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LRC

Writing Guide: Organizing

Quick tips on organizing & formatting an essay or research paper

Introduction

Why Organize? 

Once you have your topic and thesis picked out, it is time to organize your thoughts. This is an important step because it enables you to plan ahead and structure your paper. It can even help you find new content ideas if you are worried about not meeting a length requirement. One of the best ways to organize your thoughts is to make an outline. This is when you write down your thoughts, separating them into organized groups. Even the simplest of outlines can take your paper from a disorganized mess to neat and well-structured essay. Having a plan when you sit down to write will make your writing process quick and even enjoyable. A lot of people skip this step, but taking the time to organize your thoughts will pay off in the end. Explore the resources below to learn how to organize your ideas. 

 

Organizing & Outlining

There are three main parts to an essay:

  • Introduction
  • Body
  • Conclusion

Introduction

Helps reader by introducing the topic

  • Begins with a hook (ex. a quote, analogy or question)
  • Provides some background information – should start general
  • Ends with Thesis Statement 

Body

Supports main points in thesis.  Typically 2 or more paragraphs

  • Begin each paragraph with topic sentence linked back to thesis
  • Support point by answering “how” and “why”
    • Use cited sources, facts, examples, explanations
  • Use Transition Sentence to connect to the next paragraph

Conclusion

Brings together main points from body

  • Return to thesis statement
  • Do not repeat what you have already stated
  • What do you want the reader to remember?
  • Do not introduce new ideas or concepts

Citations

If you have used research in your paper, make sure you use in-text citations and provide a Works Cited or Bibliography page.

Introduction: The first paragraph in your essay.  Introduces the ideas that will follow in your essay.  Includes the thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence.

Thesis Statement: Provides a clear map of your essay.  A single sentence with a subject and then a detailed commentary on that subject.  The reader of your essay should be able to deduce the basic outline of your topics from this sentence.

Body: The middle part of your essay.  Typically multiple paragraphs.  This is where you develop the points you wish to make in support of your thesis statement.

Topic Sentence: The first sentence in each body paragraph.  It must have a subject and a commentary for that individual paragraph.  Must be taken from part of the thesis.

Supporting Details: Specific details that will form the core of your body paragraphs.  Includes, but is not limited to: facts, specifics, examples, quotations, plot references, etc.

Transitions: Sentence which connects one paragraph to the next.  Use transition phrases such as “On the other hand” or “In addition,” in the last sentence of each body paragraph.

Conclusion: The final paragraph in your essay.  Return to the thesis statement and sum up your essay.  What do you want the reader to remember or think about?  Does not repeat what was in the paper and does not bring up new topics.

Citations: If you have incorporated research or outside commentary, make sure to credit these with in-text citations and add a Works Cited or Bibliography.

 

 Common strategies for structuring a paper are given below: 

  • CHRONOLOGICALLY: Paper structured in chronological steps or events
  • IMPORTANCE: Paper structured by ordering content according to its importance (e.g. "Least to greatest" or "Greatest to least")
  • LOGICAL BREAKS: Paper structured by presenting an issue and offering causes and/or solutions 
  • 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY: Paper structured by organizing content in an introduction paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph (shown in the picture to the right)

Also check out the resource below: 

5 Paragraph Strategy

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