How to Write an Essay

WRITING
AN ESSAY
Rulik Setiani, S.S, M.Pd.
Dewi Sri Kuning, S.Pd., M.Pd.
WRITING
AN ESSAY
WRITING
AN ESSAY

i
Sanksi Pelanggaran Pasal 113 Undang-Undang
Republik Indonesia Nomor 28 Tahun 2014 Tentang Hak Cipta
1. Hak Cipta adalah hak eksklusif pencipta yang timbul secara otomatis
berdasarkan prinsip deklaratif setelah suatu ciptaan diwujudkan dalam
bentuk nyata tanpa mengurangi pembatasan sesuai dengan ketentuan
peraturan perundang-undangan. (Pasal 1 ayat [1]).
2. Pencipta atau Pemegang Hak Cipta sebagaimana dimaksud dalam
Pasal 8 memiliki hak ekonomi untuk melakukan: a. Penerbitan ciptaan;
b. Penggandaan ciptaan dalam segala bentuknya; c. Penerjemahan
ciptaan; d. Pengadaptasian, pengaransemenan, atau pentransforma-
sian ciptaan; e. pendistribusian ciptaan atau salinannya; f. Pertunjukan
Ciptaan; g. Pengumuman ciptaan; h. Komunikasi ciptaan; dan i. Penye-
waan ciptaan. (Pasal 9 ayat [1]).
3. Setiap Orang yang dengan tanpa hak dan/atau tanpa izin Pencipta atau
pemegang Hak Cipta melakukan pelanggaran hak ekonomi Pencipta
sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 9 ayat (1) huruf a, huruf b, huruf
e, dan/atau huruf g untuk Penggunaan Secara Komersial dipidana den-
gan pidana penjara paling lama 4 (empat) tahun dan/atau pidana denda
paling banyak Rp1.000.000.000,00 (satu miliar rupiah). (Pasal 113 ayat
[3]).
4. Setiap Orang yang memenuhi unsur sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat
(3) yang dilakukan dalam bentuk pembajakan, dipidana dengan pidana
penjara paling lama 10 (sepuluh) tahun dan/atau pidana denda paling
banyak Rp4.000.000.000,00 (empat miliar rupiah). (Pasal 113 ayat [4]).
ii
WRITING
AN ESSAY

iii
WRITING AN ESSAY
--------------------------
Penulis:
Rulik Setiani
Dewi Sri Kuning
Desain kover: El-Fahmi
Layout: Joko Riyanto
--------------------------
Cetakan I, Oktober 2018
--------------------------
Diterbitkan oleh
Titah Surga
Suryodiningratan MJ II-874
Yogyakarta 55141
www.titahsurga.com
--------------------------
- Rulik Setiani dan Dewi Sri Kuning -
Writing an Essay;
Cet. I – Yogyakarta: Penerbit Titah Surga 2018
viii + 62 hlm; 140 x 200 mm.
--------------------------
ISBN: 978-602-6981-62-9
iv
PREFACE
P raise to the merciful God that this handbook

has already compiled entitle “WRITING
AN ESSAY” to be used in the English Education
Department students of third semester of STKIP
Muhammadiyah Kotabumi in order to meet the
need of reference about the subject of essay
writing. This handbook is also designed to give
the students the guided practice necessary to
write an essay through PLAN and WRITE. The
materials of this course deals with: 1) Intro
duction, 2) Prewriting, 3) Outlining, 4) Intro
ductory Paragraph, 5) Body of an Essay, 6)
v
Conclusion of an Essay, and 7) Patterns of Essay
Organization.
It is hoped that this handbook will be helpful
and useful for students to improve their ability in
writing an essay through PLAN and WRITE. Finally,
the writer realizes that this handbook needs
more improvement, therefore any constructive
criticism is welcomed.
Kotabumi, May 2018

The Writer
vi
CONTENTS
COVER......................................................... i
PREFACE...................................................... v
CONTENTS................................................... vii
TABLES........................................................ ix
PICTURES..................................................... xi
UNIT I INTRODUCTION................................ 1
A. Objectives............................................ 1
B. Brief Description.................................. 1
UNIT 2 PREWRITING.................................... 9
A. Objectives............................................ 9
vii
. 2.1 Listing............................................. 10
. 2.2 Freewriting..................................... 11
. 2.3 Clustering....................................... 12
UNIT 3 OUTLINING...................................... 13
A. Objectives............................................ 13
UNIT 4 INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH........... 21
A. Objectives............................................ 21
UNIT 5 BODY OF AN ESSAY........................... 33
A. Objectives............................................ 33
UNIT 6 CONCLUSION OF AN ESSAY............... 37
A. Objectives............................................ 37
UNIT 7 PATTERNS OF ESSAY
ORGANIZATION...................................... 45
A. Objectives............................................ 45
. 7.1 Cause and Effect Order.................. 46
. 7.2 Comparison and Contrast Essay..... 53
REFERENCES................................................ 67
viii
TABLES
1. Transition Signals for General Use.............. 28

