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Getting started can often be difficult. Even professional writers say that the hardest part of writing is the beginning. Writing an introduction to an essay can therefore seem a daunting task, though it need not be so difficult, as long as you understand the purpose and the structure of the introduction. An example essay has been given to help you understand both of these, and there is a checklist at the end which you can use for editing your introduction.
When writing an introduction to an academic essay, it is useful to remember the main purpose of the introduction. In general, the introduction will introduce the topic to the reader by stating what the topic is and giving some general background information. This will help the reader to understand what you are writing about, and show why the topic is important. The introduction should also give the overall plan of the essay.
In short, the main purpose of the introduction is to:
This last purpose is perhaps the most important, and is the reason why many writers choose to write the introduction last , after they have written the main body , because they need to know what the essay will contain before they can give a clear plan.
Although essays vary in length and content, most essays will have the same overall structure, including the introduction. The structure is related to the purpose mentioned above. The introduction to an essay should have the following two parts:
The general statements will introduce the topic of the essay and give background information. The background information for a short essay will generally just be one or two sentences. The general statements should become more and more specific thesis statement , which is the most specific sentence of the introduction--> as the introduction progresses, leading the reader into the essay (some writers talk about "attracting the readers' attention", though for an academic essay, this is less important). For longer essays, the general statements could include one or more definitions , or could classify the topic, and may cover more than one paragraph.
The following is an example of background statements for a short essay ( given below ):
Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car.
These sentences introduce the topic of the essay (cars) and give some background to this topic (situation in the past, the situation now). These sentences lead nicely into the thesis statement (see below).
The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction. It gives the reader clear information about the content of the essay, which will help them to understand the essay more easily. The thesis states the specific topic, and often lists the main (controlling) ideas that will be discussed in the main body. It may also indicate how the essay will be organised, e.g. in chronological order, order of importance, advantages/disadvantages, cause/effect. It is usually at the end of the introduction, and is usually (but not always) one sentence long.
In short, the thesis statement:
Here is an example of a thesis statement with no subtopics mentioned:
While cars have undoubted advantages, they also have significant drawbacks.
This thesis statement tells us the specific topic of the essay (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages should come first, disadvantages second). It is, however, quite general, and may have been written before the writer had completed the essay.
In the following thesis statement, the subtopics are named:
While cars have undoubted advantages, of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks, most notably pollution and traffic problems.
This thesis gives us more detail, telling us not just the topic (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages first, disadvantages second), but also tells us the main ideas in the essay (convenience, pollution, traffic problems). This essay will probably have three paragraphs in the main body.
Below is a discussion essay which looks at the advantages and disadvantages of car ownership. This essay is used throughout the essay writing section to help you understand different aspects of essay writing. Here it focuses on the thesis statement and general statements of the introduction (mentioned on this page), topic sentences , controlling ideas, and the summary and final comment of the conclusion. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay.
Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car. While cars have undoubted advantages, of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks, most notably pollution and traffic problems . The most striking advantage of the car is its convenience. When travelling long distance, there may be only one choice of bus or train per day, which may be at an unsuitable time. The car, however, allows people to travel at any time they wish, and to almost any destination they choose. Despite this advantage, cars have many significant disadvantages, the most important of which is the pollution they cause. Almost all cars run either on petrol or diesel fuel, both of which are fossil fuels. Burning these fuels causes the car to emit serious pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Not only are these gases harmful for health, causing respiratory disease and other illnesses, they also contribute to global warming, an increasing problem in the modern world. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2013), transportation in the US accounts for 30% of all carbon dioxide production in that country, with 60% of these emissions coming from cars and small trucks. In short, pollution is a major drawback of cars. A further disadvantage is the traffic problems that they cause in many cities and towns of the world. While car ownership is increasing in almost all countries of the world, especially in developing countries, the amount of available roadway in cities is not increasing at an equal pace. This can lead to traffic congestion, in particular during the morning and evening rush hour. In some cities, this congestion can be severe, and delays of several hours can be a common occurrence. Such congestion can also affect those people who travel out of cities at the weekend. Spending hours sitting in an idle car means that this form of transport can in fact be less convenient than trains or aeroplanes or other forms of public transport. In conclusion, while the car is advantageous for its convenience , it has some important disadvantages, in particular the pollution it causes and the rise of traffic jams . If countries can invest in the development of technology for green fuels, and if car owners can think of alternatives such as car sharing, then some of these problems can be lessened.
Union of Concerned Scientists (2013). Car Emissions and Global Warming. www.ucsusa.org/clean vehicles/why-clean-cars/global-warming/ (Access date: 8 August, 2013)
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Below is a checklist for an essay introduction. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay begins with , which introduce the topic | ||
The introduction ends with a | ||
The shows the main ideas of the essay | ||
The shows how the essay will be organised (e.g. chronological, compare/contrast, advantages/disadvantages) |
Find out how to structure the main body of an essay in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about essay structure .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 26 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
Writing A Background in an Essay
Background in an essay refers to material provided in a nonfiction essay. It can also be defined as work that explains the context of the issue you will explore in the essay.
This information is connected to the hook or opening statement, and then to the thesis statement, which you will write last at the end of the introduction.
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The background information is the supporting points you employ to demonstrate your argument or viewpoint. It is the grounds on which you base your point of view to prove your argument. background information is found in the introduction, just after the opening statement or the hook.
