essay 2

1/23/2021 Reviewing the Academic Essay--Structure: Win21 ENGL 001C #11468 INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION-CRITI-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1111116/pages/reviewing-the-academic-essay-structure?module_item_id=12653155 1/2

Reviewing the Academic Essay--Structure The thesis is always the last sentence of the intro. Make sure that you lead up to this sentence and avoid any logical gap between the sentences that set up the debate and the thesis statement.

Development of Evidence and Reasoning in Paragraphs

Each body paragraph aims to argue in a unique way for the claim and against the counterclaims (objections, opposition) with concrete evidence and reasoning that bridge facts and concepts with your position. Body paragraphs develop the thesis in greater detail and complicate or deepen the debate established by the essay. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that relates directly to the thesis. In this way, the thesis drives every paragraph. The middle of a paragraph consists of developing sentences and evidence to support your thesis. As you develop your argument, use well-integrated quotations, statistics, or data to back up your position. The goal is to give strong reasons for your claim. Reasoning and rhetorical strategies demonstrate the value or strength of your position. Show how you arrive at your understanding. Demonstrate the reasoning process for your reader. Appeal to the targeted audience appropriately with logic, credibility, ethics, and/or emotion, in any combination that will be effective. Avoid merely lamenting a problem. We usually do not need to argue that a problem exists. Rather, the emphasis in an argument falls on the change or solution you want, not the problem that needs our attention. In other words, arguments are constructive. You are arguing for a shift in ethics or values. You are arguing for a new or better way of thinking, understanding, and valuing. Each paragraph should also anticipate objections, acknowledge counter arguments, and refute them. To argue well is to argue against the anticipated objection or opposing viewpoint and offer a better or stronger position. A paragraph ends with a strong, winning conclusion sentence that, like the topic sentence, reinforces the thesis. Conclusions are drawn from evidence; therefore, the last sentence in a body paragraph should draw a final point from the evidence and reasoning presented.

Essay Conclusion

The last paragraph is the MOST IMPORTANT statement of your position on this matter. Think of the last paragraph not as a repetition of your points but the opportunity to draw the most significant or important conclusion for your audience. Based on the evidence and reasoning presented in the body paragraphs, what must this audience conclude? You can also use the conclusion to win your argument, inspire or move your audience, and/or contemplate the next step. Return to your “hook” in some way to round out and provide closure.

1/23/2021 Reviewing the Academic Essay--Structure: Win21 ENGL 001C #11468 INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION-CRITI-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1111116/pages/reviewing-the-academic-essay-structure?module_item_id=12653155 2/2

Do not use the phrase “in conclusion,” as it is worn out. Clarity, Form, Citation

A polished essay should have no significant grammar or sentence structure errors. Diction (word choice, vocabulary) should be precise and appropriate to the subject.

Good prose is

succinct rather than wordy clear rather than foggy direct rather than vague

All references to sources must be acknowledged and cited using MLA format—always. Edit and revise your paper very slowly, attending to every sentence. Read the paper out loud, get others to read it, and give yourself a lot of time to polish the prose. Use concrete nouns, adjectives, and vivid examples. Use current and meaningful data.