Steps - Essay Writing

Steps for Writing an Essay
Eng. 201
Miss Nadia Al Saheb
Steps for Writing an Essay
Begin with a point, or thesis.
Support the thesis with specific
evidence.
Organize and connect the specific
evidence.
Write clear, error free sentences.
Organize and Connect the
Specific Evidence
This section shows you how to organize and
connect supporting details by using:
1) Common methods of organization
2) Transitions
3) Other connecting words
Common Methods of Organization
Two common methods used to organize the
supporting material in an essay are time
order and emphatic order.
1)Time Order “chronological order”: means
that details are listed as they occur in time.
First this is done; next this; after that; this;
and so on.
2) Emphatic Order: saving the best till last. It is a way to
put emphasis on the most interesting or important
detail by placing it in the last part of a paragraph or in
the final supporting paragraph of an essay.
***The last position in a paper is the most emphatic
position because the reader is most likely to remember
the last thing read. Finally, last of all, and most
important are typical words or phrases showing
emphasis.
Transitions
Transitional Words:
Transitions signal the direction of a writer’s
thoughts. They are like the road signs that
guide travelers.
Common Transitions
Change of
Addition Time Space Illustration Conclusion
direction
Signals Signals Signals signals Signals
signals
One - first First - then Next to - But For Therefore

of all - - next - across - on -however - example - -consequentl
second - the after - as - the opposite yet - in for instance y - thus - as
third reason before - side - to the contrast - -specificall a result - in
- also - next while- left - to the although - y - as an summary -
- another- in meanwhile right - otherwise - illustration- to conclude-
addition- - soon - above - still - on the once – such then - last of
moreover now - below - contrary - on as all - finally
furthermore during - near - the other
finally nearby hand
Transitional Sentences
Transitional sentences, or linking sentences, are
used between paragraphs to help tie together the
supporting paragraphs in an essay. They enable
the reader to move smoothly from the idea in one
paragraph to the idea in the next paragraph.
The maid’s behaviors are even more of a
problem than they are of an advantage .
Other Connecting Words
In addition to transitions, there are three
other kinds of connecting words the help tie
together the specific evidence in a paper:
repeated words, pronouns and synonyms.
1) Repeated Words: Many of us have been
taught not to repeat ourselves in writing.
However, repeating key words helps tie
together the flow of thought in a paper.
2) Pronouns: (he, she, it, you, they, this, that, and
others) are another way to connect ideas. Also,
using pronouns in place of other words can help you
avoid needless repetition.
3) Synonyms : are words alike in meaning. Using
synonyms can also help move the reader easily from
one thought to the next. In addition, the use of
synonyms increases variety and interest by avoiding
needless repetition.
Introductions, Conclusions and
Titles
Introductory Paragraph:
A well written introductory paragraph
performs four important roles:
1)It attracts the reader’s interest, encouraging
him or her to continue reading the essay.
2)It supplies any background information that
the reader may need to understand the essay.
3) It presents a thesis statement. This clear,
direct statement of the main idea of the
paper usually appears at the end of the
introductory paragraph.
4) It indicates a plan of development.
Common Methods of
Introduction
 Begin with a broad, general statement of your
topic and narrow it down to your thesis statement.
 Start with an idea or a situation that is the opposite
of the one you will develop.
 Explain the importance of your topic to the reader.
If you can convince your readers that the subject in
some way applies to them, or is something they
should know more about, they will want to keep
reading.
 Use an incident or a brief story. The story should be brief and
should be related to your main idea. The incident in the story can
be something that happened to you, something you have heard
about or something you have read about in a newspaper or
magazine.
 Ask one or more questions. You may simply want the reader to
think about possible answers, or you may plan to answer the
questions yourself later in the paper.
 Use a quotation. A quotation can be something you have read in a
book or an article. It can also be something that you have heard: a
popular saying or proverb (“Never give advice to a friend”)
Concluding Paragraph
Common Methods of Conclusion:
You may use any one of the methods below,
or a combination of methods, to round off
your paper.
I) End with a summary and final thought.
II) Include a thought – provoking question or short
series of questions. A question grabs the reader
attention. A question should follow logically from
the points you have already made in the paper.
1)Why the subject of your paper is important?
2)What might happen in the future?
3)What should be done about this subject?
4)Which choice should be made?
III) End with a punctuation or
recommendation. Like questions,
predictions and recommendations also
involve your readers. A prediction states
what may happen in the future.
Titles
Note that you should not underline the title.
Nor you should put quotation marks around
it. On the other hand, you should capitalize
all but small connecting words in the title.
Also you should skip a space between the
title and the first line of the text.

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What are the common methods of organizing supporting details in an essay?

What are some common transitional words and phrases?

Steps for Writing an Essay

One - first First - then Next to - But For Therefore

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