The amount and type of background material depend on the goal and topic of your essay.
You may need to provide definitions or an overview of the problem you discuss in the essay.
The background information in an essay will depend on the topic.
The background information in an essay on a scientific test may include test parameters, test objectives, test site conditions, sample kinds, sample size, and other background material.
If your essay is about COVID 19, your background information may touch on diverse points. These may include what kind of virus it is, its origins, and how many countries it has affected.
It may also include how many people have contracted it, and how it is transmitted from one person to another, among other things.
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The key to writing background information in an essay is to master the art of the introduction. Grabbing the reader’s attention at the beginning allows you to include the information they need to comprehend your work.
The first paragraph/section of an essay is the introduction, and it is critical to creating an excellent paper. The introduction helps you begin the essay by grabbing the reader’s attention.
Then, you provide background information plus map out the core topic, direction, and objective of your essay.
Usually, an excellent introduction starts with a discussion around the essay’s topic. After that, you move on to the specific ideas you will explore in the body.
Use an effective hook to make a solid first impression. This piques the curiosity and attention of readers, encouraging them to keep reading.
Provide background information about the main topic of the essay. It establishes a general framework for the paper by providing readers with the information they require before reading it.
It should start with broad concepts and then narrow down to the thesis (a single-focused idea).
Conclude with a concise thesis statement that indicates your motivation for writing, expresses the main idea/argument, and gives the body of the work a direction or outline.
The hook is the tool that captures attention and makes the readers want to keep reading. You can shape it as a question, an interesting fact or statistic, a quotation, or a story.
You can also use any other intriguing idea that piques readers’ curiosity and encourages them to continue reading.
Regardless of which option you choose, ensure the hook links to the essay’s topic in some way.
The background information sets the stage for the essay by offering a high-level summary of the topic. It introduces the broad topic(s) and eases the reader into the subject with general information.
Also, it may comprise concepts, facts, history, definitions, and other material that helps comprehend the specific information offered in the body.
It is critical to understand your audience and evaluate what readers may or may not know about the topic to provide relevant background information.
Besides, it enables you to offer readers the information they require before continuing to read the essay. So, presenting background information in the introduction acts as a link that connects the reader to the issue.
The length and depth of this bridge depend on how much information you believe the reader will need to comprehend the topic and realize why the difficulties you are looking at are essential.
Your thesis statement highlights the key idea or main argument and your motivation for writing the essay. You can also use it to outline the supporting ideas you explore in the body. It is usually the final sentence of the introduction.
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1.”gettysburg address” abraham lincoln.
The hook in Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” was that the founding fathers believed that all men are created equal. Then he gave some background on the current state of the Civil War:
Now we are in the midst of a major civil war, which will determine whether that nation or any other nation so conceived and dedicated, can last for a long time.
And we have met on one of the war’s most important battlegrounds.
We’ve decided to devote a piece of the field as the last resting place for those who gave their life here so that this country could live. It is entirely appropriate for us to do so.
Notice how the introduction hooks your attention and then swiftly offers you some background information about Joan Didion’s life in this personal essay by Joan Didion:
The origins of things are easy to perceive, but the endings are more difficult to see. I can pinpoint when New York began for me now, with a clarity that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
But I can’t pinpoint when it ended or cut through the ambiguities and second starts and broken resolves to the precise point on the page where the heroine is no longer as optimistic as she once was.
I was twenty when I first saw New York. It was summer, and I got off a DC-7 at the old Idlewild temporary terminal in a new dress.
It had seemed very smart in Sacramento but had already seemed less smart, even in the old Idle wild temporary terminal.
The warm air smelled of mildew, and some instinct, programmed by all the movies I’d ever seen and all the songs I’d ever heard sung and all the stories I’d ever read about New York.
When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.
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Essay Writing Guide
Essay Outline
Last updated on: Jun 28, 2024
By: Nova A.
13 min read
Reviewed By: Melisa C.
Published on: Jan 15, 2019
To write an effective essay, you need to create a clear and well-organized essay outline. An essay outline will shape the essay’s entire content and determine how successful the essay will be.
In this blog post, we'll be going over the basics of essay outlines and provide a template for you to follow. We will also include a few examples so that you can get an idea about how these outlines look when they are put into practice.
Essay writing is not easy, but it becomes much easier with time, practice, and a detailed essay writing guide. Once you have developed your outline, everything else will come together more smoothly.
The key to success in any area is preparation - take the time now to develop a solid outline and then write your essays!
So, let’s get started!
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An essay outline is your essay plan and a roadmap to essay writing. It is the structure of an essay you are about to write. It includes all the main points you have to discuss in each section along with the thesis statement.
Like every house has a map before it is constructed, the same is the importance of an essay outline. You can write an essay without crafting an outline, but you may miss essential information, and it is more time-consuming.
Once the outline is created, there is no chance of missing any important information. Also, it will help you to:
These are the reasons if someone asks you why an essay outline is needed. Now there are some points that must be kept in mind before proceeding to craft an essay outline.
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Your teacher may ask you to submit your essay outline before your essay. Therefore, you must know the preliminary guidelines that are necessary before writing an essay outline.
Here are the guidelines:
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Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in crafting a well-structured and organized piece of writing. Follow these four simple steps to create an effective outline:
To begin, thoroughly grasp the essence of your essay topic.
Break it down into its key components and identify the main ideas you want to convey. This step ensures you have a clear direction and focus for your essay.
