Essay Terminology

'ertion^ThT* °
and supports your V Ur thoughts (commentary) about a subject
^

inrtoduces 'the SS
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Paragraph): The fct Paragraph in an essay .
It
specific topic) at the end of this pa (the

Thesis: A sentence with subject and opinion (

also called commentary). This
comes somewhere in your introductory paragraph,
most often at the end. It tells
i. ne reader what your
essay will be about.

Body Paragraph: Middle paragraph(s) in the essay. Each body paragraph

will
develop a point that supports your thesis.

ifopk Sentence (TS): The first sentence in a body paragraph. This must have a
subject and opinion (commentary) for the paragraph. It does the same thing for
the body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay— tells the reader
what this paragraph is about.

Concrete Details (CD): Specific details that form the backbone or core of your
body paragraphs; they support the point you are trying to make in the paragraph.
Synonyms for concrete detail include: facts, specifics, examples, descriptions,
illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot
references.

Commentary (CM): Your opinion or comment about something; not concrete

, ,
.
detail Synonyms include: opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation inference
reflection .
personal response, feelings, evaluation, explication, explanation and
,

Concluding Sentence (CS): The last sentence in a body paragraph

. It is all
main point, and gives a
commentary, does not repeat key words reiterates
,
finished feeling to the paragraph.
): The last paragraph in your essay. It may
Conclusion
sum up your
fconcluding
ideas reflect
paragraph
on what you said in your essay, say more commentary
.
sonal statement about the subject Your
-
detail. It does not
'
conclusion is
^
commentary and does not include concrete
repeat key words from your paper
introductory paragraph. It gives and especially not from your thesis and
the reader to con
life.
» »- « sc a way for
own

'
you oreank
’o v ' PrOCeSS °f paragraph
gett ng Y
' ° concrete details down on paper before
Ur

SDiderT
bubble clusters ^ ,
!' You can use
anY or all of the following:
elps .to
helos In !
o ensure
M
P dlagra ’ outl nes line Mustering, or columns Pre
'
you have enough concrete
.
details to support your thesis.
-writing8

Shaping the Essay: The step that is done after pre writing and
- before the first
draft ot an essay; it is an outline of your thesis, topic sentences,
concrete details,
and commentary ideas.

First Draft; Also called the rough draft, this is the first version of your essay .
.
Peer Response: Written responses to a partner’s paper Also called peer editing.

Revisions; The step after editing your own paper and getting feedback from
others. This is where you fix errors and improve your wording.

Final Draft: The final “perfect ” version of your essay.

Chunk: It is the smallest unified group of thoughts you can write, in English class
it is one sentence of concrete detail (CD) and two sentences of commentary (CM)

Weaving: Blending concrete details and commentary in a body paragraph. You

can do this after you master the format.
commentary. Usually 1 part of concrete
Ratio * The ratio of concrete detail to
this could vary depending on the type o
detail to 2 parts of commentary, though
will tell you if s/he wants you to use a
essay you are writing. Your teacher
different ratio.
to earn a L."
nr
The minimum length per paragraph
Word Counts::
to transition from
link quote): Transition is a word or two
TLQ ( transition
another (also In .
addition
.
, hence, etc.). Link is who said
word for word, exact
the quote

°nd She of
and what the context.on
the quote
ismthe
is Quote is the
SOurce • where you obtained
your quote
quotation h a dtat
from).
Chunk Format

Sentence l - ' !
P C Sent nce
tts ) With sub rt and
deta < > PP rting * ° <
" ° P l n
mmentarV 'cm‘> P^ining
Crete
- “"
d
en enc ' ° the topic sentence
Sentence l - °
3 C ® the concrete
detail
sentence 4 commentary (cm)
further explaining the
first cm

8- Sentence Body Paragraph Format

Sentence 1 = topic sentence (ts) with subject and opinion

Sentence 2 = concrete detail (cd) supporting the topic sentence
Sentence 3 = commentary (cm) explaining the concrete detail
Sentence 4 = commentary (cm) further explaining the first cm
Sentence 5 - another concrete detail (cd) supporting the topic sentence
Sentence 6 -- commentary (cm) explaining this concrete detail
Sentence 7 - commentary (cm) further explaining sentences 5 and 6
•

