ENGL 101
English Composition I
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Organization
- Most writers know the 5 paragraph formula:
- Clear introduction that states thesis and the three main argument points
- Three body paragraphs that develop each of the already indicated points from the intro
- A conclusion that repeats the three main points leading up to the thesis
- This is usually taught in junior high
- It needs to STAY in junior high
- REAL writing doesn’t follow any specific formula
- Organization is about control over your information, not just outlining the information
- you have to make specific and important decisions about your paper NOW, not later
- Decisions about purpose, meaning, audience, and format
- This phase moves beyond invention to add the notion of HOW to present the ideas
Format
- What type of essay? Narrative, com/con, division, persuasive, cause-effect, etc.
- How does the information break down into smaller ideas/paragraphs?
- In what order should that information go?
- Works with purpose/audience/meaning
- Instructors/employers may have their own specific format requirements
Basic Organizational Styles
- Pyramid - specific to general
- Inverted Pyramid - general to specific
- Hourglass - general - specific - general
- Deductive - point leads to point - direct links
- Inductive - leaps of logic - guesswork and opinion
Introductions
- Makes the reader want to keep reading
- Makes the reader aware of the TOPIC
- Does NOT have to include thesis or main points to be discussed in essay
- Does NOT have to be written first
- Try different types to see which works best
- Do not start your argument in introduction - specific evidence rarely belongs in intro
- Introductory quotation or example is about the only exception
Common Introduction Types
- Anecdote
- Foreshadowing Conclusion
- History/Background
- Leading Question
- Personal Connection
- Contradict Common View
- Relevant Quotation
- Definition
- Analogy
Body Paragraphs
- NO set number, depends on content
- Contain specific details/evidence
- May take multiple paragraphs to fully explain the point – that’s acceptable
- Use paragraph breaks to emphasize information
- Time shifts, geography shifts, speaker changes, etc.
- Paragraph break can also set up suspense
- The reader should understand why this is a new section/point/paragraph
- Each one adds new information but also connects to what’s come before
- Use clear transitions between ideas
- Use smaller transitions (now, second, etc) within a larger point
- More specific transitions between sections
Once the physics of quantum movement is understood, we can move on to ….
Conclusion
- Separate from Body paragraphs
- Inappropriate for one last example or piece of evidence or story point
- Summation of ENTIRE essay
- Should contain or strongly imply thesis
- Should emphasize what’s changed
- Last part read, so it’s most remembered
- Usually reflects style of introduction