Let your creativity flow and brainstorm ideas related to your topic.
Jot down key pieces of information, arguments, and supporting evidence that will strengthen your essay's overall message. Consider different perspectives and potential counterarguments to make your essay well-rounded.
Now it's time to give structure to your ideas.
Arrange your main points in a logical order, starting with an attention-grabbing introduction, followed by body paragraphs that present your arguments.
Finally, tie everything together with a compelling conclusion. Remember to use transitional phrases to create smooth transitions between sections.
To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point.
These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.
By following these four steps - you'll be well on your way to creating a clear and compelling essay outline.
It is an easy way for you to write your thoughts in an organized manner. It may seem unnecessary and unimportant, but it is not.
It is one of the most crucial steps for essay writing as it shapes your entire essay and aids the writing process.
An essay outline consists of three main parts:
1. Introduction
The introduction body of your essay should be attention-grabbing. It should be written in such a manner that it attracts the reader’s interest. It should also provide background information about the topic for the readers.
You can use a dramatic tone to grab readers’ attention, but it should connect the audience to your thesis statement.
Here are some points without which your introduction paragraph is incomplete.
To attract the reader with the first few opening lines, we use a hook statement. It helps engage the reader and motivates them to read further. There are different types of hook sentences ranging from quotes, rhetorical questions to anecdotes and statistics, and much more.
Are you struggling to come up with an interesting hook? View these hook examples to get inspired!
A thesis statement is stated at the end of your introduction. It is the most important statement of your entire essay. It summarizes the purpose of the essay in one sentence.
The thesis statement tells the readers about the main theme of the essay, and it must be strong and clear. It holds the entire crux of your essay.
Need help creating a strong thesis statement? Check out this guide on thesis statements and learn to write a statement that perfectly captures your main argument!
2. Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs of an essay are where all the details and evidence come into play. This is where you dive deep into the argument, providing explanations and supporting your ideas with solid evidence.
If you're writing a persuasive essay, these paragraphs will be the powerhouse that convinces your readers. Similarly, in an argumentative essay, your body paragraphs will work their magic to sway your audience to your side.
Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and no more than one idea. A topic sentence is the crux of the contents of your paragraph. It is essential to keep your reader interested in the essay.
The topic sentence is followed by the supporting points and opinions, which are then justified with strong evidence.
3. Conclusion
When it comes to wrapping up your essay, never underestimate the power of a strong conclusion. Just like the introduction and body paragraphs, the conclusion plays a vital role in providing a sense of closure to your topic.
To craft an impactful conclusion, it's crucial to summarize the key points discussed in the introduction and body paragraphs. You want to remind your readers of the important information you shared earlier. But keep it concise and to the point. Short, powerful sentences will leave a lasting impression.
Remember, your conclusion shouldn't drag on. Instead, restate your thesis statement and the supporting points you mentioned earlier. And here's a pro tip: go the extra mile and suggest a course of action. It leaves your readers with something to ponder or reflect on.
An outline is an essential part of the writing as it helps the writer stay focused. A typical 5 paragraph essay outline example is shown here. This includes:
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The outline of the essay is the skeleton that you will fill out with the content. Both outline and relevant content are important for a good essay. The content you will add to flesh out the outline should be credible, relevant, and interesting.
The outline structure for the essay is not complex or difficult. No matter which type of essay you write, you either use an alphanumeric structure or a decimal structure for the outline.
Below is an outline sample that you can easily follow for your essay.
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Essay Outline Sample
An essay outline template should follow when you start writing the essay. Every writer should learn how to write an outline for every type of essay and research paper.
Essay outline 4th grade
Essay outline 5th grade
Essay outline high school
Essay outline college
Given below are essay outline examples for different types of essay writing.
Argumentative Essay Outline
An argumentative essay is a type of essay that shows both sides of the topic that you are exploring. The argument that presents the basis of the essay should be created by providing evidence and supporting details.
Persuasive Essay Outline
A persuasive essay is similar to an argumentative essay. Your job is to provide facts and details to create the argument. In a persuasive essay, you convince your readers of your point of view.
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
A compare and contrast essay explains the similarities and differences between two things. While comparing, you should focus on the differences between two seemingly similar objects. While contrasting, you should focus on the similarities between two different objects.
Narrative Essay Outline
A narrative essay is written to share a story. Normally, a narrative essay is written from a personal point of view in an essay. The basic purpose of the narrative essay is to describe something creatively.
Expository Essay Outline
An expository essay is a type of essay that explains, analyzes, and illustrates something for the readers. An expository essay should be unbiased and entirely based on facts. Be sure to use academic resources for your research and cite your sources.
Analytical Essay Outline
An analytical essay is written to analyze the topic from a critical point of view. An analytical essay breaks down the content into different parts and explains the topic bit by bit.
Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline
A rhetorical essay is written to examine the writer or artist’s work and develop a great essay. It also includes the discussion.
Cause and Effect Essay Outline
A cause and effect essay describes why something happens and examines the consequences of an occurrence or phenomenon. It is also a type of expository essay.
Informative Essay Outline
An informative essay is written to inform the audience about different objects, concepts, people, issues, etc.
The main purpose is to respond to the question with a detailed explanation and inform the target audience about the topic.
Synthesis Essay Outline
A synthesis essay requires the writer to describe a certain unique viewpoint about the issue or topic. Create a claim about the topic and use different sources and information to prove it.