2. Transition Signals of Cause and Effect........ 48
3. Transition Signals of Comparison/
Contrast..................................................... 54
4. Scoring Rubric of an Essay......................... 63
ix
x
PICTURES
1. An Essay Structure...................................... 4
2. Stages of Writing an Essay.......................... 7
3. Clustering Model........................................ 12
4. Block Organization...................................... 47
5. Chain Organization..................................... 47
xi
xii Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning
UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Objectives
After taking this material, the students are
able to:
1. Explain what an essay is.
2. Differenciate between structure of para
graph and essay.
3. Explain the stages of an essay.
B. Brief Description
An essay is a specific argument which has a
theme, logically expressed from the beginning
to the end. It tests your knowledge and
WRITING AN ESSAY 1
understanding of a topic, supported by research.
An essay is also an exercise to develop and handle
relevant ideas, construct a clearly expressed
argument and refers to the arguments made by
academics. An essay is a powerful learning tool
that will help to develop your understanding of
a subject.
According to Oshima and Hogue (1991:100),
“an essay is a piece of writing several long
paragraphs instead of just one or two paragraphs
and written about one topic, just as a paragraph
is. However a topic of an essay is too complex
to discuss in a paragraph. Therefore, it must
be divided into several paragraphs, one each
major point. Then it must tie all of the separate
paragraphs together by adding an introduction
and conclusion”. The principles of organization
are the same for both, so if you can write a good
paragraph means that you can write a good essay.
Moreover the criteria to write a good essay shoul
consist of three main parts likes: an introductory
paragraph, a body, and a concluding paragraph.
An essay introduction stimulates the reader’s
interest and tells what the essay is about.
2 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

The last sentence of an introduction is the
thesis statement. Like the topic sentence of a
paragraph, a thesis statement names the specific
topic of the essay. The body consists of one or
more paragraphs. Each paragraph develops a
subdivision of the topic. The conclusion, like
the concluding sentence in a paragraph, is a
summary or review of the main points discussed
in the body. The following picture is the essay
structure:
ESSAY
I. INTRODUCTION
General Statements
Thesis Statement
II. BODY
A. Topic Sentence
1. Supporting Sentence
4. Concluding Sentence
B. Topic Sentence
WRITING AN ESSAY 3
C. Topic Sentence
III. CONCLUSION
Summary of main points; final
comment. (paraphrase what is in
the introduction).
PARAGRAPH
Topic Sentence
A. Supporting Sentence
B. Supporting Sentence
C. Supporting Sentence
Concluding Sentence
Picture 1
An Essay Structure
(Rolls & Wignell in MacGibbon, 2013)
Writing an essay is not more difficult than
writing a paragraph except that an essay is longer.
The principles of organization are the same for
both, so if you can write a good paragraph, you
can write a good essay. An essay has three main
points:

1. An Introductory Paragraph
The introductory paragraph consists of two
parts: a few general statements about your sub
ject to attract the reader’s attention and a thesis
statement to state the specific subdivision of
the topic and/or the plan of the paper. A thesis
statement for an essay is just like a topic sentence
for a paragraph: it names the specific topic and
the controlling ideas of the topic. It has two
functions: It attracts the reader’s interest, and it
introduces the topic of the essay.
2. Body (at least one, but usually two or more

paragraphs)
The body consists of one or more paragraphs.
Each paragraph develops a subdivision of the
topic, so the number of paragraphs in the body
will vary with the number of subtopics. The body
is the longest part of the essay and can contain
as many paragraphs as necessary to support the
controlling ideas of the thesis statement. Each
body paragraph has a topic sentence and several
supporting sentences. It may or may not have
a concluding sentence. Each body paragraph
supports the thesis statement.
WRITING AN ESSAY 5
3. A Concluding Paragraph
The concluding paragraph is the last para
graph of an essay. It has three purposes: It signals
the end of the essay, it reminds the reader of
your main points, and it leaves the reader with
your final thoughts on the topic. The first part
of the concluding paragraph summarizes the
main points or repeats the thesis statement
in different words. It may require one or more
than one sentence. In the second part, you
may add a final comment. This is the place to
express your opinion, make a judgment, or give a
recommendation. However, do not add any new
ideas in the concluding paragraph. Just comment
on what you have already discussed.
The following picture is the stages of writing
an essay:

Think about the meaning of key words and phrases
in the essay title, including 'instructional' terms
Analyse
the Fit the task to the module
Question – aims and learning outcomes
all of it
Try breaking task down
into smaller questions
Generate ideas through

brainstorming  Review your materials
 identify and plug any gaps
Make a
rough
outline Continue to read
plan and make notes
Review, then modify
Use plan to revise essay again
Create a guide and refine
mindmap research the plan
of the topic Write a
 Attend classes and make notes rough
of key ideas first draft
 undertake targeted research
and active reading After drafting, set it
aside for a day or so.
You will return to it
At each stage check: Am I with clearer ideas and Edit draft for
answering the question - the renewed energy. structure
whole of it? Have I veered off and content
track? Is this developing into a
coherent, logical
argument/structure? Review
later drafts with these check
points in mind until you reach a
Edit draft
satisfactory version.
for style
Hand in work Does it comply

on or before Check with task
the deadline referencing requirements?
Proof read
for spelling Make sure you follow the
& correct referencing convention
Produce punctuation for the subject area
final copy
check visually as well
Proof read backwards from as using a computer
conclusion upwards so as not to miss spell-check
punctuation and grammar errors
Picture 2
The Stages of Writing an Essay
Picture 2
The Stages of Writing an Essay
WRITING AN ESSAY 7
UNIT 2
PREWRITING ACTIVITY
A. Objectives
able to:
1. Explain what prewriting is.
2. Differenciate some activities in prewriting
activity.
3. Write some activities in prewriting (listing,
freewriting, and clustering)
Prewriting activity is the activity in which
writers look for a topic or for ideas and language
WRITING AN ESSAY 9
related to a topic before beginning writing. To
begin it, individually choose a topic, the topic
chosen and narrow it to a specific focus. The next
prewriting step is to generate ideas. This is done
by a process called brainstorming. Brainstorming
for ideas can get you start writing more quickly
and save you time in the later stages of the writing
process. Three useful brainstorming techniques
are listing, freewriting, and clustering. Learn how
to do each of them and then decide which is the
most productive for you.
2.1 Listing
Listing is a brainstorming technique in which
you think about your topic and quickly make a
list of whatever words or phrases come into your
mind. Your purpose is to produce as many ideas
as possible in a short time, and your goal is to
find a specific focus for your topic. The example
of listing can be seen below:

