Structure of an essay: part two

The body It is the major part of an essay and it is referred to as the engine of the essay. This is where the points or ideas are discussed. The key issues to be addressed under the body include: paragraphing,topic sentence, development of points or ideas, achieving unity and coherence and the use of connectives or transitional words or expressions. Avoid the practice of stating your points in phrases, examples , firstly indecent dressing , instead of one of the factors which account for rape is indecent dressing. Coherence refers to the orderly or logical arrangement of sentences and ideas in a paragraph and an essay. A writer may also may also make use of transitional devices. These words and phrases tie the paragraphs of an essay together by referring both to the idea that precedes and idea that follows. Examples of transitional devices ( connectives) include : 1. To show an opposite point of view or to contrast ideas , we use words like however, while, but, in contrast, on the other hand, though, although, even though, in spite of , despite , yet, all the same, still, nonetheless, nevertheless etc. 2. To show time sequence: we use words like meanwhile, today, in the meantime, soon,then, earlier on , later on, eventually, in the end, later, the following day etc. 3. To add information we use words like furthermore, additionally, in addition,moreover, more so, besides, again, first, firstly etc. 4. To show comparison: similarly, likewise, in the same way/manner, in like manner, equally etc. 5. To show consequence or result: accordingly, consequently, therefore, so , as a result, in consequence etc. 6. To state or indicate an idea differently : in effect, in other words, stated differently etc. 7. To sum up: conclusively, to conclude, in conclusion, in sum, to sum up, in summary, all in all, in brief, in short. The conclusion After you have finished writing the body of your essay, your final step is to write the conclusion. The concluding paragraph indicates to the reader that the essay is finished. The conclusion should be only one paragraph. It can perform one of the following functions depending on the type of essay: - restate the main idea of the essay. -summarize the ideas that have been presented in the body paragraph. - make a comment, impression or judgment about the information that has been given. - or make an appeal, request or a call to immediate action to avert a bad situation. - or express hope or optimism about certain measures or solutions discussed in the body which if well implemented, could go along way to bring a worrying situation to minimum or even eradicate it completely from the world’s vocabulary, or warn of a bad situation getting out of hands of immediate measures are not taken.