ESSAY

Guidelines

Prof. Simona Staicu (Postelnicescu)

January 2017
“It is easy in the world to live
after the world's opinion; it is
easy in solitude to live after
our own; but the great man is
he who in the midst of the
crowd keeps with perfect
sweetness the independence
of solitude.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Never say more than it is

BUT, IN AN ESSAY,
AND NOT ONLY necessary.”
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
ETHIMOLOGY of “ESSAY”
The word comes into the English language through the French
influence on Middle English;

the French form of the word comes from the Latin verb exigere,
which means "to examine, test, or (literally) to drive out."
Most common types of essay writing
Expository essays
Descriptive essays
Narrative essays
Argumentative (Persuasive) essays => both have the same goal,
there is a distinct difference between these two. Argumentative Essays use logic,
facts, and reasoning to determine the winner, while. Persuasive Essays tend to
apply moral reasoning and emotional influence rather than facts.

The argumentative essay

The argumentative essay is a type of writing that requires the student to
investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a
position on the topic in a concise manner.
PURPOSE OF AN ESSAY
The Purpose of an ESSAY

is TO DEMONSTRATE or DEVELOP the

ability to construct a COHERENT
ARGUMENT/CLAIM

 and TO EMPLOY CRITICAL THINKING

SKILLS

You need to support your argument with

evidence
EXAMPLE of the link between
ARGUMENT/CLAIM and
EVIDENCE
POSSIBLE RESOLUTION
Let’s apply what you’ve learnt!
Let’s apply what you’ve learnt!
ESSAY PLANNING STAGE
 Consider the topic & issues:
ESSAY TITLE Assumptions? INTRODUCTION
Define terms?
Command words?
General approach?

Decide which to :
a) ignore THE BODY
Points to consider, PARAGRAPH 1
b) merge
develop, ignore, or PARAGRAPH 2
c) relate together
briefly mention d) develop into paragraphs PARAGRAPH 3
1. e) illustrate with examples
2.
3.
Sum up your main ideas
.
Evaluate, weigh up
.
Point out any wider CONCLUSION
.
implications
10.
Avoid a sudden, abrupt
ending
1 and ½ page ESSAY
STRUCTURE
(up to 1000 words)
Sample Essay Outline

1.Title

2.Introduction
a. Hook Statement;
b. Background Information and Context;
c. Thesis Statement;

3.Body Paragraph 1,2,3

a. Topic Sentence ( Smooth transition from previous paragraph )
b. Claim ( Piece of argument that will be defended )
c. Evidence ( Information added from outside sources to support
claim )
d. Explanation ( Describes how the evidence defends the claim )
e. Concluding Sentence ( Brief Summary of Argument in Paragraph)

4.Conclusion
a. Rephrasing Thesis Statement
b. Restatement of Main Arguments (1,2,3)
c. Overall Concluding Statement (Explain Significance)
Essay Outline Paragraphs GUIDELINES
Thesis is a general statement/
Orientate the reader view on the topic.
Identify the focus/purpose A secondary sentence with three
INTRODUCTION points/arguments to be tackled
Outline scope
State thesis in the Body from where the
reader gets a sense of “where you
are going”
Topic sentence 1
Supportive details Three Main Points:
Concluding sentence 1 Take three paragraphs to discuss
each point in detail, in the same
Topic sentence 2 order as they appear in the
BODY Supportive details introduction. Each of the 1st two
Concluding sentence 2 paragraphs presents an idea in
favour/pros while the 3rd one
Topic sentence 3 and so on presents the cons.
Supportive details
Concluding sentence 3
Sum up the main points you've
discussed and give a sense of
closure. Refer back to your
Restate thesis introductory paragraph in some
CONCLUSION Summarise argument way. This gives the reader the
sense that the paper has come
full circle. To leave readers
satisfied, the paper should make
a final point without introducing
new material.
TIPS for a sound structure of an argumentative essay:

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that

occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the

introduction, body, and conclusion.

Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Evidential support (whether factual, logical,

statistical, or anecdotal).

A conclusion that does not simply restate the

thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence
provided.
If it is possible to cut a word out, aways cut it out.
George Orwell
SIMPLE ESSAY EXAMPLES
COMPLEX ESSAY EXAMPLE

Source: https://essaypro.com/blog/argumentative-essay/
Argumentative Essay Topic:
Do people who commit gruesome crimes deserve the death penalty?
INTRODUCTION> Hook: The main purpose of the hook as per usual is to introduce the
reader in an interesting and enlightening fashion about the topic. This can be something
along the lines of a rhetorical question, an interesting statement, or some kind of
shocking fact! Example: Can we say that ONE individual's life is more valuable than
another's?
Brief Intro and Thesis: it's time to start pulling him deeper into the argument. Start
introducing facts from past history or just generally valuable points. These are meant to
inform the reader in more detail about the argument at hand. Make sure that these few
sentences are somehow relevant to the topic!
The thesis statement comes at the end of your introductory paragraph and is
the heart of your essay. Everything that is written in your essay is used to support this
statement.
The death penalty allows a ruling body to economically decide that a certain
individual’s life which caused more harm than good is a life worth ending to stop
the economic bleeding of a nation.
BODY PARAGRAPH(S). Depending on your argument, the number of body paragraphs
that you have will vary.
Topic Sentence: The purpose of this sentence is to introduce the reader as to what
your specific argumentative point will be about. It shouldn't really explain anything,
rather be a coherent sentence that makes your point clear and understandable.
Example: The death penalty is an economically efficient way to get rid of humans
who don't benefit society.
Argumentative essays disregard emotions and generally deal with cold hard facts.
Analysis of The Main Argument: This is the "WHY" of your topic sentence. After
briefly explaining your main point, the next step is to portray its authenticity for the
readers to see what exactly you are getting at. This will be either one or two sentences
depending on how much information you use to support it.
Example: The annual incarceration per inmate in the US is $31,286. Considering
the fact that this individual also caused other financial damage without
contributing towards the well-being of a nation, he is a large detriment to any
society and thus should be given the death penalty! Yes, these statements may
sound morally disgusting and offensive, but once again, that is what the
argumentative essay is all about! Cold, hard facts!