Culture Shock
Communication problems Homeless people shocking sight

Poor verbal skill Americans students
Children disrespectful Classroom environment
New language Unclear expression
American family life Need a car
Families seldom eat together Public transportation is not good
Lack vocabulary Students ask questions
Show affection in public No formal dress code
Americans talk too fast Use incomplete sentences
They are friendly Poor pronunciation
People are always in a hurry Students can challenge professors
Use slang and idioms Americans difficult to understand
Children are “kings” No one takes time to cook good meal
Lack confidence College professors wear jeans
Everyone eats fast food Use first names with teachers
2.2 Freewriting
Freewriting is a brainstorming activity in
which you write freely about a topic because you
are looking for a specific focus. While you are
writing, one idea will spark another idea. As with
listing, the purpose of freewriting is to generate
as many idea as possible and to write them
down without worrying about appropriateness,
grammar, spelling, logic, or organization. Re
member the more you freewrite, the more ideas
you will have. Do not despair if your mind seems
to run dry. Just keep your pencil moving.
WRITING AN ESSAY 11
2.3 Clustering
Clustering is another barinstorming activity
that you can use to generate ideas. Here is how
to use this technique; in the center of your paper,
write your topic and draw a “balloon” around
it. Then write whatever ideas come to you in
balloons around the core. Think about each of
these ideas and make more balloons aroud them.
Example:
Example:
Exercise
Likes fishing Give 2.5% of
enthusiast
income to
mosque
Very religious
MY FATHER
Always prays
Sports fan at mosque
Workaholic
Boring life
Heart problem
Works six day

a week
Picture 3
PictureModel
Clustering 3
Clustering Model

UNIT 3
OUTLINING
A. Objectives
able to:
1. Explain what outlining is.
2. Explain the organization of outlining.
3. Develop outline.
After chosing the topic and narrow it, and
you generate idea by brainstorming, now you
are ready for the next process of writing, the
planning stage. The planning stage, you organize
WRITING AN ESSAY 13
the ideas you generated by brainstorming into
outline. Oshima and Hogue (2007:200) state
“making an ouline is even very important when
you are planning an essay because you have many
more ideas and detail to organize”. An outline is
a formal plan for a paragraph. In an outline, you
erite down the main supporting point and sub
point/supporting details in the order in which
you plan to write about them. The outlining
organization can be seen below:
I. Introduction
Thesis statement
II. Body
A. Topic Sentence
1. Main Supporting Point
a. Supporting Detail
b. Supporting Detail

B. Topic Sentence
III. Conclusion
Notice these points:

1. The introduction, body, and conclusion
are numbered with Roman numerals: I, II,
and III.
2. The topic sentence of each body paragraph
is given a capital letter (A, B , C , and so on).
3. Each main supporting point is numbered
1, 2, 3, and so on.
4. Each supporting detail is given a small
letter (a, b, c, and so on).
5. Each time the outline moves from a Roman
numeral to a capital letter to an Arabic
numeral, the text is indented. Indenting
makes it easy to see the movement from
WRITING AN ESSAY 15
big to small, from main points to specific
details.
The following is the outlining model:
Outlining Model of paragraph:
Communication Problems
International students in the United States face
communication problems with Americans.
(Topic sentence)
A. International students have poor verbal
skills. (Supporting point)
1. Lack Vocabulary (Supporting detail)
2. Have poor pronunciation (Supporting
detail)
B. Americans are difficult to understand.
(Supporting point)
1. Use incomplete sentences (Supporting
detail)
2. Use unclear expressions (Supporting
detail)
3. Talk too fast (Supporting detail)
4. Use slang and idioms (Supporting detail)
For the the following is the example of essay

oulining:

Modern Technology
I. Introduction
The most recent significant discoveries to
benefit humankind in modern times are
in the fields of television and computer
technology.

II. Body
A. A popular form of instant communication
all over the world is television.
1. Witnessing important events
a. Destruction of Berlin Wall
b. Launching of spacecraft
2. Long distance medicine by two-way
video
a. Patient and doctor conferences
b. Special equipment to minitor patient
B. In the last few decades, computer
technology has made tremendous
progress in the world of communication
to benefit humankind.
1. Long distance communication
2. Information superhighway
3. Global computer networks electronic
mail
WRITING AN ESSAY 17
C. Technology has contributed enermously
to advances in computer medicine, which
has benefited both doctors and patients.
1. Rural doctors and medical information
a. Less access in past
b. Immediate access today
2. E-ray pictures of body parts
a. Diagnoses of diseases and disorders
b. Necessary treatments
III. Conclusion
To conclude, scientific researchs and ex
periments have certainly opened the doors
to faster, more easily accessible information
worldwide on television and the computer.
Many of these discoveries have changed
our lives for the better and have made the
people of the world closer.
Exercise:
1. Develop outlines for the other two groups:
a. Classroom management
b. Indonesian Education

2. Each ouline should contain a topic
sentence, one/two main supporting
points, and one/two supporting details for
each main supporting point. Add a title to
your outline.
WRITING AN ESSAY 19
UNIT 4
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
A. Objectives
able to:
1. Explain what introductory paragraph is.
2. Differenciate general statement and thesis
statement.
3. Analyze general statement on the para
graph.
4. Write introductory paragraph.
5. Use appropriate transition signal.

