An essay consists of three components, the introduction or thesis statement, the main ideas to support the thesis statement, and three or more supporting ideas for each main idea.
Step One of Writing an Essay: The Introduction or Thesis Statement
The hardest part of writing a paper is thinking up a subject to write about. A subject should be general enough so that it can be broken into parts, yet specific enough to hold interest. Outlining serves as a pre-test to make sure you have enough to write about. If you have trouble thinking up three main ideas and supporting ideas, then the thesis statement is to narrow.
Let’s take a sample thesis statement, The Negative Effects of Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers. Throughout this article we will follow this example to practice developing an essay.
The first step is to write an introductory paragraph telling what the essay will be about.
Step Two of Writing an Essay: Three Main Ideas to Support Thesis Statement
Now, think of three main ideas to go under the thesis statement and label them one, two, and three. Using the sample thesis statement The Negative Effects of Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers, some possibilities may be:
- how teen drinking affects academic studies
- how teenage drinking leads to social and emotional problems
- how teen drinking leads to risky driving behavior and fatal car accidents
Step Three of Writing an Essay: Three or More Supporting Ideas
Now, narrow it down even further by adding three or more supporting ideas for each main idea. This is where many people run into trouble. Again, if you have problems thinking up three supporting ideas, the thesis statement is not broad enough.
Following the example, The Negative Effects of Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers, below are supporting ideas broken down into three categories.
How teen drinking affects academic studies:
- statistics about the effect of teenage drinking on brain activity
- effect of teenage drinking and grades
- link between teen drinking and dropout rate
How underage drinking causes social and emotional problems:
- how teen drinking leads to alcohol dependence
- increased incidences of promiscuity
- teen drinkers and suicide statistics
How underage drinking leads to increase in car accidents and fatalities:
- how drunk driving impairs decision-making ability in teens
- drunk driving statistics for teens
- underage drinking and car accidents resulting in death
Now, write a paragraph or more about each main idea and each supporting idea. More supporting ideas can be added for length.
Tie it all up with a summary paragraph that goes over all of the main points. For example, a summary of the sample essay may read: Alcohol abuse had a negative impact on teens by affecting academic studies, leading to social and emotional problems, and increasing the likelihood of risky driving behavior and fatal car accidents. Be sure to cite sources used in research to back up statements.
Now pick a topic and try writing an original essay. Using this outline and method helps ensure that the topic is broad enough that the writer does not run out of material before the end.
To learn more about writing an essay check these sources:
Fowler, H. Ramsey and Jane Aaron. The Little, Brown Handbook 10th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2007.
ISBN: 0321389514
The Staff of Research and Education Association. Super Review of College and University Writing. New Brunkswick, NJ: Research and Education Association, 2008.
ISBN: 0878911855
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