Rough Draft

Formula Writing

Have you ever had problems getting started on an essay? Most writers have. There is a technique that can help, and it’s called formula writing. Formula writing, like most essays, contains an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. These elements are the “formula” for writing. The first element of formula writing is the introduction. It is the first paragraph of the essay and introduces the main idea of the entire essay. In addition, this paragraph contains information to grab the reader’s attention. The first sentence can either present the thesis statement, which is not the preferred method, or it can hook the reader, as this essay does. The introduction also contains a listing of the main ideas that will be developed in the body paragraphs. If the thesis statement has not been expressed in the first sentence, it should be the last sentence of the introduction; this is the preferred placement of the thesis statement. If the thesis statement is the first sentence, the last sentence of the introductory paragraph should be a concluding sentence that either wraps-up the paragraph or leads into the first body paragraph. The body is the second element of formula writing. The body usually contains three paragraphs, although it can contain more or fewer. Each paragraph must have its own topic sentence, which is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. The remaining sentences develop the main idea, or topic sentence, through details, reasons, examples, and other methods. Each body paragraph should have several major details that are developed through supporting details or one major detail that is developed extensively through many supporting details. The final sentence of each body paragraph transitions into the next thought or wraps-up the paragraph. The final element of formula writing is the conclusion.