration on the controlling idea,

perhaps with an explanation, implication, or statement about significance.
Supporting Sentences
A supporting sentence is a sentence with information that supports a main idea
or claim. Supporting sentences give a reader details to understand a main idea, or
evidence to show why a claim is true or correct.
After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from
relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it
helps develop your overall argument.
You will find supporting sentences in the middle of a paragraph – after the topic
sentence, and before a concluding sentence or transition.
Conclusion: the final section; summarizes the connections between the
information discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph’s controlling
idea. For long paragraphs, you may also want to include a bridge sentence that
introduces the next paragraph or section of the paper. In some instances, the bridge
sentence can be written in the form of a question.

The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends
of the paragraph. This is where you can remind your reader about the relevance
of the information to the larger paper, or you can make a concluding point for
this example. You might, however, simply transition to the next paragraph.
 Characteristics of a Good Paragraph
Unity
• The degree to which all of the concepts in a paragraph "hang together" in a way
that is easy to understand by the reader is referred to as unity. When the writer
switches to a new notion that isn't compatible with the paragraph's topic sentence,
the writer should start a new paragraph.
Coherence
• The reader's ability to understand the flow of ideas in a paragraph is referred to as
coherence. As a result, coherence and unity are inextricably linked. When a writer
switches key ideas or topics within a paragraph, it frequently causes confusion. To
achieve coherence, a writer must demonstrate that all of the ideas in a paragraph
are related to the main issue.
Adequate Development
• A paragraph is adequately developed when it describes, explains and supports the
topic sentence.
• If the "promise" of the topic sentence is not fulfilled, or if the reader is left with
questions after reading the paragraph, the paragraph has not been adequately
developed.
• Generally speaking, a paragraph which consists of only two or three sentences is
under-developed. A good rule of thumb to follow is to make sure that a paragraph
contains at least four sentences which explain and elaborate on the topic sentence.
Topic Sentence

 One of the most effective strategies to generate clarity and uniformity in one's
writing is to start each paragraph with a topic sentence.
 The purpose of a topic sentence is to describe what will be discussed in the
paragraph so that the reader knows what to expect.
 The rest of the paragraph then expands on that premise, providing evidence and
examples to back it up.
 After reading a topic sentence, one should be able to guess what kind of
information the rest of the paragraph would contain.
 The paragraph will lack unity, coherence, and proper development if the
remainder of the paragraph does not fulfill the "promise" of the topic sentence.
TRANSITIONS

A paragraph transition is a sentence or unique paragraph that helps the reader

move from one paragraph to the next, or from one idea to another. A transition is
the first sentence of a new paragraph. Occasionally, the last sentence of the prior
paragraph acts as the transition.

Transitions are needed within the paragraph. You are probably familiar with the
idea that transitions may be needed between paragraphs or sections in a paper.
Sometimes they are also helpful within the body of a single paragraph.

Within a paragraph, transitions are often single words or short phrases that help to
establish relationships between ideas and to create a logical progression of those
ideas in a paragraph. This is especially true within paragraphs that discuss multiple
examples or discuss complex ideas, issues, or concepts.
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

Similarity: also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly

Exception/Contrast: but, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other
hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still,
yet

Sequence/Order: first, second, third, … next, then, finally

Time: after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later,
meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then

Example: for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate

Emphasis: even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position: above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in
back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect: accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence: additionally, again, also, and, as
well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition,
moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary: finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in
conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to
conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary
 MEAL
To help writers understand how to craft clear and effective paragraphs, writers should remember
this formula: MEAL. This stands for Main idea, Evidence, Analysis, and Link.

Essay Paragraph

Introduction/ Thesis Statement Topic Sentence/Main Idea

Body Evidence and Analysis

Conclusion Link/Transition to Next Paragraph