WRITING AN ESSAY 21
The introductory paragraph or introduction
is the first paragraph of an essay. It has two
functions: (1) It attracts the reader’s interest, and
(2) it introduces the topic of the essay. There are
several kinds of introductory paragraphs. In this
book, you will learn to write a kind known as a
“funnel” introduction. A funnel introduction has
two parts: several general statements and the
thesis statement. The general statements give
the reader background information about the
topic of the essay. They should lead your readers
gradually from a very general idea of your topic
to a very specific idea. The first general statement
in a funnel introduction just introduces the topic.
Like the lens of a camera moving in for a close-
up picture, each sentence that follows becomes
more and more focused on a specific topic. The
thesis statement is normally the last sentence in
an introductory paragraph (Oshima and Hogue,
2007:191). It has three purposes:
1. It states the specific topic of the essay.
2. It may list the subtopics of the main topic.
3. It may also mention the method of
organization.

Reread the introductory paragraph of the
model essay “Styles of Popular Music.” Notice
how the sentences gradually move from the
general topic of music to the specific topic.
MODEL:
Introductory Paragraph
General statements
Music is truly the one
universal language. Although
all cultures have music, each
culture develops its own
musical forms and styles.
In particular, popular music
varies from culture to culture
and from generation to
generation. In the past 100
years or so, there has been
an explosion of popular music
styles in the West. Three of
Thesis statement the more sucessful styles are
reggae, punk, and rap.
Three successful styles of popular music.

• The first sentence attracts the reader’s
interest with a short sentence; it also
names the general topic (music)
WRITING AN ESSAY 23
• The second sentence says that each
culture has its own kinds of music.
• The next two sentences norrow the
general topic (music) to a more specific
one (popular music) and mention that it
has many styles.
• The final sentence, the thesis statement
specifically names the three styles to be
discussed in the body paragraphs: reggae,
punk, and rap.
Exercise 1:
In the following introductory paragraphs, the
sentences are in scrambled order, rewrite them
individually in the correct order. Begin with the
most general statement. Then add each sentence
in correct order until the introduction becomes
more organized, write the thesis statement last.
1. (1) Therefore, workaholics’ lifestyles can
affect their families, social lives, and health.
(2) Because they work so many hours,
workaholics may not spend enough time
in leisure activities. (3) Nowadays, many
men and women work in law, accounting,
real estate, and business. (4) These people

are serious about becoming successful, so
they work long hours during the week and
even on weekends. (5) People who work
long hours are called “workaholics.”
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
2. (1 ) Therefore, anyone who wants to
drive must carry a driver’s license. (2) It is
divided into four steps: studying the traffic
laws, taking the written test, learning
to drive, and taking the driving test. (3)
Getting a driver’s license is a complicated
process. (4) Driving a car is a necessity in
today’s busy society, and it is also a special
privilege.
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
WRITING AN ESSAY 25
3. (1) During this period, children separate
themselves from their parents and become
independent. (2) Teenagers express their
separateness most vividly in their choice of
clothes, hairstyles, music, and vocabulary.
(3) The teenage years between childhood
and adulthood are a period of growth and
separation.
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
...................................................................
Exercise 2:
Analyze the thesis statements by giving
underline for main topic and dot line for sub
topics in each following thesis statements, and
draw a circle around the words or punctuation
marks are used to introduce the subtopics!
Example: Capital punishment should be aboli
shed not only because it deprives another person
of life but also because it does not stop crime.
1. Women generally live longer than men for
two main reasons: they tend to take better

care of their health, and they have better
resistance to stress.
2. Drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers
can be traced to the following causes: lack
of parental supervision, lax enforcement of
drug laws, and the social and psychological
problems of teenagers themselves.
3. In choosing a major, a student has to consi
der various factors, such as personal inte
rest, job opportunities, and the availability
of training institutions.
4. An architect should be both an artist and
an engineer.
5. The purpose of the report is to analyze
the influence of the Spanish language on
American English.
Exercise 3:
Complete the following thesis statements by
adding subtopics to them, be sure your structures
are parallel!
1. A computer is necessary for college
students for three reasons:....................
2. Successful students have the following
qualities:................................................
WRITING AN ESSAY 27
3. Living in a city has certain advantages over
living in the suburbs: .............................
4. My two little brothers are as different as
day and night not ony in .......................
but also in . ............................................
5. Poverty creates negative cosequences for
society such as.......................................
TABLE 1
TRANSITION SIGNALS FOR GENERAL USE
Sentence connectors Clause connectors

Meaning
Transition Conjunctive Coordinating Subordinating Others
/function
Phrases Adverb Conjunction Conjunction
To introduce In addition Furthermore And Another
an Moreover (+ noun)
additional Besides An
idea Also additional
Too (+ noun)
To introduce On the other However But Although In spite of

an opposite hand Nevertheless Yet Though (+ noun)
idea In contrast Instead Even though Despite
Still Whereas (+ noun)
Nonetheless While
To introduce Otherwise Or If Unless

a choice or
alternative
To In fact That is
introduce a Indeed
restatement
or
explanation

