Using your paragraph skills to write an essay

If you're reading this then you have read the postings that explain the basics of writing AND writing a paragraph.

Let's review writing a paragraph. A paragraph has approximately 5-7 sentences (but this is not a concrete rule). The paragraph has to revolve around a theme/main idea.

A good paragraph would have the following structure:

• A topic sentence
• Supporting sentences
• A conclusion sentence

Let's review the example used on the "Writing a Paragraph" post.

"Since I started university last month, I haven't spent time with family or friends. I start my day at 6:15 a.m..  I drive 45 minutes to school. I usually go to the gym to exercise for an hour every morning. My first class begins at nine in the morning, and my last class finishes at 3 p.m.. After class is finished, I take a little snack break and head to the library to study. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I do science labs starting right after my last class. After studying is finished and labs are finished, I have to drive another 45 minutes back home. I usually get home by 8:30 p.m.. Because my schedule is demanding, I learned to manage my time."

• "Since I started university last month, I haven't spent time with family or friends." - Topic sentence
• "I start my day at 6:15 a.m..  I drive 45 minutes to school. I usually go to the gym to exercise for an hour every morning. My first class begins at nine in the morning, and my last class finishes at 3 p.m.. After class is finished, I take a little snack break and head to the library to study. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I do science labs starting right after my last class. After studying is finished and labs are finished, I have to drive another 45 minutes back home. I usually get home by 8:30 p.m.." - Supporting sentences
• "Because my schedule is demanding, I learned to manage my time." - Conclusion sentence

Now, writing an essay requires more effort than a paragraph. An academic essay (university level) usually has 4 or 5 paragraphs. Let's continue to use the example of  attending university/college.

INTRODUCTION

The first paragraph is called the introduction/introductory paragraph. 

• The main idea behind the introductory paragraph is to give the reader an idea of what you are going to discuss.
• Example:
• "Attending college takes a great effort on behalf of the student. It is not the same as attending and studying in high school. The student needs to be able to make time for studies. He/she also needs to perform well enough to stay in school. Finally, the student will need to make a financial commitment to attend college. If he/she does not address these three points, the college experience may not be successful."  

BODY PARAGRAPHS

The second and third (and possibly fourth) paragraphs are called body paragraphs. They are called body paragraphs because they make the body of the essay. 

• These paragraphs explain the points covered in the introductory paragraph.
• Body paragraphs also contain examples to support the main point of the paragraph. 
• These paragraphs, when written correctly, help develop the main theme of the entire essay.
• Example:
•  First paragraph [We will use the example paragraph about time management]
• "First, ever since I started university last month, I haven't spent time with family or friends. I start my day at 6:15 a.m.. I drive 45 minutes to school. I usually go to the gym to exercise for an hour every morning. My first class begins at nine in the morning, and my last class finishes at 3 p.m.. After class is finished, I take a little snack break and head to the library to study. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I do science labs starting right after my last class. After studying is finished and labs are finished, I have to drive another 45 minutes back home. I usually get home by 8:30 p.m.. Because my schedule is demanding, I learned to manage my time."

• Second paragraph [We will talk about performance in school]
• "Second, attending school is not enough. The school requires that I maintain a certain grade point average to stay in school. In my case, I need to maintain a 2.0 out of 4.0 grade point average. This would equal to a "C" average. Maintaining a "C" average is not bad, but if I want good internships and a good job, then I need to get better grades. I want all "A's". Additionally, doing the assigned homework or attending labs will not be enough for me to get the grades that I want. When I get home, I have to study or do more work for another 2.5 to 3 hours. It should be noted that if a student drops his/her grade point average below a 2.0, the university will place that student on probation. Probation means that the university is giving the student a semester to improve his/her grades to meet the 2.0 grade point average requirement. If the student improves his/her grades, the student may continue studying at the university. However, if the student does not improve his/her grades, the student will be dismissed from the university. This means the student cannot continue his/her studies. I do not intend to go on probation."

• Third paragraph [We will talk about the financial commitment to attend school]
• "Lastly, wanting to go to school is not enough. Students need to pay money to attend college. Students have to pay for classes they take. Most students pay money for the classes they take. This usually done by: (1) the student taking out loans to pay for tuition and books, (2) students working to avoid or minimize student loans, or (3) parents' paying for school. Some students are awarded scholarships. Scholarships are awarded by the university to help students attend school without paying for tuition. Usually there are two types of scholarships: academic and athletic scholarships. First, academic scholarships are scholarships where the student usually has to maintain a certain grade point average so the school pays for the tuition. In my case, I need to have a 3.0 grade point average out of 4.0 or a "B" average. Normally, scholarships also cover the cost of books for class, but that is not always the case. Second, there are athletic scholarships. These types of scholarships help the students with tuition and books as well. However, the student has to play a sport for the university (e.g. football, basketball, baseball, track, soccer, etc...) for as long as she/he wants that scholarship. In this case, the student does not have to maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Instead, the student has to maintain a 2.5 grade point average out of 4.0. This is a "C+" average. Moreover, the student's full-time schedule is adjusted. The student is enrolled for 9 credit hours a semester instead of 12 credit hours or more for a full-time student. This adjustment in schedule affords the student the opportunity to train for the sport he/she is playing. In addition to paying for tuition and books at a university, students need to pay for transportation costs to and from school, living in an apartment (if not living at home with parents), and most importantly, food. If one wants to attend university, then the potential student has to come up with a financial plan."