Literary Analysis Essay Outline
A literary analysis essay is written to analyze and examine a novel, book, play, or any other piece of literature. The writer analyzes the different devices such as the ideas, characters, plot, theme, tone, etc., to deliver his message.
Definition Essay Outline
A definition essay requires students to pick a particular concept, term, or idea and define it in their own words and according to their understanding.
Descriptive Essay Outline
A descriptive essay is a type of essay written to describe a person, place, object, or event. The writer must describe the topic so that the reader can visualize it using their five senses.
Evaluation Essay Outline
Problem Solution Essay Outline
In a problem-solution essay, you are given a problem as a topic and you have to suggest multiple solutions on it.
Scholarship Essay Outline
A scholarship essay is required at the time of admission when you are applying for a scholarship. Scholarship essays must be written in a way that should stand alone to help you get a scholarship.
Reflective Essay Outline
A reflective essay is written to express your own thoughts and point of view regarding a specific topic.
Getting started on your essay? Give this comprehensive essay writing guide a read to make sure you write an effective essay!
With this complete guide, now you understand how to create an outline for your essay successfully. However, if you still can’t write an effective essay, then the best option is to consult a professional academic writing service.
Essay writing is a dull and boring task for some people. So why not get some help instead of wasting your time and effort? 5StarEssays.com is here to help you. All your do my essay for me requests are managed by professional essay writers.
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What are the three types of outlines.
Here are the three types of essay outline;
All three types are different from each other and are used for different purposes.
A full sentence outline contains full sentences at each level of the essay’s outline. It is similar to an alphanumeric outline and it is a commonly used essay outline.
A traditional essay outline begins with writing down all the important points in one place and listing them down and adding sub-topics to them. Besides, it will also include evidence and proof that you will use to back your arguments.
A traditional outline format helps the students in listing down all the important details in one palace while an informal outline will help you coming up with new ideas and highlighting important points
As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.
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Background information identifies and describes the history and nature of a well-defined research problem with reference to the existing literature. Background information in your Introduction should indicate the root of the problem being studied, its scope, and the extent to which previous studies have successfully investigated the problem, noting, in particular, where gaps exist that your study attempts to address. Introductory background information differs from a literature review in that it places the research problem in proper context rather than thoroughly examining pertinent literature.
Background information expands upon the key points stated in your introduction but is not the main focus of the paper. Sufficient background information helps your reader determine if you have a basic understanding of the research problem being investigated and promotes confidence in the overall quality of your analysis and findings.
Background information provides the reader with the essential context needed to understand the research problem . Depending on the topic being studied, forms of contextualization may include:
Background information can also include summaries of important, relevant research studies . The key is to summarize for the reader what is known about the specific research problem before you conducted your analysis. This is accomplished with a general review of the foundational research literature (with citations) that report findings that inform your study's aims and objectives.
NOTE : Research studies cited as part of the background information of your introduction should not include very specific, lengthy explanations. This should be discussed in greater detail in your literature review section.
Background of the Problem Section: What do you Need to Consider? Anonymous. Harvard University; Hopkins, Will G. How to Write a Research Paper . SPORTSCIENCE, Perspectives/Research Resources. Department of Physiology and School of Physical Education, University of Otago, 1999; Green, L. H. How to Write the Background/Introduction Section. Physics 499 Powerpoint slides. University of Illinois; Woodall, W. Gill. Writing the Background and Significance Section. Senior Research Scientist and Professor of Communication. Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions. University of New Mexico.
Providing background information in the Introduction of a research paper serves as a bridge that links the reader to the topic of your study . But precisely how long and in-depth this bridge should be is largely dependent upon how much information you think the reader will need in order to understand the research problem being discussed and to appreciate why the issues you are investigating are important.
From another perspective, the length and detail of background information also depends on the degree to which you need to demonstrate to your professor how much you understand the topic. Keep this in mind because providing succinct background information can be an effective way to show that you have a clear grasp of key issues and concepts underpinning your overall study. Don't try to show off, though!
Given that the structure and writing style of your background information can vary depending upon the complexity of your research and/or the nature of the assignment, here are some questions to consider while writing :
Background of the Problem Section: What do you Need to Consider? Anonymous. Harvard University; Hopkins, Will G. How to Write a Research Paper . SPORTSCIENCE, Perspectives/Research Resources. Department of Physiology and School of Physical Education, University of Otago, 1999; Green, L. H. How to Write the Background/Introduction Section. Physics 499 Powerpoint slides. University of Illinois; Woodall, W. Gill. Writing the Background and Significance Section. Senior Research Scientist and Professor of Communication. Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions. University of New Mexico.
Background Information vs. the Literature Review
Incorporating background information into the Introduction is intended to provide the reader with critical information about the topic being studied, such as highlighting and expanding upon foundational studies conducted in the past, important historical events that inform why and in what ways the research problem exists, or defining key components of your study [concepts, people, places, things]. Although in social sciences research introductory background information can often blend into the literature review portion of the paper, basic background information should not be considered a substitute for a comprehensive review and synthesis of relevant research literature.
