Friday, January 15, 2010

The Basics: College Essay

The Basics

Outlines

Intro paragraph—often written last
Hook
State background of the case
Lead naturally in to:
Thesis statement towards end (Arguable, Narrow, One-Three Sentences, changeable)

Body Paragraphs—

Basic order, a few twists.

When you're getting started: pick your best point and write that paragraph first then your next best until you get to your least persuasive point.

Topic sentence at the top.

Anticipating your opposition

Sandwich quotes

Signal phrases.
Evidence.
Connect/Cite the evidence.
One paragraph, at least should be devoted to making the case against your ideas and then “unmaking” them. Try, Some might argue that… but I argue that…

Conclusion
Keep it short.
Reinforce main point

1 comment:

Consuelo Hinojosa said...

This is very helpfull,but thing I culdn't decide on was where to place my counter argument in my essay.