The Thesis-Controlled Essay

Four Parts

Purpose

Ways to Develop

Title

1. Forecast the subject of the essay

1. Consider your topic

2. Bridge connections between your topic and general subject

Introduction

(the beginning)

1. To get the reader’s attention

2. To lay the foundation for or give background information about the subject

3. To state a specific (sometimes implicit) thesis

1. Begin creative:

a. Quotation from literature, songs, or advertisements

b. Proverb or adage

c. Startling statement

d. Question(s)

e. Dialogue

f. Scenario

2. Lead logically and smoothly from the creative beginning to the general subject matter of your paper

3. Leave no jarring gaps in thought as you move from the general subject matter to the thesis

4. Write the thesis as the last sentence in the introduction

Body

(the middle)

1. To develop, support, and defend the thesis statement

2. To use sufficient information to develop the thesis statement

3. To present supportive evidence in a logical, organized framework

1. Use the method(s) of development dictated by the assignment:

a. Cause and effect

b. Definition

c. Descriptive

d. Analysis (textual, visual, cultural)

e. Comparison-contrasting

2. Vary sentence structures

3. Use transitions to link as well as to designate different ideas

Conclusion

(the End)

1. Synthesize your main ideas

1. Restate the idea of the thesis statement

2. Highlight your main points

3. Make a prediction

4. Call for action (or not)

5. Ask a question (or a series of questions)

*You do not need to analyze; you did that in the body*