Overview
Title: The title of the Final Essay should directly relate to the topic of the essay and allude to its thesis. (Note: Do not include a separate Title page.)
Introduction: Open the essay with a succinct, yet detailed, one-paragraph Introduction that engages the reader’s interest in the topic, indicates what is to come in the essay, and establishes a context for the main argument (thesis). Do not exceed one page for the Introduction paragraph.
Thesis: This final sentence of the Introduction paragraph makes a clear, concise, and argumentative claim related to the topic of the essay. Since this is an essay, not a book report, the thesis statement does not simply summarize the paper or state the topic of the essay. It takes a stance. The stronger or more bold the thesis, the better the essay—as long as the thesis can be justified. The thesis is the single-most important sentence of the entire essay.
Arguments: In order to develop the central argument of the essay (i.e., the thesis), compelling reasons for why the reader should accept your position must be provided (simply stating your point of view is insufficient). Each paragraph should center around a sub-argument or “paragraph thesis” (encapsulated in a topic sentence for the given paragraph) that supports the thesis in some way.
Organization/Structure: Think of each paragraph as an intellectual unit that revolves around a main idea, the order of presentation of which moves the essay’s argument forward. The organization of these intellectual units/main ideas comprises the back-bone of the essay, and it should have a logical structure that is guided by its thesis. Without such a back-bone, the essay has no persuasive force. Transitional terms and phrases (“however,” “therefore,” “furthermore,” “nevertheless,” etc.) should be used appropriately. (Note: By reading just the thesis statement, the topic sentence of each paragraph, and the first sentence of the Conclusion paragraph, the reader should have a very clear idea about what the core argument of the essay is and how you have established it.)
Supporting Evidence: Examples that illustrate your claims and textual support that grounds the sub-arguments of the essay in appropriate texts are essential to developing the thesis and demonstrating knowledge of the course material. Be sure to explain how the examples provided elucidate the thesis and its supporting arguments. Use direct quotes from textual sources only when the exact words of the author or text are important, or if you could not possibly capture the idea better yourself. Otherwise, you should paraphrase. Whenever you do quote, be sure to explain in your own words what the quoted passage means and how it is relevant to your argument.
Counter-Arguments: If and where appropriate, consider objections or counter- examples that might be presented against your argument(s). However, you should employ counter-arguments not to actually refute your own thesis, but to anticipate further development of your own position. This will strengthen the legitimacy of your overall thesis.
Conclusion: End the essay with a one-paragraph Conclusion that reiterates the thesis, summarizes the primary supporting claims in order to clarify the main thread of argumentation, and gently eases the reader out of the argument (possibly by suggesting broader implications and insights from your essay). Do not introduce in the Conclusion any new arguments or material in support of your thesis (this should have already been accomplished).