MODULE 7

Module 7
Essay Structure

1 Introduction

Welcome to Module 7!

The students will be able to prove mastering of the skills studied during this course. They
will be applying skills in writing coherent sentences, paragraphs, and an essay.

The students will be studying and analyzing a sample essay and an outline. They will be able
to understand the logic and structure of an essay.

The students will be submitting an assignment and a test. By completing these activities
they will demonstrate comprehension about the structure of an essay, which will help them
compose effective written works.

2 Parts of an Essay

An essay is a collection of three or more paragraphs that present facts, opinions, and ideas
about a particular topic.

Parts of an Essay

1. Introductory Paragraph

• Presents the main idea of the essay.

2. Body Paragraphs

• Talk about the topic. Each paragraph discusses one idea often stated in the topic
sentence of each body paragraph.

3. Concluding Paragraph

• The last paragraph of the essay. It restates, summarizes, or makes a final

comment about the main idea of the essay.

2.1 Parts of the Introductory Paragraph

 The Hook: Connecting information.

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The hook is the opening sentence of an essay, and it is used to catch the reader’s attention.
Some ways of writing a hook are by:

 Asking questions.

 Beginning with an anecdote or background information.

 Beginning with a historical introduction of the topic.

 Beginning with a quote.

 The Thesis Statement: Predictor

The thesis statement states the main idea of the essay. It has a topic and controlling idea
that indicates what is to be said about the topic. It could be an opinion about a subject, and
it is generally placed at the end of an introductory paragraph. Some thesis statements have
a predictor.

 The predictor can predict the number and content of the body paragraphs.

 The connecting information refers to additional information between the hook

and the thesis statement in the introductory paragraph.

2.2 Kinds of Thesis Statement

2.2.1 Direct Thesis Statement

The direct thesis statement gives a specific outline of the essay by predicting the main parts.
Look at the following example:

The main problems facing South American countries are lack of job
opportunities for citizens, increasing demand for better health care, and
limited university programs for poor students.

From this thesis statement, the reader can predict that the essay will have three body
paragraphs.

• The first will be about lack of job opportunities for citizens.

• The second will be about increasing demand for better health care.
• The third will be about the limited university programs for poor students.
2.2.2 Indirect Thesis Statement

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With an indirect thesis statement, the reader does not know exactly what to expect.

Look at the following example:

The important problems facing South American countries today

require immediate attention.

From this thesis statement, the reader expects to find a discussion of problems in South
America. It does not predict the supporting ideas or the number of body paragraphs in the
essay.

2.3 Body Paragraphs of an Essay

The body paragraphs are the main parts of the essay.

• They consist of three or more paragraphs between the introductory paragraph

and the concluding paragraph.
• Each paragraph develops a new supporting idea about the main idea stated in
the introductory paragraph.
• Each body paragraph is organized with a topic sentence, supporting sentences,
and a concluding sentence or bridge.
• A bridge is a transitional sentence to the next body paragraph.
2.4 The Concluding Paragraph of an Essay

The Concluding Paragraph of an Essay

• The concluding paragraph of an essay is the last paragraph.

• It restates, summarizes, or makes a final comment about the main point of the
essay.
• It often gives a suggestion, an opinion, or a prediction about the topic of the
essay.
• Both the introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph of an essay contain
similar information.
3 Kinds of Essays

3.1 Expository Essay

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Expository Essay: An expository essay presents information, discusses ideas, or explains a

process. Its main purpose is to analyze and explain information to inform about a subject,
issue, method, or idea.

3.2 Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay: An argumentative essay persuades the reader of an opinion about

something. It intends to convince the reader about the writer’s position on a specific issue.

3.3 Comparison Essay

Comparison Essay: A comparison essay compares two ideas related in some way. It intends
to show similarities, differences, or both about a subject.

3.4 Cause and effect Essay

Cause and Effect Essay: A cause and effect essay analyzes the reasons and examines the
results of something that happen, actions and results.

3.5 Narrative Essay

Narrative Essay: A narrative essay entertains by telling a story. It allows the writer to be
creative.

4 The Writing Plan

Before writing an essay, the writer goes through the brainstorming process in order to
generate ideas about the topic that is going to be written about. After that, the writer
decides what to say about the topic and then writes the thesis statement. Based on the
thesis statement, the writer designs a writing plan by making an outline. An outline is used
to organize ideas for a writing project longer than two paragraphs. It can be made by using
complete sentences or words and phrases.

Here follows a sample outline format:

I. Introductory paragraph

a. Hook

b. Connecting information

c. Thesis statement

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II. Body paragraph 1

a. Topic sentence

i. Major supporting sentence

1. Minor supporting sentence

2. Minor supporting sentences

ii. Major supporting sentence

1. Minor supporting sentence

2. Minor supporting sentence

b. Concluding sentence or bridge (optional)

III. Body paragraph 2

a. Topic sentence

i. Major supporting sentence

1. Minor supporting sentence

2. Minor supporting sentence

ii. Major supporting sentence

1. Minor supporting sentence

2. Minor supporting sentence

b. Concluding sentence or bridge (optional)

IV. Body paragraph 3

a. Topic sentence

i. Major supporting sentence

1. Minor supporting sentence

2. Minor supporting sentence

ii. Major supporting sentence

1. Minor supporting sentence

2. Minor supporting sentence

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b. Concluding sentence or bridge (optional)

V. Concluding paragraph

a. Restatement of thesis statement and/or

b. Summary of points in body paragraph and/or

c. Final comment about the main point

The following is a guide that can be used to study and analyze an essay beginning from the
outline up to the final stage of an essay.

