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Essay Structure
Writing an academic essay means fashioning a coherent set of ideas into an argument. Because essays are essentially linear—they offer one idea at a time—they must present their ideas in the order that makes most sense to a reader. Successfully structuring an essay means attending to a reader's logic.
The focus of such an essay predicts its structure. It dictates the information readers need to know and the order in which they need to receive it. Thus your essay's structure is necessarily unique to the main claim you're making. Although there are guidelines for constructing certain classic essay types (e.g., comparative analysis), there are no set formula.
Answering Questions: The Parts of an Essay
A typical essay contains many different kinds of information, often located in specialized parts or sections. Even short essays perform several different operations: introducing the argument, analyzing data, raising counterarguments, concluding. Introductions and conclusions have fixed places, but other parts don't. Counterargument, for example, may appear within a paragraph, as a free-standing section, as part of the beginning, or before the ending. Background material (historical context or biographical information, a summary of relevant theory or criticism, the definition of a key term) often appears at the beginning of the essay, between the introduction and the first analytical section, but might also appear near the beginning of the specific section to which it's relevant.
It's helpful to think of the different essay sections as answering a series of questions your reader might ask when encountering your thesis. (Readers should have questions. If they don't, your thesis is most likely simply an observation of fact, not an arguable claim.)
"What?" The first question to anticipate from a reader is "what": What evidence shows that the phenomenon described by your thesis is true? To answer the question you must examine your evidence, thus demonstrating the truth of your claim. This "what" or "demonstration" section comes early in the essay, often directly after the introduction. Since you're essentially reporting what you've observed, this is the part you might have most to say about when you first start writing. But be forewarned: it shouldn't take up much more than a third (often much less) of your finished essay. If it does, the essay will lack balance and may read as mere summary or description.
"How?" A reader will also want to know whether the claims of the thesis are true in all cases. The corresponding question is "how": How does the thesis stand up to the challenge of a counterargument? How does the introduction of new material—a new way of looking at the evidence, another set of sources—affect the claims you're making? Typically, an essay will include at least one "how" section. (Call it "complication" since you're responding to a reader's complicating questions.) This section usually comes after the "what," but keep in mind that an essay may complicate its argument several times depending on its length, and that counterargument alone may appear just about anywhere in an essay.
"Why?" Your reader will also want to know what's at stake in your claim: Why does your interpretation of a phenomenon matter to anyone beside you? This question addresses the larger implications of your thesis. It allows your readers to understand your essay within a larger context. In answering "why", your essay explains its own significance. Although you might gesture at this question in your introduction, the fullest answer to it properly belongs at your essay's end. If you leave it out, your readers will experience your essay as unfinished—or, worse, as pointless or insular.
Mapping an Essay
Structuring your essay according to a reader's logic means examining your thesis and anticipating what a reader needs to know, and in what sequence, in order to grasp and be convinced by your argument as it unfolds. The easiest way to do this is to map the essay's ideas via a written narrative. Such an account will give you a preliminary record of your ideas, and will allow you to remind yourself at every turn of the reader's needs in understanding your idea.
Essay maps ask you to predict where your reader will expect background information, counterargument, close analysis of a primary source, or a turn to secondary source material. Essay maps are not concerned with paragraphs so much as with sections of an essay. They anticipate the major argumentative moves you expect your essay to make. Try making your map like this:
- State your thesis in a sentence or two, then write another sentence saying why it's important to make that claim. Indicate, in other words, what a reader might learn by exploring the claim with you. Here you're anticipating your answer to the "why" question that you'll eventually flesh out in your conclusion.
- Begin your next sentence like this: "To be convinced by my claim, the first thing a reader needs to know is . . ." Then say why that's the first thing a reader needs to know, and name one or two items of evidence you think will make the case. This will start you off on answering the "what" question. (Alternately, you may find that the first thing your reader needs to know is some background information.)
