What Instructors Expect in an Essay

INTRODUCTION

1.      Writer:             I have something interesting and new to say about XXX

2.      Reader:            Really?!  Tell me. What is it?

3.      Writer:            XXX (thesis statement)

SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS

4.      Reader:            Wow! How did you come up with that conclusion?

5.      Writer:             Well, here are two reasons that that led me to my thesis. (Write two paragraphs;         
                           one paragraph for each reason. Use specific examples from the piece of literature.)

6.      Reader:            I'm not really convinced that your examples prove your thesis.

7.      Writer:             Ok. (third paragraph) I did some research and I found that XXX (critic’s name) believes

that XXX.
              You can look it up yourself in XXX (name of book, pages, etc.)

8.      Reader:            Yes, but in chapter XXX the main character says/does XXX and that leads me to
                          believe that you are wrong. (The reader is trying to disprove your thesis.)

9.      Writer:             You are right. Mr. XYZ says/does exactly what you say in chapter XXX but, if you
                          recall, he later says/does XXX. From my perspective, this points to the fact that
                          XXX (repeat your thesis using diferentes words).

10.  Reader:            Hmmm… You’ve got a point.

11.  Writer:             That’s right, and this understanding adds to the value of XXX (book title) because
                            it highlights XXX (it's contribution to society at large).

CONCLUSION

12.  Reader:            Ok. You have convinced me. I think you make an important and new argument.

13.  Writer:             Great! Let me just summarize it for you again. (state your thesis again using
                          different words)

14.  Reader:            Thanks. Your essay has helped me understand XXX (book title or author’s name) better.

15.  Writer:             Since you like my idea so much, do you think you can help me get this essay published?
                          (Beacon Conference)