OBJECTIVES
            • What is an essay? 
            • How do we plan for an essay? 
            • How to organize an essay?
            • What is the structure of an essay?
            • How to write a good essay? 
            • Practice.
   What is an essay?
   • It is an organized piece of writing about a given 
    topic (usually five paragraphs). 
   • This topic has some ideas to discuss.
   • These ideas are introduced in an introductory 
    paragraph. 
   • These ideas are then developed and supported in a 
    number of paragraphs (body paragraphs). 
   • At the end, a conclusion is given in a short 
    paragraph. 
   How to plan your essay? 
   • Gather some thoughts and information: 
   1. Think about what you already know about 
    the topic (some basics are fine).
   2. Write these information down (key words 
    and phrases) in an outline format. 
   3. Ask yourself: What other information do I 
    need to add? 
              The essay structure
   Introduction:
    • 10% of the essay
    • One paragraph
    • Two to three sentences (a topic statement, a background 
     statement, a thesis statement—plan: ideas)
   Body:
    • 80% of the essay
    • Two paragraphs of more
    • Each paragraph discusses one main idea
    • Each main idea is followed by supporting sentences
    • Each paragraph ends with a concluding sentence
   Conclusion:
    • 10% of the essay
    • Usually two sentences: one to summarize your main idea and 
     one to give your opinion.
              The essay structure
   introduction
                                 Supporting details
                   First idea      Examples
                                 Concluding sentence
   body                           Supporting details
                  Second idea      Examples
                                 Concluding sentence
                                  Supporting details
                   Third idea      Examples
                                 Concluding sentence
   conclusion