- Begin each of the following sentences like this: "The next thing my reader needs to know is . . ." Once again, say why, and name some evidence. Continue until you've mapped out your essay.
Your map should naturally take you through some preliminary answers to the basic questions of what, how, and why. It is not a contract, though—the order in which the ideas appear is not a rigid one. Essay maps are flexible; they evolve with your ideas.
Signs of Trouble
A common structural flaw in college essays is the "walk-through" (also labeled "summary" or "description"). Walk-through essays follow the structure of their sources rather than establishing their own. Such essays generally have a descriptive thesis rather than an argumentative one. Be wary of paragraph openers that lead off with "time" words ("first," "next," "after," "then") or "listing" words ("also," "another," "in addition"). Although they don't always signal trouble, these paragraph openers often indicate that an essay's thesis and structure need work: they suggest that the essay simply reproduces the chronology of the source text (in the case of time words: first this happens, then that, and afterwards another thing . . . ) or simply lists example after example ("In addition, the use of color indicates another way that the painting differentiates between good and evil").
Copyright 2000, Elizabeth Abrams, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
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11 Best Tips – How to Write an Essay of a Book?
If you’ve ever wondered how to write an essay of a book, wonder no more! This guide will teach you everything you need to know to create a coherent and engaging essay about your favorite read. Whether you’re discussing the plot, analyzing the characters, or weighing in on the author’s techniques, this guide has got you covered. So put on your thinking cap and let’s get started!
Page Contents
Why Write About a Book?
When you read a book, you are reading the author’s thoughts on a particular subject. You can learn about the author’s life, their opinions, and what they think is important. That is why it is important to write about books. By writing an essay about a book, you can share your thoughts and feelings about the book with others.
To write an effective essay about a book, you need to read the book thoroughly. Make sure that you understand the main points of the book and take notes as you read. Once you have finished reading the book, take some time to organize your thoughts and write a thesis statement. The thesis statement is your main point or argument about the book.
Your essay should be well-organized and include evidence from the book to support your argument.
What Are You Going to Analyze?
When it comes to writing an essay on a book, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. First, you need to choose a book that is interesting to you. This will make the process much easier because you will be more engaged in the reading process.
Second, you need to develop a thesis statement about the book. This statement should summarize your main points and ideas about the book.
Finally, you need to analyze the book using evidence from the text. This evidence can come in the form of quotes or examples from the story. By following these steps, you can write a strong essay on any book.
1. Choose a Book
When you are given the assignment to write an essay on a book, it is important to choose one that will provide you with enough material to work with. You don’t want to choose a book that is too short, because you will not have enough to say, and you don’t want to choose a book that is too long, because you will get bogged down in details. Here are some tips for choosing the right book:
1. Choose a book that is interesting to you. If you are interested in the topic, you will be more likely to read it thoroughly and write a good paper.
2. Choose a book that is well-written. This doesn’t mean that the book has to be a bestseller or even popular. It just means that the author has taken care of the writing and has crafted a good story.
2. Read the Book Thoroughly and Carefully
Reading a book and writing an essay on it may seem like two tasks that cannot be done simultaneously, but with a little bit of organization and some strategic planning, the two can be accomplished relatively easily. Here are a few tips for how to read a book while writing an essay on it:
- Make sure to take notes as you read. Note-taking will help you to keep track of the main points of the book and will come in handy when it comes time to write your essay.
- Create an outline for your essay. An outline will help you to organize your thoughts and ensure that your essay is well-structured.
- If your book is a story (a novel etc.), then outline its central ideas, plot, theme, and various characters.
- Start writing your essay as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you have finished reading the book to start writing; get started early so that you have plenty of time to revise and polish your work.
3. How to Get Started to Write an Essay About a Book?
When you are given the assignment to write an essay about a book, it is important to remember that this is not just a summary of the text. Instead, your essay should focus on one specific element of the book, such as the characters or the plot. You should also make sure to include your thoughts and analysis of the text.
