how to write an essay Flashcards
(20 cards)
what is an essay?
a piece of writing that explores a specific topic or idea, typically presenting the author’s perspective and arguments, supported by evidence and examples?
what does an essay need?
an introduction with a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs that develop and support the thesis with evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the thesis.
what is a thesis statement?
a concise, focused statement that clearly articulates the main argument or point of an essay or paper, usually appearing near the end of the introduction.
what is a body paragraph?
develops and supports the main thesis with evidence, analysis, and supporting points.
what is a conclusion paragraph?
the final paragraph of an academic paper or essay, summarizing the main points, restating the thesis statement, and leaving the reader with a sense of closure.
how many paragraphs does an essay usually have?
an essay usually consist on having five paragraphs.
name the order of an essay
introduction paragraph
body paragraph 1
body paragraph 2
body paragraph 3
conclusion paragraph
what is another name for a thesis statement?
main idea, argument, focus, contention, proposition, or premise.
what do you have to have to support you main topic?
compelling evidence, clear explanations, and logical organization.
how many key points can you have for a thesis statement?
you can have thee to five key points.
how will the audience know what each paragraph is about?
through clear topic sentences, logical organization, and consistent use of transition words and phrases that connect ideas and guide the reader through the text.
how many sentences should a paragraph have?
a good paragraph typically consists of 3 to 8 sentences.
what are supporting details?
specific facts, examples, explanations, or reasons that clarify, illustrate, and strengthen the main idea of a paragraph or piece of writing.
what format should you use while writing an essay?
MLA format
what does the MLA format consist of?
1-inch margins, double spacing, a readable font (like Times New Roman, 12pt), a running header with your last name and page number, in-text citations (author-page), and a “Works Cited” page listing all sources.
what is a Work Cited page?
a list at the end of a research paper that details all the sources the author used, including books, articles, websites, and other materials, providing full citation information for each.
what is plagiarism?
Claiming someone else’s work yours when it’s really not.
why is it important to have a work cited page?
crucial for academic integrity, avoiding plagiarism, and giving credit to the original authors whose ideas, words, or research you’ve used in your work. It also allows readers to easily find and verify the sources you’ve consulted.
what does the conclusion paragraph do?
it summarizes the introduction paragraph and the body paragraphs to close the essay.
what is a paragraph?
a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line.