To introduce For example. An
an example For instance. example
of (+
noun)
Such as
(+ noun)
To introduce In conclu-sion
a In summary
conclusion In brief
or summary In short
indeed
To introduce Accordingly Therefore So

a result As a result Consequently
As a Hence
consequence Thus
(Source: Adopted from Oshima and Hogue, 2007)
Transition signals are important not only

within paragraphs but also between paragraphs.
If you write more paragraphs, you need to show
the relationship between your first and second
paragraph, between third paragraph, and so on.
Think of transitions between paragraphs as the
links of a chain. The links of a chain connect the
chain; they hold it together. Similarly, a transition
signals between two paragraphs links your ideas
together.
Two paragraphs are linked by adding a
transition signal to the topic sentence of the
second paragraph. This transition signal may be
WRITING AN ESSAY 29
a single word, a phrase, or a dependent clause
that repeats or summarizes the main idea in the
first paragraph.
Exercise 4:
Write introductory paragraph relates the
certain topic you decided. Remember that your
paragraph should consist of several general
statements and thesis statement!
Topic/Title
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WRITING AN ESSAY 31
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UNIT 5
BODY OF AN ESSAY
A. Objectives
able to:
1. Explain what body of an essay is.
2. Complete the body of an essay.
3. Write body of an essay.
The body of an essay is made up of one or
more paragraphs. Each body of paragraph
has a topic sentence and several supporting
sentences. It may or may not have a concluding
WRITING AN ESSAY 33
sentence. Each body of paragraph supports the
thesis statement (Oshima and Hogue, 2007:193).
An essay is longer and more complex than a
paragraph, it is even more important to organize
your thoughts and to plan the body of your essay
before you begin to write.
Exercise 1:
Complete the body of the essay based on the
topic sentences provided on part of body below!
Aggresive Drivers
The number of vehicles on freeways and
streets is increasing at an alarming rate.
The increasing of motor vehicles is creating
hazardous conditions. Moreover, drivers are
in such a rush to get their destinations that
it becomes angry or impatient with other
motorists who are too slow or who are in their
way. Aggressive drivers reach foolishly toward
others in several dangerous ways.
One way an angry driver may react is to cut
off another motorists.
(+ supporting sentences)

. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
Another way is to tailgate the other cars.
(+ supporting sentences)..........................
. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
In addition to cutting off and tailgating
other cars, aggressive drivers often use rude
language or gesture to show their anger.
. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
Although law enforcement authorities
warn motorists against aggressive driving, the
number who act out their angry impulses has
not declined.
. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
. ......................................................................
WRITING AN ESSAY 35
To conclude, aggressive drivers are
endangering everyone because they create
hazardous conditions by acting and driving
foolishly. They should control their anger and
learn to drive safely. After all, the lives they
save could be their own.
Exercise 2:
Write body of the essay based on the
introduction you have made before (on page 16
in exercise 4)!
. .......................................................................
. .......................................................................
. .......................................................................
. .......................................................................
. .......................................................................
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UNIT 6
CONCLUSION OF AN ESSAY
A. Objectives
able to:
1. Explain what conclusion of an essay is.
2. Write conclusion of an essay.
3. Change introductory paragraph into
concluding paragraph.
The last part of an essay is concluding para
graph which consists of one paragraph only.
According to Oshima and Hogue (2007:174),
WRITING AN ESSAY 37
the final paragraph in an essay is the conclusion,
which tells the readers that you have completed
the essay. First, you write a summary of the main
points discussed in the body of the essay or
rewrite the thesis statement in different words.
Then you may add your final comments related
with the topic discussed. Take this opportunity
to make a strong, effective message that the
readers will remember.
The concluding paragraph consists of:
1. A summary of the main points, or a resta
tement of your thesis in different words.
2. Your final comment on the subject, based
on the information you have provided.
The concluding paragraph is the last paragraph
of an essay. It has three purposes:
1. It signals the end of the essay.
2. It reminds the readers of your main points.
3. It leaves the readers with your final
thoughts on the topic.
To write the concluding paragraph, the writer
needs transition signals to show conclusion of an
essay such as:
• Finally

• To sum up
• To conclude
• In conclusion
• In short
• In summary
• In fact
• Overall
• In brief
Here is the example of concluding paragraph
based on the introductory paragraph has been
decided:
Introductory Paragraph:
Any person who has lived in the twentieth
century has seen a lot of changes take place
in almost all areas of human existence. Some
people are excited by the challanges that
these changes offer; others want to return to
the simpler life style of the past. The twentieth
century has certain advantages such as a
higher standard of living for many, but it also
has some disadvantages such as a polluted
environment, the depersonalization of human
relationships, and the weakening of spiritual
values.
WRITING AN ESSAY 39
Concluding Paragraph:
In short, altought the twentieth century has
indeed given some of us a lot of advantages by
making us richer, healthier, and freer to enjoy
our lives, it has, in my opinion, not made us
wiser. The twentieth century has also made
our earth dirtier, our people less humane,
and our spiritual lives poorer. We wish to
continue to enjoy the benefits of technological
advancement because they free us to pursue
our other interest and goals. However, we
must make a concerted effort to preserve our
natural environment for future generations.
Moreover, we should take the time now
to make our lives more meaningful in our
increasingly impersonal, mechanized world.
Exercise:
Write concluding paragraphs based on the
introductory paragraphs below for the following
introductions!
Step 1: Summarize the main points or paraphrase
the thesis statement. Be sure to begin

