How to write a solid essay

Solution Preview

To begin, construct an introductory paragraph to let your reader know what you are going to address. Remember to get right to the point and supply a strong thesis statement. The thesis is the main point ("argument") of what you intend to prove throughout your essay. The thesis is usually the last sentence in the introductory paragraph. Remember you want to provide your reader with a hint as to what you intend to discuss throughout your essay. The purpose of your essay is to convince your reader to believe something. Ask yourself, "What do I want my reader to believe?" This will be your thesis. Without a clear thesis, your paper will be a narrative of events with meaningless facts.

Remember each point to your argument should have its own paragraph and must relate directly to your thesis statement. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that explains to the reader what you will prove in the paragraph. Also you need to offer specific examples, which support the topic sentence. At all costs avoid saying, "Well I believe. . ." or "I think . . ." Do not make broad generalizations without ...