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Components of A Short Essay

The document discusses the key components and structure of a short essay. It notes that a standard short essay follows a five-paragraph structure with an introduction, thesis statement, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction should be concise and catch the reader's attention, while the thesis states the main argument. Each body paragraph supports the thesis with evidence and examples. Finally, the conclusion restates the thesis and leaves the reader with final thoughts on the topic.

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Rabin Deuba
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67 views

Components of A Short Essay

The document discusses the key components and structure of a short essay. It notes that a standard short essay follows a five-paragraph structure with an introduction, thesis statement, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction should be concise and catch the reader's attention, while the thesis states the main argument. Each body paragraph supports the thesis with evidence and examples. Finally, the conclusion restates the thesis and leaves the reader with final thoughts on the topic.

Uploaded by

Rabin Deuba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Components of a Short Essay

The standard five-paragraph short essays have specific structure: introduction (1 paragraph), thesis, main body
(3 paragraphs), and conclusion (1 paragraph). This helps your work be elaborately structured and easier to
comprehend.

 Introduction

First impression matters, even if you’re writing a short essay. The purpose of introduction is to attract your
readers’ attention and make them interested, so your aim here is to create a hook that will intrigue the
audience. Introduction in short essays should be within 5 sentences — you must make it concise, informative,
and catchy. In the first sentence, make a claim about the urgency of the problem; persuade the audience  that
your essay is worth reading. Now you know how to start a short essay.

 Thesis

It is the last sentence of introduction. It must be focused on the main problem you’re planning to explore and
contain a claim that you’re going to prove. So, if your topic is too broad or simple, focus on something more
specific. Thesis must be debatable and it should motivate the opponents to argue with your position. In
addition, everyone should be capable of figuring out your central idea just by reading this argumentative claim.
So, if it’s unclear, rephrase it until it is.   

 Main Body

Good structure of standard short essays has particular 5–paragraph format. Three of them must be devoted to
the main body, which contains your key ideas along with supporting evidence or facts. It is easier to read a
paper where main points are divided into paragraphs according to micro-topics. Put the strongest argument in
the first paragraph and support it with the appropriate facts.

Arguments where supporting info is less effective should be placed in descending order. It will give your short
essay a great advantage, even more so if your evidence contains quotations. Don't forget to cite them
according to the formatting requirements, though! To make your text cohesive, use conjunctions and linking
words. That will make a flow of your narration logical because all ideas will appear gradually, changing
smoothly from one into another.

 Conclusion

Present results of analysis in the final paragraph. Here, show how ideas from the main body support thesis
statement, which you should paraphrase. Conclusion isn’t a simple summary of work, it’s synthesis. You must
reply to the question raised back in introduction. Your aim is to provide target audience with a new view on the
subject, so if the first sentence of introduction should have drawn readers’ attention, last sentence of conclusion
should make them satisfied with what they have read.
Writing a Short Essay
Whether you were assigned to write descriptive, argumentative or narrative essays of a short size, there are
some basic requirements that you should follow. Let’s take a look at all steps involved in the process of short
essay writing.

 Research

Finding relevant sources is one of the most important tasks. The good news is, since essay is short, you will
normally need just a few sources, about two or three. They might be articles from the respectable US journals
or books, such as the ones published by Sage Publications. Pay close attention to their date — the more
current all sources are, the better, and make sure they’re peer-reviewed. Read an abstract or a summary of the
work you’ve found. Does it sound like something that will be useful? Remember, each source must actually
contribute something to short essay.    

 Brainstorm

How to write a short essay without making sense of all ideas first? It’s impossible, so think of what you’d like to
explore in particular. In short essays, stay as focused as you can. Each of your sentences must be precise and
on-topic. For that, it’s important have to have a clear idea of what you’re going to write about.  

 Outline

Outline is the next logical step after brainstorming. You’ve come up with all ideas, now it’s time to write them
down so as not to lose direction once you start typing. Having an outline is a must, especially if you were
assigned a broad topic. Threat of chaotic thoughts is very real here, so before you start working, write down all
arguments and possible counterarguments. Dwell on your final goal and decide what information you are going
to cover in each paragraph.

 Write

If you’ve completed the previous steps, writing won’t be hard. You have an outline, you have sources you’re
going to use, now just follow the former and add the latter! Don’t forget that you’re writing a short essay,
though. Be brief and concise, cover all points quickly but succinctly. 

 Edit/proofread

Editing and proofreading are vital part of your short essay writing. You should read what you wrote to make
sure that it sounds good and nothing is rushed or unclear. Writing process is, first of all, the process of creation,
and even if your ideas are perfectly expressed, big amount of both grammatical and orthographic mistakes will
result in you getting low mark. Prevent it by proofreading your essay; if possible, check it with grammar
checkers. Since the essay is of mini length, you won’t have to read for long, so be extra meticulous.

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