Essay Structure (ELA 10)

Subclaim
A reason that states why the argumentative claim is true.

Claim
The main opinion or viewpoint of a piece of writing.

Evidence
An example that supports a claim. It could be a fact, quotation, or detail.

Explanation of Evidence
The part of the writing that explains the deeper meaning of the evidence and how the evidence supports the claim. This is also called the analysis.

Analysis
The part of the writing that explains the deeper meaning of the evidence and how that evidence supports the claim. This is also called the explanation of evidence.

Hook
The sentence(s) in a piece of writing that pull in the reader with an interesting question or idea. This part of the writing makes the reader curious about what will come next in the writing.

Transition
A word that signals to the reader that the writer is shifting or changing the topic.

Context
This part of the writing explains the major facts that the reader will need to understand to understand the paper. This is sometimes called background information.

Counterclaim
The viewpoint or opinion that is the opposite of the claim in a piece of writing. Writers offer the counterclaim and then point out evidence and reasoning to show why it is limited or wrong.

Thesis Statement
The main idea in a piece of writing. This statement is the focus of the all the paragraphs in the essay. A thesis statement could be a CLAIM or an explanatory idea.

Expository Writing
A type of writing that has the purpose of informing an audience and explaining a complex idea.

Argumentative Writing
A type of writing that has the purpose of persuading or convincing an audience to agree with a certain opinion or viewpoint.

Introduction
The first paragraph of an essay; it provides a HOOK, CONTEXT, and the THESIS STATEMENT. Its purpose is to introduce and present the basic ideas needed for readers to understand the thesis.

Body
A set of paragraphs that thoroughly explain the thesis. They often include a topic sentence, background information, evidence, analysis, and a restatement of the topic sentence (TBEAR).

Conclusion
The end of the essay. It sums up the thesis and explains why the thesis and related ideas are important or have an impact on readers or the world.

Topic Sentence
The first sentence of a body paragraph. It lets readers know the main point of the paragraph. In an essay, this is usually the claim and one of the subclaims.

Reasoning
The logical ideas that a writer uses to explain how evidence supports the overall claim/subclaims in an essay. This is part of the ANALYSIS, or EXPLANATION OF EVIDENCE.

Credible Sources
Articles, books, texts, or other sources of information where the facts and ideas can be TRUSTED because the authors are experts in some way. Some examples of credible sources come from news organizations, encyclopedias, scientific research, and academic organizations.

Formal Style
A way of writing or speaking that includes the vocabulary and grammar of Academic English. This style is best used in professional settings, like schools or workplaces.

What goes in an Introduction Paragraph?
Hook, Context, and Thesis Statement

What Goes in a Body Paragraph?
Topic Sentence, Background, Evidence, Analysis and Explanation, Re-statement of topic sentence idea (remember TBEAR)

What goes in a Conclusion Paragraph?
Re-statement of the Thesis, Explanation of Why the Thesis is Important or Impactful

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