Structure of an Essay

I) Introduction

     Get the reader's attention
     - Start in broad or general terms about the topic
     - Give a short anecdote (story) related to the topic
     - Give a startling fact or statistic about the topic
     - Start with a quote
     - Begin with an idea opposite your thesis
     - Ask a series of short questions

     Introduce topic
     - Transition between the "attention getter" and the thesis by narrowing the focus of your topic

     State thesis
     - Last sentence of the introduction should be the thesis statement. Thesis should clearly state what the point of the essay is (basic thesis) and generally should include the points (X, Y, Z) that will be discussed in the body paragraphs (expanded thesis).
     – DON’T make an announcement (“This essay will discuss the bad habits some professors have.”)
     – DON’T make a factual statement

II) Body Paragraph 1

     Focus on point X introduced by the expanded thesis
     Follow general outline of body paragraph

III) Body Paragraph 2

     Focus on point Y introduced by the expanded thesis
     Follow general outline of body paragraph

IV) Body Paragraph 3

     Focus on point Z introduced by the expanded thesis
     Follow general outline of body paragraph

V) Conclusion

     Restate thesis
     - First sentence should be the thesis statement expressed in a slightly different way to avoid repetition.

     Wrap up the paper

     - Move from the specific of the thesis to more general terms regarding the topic
     - Return to the ideas brought up in the introduction and comment on them in light of what was discussed in the essay
     - Look to the future
     - Give advice

     DON’T introduce new topic (something that could be new body paragraph)