CONCLUSION

The fourth (or fifth paragraph, depending on the essay) is called the conclusion paragraph 

• The conclusion paragraph summarizes the points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• This paragraph states the lesson learned.
• The conclusion paragraph may also state solutions to the problem.
• Example:
• "In conclusion, attending college is not easy. It is difficult. The student needs to manage his/her time, perform well in school, and have a financial plan that would pay for the education. If these three things are not taken of, the student will have a difficult time studying and his/her performance will suffer. However, if all three of these points are taken care of, the student will have a more enjoyable experience in college."

 

COMPLETE ESSAY

• When writing an essay, you have to indent the first line of the paragraph.
• Example:

     "Attending college takes a great effort on behalf of the student. It is not the same as attending and studying in high school. The student needs to be able to make time for studies. He/she also needs to perform well enough to stay in school. Finally, the student will need to make a financial commitment to attend college. If he/she does not address these three points, the college experience may not be successful.

     First, ever since I started university last month, I haven't spent time with family or friends. I start my day at 6:15 a.m.. I drive 45 minutes to school. I usually go to the gym to exercise for an hour every morning. My first class begins at nine in the morning, and my last class finishes at 3 p.m.. After class is finished, I take a little snack break and head to the library to study. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I do science labs starting right after my last class. After studying is finished and labs are finished, I have to drive another 45 minutes back home. I usually get home by 8:30 p.m.. Because my schedule is demanding, I learned to manage my time.

     Second, attending school is not enough. The school requires that I maintain a certain grade point average to stay in school. In my case, I need to maintain a 2.0 out of 4.0 grade point average. This would equal to a "C" average. Maintaining a "C" average is not bad, but if I want good internships and a good job, then I need to get better grades. I want all "A's". Additionally, doing the assigned homework or attending labs will not be enough for me to get the grades that I want. When I get home, I have to study or do more work for another 2.5 to 3 hours. It should be noted that if a student drops his/her grade point average below a 2.0, the university will place that student on probation. Probation means that the university is giving the student a semester to improve his/her grades to meet the 2.0 grade point average requirement. If the student improves his/her grades, the student may continue studying at the university. However, if the student does not improve his/her grades, the student will be dismissed from the university. This means the student cannot continue his/her studies. I do not intend to go on probation."

     Lastly, wanting to go to school is not enough. Students need to pay money to attend college. Students have to pay for classes they take. Most students pay money for the classes they take. This usually done by: (1) the student taking out loans to pay for tuition and books, (2) students working to avoid or minimize student loans, or (3) parents' paying for school. Some students are awarded scholarships. Scholarships are awarded by the university to help students attend school without paying for tuition. Usually there are two types of scholarships: academic and athletic scholarships. First, academic scholarships are scholarships where the student usually has to maintain a certain grade point average so the school pays for the tuition. In my case, I need to have a 3.0 grade point average out of 4.0 or a "B" average. Normally, scholarships also cover the cost of books for class, but that is not always the case. Second, there are athletic scholarships. These types of scholarships help the students with tuition and books as well. However, the student has to play a sport for the university (e.g. football, basketball, baseball, track, soccer, etc...) for as long as she/he wants that scholarship. In this case, the student does not have to maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Instead, the student has to maintain a 2.5 grade point average out of 4.0. This is a "C+" average. Moreover, the student's full-time schedule is adjusted. The student is enrolled for 9 credit hours a semester instead of 12 credit hours or more for a full-time student. This adjustment in schedule affords the student the opportunity to train for the sport he/she is playing. In addition to paying for tuition and books at a university, students need to pay for transportation costs to and from school, living in an apartment (if not living at home with parents), and most importantly, food. If one wants to attend university, then the potential student has to come up with a financial plan.

     In conclusion, attending college is not easy. It is difficult. The student needs to manage his/her time, perform well in school, and have a financial plan that would pay for the education. If these three things are not taken of, the student will have a difficult time studying and his/her performance will suffer. However, if all three of these points are taken care of, the student will have a more enjoyable experience in college."

FINAL THOUGHTS

The idea of writing an essay can seem difficult. However, you should look at it as an opportunity to expand on any ideas you have in mind. Understand that the three main points to the essay [introduction, body, and conclusion] can be used in any type of essay [descriptive, narrative, process, etc....] and at any level of education [high school, university (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral)]. The point is to present information in a logical and linear manner.