Revealing Supportive Evidence: The purpose of this sentence is to purely support

your main argument with real PROOF of your statement. This mainly strengthens its
authenticity!
Example: According to the state of New York, the average price of an
incarcerated prisoner is 60,000 per year! What is the purpose of this when this
individual is living a pointless life, rotting away without benefiting society! This
statement is giving a definitive and logical reason as to why the analyzed statement
holds weight!
Outperforming the counterargument: Every argument has a counter argument,
and without recognizing its existence, you are weakening the sophistication of
your argument! The purpose of this sentence is to recognize the counter argument,
and at the same time, show why your side holds more weight!
Example: It is true that people deserve second chances. However, economically
speaking, the probability of this supposed second chance being an overall success
is less than ideal. Taking a risk in this case only prolongs the economic bleeding
of the nation!
Concluding Sentence: After proving your side and defeating the opposing side, it is
time to make a finishing statement. There is no particularly new novelty in this
sentence, but instead a mere reconfirmation of proven points. You are wrapping the
entirety of your paragraph in one assertive sentence!
Example: To conclude, it would be an overall economically ridiculous decision to
keep the life of a fellow human who has cost more than produced!
Short and to the point!

CONCLUSION
Restatement of Thesis: Fairly self-explanatory, this step requires you to rephrase
your main argument in an assertive and confident manner. You shouldn't introduce
any new information.
Example: Thanks to the death penalty, the ruling government can now limit their
economic losses from individuals who have highly cost their nation in wealth and
health!
Restatement of Key Points: Take the key arguments you included in your bodies and
rephrase them for increased assertiveness.
Overall Concluding Statement: Make a statement that signifies the importance of
your thesis, as well as the repercussions that, in theory, could come up from not
considering this well-thought-out point! This adds some real life validation to your
argument as well as gives the essay an overall strong appeal!
Example: Being economically efficient in a nation with a struggling financial
situation is crucial in keeping it above water. By getting rid of the death penalty,
we are severely impacting the nation's capital health and only prolonging the
virus of inhumane actions not being put to justice!
 TIPS

1 Day Break Rule

Proofread and Edit
Peer help/check
Overall Tips
•A paragraph should consist of:
Topic sentence
Supportive sentence(s)
Concluding sentence
•When you are reading, notice how paragraphs are divided. If you learn what a
paragraph is by experience, you can divide writing into appropriate parts by feel.
•There are no hard-and-fast rules for how long a paragraph should be. Instead,
make sure there are natural breaks. Each paragraph should contain one main
idea and whatever writing supports it.
•Always indent before starting a new paragraph. 0.5” indentations are standard
for English writing.
•Spelling and grammatical errors can detract from even the most well-planned
writing. Use a spell-checker or ask someone to read your work if you are unsure
about anything.
•The secret lies in:
Unity: Have a single idea and the topic needs to be expressed.
Order: The way you organize your sentences helps the reader to understand
better.
Coherence: Quality that makes your writing understandable. Sentences
need to be connected with each other.
Completeness: All sentences used in a paragraph should convey a complete
message.
•Adjust your writing to its purpose. Just as you wear different clothes for different
occasions and different climates, you should write in a style that suits your
aim.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
Here are some groups of words that commonly occur in Essays,
If you are writing an Essay, you might also find this language useful:
Nominalised verbs: decision|correation|action|trasition|implication|identification|relation|
General nouns: approach|aspect|change|effect|fact|factor|form|method|problem|process|
reason|result|system
General nouns followed by a clause (to, when, that, why, which) e.g. reason why, fact that, etc

Reporting verbs: Acknowledge|add|advise|affirm|agree|analyse|argue|assert|calculate|claim|

comment|concede|conclude|confirm|consider|contend|demonstrate|deny|denote|describe|
elaborate|emphasise|establish|estimate|explain|hypothesise|imply|indicate|infer|insinuate|
insist|maintain|mention|note|observe|postulate|predict|profess|propose|realise|reason|
recommend|remark|report|reveal|say|show|specify|state|stress|suggest|warn|pointout

Arguing, evaluating and reaching conclusions: argue|conclude|infer|deem|assume

Making Claims in Essays

it can/could/should be argued/suggested/claimed …that
it should be noted/ remembered/ pointed out that

Reaching Conclusions in Essays

it can/could be assumed/inferred/concluded ...

Linking Expressions
as a result of
at the same time
due to the fact that
on the basis of
on the other hand
to the extent that
 References:

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/node/9135
https://essaypro.com/blog/academic-essay/
https://essaypro.com/blog/argumentative-essay/
http://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/paragraph-writing-secrets/
http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/essay-structure
http://moodle.oakland.k12.mi.us/os/mod/page/view.php?id=87315
https://www.ozessay.com.au/law-essay
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Paragraph
GOOD LUCK
WITH YOUR ESSAY!