Almost every course you will encounter in college will include writing assignments. One of the most common writing assignments is known as an essay. While the content and style of  essay projects will vary across the disciplines, there are a number of key components that all good essays include. This section of the guide walks you through some of the basic components of the essay genre.  Here are some general thoughts before you get started.  

• A good essay is well-organized and structured. Good essays have a clear introduction, thesis, and conclusion. Body paragraphs in the essay connect back to the thesis. 
• In college, we are no longer tied to a five-paragraph essay (unless an instructor specifically asks for this). Our essays in college can range in length. Some projects may be more than 10 pages, so it would be impossible to use only 5 paragraphs for an essay of this length. 
• Because we are no longer tied to a 5-paragraph essay, we do not have to include "three points" in our thesis statement as we may have done in other courses. 
• Essays should be cohesive and have a good flow. We can create this flow by using transition words and phrases to connect one point to the next. 
• Remember to the review the directions before you start. One can produce a wonderfully-written essay, but if it does not meet the project's parameters, it will not usually receive a passing grade.
• Schedule a meeting with your instructor or tutor before you begin. Visit http://baker.mywconline.com/ to schedule a meeting with a professional consultant.

Parts of an Essay: This handout breaks down an essay into it core parts.

Also, the short video below will provide you with an overview of essay organization. 

Creating a Strong Thesis Statement 

Here are some brief tips about how to write a strong thesis statement for your college writing project.

How to Write an Excellent Introduction 

This handout leads you through a number of successful strategies to garner reader interest and transition into your thesis statement.

Creating Body Paragraphs 

This resource walks you through paragraph creation including how to implement good topic sentences, proper organization, and excellent development.

See additional resources below for composing your essay's body paragraphs: 

• Building the Perfect Body Paragraph 

  This is a detailed guide for writing paragraphs.

• Topic Sentences 

  This resource demonstrates how to create and use effective topic sentences in your paragraphs.

• Paragraphing (Length Consistency)

Crafting a Strong Conclusion 

We often focus on creating a strong introduction, but crafting a well-written conclusion is just as important.