Introduction
Essay writing is an important activity for the majority of college students. Academic papers allow learners to express their views and ideas through a structured, coherent argument and persuade others that their opinion holds value. When preparing a written assignment, students should be aware of how to structure their composition in order to provide convincing reasoning. This paper will discuss the terms used to describe the basic structure, grammar, and punctuation of a well-written assignment and their importance in essay writing.
Basic Essay Structure
Introduction
The first paragraph in the essay is critical as it introduces the reader to the subject of the work and the author’s view on it. The introductory paragraph serves to present the main topic, providing background on it and defending the position the author supports (Palmer and Van Lieu). The primary purpose of the introduction is to establish what the writer will discuss and what central points they will employ to champion their point of view or argue against an opposing perspective. For example, an article on noise pollution can begin with a general description of contemporary environmental issues, problems encountered in big cities, and how they impact the health and well-being of city-dwellers. After establishing the topic, the writer can express their opinion in the thesis statement. Thus, the introductory paragraph sets the tone for the essay, limits its scope, and clarifies its purpose and viewpoint to the readers.
The essay thesis is a critical component in academic writing. It can be defined as a statement that encapsulates the purpose of the paper and presents the main argument of the written work (Palmer and Van Lieu). It can include the opinion to be contested or defended and the points that the author will employ (Palmer and Van Lieu). The thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the introductory paragraph, as it summarizes the preceding information and provides a transition into the body paragraphs. For instance, the thesis can be constructed as follows: Noise pollution in cities should be addressed at the government level as prolonged exposure to noise impacts the physical and psychological well-being of the citizens. Overall, the thesis summarizes the main argument of the essay and outlines how the author will support it.
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are the passages between the introduction and the conclusion sections of the essay. The purpose of the body paragraphs is to elaborate on the topic and provide examples to support the author’s view through objective information (Palmer and Van Lieu). All the data afforded in the body of the essay should refer back to the central point, upholding the opinion of the author or providing evidence against an opposing point of view. Thus, the function of the body paragraphs is to expand on the statements and arguments made in the introduction.
Body paragraphs differ significantly in structure and function from the introduction and the conclusion. Unlike the introductory segment of the essay, the body can be detailed and thorough as it expands on the argument outlined in the thesis. The introduction sets the topic and briefly outlines the main ideas. Contrastingly, the body elaborates on the points outlined in the introduction. In the body section, the author can discuss each of the arguments in detail and refer to previous literature and research on the topic, providing various examples to support their opinion. In addition, the opposing view can be addressed and argued against in the body. Overall, body paragraphs are the core of the essay as they help the writer discuss and defend their point of view.
Each body paragraph usually begins with a sentence encapsulating its essence and introducing the readers to its central argument. A topic sentence is defined as a statement that provides “a one-sentence summary of the point of the paragraph” (Palmer and Van Lieu). It limits the range of the section, identifies its direction, and provides support for the thesis statement. For example, the body paragraph in the paper on noise pollution can be written as follows: Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of noise can have adverse effects on one’s hearing. Overall, the topic sentences help the author to outline his argument throughout the essay.
Other sentences in the body paragraphs are utilized to elaborate on the central point in the topic sentence and provide evidence in its support. According to Purdue Writing Lab, specific examples should be carefully analyzed to illustrate how they defend the author’s argument through induction or deduction. Induction can be defined as logical reasoning that helps a writer come to a general conclusion based on a specific fact (Purdue Writing Lab). Thus, if statistics show that the proportion of people with hearing loss in an area near an airport is higher than the average, it can be concluded that elevated noise levels are responsible. In contrast, a deduction is reasoning that starts with a broad premise and ends with a specific conclusion (Purdue Writing Lab). Overall, body paragraphs can incorporate different rationale and evidence to defend the author’s point of view.
Conclusion
The conclusion is the last paragraph of an essay, and it serves to summarize the information conveyed in it. According to Palmer and Van Lieu, it should refer back to the central topic of the paper, restate the thesis statement from the introduction and illustrate how it was supported in the body. A conclusion can also suggest a solution to the discussed problem, a call for action, or propose further research. Overall, its primary function is to review the essay and recapitulate its main points for the readers.
Grammar and Punctuation
Grammar and correct punctuation are also of significance for essay writing. A paper containing many grammatical mistakes is unlikely to appeal to the readers, who may be distracted by them from the central argument the author is trying to make. Thus, to make their writing more varied, students can implement different types of sentences, including simple and complex sentences with subordination and coordination. For example, learners can use coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So (FANBOYS) to connect clauses and simple sentences and show the equal importance of both parts (The Writing Center). Furthermore, ENC1101 students can compose complex sentences with subordinate clauses to illustrate differences between two or more separate ideas using such conjunctions as though, unless, whether, and while (Palmer and Van Lieu). In addition, the correct use of punctuation marks, including commas, columns, and semi-columns, contributes to the text being more coherent. Overall, grammar and punctuation are critical for essay writing as they facilitate clear communication and allow the author to relay their ideas more precisely.
Conclusion
In summary, a written assignment can be a challenging task if the students are unfamiliar with the basic essay structure and its components. The ENC1101 students need to be aware of the structure and the function of the introduction, conclusion, and body paragraphs to provide concise writing. Moreover, learners need to be mindful of grammar and punctuation and know how to connect different clauses and sentences to support their perspective and ease reader comprehension.
References
Palmer, Karen, and Sandi Van Lieu. The RoughWriter’s Guide. Pressbooks, 2020. Web.
Purdue Writing Lab. “Body Paragraphs.”Purdue Writing Lab, 2020. Web.
The Writing Center. “Commas.”University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2021. Web.