Writing the Basic Essay

In this step-by-step approach, Vincent H. O'Neil explains how to craft a complete essay, starting from zero.

Beginning with brainstorming, he then takes you through the development of the thesis, the creation of the Thesis Paragraph, the expansion of the Thesis Paragraph to generate supporting paragraphs, and the creation of a concluding paragraph.

Each step is accompanied by examples, finishing with a completed essay.

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Transcript

1. Writing the Basic Essay A Step-by-Step Approach By Vincent H. O’Neil
2. The Steps • Research and Brainstorm • Choose a point or position (thesis) • Organize the supporting arguments • Write the Thesis Paragraph • Write the Supporting Paragraphs • Write the Conclusion
3. Research and Brainstorm • Gather data on the topic • Brainstorm: Organize the data into similar groupings, or make observations based on the data • Example: In this exercise, the topic is the legend of King Arthur. See the arrangements of data on the next slide
4. Brainstorming 1- List the Research Results Randomly King Arthur led an army King Arthur lived in England King Arthur is believed to be a myth A huge body of English medieval folklore involves King Arthur Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control
5. Brainstorming 2- Organize the Research Results Group 1: Arthur as Soldier King Arthur lived in England Group 2: Arthur as Myth King Arthur is believed to be a myth King Arthur led an army Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control A huge body of English medieval folklore involves King Arthur King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers
6. Select a Thesis Based on the Available Data Thesis: While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being Group 1: Arthur as Soldier King Arthur lived in England Group 2: Arthur as Myth King Arthur led an army King Arthur is believed to be a myth Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend A huge body of English medieval folklore involves King Arthur After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers
7. Select a Thesis Based on the Available Data (2) Thesis: While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being Group 1: Arthur as Soldier King Arthur lived in England Group 2: Arthur as Myth King Arthur led an army King Arthur is believed to be a myth Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend A huge body of English medieval folklore involves King Arthur After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers
8. Organize the Data Thesis: While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being Group 1: Arthur as Someone Who Actually Existed King Arthur’s legend takes place in England Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control Group 2: Arthur as Myth King Arthur is believed to be a myth A huge body of English medieval folklore involves King Arthur King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers
9. Organize the Data (2) Thesis: While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being Much of the myth is supported by historical events and even physical evidence such as castle ruins in England King Arthur’s legend takes place in England Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control Arthur’s story comes down to us as a legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes King Arthur is believed to be a myth A huge body of English medieval folklore involves King Arthur King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers
10. Organization of the Thesis Paragraph • First Sentence: Introduction • Second Sentence: Thesis Statement • Third Sentence: First supporting sentence • Fourth Sentence: Second Supporting Sentence • Fifth Sentence: Conclusion “Tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em, tell ‘em, and then tell ‘em what you told ‘em.”
11. Organization of the Essay Thesis Paragraph First Sentence: Introduction Second Sentence: Thesis Statement Third Sentence: First Supporting Sentence Fourth Sentence: Second Supporting Sentence Fifth Sentence: Conclusion Tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em First Supporting Paragraph First Supporting Sentence and supporting argument Second Supporting Paragraph Second Supporting Sentence and supporting argument Concluding Paragraph Restatement of the Thesis Paragraph Tell ‘em Tell ‘em what you told ‘em
12. Write the Thesis Paragraph 1. Just about everyone knows the tale of King Arthur and his knights 2. While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being 3. Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes 4. Much of the myth is supported by historical events and even physical evidence such as castle ruins in England 5. It is possible that Arthur, or someone very much like him, actually existed • 1st Sentence: Intro • 2nd Sentence: Thesis • 3rd and 4th Sentences: Main supporting ideas • 5th Sentence: Conclusion
13. The Thesis Paragraph Just about everyone knows the tale of King Arthur and his knights. While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being. Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. However, much of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. It is possible that Arthur, or someone very much like him, actually existed.
14. Write the Supporting Paragraphs The two supporting sentences in the thesis paragraph are the introductory sentences in each of the supporting paragraphs of the essay First Supporting Sentence: Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. Second Supporting Sentence: However, much of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England.
15. First Supporting Paragraph First Supporting Sentence: Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. A huge body of English medieval King Arthur is believed to be a myth folklore involves King Arthur King Arthur was guarded by an elite group of soldiers Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. A huge body of medieval literature is dedicated to Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Lancelot’s affair with Guinevere, the doomed quest for the Holy Grail, and the final battle between Arthur and Mordred all follow heroic and romantic themes common to folklore. These observations all suggest that Arthur is a myth.
16. Second Supporting Paragraph Second Supporting Sentence: However, much of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. King Arthur’s legend takes place in England After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control Some castle ruins in England resemble the castles in Arthurian legend However, much of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control. Archeological digs at various English locations have shown that battles took place in the locations ascribed to Arthurian legend. Even some of the castle ruins found in England conform to descriptions of fortifications in the tales of King Arthur. While the legend of King Arthur may be largely myth, it is possible that a flesh-and-blood warrior inspired that legend.
17. The Conclusion Restate the Thesis Paragraph: The legend of King Arthur and his knights is one of our most enduring tales. While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based in fact. Arthur’s story was told through the ages, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. However, some of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. It is possible that the myth of Arthur was based on someone who actually existed.
18. The Essay Just about everyone knows the tale of King Arthur and his knights. While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based on the life of an actual human being. Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. However, much of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. It is possible that Arthur, or someone very much like him, actually existed. Arthur’s story comes down to us as legend, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. A huge body of medieval literature is dedicated to Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Lancelot’s affair with Guinevere, the doomed quest for the Holy Grail, and the final battle between Arthur and Mordred all follow heroic and romantic themes common to folklore. These observations all suggest that Arthur is a myth. However, much of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. After the Romans left England, various factions fought for control. Archeological digs at various English locations have shown that battles took place in the locations ascribed to Arthurian legend. Even some of the castle ruins found in England conform to descriptions of fortifications in the tales of King Arthur. While the legend of King Arthur may be largely myth, it is possible that a flesh-and-blood warrior inspired that legend. The legend of King Arthur and his knights is one of our most enduring tales. While Arthur’s legend is probably a myth, it could be based in fact. Arthur’s story was told through the ages, and much of the tale follows heroic or romantic stereotypes. However, some of the myth is supported by historical events and physical evidence such as castle ruins in England. It is possible that the myth of Arthur was based on someone who actually existed.
19. About the author Vincent H. O’Neil is the Malice Award-winning author of the Exile mystery series from St. Martin’s Press and the military science fiction Sim War series (written as Henry V. O’Neil) from HarperCollins. A graduate of West Point, he served for nine years as an officer in the US Army Infantry, both stateside and overseas. His awards include the US Army Ranger tab, US Army Senior Parachutist wings, the US Army Jungle tab, and forign jump wings from Argentina and Uruguay. He is a graduate of the Mandarin Chinese language course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California and the master’s program at the Fletcher School. Read sample chapters at his website, www.vincenthoneil.com