How to Write An Essay (II)

Profª. Drª. Bárbara de Fátima.

 Write a First Draft

1.      Every essay or paper is made up of three parts:
1. 1 Introduction
1. 2 Body
1. 3 Conclusion 

2.      The introduction is the first paragraph of the paper. It often begins with a general statement about the topic and ends with a more specific statement of the main idea of your paper. The purpose of the introduction is to 
2.1  let the reader know what the topic is;
2.2  inform the reader about your point of view;
2.3  arouse the reader's curiosity so that he or she will want to read about your topic. 

3.     The body of the paper follows the introduction. It consists of a number of paragraphs in which you develop your ideas in detail. 
3.1  Limit each paragraph to one main idea. (Don't try to talk about more than one idea per paragraph.)
3.2  Prove your points continually by using specific examples and quotations.
3.3  Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow of ideas from paragraph to paragraph.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transition words and phrases help establish clear connections between ideas and ensure that sentences and paragraphs flow together smoothly, making them easier to read. Use the following words and phrases in the following circumstances.
To indicate more information: Besides Furthermore In addition Indeed In fact Moreover Second...Third..., etc.	To indicate an example: For example For instance In particular Particularly Specifically To demonstrate To illustrate
To indicate a cause or reason: As Because Because of Due to For For the reason that Since	To indicate a result or an effect: Accordingly Finally Consequently Hence So Therefore Thus
To indicate a purpose or reason why: For fear that In the hope that In order to So So that With this in mind	To compare or contrast: Although However In comparison In contrast Likewise Nevertheless On the other hand Similarly Whereas Yet

To indicate a particular time frame or a shift from one time period to another:
After Before Currently During Eventually Finally First, . . . Second, . . ., etc. Formerly Immediately	Initially Lastly Later Meanwhile Next Previously Simultaneously Soon Subsequently
To summarize: Briefly In brief Overall Summing up To put it briefly To sum up To summarize	To conclude: Given these facts Hence In conclusion So Therefore Thus To conclude

4. The conclusion is the last paragraph of the paper. Its purpose is to
4.1  summarize your main points, leaving out specific examples;
4.2  restate the main idea of the paper.