with an expression signaling conclusion.
Step 2: Add your own comments as a final
message to the reader!
Introductory Paragraph 1
The busy schedules that most adults face from
day have created a growing health problem in
the modern world.stress affect almost everyone,
from the highly pressured executive to the busy
homemaker or student. It can cause a variety of
physical disorders, ranging from headaches to
stomach ulcers and even alcoholism. Stress, like
a common cold, is a problem that can’t be cured;
however, it can be controlled. A person can learn
to control stress by setting realistic goals, by
enjoying a hobby and/or physical exercise, and
by maintaining good, warm relationships with
family and friends.
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Introductory Paragraph 2
New technology creates new opportunities
for good and for ill. Anyone with a computer,
access to the internet, and an E-mail address has

probably received unsolicited, unwanted E-mail
at least. There seems to be no way to avoid “spam”
a junk E-mail is now called. Worse, the anonymity
of cyberspace has created opportunities for
E-mailers to send rude, even abusive messages
without having to take responsibility for their
words. In my opinion, there is a need to develop
some rules of etiquette especially for this new
means of communication.
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UNIT 7
PATTERNS OF ESSAY
ORGANIZATION
A. Objectives
able to:
1. Explain the pattern of essay organization
is.
2. Write cause and effect eassay in block
organization and chain organization.
3. Use transition signal used in cause and
effect.
4. Write comparison and contrast essay.
5. Use transition signal used in comparison
and contrast.
WRITING AN ESSAY 45
After discussing the previous materials, it
will discuss the patterns of essay organization,
likes cause and effect order and comparison
and contrast. According to Oshima and Hogue
(2007:121), “organizing an essay is essensially
the same as organizing a paragraph the only
difference is that instead of working with single
sentences, you are working with paragraphs”.
7.1 Cause and Effect Order

Cause and effect essay discusses the reasons
or causes for something, and then discusses the
results. Indeed, cause and effect (which can also
be called reason and result) is one of the most-
used forms of organization in academic writing.
There are basically two main ways to organize a
cause and effect essay: block organization and
chain organization. In block organization first
discuss all of the causes as a block (in one, two
or three paragraphs, depending on the number
of causes), after that discuss all of the effects
together as a block. In chain organization dicusses
a first cause and its effect, a second cause and
its effect, and a third cause and its effect. The

following pictures are the form of block and
chain organization.
1st Cause
2nd Cause
Transition Sentence/Para
graph
1st Effect
2nd Effect
3rd Effect
Conclusion
Picture 4
Block Organization
The following picture is chain organization:
Introduction
1st Cause & Effect
2nd Cause & Effect
3rd Cause & Effect
Conclusion
Picture 5
Chain Organization
A chain pattern is usually easier if the causes
and effects are very closely interrelated. In block
WRITING AN ESSAY 47
organization, there is often a short paragraph that
separates the “causes” part from the “effects”
part. This is called a transition paragraph. The
purpose of the transition paragraph is to conclude
the first part of the essay and introduce the
second part. It is not always necessary to write a
transition paragraph, but it is helpful when your
topic is long and complex. To write the cause and
effect essay needs cause and effect structure
words/transition signals are as follows:
TABLE 2
TRANSITION SIGNALS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT
Cause Structure Effect Structure Words
Words
The first cause of...is The first effect of ...
The next reason is ... As a result ...
Because of ... Therefore ...
Because ... As a consequence ...
For ... Therefore ...
Since ... Thus ...
As ... Hence ...
Due to ... So ...
Consequently ...

Example:
1. Cause: People clear land for agriculture by
cutting down trees.
Effect: The topsoil washes away
• People clear land for agriculture by
cutting down the trees; therefore/
thus/hence, the topsoil washes away.
(using effect structure word)
• Because/due to/for people clear land
for agriculture by cutting down the
trees, the topsoil washes away. (using
cause structure word)
2. Cause: Cars are used increasingly for urban
transport.
Effect: Pollution levels in cities are worse
ning.
• Due to cars are used increasingly for
urban transport, pollution levels in
cities are worsening. (using cause
structure word)
• Cars are used increasingly for urban
transport; as a result, pollution levels
in cities are worsening. (using effect
structure word).
WRITING AN ESSAY 49
THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
Living in the 21st century, apart from various
commodities and products of technological
progress, implies facing serious challenges.
Among them, one can name global warming,
third-world country hunger and poverty,
nuclear weapons, cancer, and so on; one of
such issues that poses a significant threat to
modern people is depression. Depression has
become one of the most widespread illnesses,
which can be explained by a combination of
factors typical for the modern world’s lifestyle.
The first and surprising risk factor for
developing depression is gender. About 20-
25% women in the United States develop
serious depression, sometimes not just once
in their lives; for comparison, only about 12%
of male Americans face the same problem—
or maybe, they visit a doctor’s office less often
(All About Depression.com). This is probably
connected to the fact that in today’s America,
women often have to deal with a wide range
of roles, such as business woman, mother,
wife, housekeeper, and so on—and these
roles often conflict with each other. Unhappy
marriages, hormonal changes, and heredity
can be contributing factors.