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An abstract in research papers is a keyword-rich summary usually not exceeding 200-350 words. It can be considered the “face” of research papers because it creates an initial impression on the readers. While searching databases (such as PubMed) for research papers, a title is usually the first selection criterion for readers. If the title matches their search criteria, then the readers read the abstract, which sets the tone of the paper. Titles and abstracts are often the only freely available parts of research papers on journal websites. The pdf versions of full articles need to be purchased. Journal reviewers are often provided with only the title and abstract before they agree to review the complete paper. [ 1]
Abstracts in research papers provide readers with a quick insight into what the paper is about to help them decide whether they want to read it further or not. Abstracts are the main selling points of articles and therefore should be carefully drafted, accurately highlighting the important aspects. [ 2]
This article will help you identify the important components and provide tips on how to write an abstract in research papers effectively
An abstract in research papers can be defined as a synopsis of the paper. It should be clear, direct, self-contained, specific, unbiased, and concise. These summaries are published along with the complete research paper and are also submitted to conferences for consideration for presentation.
Abstracts are of four types and journals can follow any of these formats: [ 2]
Structured abstracts are used by most journals because they are more organized and have clear sections, usually including introduction/background; objective; design, settings, and participants (or materials and methods); outcomes and measures; results; and conclusion. These headings may differ based on the journal or the type of paper. Clinical trial abstracts should include the essential items mentioned in the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials) guidelines.
Figure 1. Structured abstract example [3]
Unstructured abstracts are common in social science, humanities, and physical science journals. They usually have one paragraph and no specific structure or subheadings. These abstracts are commonly used for research papers that don’t report original work and therefore have a more flexible and narrative style.
Figure 2. Unstructured abstract example [3]
Descriptive abstracts are short (75–150 words) and provide an outline with only the most important points of research papers. They are used for shorter articles such as case reports, reviews, and opinions where space is at a premium, and rarely for original investigations. These abstracts don’t present the results but mainly list the topics covered.
Here’s a sample abstract . [ 4]
“Design of a Radio-Based System for Distribution Automation”
A new survey by the Maryland Public Utilities Commission suggests that utilities have not effectively explained to consumers the benefits of smart meters. The two-year study of 86,000 consumers concludes that the long-term benefits of smart meters will not be realized until consumers understand the benefits of shifting some of their power usage to off-peak hours in response to the data they receive from their meters. The study presents recommendations for utilities and municipal governments to improve customer understanding of how to use the smart meters effectively.
Keywords: smart meters, distribution systems, load, customer attitudes, power consumption, utilities
Informative abstracts (structured or unstructured) give a complete detailed summary, including the main results, of the research paper and may or may not have subsections.
Figure 3. Informative abstract example [5]
Abstracts in research have two main purposes—selection and indexing. [ 6,7]
Thus, a well-written, keyword-rich abstract can p ique readers’ interest and curiosity and help them decide whether they want to read the complete paper. It can also direct readers to articles of potential clinical and research interest during an online search.
Abstracts in research papers summarize the main points of an article and are broadly categorized into four or five sections. Here are some details on how to write an abstract .
This section should provide the following information:
The hypothesis or research question and objectives should be mentioned here. The Background sets the context for the rest of the paper and its length should be short so that the word count could be saved for the Results or other information directly pertaining to the study. The objective should be written in present or past simple tense.
Examples:
The antidepressant efficacy of desvenlafaxine (DV) has been established in 8-week, randomized controlled trials. The present study examined the continued efficacy of DV across 6 months of maintenance treatment . [ 1]
Objective: To describe gastric and breast cancer risk estimates for individuals with CDH1 variants.
This section should provide information on the processes used and should be written in past simple tense because the process is already completed.
A few important questions to be answered include:
Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated for each cancer type and used to calculate cumulative risks and risks per decade of life up to age 80 years.
This section, written in either present or past simple tense, should be the longest and should describe the main findings of the study. Here’s an example of how descriptive the sentences should be:
Avoid: Response rates differed significantly between diabetic and nondiabetic patients.
Better: The response rate was higher in nondiabetic than in diabetic patients (49% vs 30%, respectively; P<0.01).
This section should include the following information:
Example: [ 8]
In total, 10.9% of students were reported to have favorable study skills. The minimum score was found for preparation for examination domain. Also, a significantly positive correlation was observed between students’ study skills and their Grade Point Average (GPA) of previous term (P=0.001, r=0.269) and satisfaction with study skills (P=0.001, r=0.493).
Here, authors should mention the importance of their findings and also the practical and theoretical implications, which would benefit readers referring to this paper for their own research. Present simple tense should be used here.
Examples: [ 1,8]
The 9.3% prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders in students at an arts university is substantially higher than general population estimates. These findings strengthen the oft-expressed hypothesis linking creativity with affective psychopathology.
The findings indicated that students’ study skills need to be improved. Given the significant relationship between study skills and GPA, as an index of academic achievement, and satisfaction, it is necessary to promote the students’ study skills. These skills are suggested to be reinforced, with more emphasis on weaker domains.
In addition to knowing how to write an abstract , you should also know when to write an abstract . It’s best to write abstracts once the paper is completed because this would make it easier for authors to extract relevant parts from every section.
Abstracts are usually required for: [ 7]
Mostly, the author of the entire work writes the abstract (the first author, in works with multiple authors). However, there are professional abstracting services that hire writers to draft abstracts of other people’s work.
Here are some key steps on how to write an abstract in research papers: [ 9]
Keywords [ 2] are the important and repeatedly used words and phrases in research papers and can help indexers and search engines find papers relevant to your requirements. Easy retrieval would help in reaching a wider audience and eventually gain more citations. In the fields of medicine and health, keywords should preferably be chosen from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) list of the US National Library of Medicine because they are used for indexing. These keywords need to be different from the words in the main title (automatically used for indexing) but can be variants of the terms/phrases used in the title, abstract, and the main text. Keywords should represent the content of your manuscript and be specific to your subject area.