Sentence 8 concluding sentence (cs) to reiterate main point

•

11 “Sentence Body Paragraph Format

Sentence 1 = topic sentence (ts) with subject and opinion
Sentence 2 = concrete detail (cd) supporting the topic sentence
Sentence 3 = commentary (cm) explaining the concrete detail
first cd/cm
Sentence 4 = commentary (cm) further explaining the
the topic sentence
Sentence 5 = another concrete detail (cd) supporting
this concrete detail
Sentence 6 = commentary (cm) explaining
explaining sentences 5 and 6
Sentence 7 = commentary (cm) further
(cd) supporting the topic sentence
Sentence 8 = another concrete detail
) explaining this concrete detail
Sentence 9 = commentary (cm
(cm) further explaining sentences 8 and 9
Sentence 10 = commentary
(cs) to reiterate mam point
Sentence 11 = concluding sentence

your
format . Many of you may be ready and able to weave
Note: this is the basic , go for it!
cd/cm. If you fee! ready to try this
 IDEAS AND ORGANIZATION
#1 - ID EA S
In order to express your ideas clearly, you should #2 ORGANIZATION: STRATEGIES
understanding of the four general Modes of Discourse:
have an
-
Good writing has structure. After gathering your ideas,
put them together with a purposeful plan.
exposition, persuasion, description and narration.
Recognizing your purpose for writing will help you DEVELOPING PARAGRAPHS
select the appropriate details to include iin your paper. AND SELECTING DETAILS
MODES OF DISCOURSE Exposition
1. Arrange ideas in order of importance with the most
Exposition!The expository essay provides information, important point last.
explains something, and helps the reader understand a 2. Use facts and examples as supporting details.
concept, topic, or process.This type of essay can be divided Persuasion
5 nto the following categories:
1. Arrange ideas in order of importance with the most
C omparison and contrast: Addresses the similarities important point last.
Mid differences between two or more things 2. Use facts and examples as supporting details.
Definition: Expands a dictionary definition to include 3. Word choice should include appropriate rhetorical devices.
your inch idual understanding of a thing or an idea
Description
Classification: Separates a large topic into smaller categories 1. Arrange details in spatial order, using transitions
i it & rary analysis: Discusses one or more of the elements identifying place.
—
of fiction characters, setting, plot, point of view, theme
Research paper:
2. Use sensory details to show, not tell.
3. Word choice might include figurative language and
vivid adjectives.
Synthesis paper: Brings together information from a
Narration
variety of sources in a new way 1. Arrange events in sequential order using
Problem -solution paper: Addresses a problem and chronological transitions.
evaluates possible solutions 2. Use sensory details.
1-Search paper: Examines the writers person
al 3. Word choice might include vivid verbs.
connection to a limited topic IONS
a survey of the | STRATEGIES FOR INTRODUCT
Original research paper: Begins with
current literature related to the topic
and then details jntroductions should catch
or a hypothesis or theory include the thesis statement .
reader’s attention ^
your own research in support .
or argum entativ e essay Begin with a question related to the topic
Persuasion!Theonpersua sive with a definition. Warning! Do not quote from the dictiona
ry!
with the object ive of Begin
presents a position a topic. Begin with a fact or statistic.
a reader s opinio n or from a related topic ,
influencing
essay uses vivid sensor y Begin with a quotation from the text to the topic.
Description!The descri, place ptive
or emotio n so that I Be ^ n with an anecdote, a brief stoiy that is related
, object • with a startling statement: “Man is doom
ed!”
details to describe a personreaders mind. '"Begin
in the nt.
it may be visualized or descri bes Begin by telling why the subject is importa
The narrative essay tells
a story
Begin with a generally accep
ted belief.
Narration:events .
a sequence of NS
be able to develo p a clear thesis statement STRATEGIES FOR CONCLUSIO the reader
You should also thesis with specific details appropriate Conclusions should provide closure and
leave
and to suppo rt your . should NOT introd uce new or
which you are compo sing satisf ied . Conc lusion s
to the mode in distracting information. essay.
ENT ideas and points made in the
TEM
THESIS STA purpose for writing the essay Summ arize the
written.
Reflect on what you have
• Establishes the
”) a new insigh t that follow from your essay.
(the “controlling
idea Add .
of your essay a solutio n or make a prediction
• Appears in the
introduction Offer , new words.
positi on orpoiint of Reshap e or restate your thesis using
topic and expresses
a
• Identifies a topic
view about that

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