Essay Writing – Theme, Thesis, Directional Statement Theme – central, controlling idea of the author

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  Specifies name of text, author, and subject/topic
  
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  Provides your reader with context
  
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  You may begin with a relevant fact, quotation, or observation
  
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  Includes thesis and directional statement
  
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    Your directional statement can come before or after the thesis
    

Avoid:

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  Meaningless clichés, phrases such as, “Since the beginning of time”, “As everyone knows”, “Shakespeare is the greatest writer ever”.
  

The structure of the introductory paragraph moves from general to specific.

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  Reminds the reader what he has learned by summarizing the arguments
  
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  Stimulates the reader to think more about the argument
  
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  Provides insight
  

Avoid:

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  Introducing new facts
  
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  Meaningless philosophizing
  
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  Obvious statements – “In conclusion” “This essay demonstrates”
  

The structure of the concluding paragraph moves from specific to general.