Essay Development

Once you have chosen a topic for your paper, establish an outline to follow. An outline should be easy to understand and clearly communicate the purpose of your paper. After outlining, it becomes easier to add, remove, or change details as you research your topic and shape your ideas.

See the examples of informal and formal outlines on pages 12–14 of A Writer’s Reference.

The five-paragraph essay model includes an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Using this basic format, you can create an outline for virtually any writing assignment. Based on the assignment prompt, you must decide how many paragraphs your essay will have and how long it will be, but it should include these three essential parts:

Introduction (includes a hook, background information, and thesis)
Body Paragraphs (include main points and supporting examples discussed in detail)
Conclusion (restates the thesis in an original way and uses a conclusion strategy)

1. Introduction

An introduction is your only chance to make a good first impression on readers. It should identify what your paper will be about and grab the reader’s attention. The introduction usually includes your thesis statement, which may consist of more than one sentence.

You do not have to draft the introduction first; doing so can actually make writing more difficult. Many writers draft the introduction last to ensure that it accurately reflects the content of the paper.

An effective introduction should:

Hook the reader’s attention and arouse curiosity
Provide background information by focusing the topic and purpose (informative or persuasive) and briefly summarizing relevant history or context
Present the thesis statement, including the topic, claim, and main supporting points

Thesis

A thesis is the answer to a research question. It states the main points of your discussion and explains how you will inform the reader about the topic. The thesis familiarizes the reader with the paper’s focus and structure.

A thesis generally includes the following elements (in any order):

Topic
Claim
Evidence (main points)

In other words:

[What your paper will discuss] + [your message or position] + [main points or reasons]

Example thesis:

“Pennies should remain a part of America’s currency because they increase government profits, save consumers money, and are vital to America’s history and culture.”

Topic: pennies
Claim: should remain a part of America’s currency
Main Point 1: increase government profits
Main Point 2: save consumers money
Main Point 3: are vital to America’s history and culture

Commonly Used Thesis Formats

Commonly Used Thesis Formats
Essay Type	Include in Your Thesis	Mention
Persuasive Essay / Proposal	Topic, claim, evidence	Possible solutions to the problem
Literary Analysis	Title, author, theme, literary elements	Devices or tools used to support the theme
Rhetorical Analysis	Topic, author’s claim, evidence	Rhetorical strategies (ethos, logos, pathos)
Compare/Contrast or Argumentative Analysis	Topic, individuals or groups, claims, evidence	Possible solutions proposed by involved parties

2. Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on one main point or piece of evidence that supports your claim, as listed in the thesis. Main points should appear in the same order as they are presented in the thesis to avoid confusing the reader.

To build thorough yet concise paragraphs, follow this step-by-step process:

Begin with transition words or phrases that guide readers and connect ideas.
Include a clear topic sentence that introduces the paragraph’s focus.
Introduce evidence (quotation, paraphrase, summary, statistic, or example) and cite it using MLA format.
Analyze the evidence by explaining why it matters and how it relates to the claim.
Interpret the evidence further by explaining what it means and how it supports the thesis.

This structure helps writers synthesize approximately one-third factual information with two-thirds analysis and interpretation, an ideal balance for most academic assignments. Always refer to the assignment prompt for specific expectations.

3. Conclusion

A conclusion is your final opportunity to bring the essay together and reinforce your purpose. An effective conclusion restates the thesis in a new way and summarizes the main points of the paper.

In some cases, instructors may request a final opinion or a call to action. However, conclusions rarely introduce new information.

For additional help with essay construction, consult other Blinn Writing Center handouts such as Introductions and Conclusions, How to Write a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Types & Models, Transition Words and Phrases, Further Developing an Essay, Revision Tips, and Know That It Flows.

Another essential resource is A Writer’s Reference, required in most Blinn College English courses.