Sample Essay Outline from The Ideal House Pet

I. Introduction

a. Hook:

"A dog is man's best friend."

b. Connecting information:

Dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people
enjoy.

c. Thesis statement:

Cats make excellent house pets.

d. Predictor:

i. Good companions.

ii. Civilized

iii. Easy to care for.

II. Body Paragraph 1

a. People enjoy the companionship of cats.

i. Cats are affectionate.

1. Snuggle up and ask to be petted.

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ii. Cats are playful.

1. They chase balls and feathers.

2. They play when owners participate in games.

iii. Cats can be trained.

1. Using rewards and punishments.

III. Body Paragraph 2

a. Cats are civilized.

i. Cats do not bark.

1. Cats don't meow often.

ii. Cats don't have "accidents."

1. Mother cats train their kittens to use the litter box

2. Stray cats will use the litter box regularly.

iii. Cats do have claws.

1. Have a tall scratching post.

2. Cats can be declawed.

IV. Body Paragraph 3

a. Cats are easy to care for.

i. Cats do not have to be walked.

1. They get plenty of exercise in the house.

2. They do their business in the litter box.

ii. Cats take care of their grooming.

1. Cats clean themselves.

iii. Cats can be left home alone.

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1. Cats will not destroy the furnishings.

2. Cats go about their usual activities until their owners return.

V. Concluding Paragraph

a. Cats are low maintenance.

b. Cats are civilized.

c. Cats are the ideal house pet.

4.1.1 Sample Essay

The Ideal House Pet

"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth,
but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people
enjoy. For many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers
may believe, cats make excellent house pets as they are good companions,
they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for.

In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are
affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under
the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate,
cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or
just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing
when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular
opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, just like with
a dog, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks.
Cats will even fetch!

In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household. Unlike
dogs, cats do not bark or make other loud noises. Most cats don't even
meow very often. They generally lead a quiet existence. Cats also don't
often have "accidents." Mother cats train their kittens to use the litter box,
and most cats will use it without fail from that time on. Even stray cats

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usually understand the concept when shown the box and will use it
regularly. Cats do have claws, and owners must make provision for this. A
tall scratching post in a favorite cat area of the house will often keep the
cat content to leave the furniture alone. As a last resort, of course, cats can
be declawed.

Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as house pets is their
ease of care. Cats do not have to be walked. They get plenty of exercise in
the house as they play, and they do their business in the litter box.
Cleaning a litter box is a quick, painless procedure. Cats also take care of
their own grooming. Bathing a cat is almost never necessary because
under ordinary circumstances cats clean themselves. Cats are more
particular about personal cleanliness than people are. In addition, cats can
be left home alone for a few hours without fear. Unlike some pets, most
cats will not destroy the furnishings when left alone. They are content to
go about their usual activities until their owners return.

Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small
living quarters or less time for pet care should appreciate these
characteristics of cats. However, many people who have plenty of space
and time still opt to have a cat because they love the cat personality. In
many ways, cats are the ideal house. (Kathy Livingston. (2012). Guide to
Writing a Basic Essay: Sample Essay - Kathy's. Retrieved from
http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/sample.html)

4.1.2 Analyzing the Essay The Ideal House Pet

Look at the following questions and answers, and use them to compare with the information
included in the sample essay above. Do your own analysis and reflect on it to make sense as to how
you are going to write your own essay.

Essay Analysis Questions

1. Identify the hook in the introductory paragraph.

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"A dog is man's best friend."

2. Identify the thesis statement.

Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house
pets as they are good companions, they are civilized members of
the household, and they are easy to care for.
3. Is it a direct thesis statement or indirect thesis statement? Explain
your answer.

It is a direct thesis statement. It clearly outlines the topic of each

supporting paragraph.
4. How many paragraphs does the essay have?

Five paragraphs.

5. How many supporting paragraphs does the essay have?

Three supporting paragraphs.
6. Identify the topic sentence in each of the body paragraphs.
Supporting paragraph 1:

In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats.

Supporting paragraph 2:
In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household.

Supporting paragraph 3:
Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as house pets is
their ease of care.

7. What words or phrases are similar in both the introductory and

concluding paragraphs?

Cats, civilized, companions, people, pet, care, love, house.

8. Does this concluding paragraph restate, summarize, or make a final

comment about the main point of the essay? Explain.
It summarizes the main point. The following statement from the
concluding paragraph clearly summarizes de main idea.
Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions.
Main Idea:
Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house
pets as they are good companions, they are civilized members of
the household, and they are easy to care for.

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Essay Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What is the main idea of the essay?
Cats make excellent house pets.

2. Why do people enjoy the companion of cats?

Because they are affectionate and playful.

3. Read the following sentence from the essay.

People who have small living quarters or less time for pet care
should appreciate these characteristics of pets. What does the
phrase living quarters mean?

a. center of operations
b. home office
c. housing

4. What is the writer’s opinion about cats?

Many people who have plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat
because they love the cat personality.

5. In what way is a dog similar to a cat?

Using rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat can be
trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks.

6. Read the sentences containing these words in the essay.

Match the following words with their synonyms.

c 1. avoid a. a lot
d 2. features b. be thankful for
a 3. plenty c. prevent
b 4. appreciate d. characteristics

7. Read the sentences containing these words in the essay.

Match the following words with their antonym.
c 1. best a. wild
d 2. affectionate b. little
a 3. civilized c. worst
b 4. plenty d. unloving

8. In summary, why do cats make excellent house pets?

Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions.

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9. Which of the following is not true about cats?

a. Cats are playful
b. Cats make loud noises
c. Cats take care of their own grooming

10. Which of the following is not a reason for the writer to think cats
are good companions?
a. They are easy to care for
b. Cats are affectionate
c. Cats have to be walked

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