ORGANIZATION

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Check-List Plan for Writing a Multi-Paragraph Theme:

    1.       Choosing and restricting a writing subject
    2.        Stating a main idea or thesis
    3.        Surveying probable sources
    4.        Outlining major developmental divisions
    5.        Selecting developmental materials
    6.        Expanding developmental divisions into subdivisions
    7.        Expanding the outline into first draft
    8. Revising the first draft into final working copy
    9. Revising the final working
    10.      Proofreading the final copy

Basic Requirements for a Thesis Statement

    1.        It states the essay's subject - the topic that you are discussing.
    2.        It reflects the essay's purpose - either to give your readers information or to persuade
                        your readers to agree with you.
    3.        It includes a focus - your assertion that conveys your point of view.
    4.        It uses specific language - vague words are avoided.
    5.        It may briefly state the major subdivisions of the essay's topic.

Writing Process - Grouping Ideas

• The Introduction of your essay, usually one paragraph and rarely more than two, introduces your subject, engages your readers' interest, and often states your thesis. In so short a space, however, there is no room for an in-depth discussion of your topic.

• The Body Paragraphs in your essay supports and expands your thesis. The body paragraphs present the detail that convinces your audience that your thesis is reasonable. To do their job, body paragraphs should be unified, coherent, and well developed.

Unity occurs when every sentence directly relates to the main idea of the paragraph.
Coherence occurs when sentences in a paragraph are smoothly and logically connected to
                one another.

transitions: words or expressions used to develop coherence, they also show
                chronological sequence (then, next, after that); cause and effect (as a result,
                therefore); addition (first, second, and, furthermore); comparison (similarly); and
                contrast (but, however, still, nevertheless).

        Development - when a paragraph contains the examples, facts, and discussions readers
                need to understand its main idea.

• The Conclusion, like your introduction, should be brief. In a short essay, it can be as brief as one sentence and most often is no longer than a paragraph. It should not introduce new points or material that you have not discussed earlier. Effective conclusions need no announcement, and you should avoid beginning your conclusion with the artificial phrase In conclusion.