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writing help centers > constructing an essay: introduction, body, conclusion

constructing an essay: introduction, body, conclusion

By Robert Stark and Michael Jackman

An essay is organized into parts that are similar to that old recommendation about making a public speech: first, tell them what you are going to tell them; next, tell them; and finally, remind them what you told them. Each of these three parts--the introduction, the body, and the conclusion--has its own three functions.

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

On the following pages, these three parts of the essay will be explained in detail and examples will be provided.

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introduction

Why should anyone want to read your paper? That is exactly what you should make clear in the introduction of your paper.

  1. First, get the reader interested in the paper by using a grabber, such as a relevant quote, a personal anecdote, an amazing statistic, or a provocative statement.

    Example:

    Some believe that if work place safety preserves just one human life it is worth it, but others disagree.

  2. Second, now that you have the reader's attention, state your general topic.

    Example:

    One of the most important aspects on the job is work safety, but is the cost and the effort proportional to the return?

  3. Third, state your thesis or the specific point of your paper.

    Example:

    This paper will demonstrate that safe working environments are actually more profitable to the employer in the long run than unsafe ones.

Now, observe how the three parts go together to form an introduction:

If it saves just one human life, it is worth it! One of the most important aspects on the job is work safety, but is the cost and the effort proportional to the return? This paper will demonstrate that safe working environments are actually more profitable to the employer in the long run than unsafe one.

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body

SEWing helps you stitch together a successful paper. The three letters mean, "Say," give "Example," and explain "Why." The acronym helps you remember not to make your point and stop there, but to support your point with evidence and analysis. That's what professors like.

Here's how SEWing works:

(Say) The supervisor responsible for training at Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station didn't behave ethically. (Example) In his memo of July 11, 1978, he ordered his team not to include new information on how to handle a low coolant event. (Why) According to Markel's guidelines for technical writing, deliberately suppressing information is unethical, and in this case the accident had costly economic and serious public relations consequences.

Here's another example to show how SEWing works:

(Say) The case of Union Carbide in India illustrates this point about the importance of safety. (Example) In the early morning of December 3, 1984, gas leaked from a faulty tank at the Union Carbide facility, totally disabling 40 people, partially disabling 2,680 persons, and killing 3,800. (Why) The executives of Union Carbide were permanently disgraced, and the company was fined $470 million be the Indiana government.

Connect your different body paragraphs by using transitional devices to help your reader move smoothly from one example to another:

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conclusion

  1. First, bring the reader back to the introduction by reconnecting to a statement made there.

    Example:

    Is the cost of safety worth the price a company must pay to ensure safety?

  2. Second, summarize the evidence presented in the body paragraphs.

    Example:

    The evidence provided in the examples of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station and Union Carbide would suggest that safety is worth the price.

  3. Third, leave the reader with a memorable message or a call to action, for your final words are what the reader will take away from the paper.

    Example:

    Certainly if the lives of one's loved ones or of oneself are at stake, safety is worth whatever it costs, so it is the responsibility of every worker to identify and eliminate safety hazards in the workplace.

Now, observe how the three parts go together in the conclusion:

Is the cost of safety worth the price a company must pay to ensure safety? The evidence provided in the examples of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station and Union Carbide would suggest that safety is worth the price. Certainly if the lives of one's loved ones or of oneself are at stake, safety is worth whatever it costs, so it is the responsibility of every worker to identify and eliminate safety hazards in the workplace.

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