Exercise 1:
Step 1: Decide which sentence in each item is a
cause and which is an effect. Write C for
cause or E for effect next to each sentence!
Step 2: Combine the sentences in each item
into a new sentence that shows a cause
and effect relationship. Use a different
structure word in each new sentence, and
underline the word!
Example:
• Heavy rains fall in some areas of the world.
(C)
• Devastating floods and mudslides happen.
(E)
• For heavy rains fall in some areas of the
world, devastating floods and mudslides
happen.
• Heavy rains fall in some areas of the
world; consequently, devastating floods
and mudslides happen.
1. Heat energy is carried by electrons.
Metals have many free-moving electrons.
2. Productivity has increased.
Some businesses have flexible working hours.
WRITING AN ESSAY 51
3. Salt water being danser than fresh water,
sinks.
The saltiest water is found at the bottom
of the ocean.
4. Drought happens in other parts of the
world. Thousands of people suffer
starvation.
Exercise 2: Writing Practice

Choose one of suggested topics and write
an essay that discusses it in terms of cause and
effect! Use either block or chain organization.
a. Rising divorce rate
b. Inflation
c. Gender discrimination
d. Stress
e. Air/water/soil pollution
f. Natural phenomenon (global warming,
flood, earthquake)
g. Increasing life expectancy in a country
Follow the steps to begin writing:
1. Brainstorm your ideas by using one of the
prewriting techniques that you prefer.
Devide your paper into two columns, list

the causes in the first column and the
effects in the second column.
2. Write your first rough draft, be sure to
use a variety of cause and effect structure
words.
3. Revise your first rough draft as you have
learned. Ask a classmate to check your
final essay by using scoring rubric of an
essay as can be seen on page 30.
7.2 Comparison and Contrast Order

Comparison and contrast involves analyzing
the similarities and differences between two
or more items. The content of a comparison/
contrast paragraph can vary. Some paragraphs
emphasize similarities, while others emphasize
differences. You can also discuss both similarities
and differences in one paragraph if you do not
have many points to discuss.
WRITING AN ESSAY 53
TABLE 3
TRANSITION SIGNALS OF COMPARISON AND
CONTRAST
Comparison Contrast
Similarly However
Likewise Nevertheless
Also Although
Too Even though
Not only ... but But
also Yet
Both ... and In contrast
And On the other hand
Just like On the contrary
Similar to While
The same as whereas
In spite of
Despite
Example of Comparison:
1. Human workers can detect malfunction in
machinery; a robot can also.
2. Human workers can detect malfunction in
machinery; a robot can, too.
3. Robots and human workers can detect
mulfunctions in machinery.

4. Not only robots but also human workers
can detect malfunctions in machinery.
5. Robots, similar to human workers, can
detect malfunctions in machinery.
Example of Contrast:
1. It began to rain; however, we continued
our hike.
2. We continued our hike although/even
though it began rain.
3. It began rain, but we continue our hike.
4. In spite of rain, we continue our hike.
The following is example of comparison and

contrast essay:
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TOKYO AND KYOTO

In recent decades, the title of one of the
most popular cultures worldwide should be
definitely given to Japan. Millions of people all
over the world study the Japanese language,
watch dorama(dramatic TV series on all kinds
of topics) or animation, read and write haiku,
and make pen pals with Japanese people.
Countless people buy tickets and fly to the
country of the rising sun to see its wonders
WRITING AN ESSAY 55
with their own eyes.
Among the most popular destinations—
mostly because these city names are most
known to the western public—are Tokyo and
Kyoto. And perhaps for an inexperienced
travelers, there is a dilemma: where to go?
Mostly, people know that Tokyo is a mega city
of the future, and Kyoto has more to do with
ancient culture, traditions, and so on. Basically
it is true, but at the same time, there also exist
more subtle differences one should consider
when choosing their destination point in Japan.
The first of them is prices. Tokyo is
expensive—as you might expect from the
capital of the most urbanized country in the
world (the prices below are listed in Japanese
yen: 1 USD approximately equals 100 yen).
So, to grab some inexpensive snack in Tokyo
would cost around 850 yen. Having a three-
course meal for two people in a mid-range
restaurant, in case you travel with your spouse,
will cost you 5,230 yen. A one-way ticket on
Tokyo transport costs you 190 yen, and renting
one room apartment outside of the city center

costs 77,853 yen (and this is probably a weekly
price). Just do not expect this apartment to
be big and cozy; most likely it will be tiny, with
basic utilities, and with no central heating
(actually, there is no such thing in Japan at
all—everyone warms their house up on their
own). If you think of buying an apartment in
Tokyo, forget it—one square meter of a room
outside of the city center is around 1 million
yen (double the price if you want to live closer
to the city center).
Kyoto is not much cheaper. Although dining
in a restaurant is cheaper—only 4,000 yen
for two persons in a mid-range restaurant—
transportation costs are surprisingly higher:
235 yen for a ride (however, if you want to
purchase a monthly pass, it is cheaper to
do in Kyoto rather than in Tokyo: 8,410 yen
compared to 10,000 yen). If you think you can
save some money buying food in a market, you
are correct only in particulars: some products
in Japan cost a lot of money no matter where
you buy them. For example, white rice costs
850 yen for 1 kg in Kyoto (453 yen in Tokyo).
WRITING AN ESSAY 57
White bread, tomatoes, chicken breasts,
and especially cheese—these are the most
expensive products both in Kyoto and in Tokyo.
Speaking of accommodation, renting or buying
an apartment in Kyoto is much cheaper: for a
one room apartment outside of Kyoto’s center,
you must pay 48,000 yen to rent, or 300,000
yen per square meter if you want to buy it.
Tokyo is great to visit if you enjoy hustle
and bustle, if you want to feel the heartbeat
of a mega-city, dive into its life, and experience
all those crazy things people in the West
usually tell about Japan. Be prepared for the
overcrowded subway— and “overcrowded” is
a gentle way to put it; in fact, you can take a
60-minute ride in the subway, and your feet
will not even touch the floor, because you will
be squeezed between other people so tight
that you can even take a nap in this position.
Kyoto, on the other hand, is good to visit for all
those who feel inspired by traditional Japanese
culture: haiku, hanami, court customs, the No
theater, and so on. In Kyoto, you will not see
amazing skyscrapers, over 280 subway stations,

