The Elements of an Excellent Essay

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The Elements of an Excellent Essay

• Unlock Your Style As a Writer

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Elements of an Excellent Essay

• Title
• Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Body Paragraph 3
• Conclusion

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Thesis Statement

• States the main idea of the essay
• More general than the supporting material
• May mention the main point of each of the body
  paragraphs

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Body Paragraph 1
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Body Paragraph

• Begin with a topic sentence that states the main
  idea of the paragraph and relates it to the
  thesis statement
• Fill with organized examples, quotations,
  comparisons, analogies and/or narration.
• May end with a transition.

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Body Paragraph 2
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Body Paragraph

• Begin with a topic sentence that states the main
  idea of the paragraph and relates it to the
  thesis statement
• Fill with organized examples, quotations,
  comparisons, analogies and/or narration.
• May end with a transition.

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Body Paragraph 3
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Body Paragraph

• Begin with a topic sentence that states the main
  idea of the paragraph and relates it to the
  thesis statement
• Fill with organized examples, quotations,
  comparisons, analogies and/or narration.
• May end with a transition.

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Introduction

• Begin with a statement that captures the readers
  attention.
• Give background information on the topic.
• Enhance the paragraph with an interesting
  example, surprising statistic or other hook.
• Include the thesis statement.

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Conclusion

• Echo the thesis statement without simply
  repeating it.
• May pose a question for future thought or suggest
  a course of action.
• Include a detail or example from the introduction
  to tie up the essay

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Title

• Conveys the main point of the essay in 10 words
  or less.
• Find a creative way to attract the readers
  attention and interest.
• Capitalize the first word and all the important
  words that follow.