Handouts about Academic Essays

The Writing Process—Writing can be intimidating, but following this step-by-step approach can make the experience less daunting.

Titles—Titles can be clever, insightful, or both; it all depends on the type of paper you are writing. All titles should attract attention and inform the reader of the topic.

Thesis Statements—A thesis concisely states the focus of a paper and informs the reader what to expect in the paper. A clear thesis statement can provide a solid framework for the rest of the paper.

Introductions—The introduction is one of the most critical components of your paper. It is your responsibility to get the audience’s attention, introduce your topic, and convince the audience that your topic is important to them, present your thesis, and provide a sense of the direction of your paper.

Conclusions—An effective conclusion is essential to the success of your paper. Most readers will remember the last paragraph more than any other part of your document. Like a prosecuting attorney's closing appeal to the jury, a conclusion is your last chance to convince the reader of your argument or to reemphasize your main point.

Audience—Correctly identifying who the reader of your text will be is one of the most important things you can do as a writer. Writers with a weak or nonexistent connection to their readers cannot inform, persuade, or entertain effectively. Writers who have a strong voice which speaks directly to their audience, however, are well on their way to becoming exceptional writers.