and the craziness of the famous Shibuya
crossing; instead, get prepared for temples,
tea houses, museums: all things antique and
authentic. But, if you want modernity, go to
Tokyo, and you will not feel disappointed—this
city already lives in the future.
It is difficult to say which city is better
for an inexperienced tourist to visit, Tokyo or
Kyoto. Kyoto is cheaper, especially in terms
of renting an apartment, and is more suitable
for those looking for the old Japanese culture
weaved into sophisticated palaces made
during Heian-jidai. Tokyo, on the contrary, is
an enormous metropolis, with crazy prices,
crazy transportation, crazy everything. The
atmospheres are different, but both of the
cities will make you awed, so if you have a
chance, yo
Exercise 1:
Add comparison/contrast structure words
to connect the sentences. You should write one
complete new sentence for each item and use
different comparison/contrast structure words in
WRITING AN ESSAY 59
each new sentence.
1. The United States operates under a two
party system. Great Britain operates under
a two-party system.
2. In Great Britain, the cabinet is appointed
by the prime minister. The U.S. president
appoint the cabinet.
3. The chief executive in Great Britain is called
the prime minister. The chief executive in
the united states is called the president.
4. The United States has a written consti
tution. Great Britai has no written
constitution.
5. In other words, Great Britain has both a
monarch and a prime minister. The United
States has only a president.
Exercise 2:
A. Write 5 sentences of your own, comparing
two things with which you are familiar. Use a
different comparison signal in each sentence.
Possible topics:
1. Bicycle and Motorcycle
2. Two cities
3. Two sports

4. Two subjects
5. Two cultures
B. Write 5 sentences of your own based on

the following topics below, contrasting two
things with which you are familiar. Use a
different contrast signal in each sentence.
Possible topics:
1. City life/country life
2. Taking public transportation/driving your
own car
3. School in two countries
4. Computers/humans
5. Family life in two countries
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WRITING AN ESSAY 61
Exercise 3:
Choose one of the suggested topics and write
an essay using comparison/contrast organization.
Follow these steps:
1. Brainstorm your ideas by freewriting,
clustering, or listing all of the ideas that
come into your mind.
2. Make an outline before writing an essay.
3. Write your rough draft from your outline.
Be sure to use comparison and contrast
structure words.
4. Revise your rough draft you have written,
then ask your classmate to revise/edit your
work using peer editing checklist based on
the table 5 below:
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TABLE 4
SCORING RUBRIC OF AN ESSAY
Criteria Indicator Maximum
Score
Format Title centered (2), first 5
line of each paragraph
indented (1), margins
left on both sides (1),
text double-spaced ( l )
Punctuation Periods, commas, 5
and apostrophes, and
Mechanics quotation marks (3),
capital letters (1),
spelling (1)
Content The essay fulfills the
requirements of the
assignment (5), the
WRITING AN ESSAY 63
essay is interesting (5), 20
the essay shows that
the writer used care
and thought (10).
Organization The essay follows the
outline, and it has an
introduction, a body,
anda conclusion (5).
Introductory
Paragraph:
The introductory
paragraph begins
with several general
sentences and ends
with a thesis statement
(5).
Body:
Each paragraph of the
body discusses a new
point and begins with a
clear topic sentence (5),
each paragraph
has specific supporting
material: facts,
examples,quotations,

paraphrased 45
or summarized
information, and
so on (10) each
paragraph has unity
(5), each paragraph
has coherence (5),
transitions are used to
link paragraphs (5).
Concluding Paragraph:
The concluding
paragraph summarizes
the main points of
the thesis statement,
begins with a
conclusion signal, and
leaves the readers
with the writer’s final
thoughts on the topic
(5).
Grammar Estimate grammar and 25
and sentence structure
Sentence score
Structure
Total 100
Source: Adopted from Oshima and Hogue (2007:240)
WRITING AN ESSAY 65
REFERENCES
Oshima, Alice and Hogue, Ann. 2007. Introduction

to Academic Writing: Third Edition. New
York: Pearson Longman.
Oshima, Alice and Hogue, Ann. 1997. Writing
Academic English: Third Edition. America.
Pearson Longman.
MacGibbon, Lesley. 2013. Academic Essay
Writing: Washington. Charles Darwin
University.
Veit, Richard. Gould, Christopher; and Clifford
John. 1990. Writing, Reading, and Research.
New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
WRITING AN ESSAY 67

How to Write an Essay

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WRITING

Rulik Setiani, S.S, M.Pd.

Rulik Setiani, S.S, M.Pd.

P raise to the merciful God that this handbook

Kotabumi, May 2018

1. Transition Signals for General Use.............. 28

2 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

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2. Body (at least one, but usually two or more

6 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

Generate ideas through

Hand in work Does it comply

10 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

Communication problems Homeless people shocking sight

Works six day

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Notice these points:

For the the following is the example of essay

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Three successful styles of popular music.

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26 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

Sentence connectors Clause connectors

To introduce On the other However But Although In spite of

To introduce Otherwise Or If Unless

28 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

To introduce Accordingly Therefore So

(Source: Adopted from Oshima and Hogue, 2007)

Transition signals are important not only

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7.1 Cause and Effect Order

46 Rulik Setiani and Dewi Sri Kuning

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Exercise 2: Writing Practice

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7.2 Comparison and Contrast Order

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The following is example of comparison and

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TOKYO AND KYOTO

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B. Write 5 sentences of your own based on

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Oshima, Alice and Hogue, Ann. 2007. Introduction

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