The Essay
Unlike the theory or research paper, the essay does not begin with a research question and does not perform a survey of existing literature. Instead, the essay is thesis-driven and focuses on the logical argumentation of the thesis statement. I. Introduction: The introduction of an essay differs from the introduction of a research paper in that the author is not asking a question, but making a claim. A. Begin your essay with an attention getting statement. The first sentence of the essay may not be your thesis statement, but it should still grab and hold the attention of the reader. Don’t be outrageous or obnoxious, but demand the attention of the reader. B. Soon after your initial attention-getting statement, your thesis should follow. The thesis statement is effectively situated as the last sentence of the first paragraph. C. A third component of your introduction may include a summary or preview of the major points in the argument that will follow. II. Body: The body should contain the main points of your argument in sequence with each proceeding point building on the previous point. A. Claim #1 • Evidence A + warrant* • Evidence B + warrant • Evidence C + warrant 1) Point #1 • Evidence A + warrant • Evidence B + warrant • Evidence C + warrant 2) Point #2 • Evidence A + warrant • Evidence B + warrant • Evidence C + warrant III. Conclusion: The conclusion should restate the thesis and recap the main points A. Restate thesis (exactly as it appears in the introduction) B. Recap the main points. Don’t repeat the main points – you don’t want to bore the reader – simply give a macro perspective on how your evidence is linked to your thesis statement. C. Make a strong closing statement that captures the spirit of your argument. * A warrant is the logical connection between the evidence and the claim. If Mike killed Jeff is the claim and the bloody knife with Mike’s fingerprints is the evidence, than the warrant is the fact that stabbing Jeff resulted in his being killed. Depending upon how clearly linked the evidence is linked to the claim a warrant may not need to be expressly stated. Works Cited: Rubin, R. B., Rubin, A. M. & Piele, L. J. (1990). Communication Research: Strategies and Sources (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

The Essay

Unlike the theory or research paper, the essay does not begin with a
 research question and does not perform a survey of existing literature.
  Instead, the essay is thesis-driven and focuses on the logical
 argumentation of the thesis statement.


I.	Introduction:
 The introduction of an essay differs from the
 introduction of a research paper in that the author is not asking a
 question, but making a claim.

A.	Begin your essay with an attention getting statement.  The first
 sentence of the essay may not be your thesis statement, but it should
 still grab and hold the attention of the reader.  Don’t be outrageous or
 obnoxious, but demand the attention of the reader.

B.	Soon after your initial attention-getting statement, your thesis
 should follow.  The thesis statement is effectively situated as the last
 sentence of the first paragraph.
 
C.	A third component of your introduction may include a summary or
 preview of the major points in the argument that will follow.

II.	Body:
  The body should contain the main points of your argument in
 sequence with each proceeding point building on the previous point.

A.	Claim #1
•	Evidence A + warrant*
•	Evidence B + warrant
•	Evidence C + warrant
1)	Point #1
•	Evidence A + warrant
•	Evidence B + warrant
•	Evidence C + warrant
2)	Point #2
•	Evidence A + warrant
•	Evidence B + warrant
•	Evidence C + warrant
III.	Conclusion:
 The conclusion should restate the thesis and recap the
 main points
A.	Restate thesis (exactly as it appears in the introduction)
B.	Recap the main points.  Don’t repeat the main points – you don’t
 want to bore the reader – simply give a macro perspective on how your
 evidence is linked to your thesis statement.

C.	Make a strong closing statement that captures the spirit of your
 argument.

* A warrant is the logical connection between the evidence and the claim.
  If Mike killed Jeff is the claim and the bloody knife with Mike’s
 fingerprints is the evidence, than the warrant is the fact that stabbing
 Jeff resulted in his being killed.  Depending upon how clearly linked the
 evidence is linked to the claim a warrant may not need to be expressly
 stated.

Works Cited:
Rubin, R. B., Rubin, A. M. & Piele, L. J. (1990). Communication Research:
 Strategies and Sources (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.