Basic tips for authors [ 10,11]
Few examples: [ 12]
Direct observation of nonlinear optics in an isolated carbon nanotube | molecule, optics, lasers, energy lifetime | single-molecule interaction, Kerr effect, carbon nanotube, energy level |
Region-specific neuronal degeneration after okadaic acid administration | neuron, brain, regional-specific neuronal degeneration, signaling | neurodegenerative diseases; CA1 region, hippocampal; okadaic acid; neurotoxins; MAP kinase signaling system; cell death |
Increases in levels of sediment transport at former glacial-interglacial transitions | climate change, erosion, plant effects | quaternary climate change, soil erosion, bioturbation |
Here are a few tips on how to write an abstract to ensure that your abstract is complete, concise, and accurate. [ 1,2]
Do not include:
Here’s a quick snapshot of all the important aspects of how to write an abstract . [2]
Q1. Do all journals have different guidelines for abstracts?
A1. Yes, all journals have their own specific guidelines for writing abstracts; a few examples are given in the following table. [ 6,13,14,15]
American Psychological Association | |
American Society for Microbiology | |
The Lancet | |
Journal of the American Medical Association |
Q2. What are the common mistakes to avoid when writing an abstract?
A2. Listed below are a few mistakes that authors may make inadvertently while writing abstracts.
An abstract is a summary, which should be created by paraphrasing your own work or writing in your own words. Extracting sentences from every section and combining them into one paragraph cannot be considered summarizing.
Journals have special instructions for writing abstracts, such as word limits and section headings. These should be followed strictly to avoid rejections.
Both too little and too much information could discourage readers. For instance, if the Background has very little information, the readers may not get sufficient context to appreciate your research. Similarly, incomplete information in the Methods and a text-heavy Results section without supporting numerical data may affect the credibility of your research.
Typically, abstracts shouldn’t include these elements—citations, URLs, and abbreviations. Only nonstandard abbreviations are allowed or those that would be more familiar to readers than the expansions.
Abstracts should strictly include only the same information mentioned in the main text. Any new information should first be added to the text and then to the abstract only if necessary or if permitted by the word limit.
Keywords are essential for indexing and searching and should be included to increase the frequency of retrieval and citation.
Q3. What is the difference between abstracts in research papers and conference abstracts? [16]
A3. The table summarizes the main differences between research and conference abstracts.
Context | Concise summary of ongoing or completed research presented at conferences | Summary of full research paper published in a journal |
Length | Shorter (150-250 words) | Longer (150-350 words) |
Audience | Diverse conference attendees (both experts & people with general interest) | People or other researchers specifically interested in the subject |
Focus | Intended to quickly attract interest; provides just enough information to highlight the significance, objectives, and impact; may briefly state methods and results | Deeper insight into the study; more detailed sections on methodology, results, and broader implications |
Publication venue | Not published independently but included in conference schedules, booklets, etc. | Published with the full research paper in academic journals, conference proceedings, research databases, etc. |
Citations | Allowed | Not allowed |
Thus, abstracts are essential “trailers” that can market your research to a wide audience. The better and more complete the abstract the more are the chances of your paper being read and cited. By following our checklist and ensuring that all key elements are included, you can create a well-structured abstract that summarizes your paper accurately.
References
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By: Author Tara Jacobsen
Posted on Last updated: July 5, 2024
Categories Uncategorized
Today I am going to be making checkerboard backgrounds using a fancy deli papers and assorted papers! Great for your art journal, mixed media or junk journals!
Please note: This article contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something. Read my full disclosure here.
Items mentioned in this video:
I am loving how these backgrounds are turning out so far! If I had to pick one I liked the best I would for sure pick the vintage paper background with the black checkerboard border!
I used a pack of 24 Checkered Deli Papers to make these. For all of these I started with a base of either Canson XL Mixed Media paper or pages pulled out of my Creative Journals.
Then I used a mix of maps, ledger paper, graph paper, sheet music and vintage paper as the middles and then used the checked papers as accents!
This is just the first step in the process so don't forget to check out upcoming posts to see were I go from here!
Here are some more mixed media articles you might like to check out:
This essay about Katherine Stockett’s “The Help” explores the intricate dynamics of race class and gender in 1960s Mississippi. Through the perspectives of three women—Aibileen Minny and Skeeter—the story examines the lives of African-American maids and their white employers amidst the Civil Rights Movement. The narrative highlights the courage required to confront systemic injustice and emphasizes the transformative power of storytelling in promoting empathy and social change.
How it works
Short Story of Katherine Stockett “Help” provides magic research 1960 – ?? of Mississippi offering to diving the depth to the tangled dynamics of race class and kind between the background of Civil Motion of Rights. Against the background of penetrating pedigree segregation a short story develops lives of African-American that serve and their white employers finding out the complicated tapestry to power sympathy and resilient.
A story opens up through voices of three expressive women : of Aibileen devoted African-American that serves that is at the head calls of enslavement in loads in pedigree mutual relations to family; Minny Aibileen the energetic friend known for her sharp wit and culinary mastery; and Skeeter brave young white woman what defies social norms doing a risky mission to document the experiments of these data second-rate maids.