To get started, you will need to come up with a thesis statement. This should be a specific argument that you plan to make about the book. Then, you will need to back up your thesis with evidence from the text. Be sure to use quotes and other examples from the book to support your points.
Finally, you will want to wrap up your essay by restating your thesis and giving your opinion on what you think of the book. Was it good? Why or why not?
4.Discuss Supporting Arguments
When you’re writing an essay on a book , it’s important to back up your points with evidence from the text. But where do you find that evidence? And how do you note it down while you’re reading? Here are a few tips:
- Look for direct quotations from the book. These are the most reliable pieces of evidence since they come straight from the author’s mouth. Make sure to include the page number where the quotation can be found.
- Pay attention to important details in the text. These can be anything from specific facts to character traits. Note them down in your essay, and explain why they’re important.
- Think about the theme of the book. What is the main idea that the author is trying to communicate? Try to find supporting evidence for that idea throughout the text.
5. Quoting and Paraphrasing
When writing an essay on a book, it is important to use quotations and paraphrases to support your argument. However, it is also important to use these sources correctly. Here are some tips on how to quote and paraphrase the text correctly:
When quoting a passage from the book, be sure to include the page number in parentheses after the quotation. Also, make sure that the quotation is properly punctuated.
If you are paraphrasing a passage from the book, be sure to include a citation that includes the author’s name and the page number. Also, make sure that your paraphrase is accurate and faithful to the original text.
6. Analyze the Style and Language of a Book
When it comes to discussing the style, voice, and language of a book, it’s important to keep in mind the context of the essay. For example, if you’re writing about how the author employs stream of consciousness as a literary device, you’ll want to focus on specific examples from the text and analyze how they contribute to the overall effect. In contrast, if you’re discussing the use of dialect in a novel, you might want to consider how it affects your understanding of character or plot.
Whatever your focus may be, make sure to provide specific evidence from the text to support your points. Quotations are always helpful here but don’t forget to explain what they mean with your argument.
7. Discuss Tone
8. rigor and reality.
Rigor and reality in book essays can be a tricky combination. It’s easy to get lost in the plot and characters of a book, forgetting that you’re supposed to be writing an essay. On the other hand, you don’t want your essay to read like a book report. Here are a few tips for striking the right balance:
- Make sure you understand the assignment. What is your professor asking you to do? What are the key points she wants you to focus on?
- Read the book closely, paying attention to the plot and characters. Jot down some notes as you go; you’ll be glad later when it comes time to write your essay.
- Start drafting your essay early. Don’t wait until the last minute; allow yourself time to revise and polish your work.
9. Structural Organization of a Book
When writing an essay on a book, one of the most important aspects to discuss is the book’s structure. By understanding how the author has put the book together, you can begin to understand why it was written in that particular way and what each part of the book is meant to accomplish. There are three main ways that a book can be structurally organized: chronologically, thematically, and structurally.
Chronologically organizing a book means telling the story in the order that it happened. This is usually done with novels, where the author wants to create a sense of suspense by revealing certain plot points bit by bit. The thematic organization connects events in the story with a central idea or theme. This type of organization can be used for both fiction and nonfiction books, and it can help readers see how the author developed their theme throughout the entire work.
10. Analysis of Plot and Character Development
When you are writing an essay on a book, one of the most important aspects to discuss is the plot and character development. To do this effectively, you need to be able to analyze how the author develops these elements throughout the story.
One way to analyze the plot is to examine the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. To better understand how these work together, it can be helpful to create a plot diagram. This will help you see the overall structure of the story and how each event impacts the characters.
You should also analyze how the author develops the characters throughout the story. One way to do this is by looking at their backstory and how it affects their actions in the present.
Additionally, you can look at how the characters change and grow over time.
11. Images, Maps, and Objects in the Book
To discuss the images, maps, or objects of a book while writing an essay on it, one must understand how best to utilize these tools. The main objective of any image, map, or object used in an essay should be to support the thesis or main argument of the paper.
