Essay Writing: Crafting a Strong Argument

Supporting Sentences

Supporting sentences either explain or prove the topic sentence. They provide details and summarize what has been said, particularly towards the end of the paragraph. Supporting details could be examples, statistics, or quotations.

About the Essay Topic

The essay topic should be focused:

• It doesn't have to be too general or too narrow.
• The title should be a noun phrase, not a sentence or a non-clause; it can contain a gerund, but not a true verb.
• It should indicate the narrow topic of the paper.
• It shouldn't be ambiguous and use only standard English word forms.
• It should summarize the main idea.

Drafting

Freewriting

Freewriting is writing about a topic, focusing on identifying main ideas, supporting points, etc.

Other Techniques

• List-Cluster: Place the main idea in a circle with supporting ideas branching off from the center.
• Diagram: Visually represent the relationship between ideas.
• Outlining: Create a structured plan for your essay.

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement tells the reader what the rest of the paper is about. It:

• Is a fact you are trying to prove or explain.
• Contains the main argument of the essay.
• Previews the structure of the rest of the essay.
• Makes a complex and unique argument that someone could reasonably object to.

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence shows what the paragraph is about. It develops and states the key idea of each paragraph.

Characteristics of a Strong Topic Sentence:

• Relates back to the argument of the thesis.
• Concisely summarizes the key idea of the paragraph.
• Could contain keywords from the thesis statement.

Transitions

Transitions connect ideas and create flow in your writing. Some common types of transitions include:

• Chronological
• Spatial
• Comparison
• Contrast
• Explanatory
• Addition
• Cause-effect

Concluding Paragraph

The concluding paragraph shows how the thesis has been proven.

Format of a Concluding Paragraph:

• Restate the thesis statement.
• Answer the "so what?" question.
• End with a kicker or lingering thought.

Outline

An outline is a way to organize thoughts and research. It is a list divided into headings and subheadings that distinguish main points from supporting points. An outline serves as a frame for an effective essay.

Types of Outlines:

• Topic Outline: Useful for short essays, using brief phrases to list ideas.
• Sentence Outline: Used for a detailed plan for writing, where ideas are complete sentences. Useful for longer writing assignments.

How to Make an Outline:

1. Identify the topic.
2. Identify the main categories.
3. Create the first category.
4. Create subcategories.