Story of skilful Stockett weaves these prospects together offering readers nuanced research of injustice of era and deep courage required to resist them. Through Aibileen and histories of Minny new covers easily on rough realities with that African-American clashes internal workers: patient disrespect economic exploitation and fear of reprisal stood for their conversation of true.
“Help” also bottoms in the complicated mutual relations between white families and their maids proposing contradictions corresponding in benevolent gestures that darkens the systematic warning often. Stockett criticizes superficial kindness of white employers that without regard to forming of the personal obligations with their maids immortalize and extract a benefit very from the systems what oppress them.
The trip of Skeeter lies in the heart of short story what yields to transformation. As she clouds to the stories that serve’ Skeeter resists her own privilege and participation of silence within the limits of her social circle. Her decision to lay down these histories in a book becomes brave operate resistance against penetrating discrimination and powerful obligation before a true and justice.
A “help” serves as the sharp testament of power of storytelling in announcement of social injustice and creation of sympathy through pedigree distances. Story of Stockett not only teaches readers about historical realities but and encourages a reflection on the modern problems of pedigree inequality and social justice. Humanizing how oppressors so and repress readers of new calls to resist uncomfortable true and to present roads in the direction of cicatrization and concordance. In conclusion “The Help” by Katherine Stockett stands as a profound narrative that transcends its historical setting to address enduring themes of courage compassion and the pursuit of equity. Through its vivid characters and compelling storyline Stockett invites readers to contemplate the lasting impact of systemic discrimination and the transformative potential of empathy and solidarity.
Revisiting "The Help" by Katherine Stockett: A Profound Insight into Societal Struggles. (2024, Jul 06). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/revisiting-the-help-by-katherine-stockett-a-profound-insight-into-societal-struggles/
"Revisiting "The Help" by Katherine Stockett: A Profound Insight into Societal Struggles." PapersOwl.com , 6 Jul 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/revisiting-the-help-by-katherine-stockett-a-profound-insight-into-societal-struggles/
PapersOwl.com. (2024). Revisiting "The Help" by Katherine Stockett: A Profound Insight into Societal Struggles . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/revisiting-the-help-by-katherine-stockett-a-profound-insight-into-societal-struggles/ [Accessed: 7 Jul. 2024]
"Revisiting "The Help" by Katherine Stockett: A Profound Insight into Societal Struggles." PapersOwl.com, Jul 06, 2024. Accessed July 7, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/revisiting-the-help-by-katherine-stockett-a-profound-insight-into-societal-struggles/
"Revisiting "The Help" by Katherine Stockett: A Profound Insight into Societal Struggles," PapersOwl.com , 06-Jul-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/revisiting-the-help-by-katherine-stockett-a-profound-insight-into-societal-struggles/. [Accessed: 7-Jul-2024]
PapersOwl.com. (2024). Revisiting "The Help" by Katherine Stockett: A Profound Insight into Societal Struggles . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/revisiting-the-help-by-katherine-stockett-a-profound-insight-into-societal-struggles/ [Accessed: 7-Jul-2024]
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12 things to know about ESG and sustainable investing, and a look at the next 20 years.
Sometime in your investing journey, you’ve probably encountered the term ESG. It celebrates its 20-year anniversary this year, and it stands for environmental, social and governance analysis of companies and investing. It evolved from an early approach called “socially responsible investing.” Sometimes, the term ESG is confused with the broader term “sustainable investing,” which includes a wide array of approaches , including ESG analysis. (You can learn more about the prehistory of ESG here .)
As the planet warms, and as younger consumers and investors make sustainability a priority, ESG has never been more financially relevant. But while it’s been roundly criticized in recent years, it’s here for good. We asked Morningstar analysts and other sustainable-investing experts how it came about, and what the next 20 years may hold.
ESG evolved from values-based investing as people sought more systematic ways to describe risks that weren’t strictly financial. In 2004, the UN Global Compact published “Who Cares Wins,” which discussed the concept of “environmental, social and governance” factors to describe these nonfinancial issues. It provided a systematic way of accounting for nonfinancial risks—the changing climate, say, or human rights violations―and rejected the view that investment should happen from a purely financial perspective. “In many cases, for example, responsible investors are compensating for a lack of effective public policy,” says Thomas Kuh, head of ESG Strategy for Morningstar Indexes.
Next, the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer showed that ESG issues are relevant for financial valuation and consistent with fiduciary duty. That laid the groundwork for using ESG analysis. Its report was commissioned by the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative, the first of a number of studies showing that fiduciaries needed to consider ESG issues, when they were material.
The same UN body launched the Principles for Responsible Investment in 2006, creating a framework for institutional investors to incorporate ESG into their investment processes.
The Freshfields report “was a turning point. It said that not only are investment funds allowed to include nonfinancial factors, but that they arguably must, because the time horizon for what’s material to financial returns is long and nonfinancial factors present all sorts of risk and opportunities for investors,” says Lisa Cooper, founder, Figure 8 Investing Strategies. “Soon you had big European pension plans asking banks and asset managers to figure it out.”
In 2015, the Paris Climate Accord and the Sustainable Development Goals were signed. The Paris Agreement, now ratified by 180-plus countries, sets goals for curbing global warming.
The UN also established Sustainable Development Goals, calling for nations to address challenges related to poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace by 2030. The SDGs embrace actions that corporations and others can take to achieve the goals. This sets a framework by which business leaders and investors could speak the same language and work toward shared targets.