When discussing any image, map, or object from a book, it is important to be specific and provide a clear analysis. For example, when analyzing a painting, one might discuss the colors used in the work and how they contribute to the overall mood or theme.
Additionally, it is important to consider why the author chose to include that particular image, map, or object in their work. In some cases, an image, map, or object may not be directly related to the topic of the essay but can still offer valuable insights into the author’s thoughts and intentions.
If you successfully learn how to write an essay of a book, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. It allows you to explore the themes and ideas of the text in-depth and to share your thoughts and insights with others. Remember to use strong evidence from the text to support your points and to structure your essay clearly and concisely. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can write an essay that is clear, organized, and well-written.
Finally, always proofread your work for grammar and spelling errors before submitting it. Good luck!
FAQs | How to Write an Essay of A Book
How do i write an essay about a book that is not assigned to me in class.
When faced with the task of writing an essay about a book that is not assigned to you in class, many students feel lost. How can you write about a book when you haven’t even read it? The first step is to read the book. Once you have read it, take some time to think about the themes that are present in the book and what your thesis might be. Then, outline your essay by creating an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Make sure to use evidence from the text to support your points. Finally, revise and edit your essay until it is perfect.
What is the difference between a book review and a book essay?
A book review is a critical evaluation of a book. It usually discusses the content of the book and how well the author has executed their ideas. A book essay, on the other hand, is more like an academic paper. It may analyze the themes and symbolism in the book, or discuss the author’s style and technique.
How long a book review and book essay should be?
There is no set length for a book review or book essay, but there are general guidelines to follow. When writing a book review, it is important to summarize the plot and offer your opinion of the work. A book essay can be more in-depth, analyzing the themes and symbolism of the text. Both should be well-written and engaging, providing your reader with enough information to decide if they want to read the book themselves.
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The Essay: A Novel Paperback – October 25, 2016
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- Print length 256 pages
- Language English
- Publisher Arcade
- Publication date October 25, 2016
- Dimensions 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
- ISBN-10 1628727179
- ISBN-13 978-1628727173
- Lexile measure 950L
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- Publisher : Arcade; Reprint edition (October 25, 2016)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1628727179
- ISBN-13 : 978-1628727173
- Lexile measure : 950L
- Item Weight : 11.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
- #176 in Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fiction
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About the author
Robin yocum.
Robin Yocum is the Edgar-nominated author known for his fiction set in the Ohio River Valley.
His next novel, The Sacrifice of Lester Yates, will be released in the spring of 2021 by Arcade CrimeWise, an imprint of Arcade Publishing.
He is the author of five additional works of fiction:
A Perfect Shot
A Welcome Murder
A Brilliant Death
Favorite Sons
Favorite Sons was named the 2011 Book of the Year for Mystery/Suspense by USA Book News. A Brilliant Death was a Barnes & Noble No. 1 bestseller and a finalist for both the 2017 Edgar Award and the Silver Falchion Award for best adult mystery.
Yocum joined the Columbus Dispatch in 1980. He worked at the paper for 11 years, including six years as the senior reporter on the investigative desk. He won more than 30 local, state and national journalism awards in categories ranging from investigative reporting to feature writing.
Prior to joining the Dispatch, Yocum was the associate sports editor of the Martins Ferry, Ohio, Times Leader, and a reporter for the Lancaster, Ohio, Eagle-Gazette.
He is the principle at Yocum Communications, a public relations and marketing consulting firm in Galena, Ohio, that he founded in 2001.
Yocum grew up in the Ohio River village of Brilliant, Ohio, and has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University.
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COMMENTS
Essay Structure. Writing an academic essay means fashioning a coherent set of ideas into an argument. Because essays are essentially linear—they offer one idea at a time—they must present their ideas in the order that makes most sense to a reader. Successfully structuring an essay means attending to a reader's logic.
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author.
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