How To Write A Whole Composition
The following is a general structure to follow for many kinds of writing. Adapt it to specialized assignments as appropriate.
I. Introduction
The introduction is intended to draw the reader into the body of material to follow. It should begin with a general statement or question, sometimes called the "thesis statement" or "thesis question," followed by a quick narrowing down to the main theme to be developed in the body. Set the stage quickly, give appropriate background, then move right into a transition sentence that will set up the reader for the body. You may need to define the main terms in your title.
II. Body (Argument)
The body of a written piece is where you elaborate, defend, and expand the thesis introduced in the introduction. The body should support your main contention with supporting evidence and possible objections. A good body presents both sides of a case, pro and con. As you make your case, save your best argument for last. When presenting contrary views, be sure to set forth the strongest arguments so you can avoid being charged with erecting a "straw man." The body includes three components:
Elaboration:
Spell out the details by defining, or by clarifying and adding relevant, pertinent information.
Illustration:
Paint a verbal picture that helps make or clarify your point(s). Well illustrated pieces are easier to read and follow than abstract ones.
Argumentation:
Give the reasons, justifications, and rationales for the position or view you have taken in the introduction. Draw inferences for the reader and explain the significance or assertions or claims being made.
When moving from one sub-point or argument to another, use connecting or transitional words and phrases that enable your reader to easily follow the flow of your thinking. The following is a partial list of logical connectors that you can use:
Para empezar, to begin
Al principio, at the beginning
A partir de, beginning with
En primer lugar, in the first place
Al + (infinitivo), Upon ______ing,
Como punto de partida, As a point of departure,
Para continuar, to continue
en cuanto, as soon as
al mismo tiempo, at the same time,
tan pronto como, as soon as,
durante, during
mientras tanto, meanwhile
además, besides
también, also
luego, then, later
después de + (infinitivo), afterwards, after ____ing
con respeto a, with respect to
antes de + (infinitivo), before _____ing
entonces, then
como, since
aunque, although
sino, but
pero, but
sin embargo, however
en cambio, on the other hand
sino que, but rather
a pesar de (que), in spite of the fact (that)
a su vez, in turn
así, so
con relación a, in relation to
conviene indicar/señalar, it is suitable to indidicate/point out
de ese modo, in that way
en cuanto a, regarding
hablando de, speaking of/in reference to
por lo general, generally
por otro lado, on the other hand
por un lado, on one hand
si pensamos en, if we think about
también viene el caso, it also to the point
en realidad, actually
de hecho, in fact
lo importante es que, what is important is that
hay que tomar en cuenta, one must consider that
por ejemplo, for example
para ilustrar, to illustrate
por, because of
puesto que, since
en fin, in short
para concluir, to conclude
para resumir, to summarize
como resultado, as a result
en conclusión, in conclusion
en todo caso, in any case
por consiguiente, therefore
al fin y al cabo, after all
en resumen, in summary
a causa de, on account of, because of
de todos modos, at any rate, anyhow
por eso, therefore
así que, so
debido a, owing to, because of
para terminar, to end
como consecuencia, as consequence
en definitiva, in conclusion, definitely
por lo tanto, therefore
a fin de cuentas, in the end, after all
en resumidas cuentas, in short
ya que, since, seeing that
III. Conclusion
Make your final appeal to the reader, a finishing, all-encompassing statement that wraps up your presentation in a powerful or even dramatic fashion. Normally a single paragraph, brief and concise, will suffice. The purpose of the conclusion is to leave the reader with an idea or thought that captures the essence of the body while provoking further reflection and consideration.
The following is a general structure to follow for many kinds of writing. Adapt it to specialized assignments as appropriate.
I. Introduction
The introduction is intended to draw the reader into the body of material to follow. It should begin with a general statement or question, sometimes called the "thesis statement" or "thesis question," followed by a quick narrowing down to the main theme to be developed in the body. Set the stage quickly, give appropriate background, then move right into a transition sentence that will set up the reader for the body. You may need to define the main terms in your title.
II. Body (Argument)
The body of a written piece is where you elaborate, defend, and expand the thesis introduced in the introduction. The body should support your main contention with supporting evidence and possible objections. A good body presents both sides of a case, pro and con. As you make your case, save your best argument for last. When presenting contrary views, be sure to set forth the strongest arguments so you can avoid being charged with erecting a "straw man." The body includes three components:
Elaboration:
Spell out the details by defining, or by clarifying and adding relevant, pertinent information.
Illustration:
Paint a verbal picture that helps make or clarify your point(s). Well illustrated pieces are easier to read and follow than abstract ones.
Argumentation:
Give the reasons, justifications, and rationales for the position or view you have taken in the introduction. Draw inferences for the reader and explain the significance or assertions or claims being made.
When moving from one sub-point or argument to another, use connecting or transitional words and phrases that enable your reader to easily follow the flow of your thinking. The following is a partial list of logical connectors that you can use:
Para empezar, to begin
Al principio, at the beginning
A partir de, beginning with
En primer lugar, in the first place
Al + (infinitivo), Upon ______ing,
Como punto de partida, As a point of departure,
Para continuar, to continue
en cuanto, as soon as
al mismo tiempo, at the same time,
tan pronto como, as soon as,
durante, during
mientras tanto, meanwhile
además, besides
también, also
luego, then, later
después de + (infinitivo), afterwards, after ____ing
con respeto a, with respect to
antes de + (infinitivo), before _____ing
entonces, then
como, since
aunque, although
sino, but
pero, but
sin embargo, however
en cambio, on the other hand
sino que, but rather
a pesar de (que), in spite of the fact (that)
a su vez, in turn
así, so
con relación a, in relation to
conviene indicar/señalar, it is suitable to indidicate/point out
de ese modo, in that way
en cuanto a, regarding
hablando de, speaking of/in reference to
por lo general, generally
por otro lado, on the other hand
por un lado, on one hand
si pensamos en, if we think about
también viene el caso, it also to the point
en realidad, actually
de hecho, in fact
lo importante es que, what is important is that
hay que tomar en cuenta, one must consider that
por ejemplo, for example
para ilustrar, to illustrate
por, because of
puesto que, since
en fin, in short
para concluir, to conclude
para resumir, to summarize
como resultado, as a result
en conclusión, in conclusion
en todo caso, in any case
por consiguiente, therefore
al fin y al cabo, after all
en resumen, in summary
a causa de, on account of, because of
de todos modos, at any rate, anyhow
por eso, therefore
así que, so
debido a, owing to, because of
para terminar, to end
como consecuencia, as consequence
en definitiva, in conclusion, definitely
por lo tanto, therefore
a fin de cuentas, in the end, after all
en resumidas cuentas, in short
ya que, since, seeing that
III. Conclusion
Make your final appeal to the reader, a finishing, all-encompassing statement that wraps up your presentation in a powerful or even dramatic fashion. Normally a single paragraph, brief and concise, will suffice. The purpose of the conclusion is to leave the reader with an idea or thought that captures the essence of the body while provoking further reflection and consideration.