Academic Essays ... Writing the easy way!

Last time, I talked about how to develop a thesis statement and outline ... arguably the most important steps in writing an essay. Once you have those, however, what's next?

Most academic essays (at least until you hit graduate school) follow the same basic format:

• Introductory paragraph
• Body paragraph supporting your essay's first main point
• Body paragraph supporting your essay's second main point
• Body paragraph supporting your essay's third main point
• Concluding paragraph

Hopefully, you already determined these in your outline. If you did, then you're more than ready to take the next step: writing the essay itself.

The introductory paragraph should start with a topic sentence, some background information, and your thesis. A sample introductory paragraph (based on the blog on theses and outlines):

       Since the beginning of time, animals have been important to humans. In the story of creation, God created all animals, fish, and reptiles, and put them in the garden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:20-30). God then gave man the responsibility of caring for the animals. Although sin entered the world and the relationship between man and animal has been tainted, most people still have a strong affinity for animals. Domesticated animals have become very important for many humans, and many have dearly-loved pets; the most popular are dogs and cats. While both dogs and cats can be great pets, dogs are usually more dependent, trainable, and empathetic whereas cats tend to be more independent, stubborn, and apathetic.

See how I started with a topic sentence, added some broad background, and concluded with the thesis statement?

Each of your body paragraphs should be formatted in a similar way: topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence. A sample body paragraph supporting the above thesis:

       Both dogs and cats are popular pets, and they have many aspects in common. For example, they can both be great companions. Only a pet-lover truly understands the joy of coming home after a hard day and being greeted by a wagging-tailed dog or a cat sinuously winding through legs. In addition, dogs and cats offer proven health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and helping Alzheimer's patients (WebMD). Pets certainly require care. They must be fed and bathed, and they also need regular veterinarian care. However, that responsibility can be another benefit for families with children. Caring for a pet can help children better understand how important regular feedings, walks, and other pet needs are. While dogs and cats certainly do have some similarities, they have even more differences.

With this body paragraph, I've written a topic sentence that directly supports my thesis. I have several detail sentences that support that topic sentence, and then I end with a concluding sentence that transitions into the next body paragraph, which will begin the discussion of the differences between dogs and cats.

After writing body paragraphs that continue to support your thesis, you'll write a concluding paragraph that brings your essay full circle. A sample concluding paragraph:

       While pets are not for everyone, they can be greatly beneficial to their owners. Dogs and cats, the most popular pets, offer joy and companionship, and can even help their owners be healthier. Dogs are arguably the friendlier, more dependent pet, while cats are independent and aloof. However, no matter which animal one chooses, having a pet can be a wonderful way of caring for some of God's creation.

A few important issues regarding academic essays:

• Each body paragraph should support your thesis (be careful not to follow "rabbit trails" of irrelevant information). For example, if you're writing about dogs and cats, don't start writing about how you've always wanted to own a lemur.
• In fact, you should avoid phrases like "I believe" or "I think." You're the writer, so your reader knows it's your opinion!
• Also, avoid phrases like, "This essay is about" or "This essay will discuss."
• As often as possible, avoid "second person" (you) with formal, academic essays. Academic essays should be written in "third person" (he, she, one, they).
• Avoid contractions.

As I wrote last time, if you start with a solid thesis and outline, writing an essay can be relatively easy. Just stay focused on your thesis and support it well.

One last note: Always make certain your essays are formatted correctly. They generally should be written with Times New Roman 12 pt. font and double-spaced; they should follow whatever style is appropriate (generally, MLA, APA, or CMS/Turabian).

Next time, I'll be talking about the writing process, including strong editing and revising, which is critical to make certain your final draft is as flawless as possible.

Keep pen to paper!

Professor Rinehart

P.S. Here are some websites that might be helpful:

http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/essay/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/01/

Thesis Statements and Outlines

Well ... if you're following this blog, you may have thought I'd disappeared. No, it just turned into an incredibly hectic season.

I'm hoping to get back to an every week or two week schedule, so please come back periodically!

One thing I hear often from my students is how difficult it is to get started. The next two blogs will cover the writing process, but as a starting point, today, I'm going to offer some advice regarding how to write a solid thesis statement and outline. These are the foundations of a solid academic essay.

Writing a solid, easy-to-support thesis statement may seem difficult, but it's really not as difficult as it seems. In addition, outlines help you organize your thoughts and make certain you have support for your thesis.

So, the first question is obvious: What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• States the theme or gives the point of your paper in one sentence.
• Is essentially your paper in a sentence.
• States what you plan to say, describe, or prove in your paper.
• Tells your reader what you want him or her to know about your paper.

For academic essays, most of the time, you'll be given a prompt or a topic about which you're to write. So, if your prompt is to write an essay that compares and contrasts two things, you need to ask yourself, What areas will I compare and what areas will I contrast?

To keep it simple, let's compare and contrast domesticated dogs and cats.

How are they the same?

• They can both be great pets.
• They both offer companionship.
• They both need to be fed and cared for.

How are they different?

• Dogs tend to be more dependent while cats tend to be more independent.
• Dogs learn tricks while cats don't seem to care to be trained.
• Dogs can be more empathetic while cats don't seem to care about their humans.

Once you've determined your areas of comparison and contrast, you can write your thesis statement:

While both dogs and cats can be great pets, dogs are usually more dependent, trainable, and empathetic whereas cats tend to be more independent, stubborn, and apathetic.

You can revise with your thesis as you go through the writing process (again, come back in the next few weeks for more on that topic).

Once you've determine a working thesis statement, the next step is writing an outline. You can start by using some of the bullets you used in determining your thesis. Keeping in mind that most academic essays require a minimum of three major points, a template for outlines could be something like this:

I. Introductory paragraph including thesis statement

II.  Major point #1

1. Supporting point
2. Supporting point
3. Supporting point

III. Major point #2

1. Supporting point
2. Supporting point
3. Supporting point

IV. Major point #3

1. Supporting point
2. Supporting point
3. Supporting point

V. Concluding paragraph

So, going back to our dog versus cat example, your outline might look something like this:

I. Introductory paragraph

II.  Similarities between dogs and cats

1. They're both popular pets.
2. They both offer companionship.
3. They both require care and responsibility.

III. Distinctions of dogs

1. Dogs are eager to please and dependent.
2. Dogs are easy to train.
3. Dogs are empathetic to their owners' emotions.

IV. Distinctions of cats

1. Cats are independent.
2. Cats are more stubborn and difficult to train.
3. Cats are apathetic and indifferent to their owners' emotions.

V. Concluding paragraph

If you can master writing thesis statements and outlines, you'll find your essays will be easier to write as well. As I always say, practice these concepts. Only by practicing and perfecting your writing can you be as effective as you want to be.

Keep pen to paper!

Professor Rinehart