Soon after, “Corporate Sustainability: First Evidence on Materiality” was published, which showed that focusing on financially relevant ESG factors had a positive effect on shareholder value. For example, “If climate change matters for investors’ decisions, then climate risk is material even if the company is not inclined to state that in regulatory documents,” says Kuh.
Issues that weren’t on investors’ radar were now financially relevant. The 2008 global financial crisis showed how unchecked financial system weaknesses could erode value. Investors began framing the climate crisis as a market failure, providing momentum for the Paris Agreement, says Jackie Cook, who leads the proxy-voting advisory service for Morningstar Sustainalytics.
As they adopted ESG analysis, investors found new risks. Consider factory farming, where ESG analysis underscored risks such as food contamination and labor issues. The coronavirus pandemic disproportionately affected vulnerable communities and thrust companies in the public glare. “Remember workers in slaughterhouses continuing to work during covid? Suddenly, people realized ‘Oh, we’re looking at ESG issues,’” says Maria Lettini, executive director of US SIF, the trade organization for sustainable investing. “Covid highlighted how food system risk affects economies and commodities and access to food.”
To help address the challenges of achieving the Paris Agreement goals, the G20 and Financial Stability Board created the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, to help people understand “carbon-related assets in the financial sectors.” TCFD would become a regulated reporting requirement across many global regions. By 2022, 61% of G250 companies disclosed information in line with at least one of the framework’s pillars.
In 2018, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink urged fellow CEOs to position for long-term profitability by focusing on the role of the corporation in society. Companies focused on minimizing negative environmental and social impacts and accentuating positive ones would be rewarded by customers, protect their brands, and attract top talent, enabling them to better navigate the transition to an increasingly low-carbon and digital economy, Fink wrote.
Previously, the economist Milton Friedman’s doctrine of shareholder primacy held sway . By 2019, the powerful Business Roundtable also reversed its stance on shareholder primacy, saying that other stakeholders—customers, employees, suppliers, communities—are also important.
“The shift toward a stakeholder view of the firm and how it should be governed was already happening well before the COVID pandemic—fueled by a post-financial crisis awakening to the systemic vulnerabilities introduced by short-termism, as well as a growing urgency for global action to halt climate change,” says Cook of Sustainalytics. “However, [the pandemic] brought to the fore fundamental flaws in shareholder primacy-style governance. The economic and political fallout ignited a collective awareness of the overlapping interests of stakeholder groups in securing resilience across systems.”
In 2016, Morningstar introduced the Sustainability Rating for funds and ETFs and established its sustainability indexes. Jon Hale, a prominent sustainable-investing commentator and former Morningstar head of sustainability research, helped create the rating. Hale recalls: “I couldn’t believe how complex and sophisticated the frameworks had gotten. I asked Joe [Mansueto, Morningstar’s founder], ‘Can we do this?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ And once he said that, then people said, OK, we’ll shake loose some resources. When we launched the rating, it focused attention on sustainable investing. Academic papers were written. Morningstar had given its stamp of approval on this idea of sustainable investing. It got a lot of heads nodding.”
More big investors began to use ESG analysis. “In 2014, we noticed in our trends reporting that the biggest jump was in the use of the ESG integration strategy,” says Bryan McGannon, managing director of US SIF, the trade group for the sustainable-investing industry. “It began to permeate mainstream finance.”
As the value proposition grew clear, consolidation took place throughout the sustainable-investing ecosystem. Eaton Vance bought Calvert Research & Management in 2016, followed by Impax purchasing Pax World Management, both prominent sustainable-investing boutiques. In 2017, Morningstar took a stake in data and analytics provider Sustainalytics, which provided the data for its fund sustainability ratings, and bought the rest of the firm in 2020.
Morningstar analysts covered socially responsible funds PAX World Fund, Dreyfus Third Century, and the Calvert funds, starting in the 1980s. Sustainalytics established global ESG research and ratings offerings in 2010 and expanded its offering to include governance research and carbon solutions in 2015. Morningstar’s approach to its own corporate sustainability drew on its approach to research, centering on independence, materiality, and transparency. “We’re founded on the idea that investors deserve transparency into what’s in their portfolios and the tools to make better decisions,” said Gabriel Presler, global head of enterprise sustainability for Morningstar. “Stakeholders, meaning our employees, shareholders, and clients, deserve that same transparency. Environmental, social, and governance information provides stakeholders with a more complete view of an issuer or investment or an organization―not only its value in the market and the risk it presents, but also the externalities, good and bad, it is creating.”
In 2017, the European Commission presented its sustainable finance action plan to refocus capital on a low-carbon economy. The plan included proposals for regulation of disclosures on sustainable investment and sustainability risks. The European Green Deal came in 2019, followed by a separate plan to help companies and investors identify economic activities that are environmentally sustainable, as well as an anti-greenwashing rule that makes fund managers and others communicate the environmental and social impact of their transactions. Such moves accelerated the adoption of ESG. By 2023, Morningstar’s coverage of ESG funds was worth $2.8 trillion dollars, with Europe representing more than 80% of these global ESG fund assets.
It was a big year in 2023: The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive became law, new sustainability reporting standards were finalized, and California enacted two broad-based climate-related reporting laws. In 2024, the SEC finally adopted a sweeping rule to make companies listed in the US report climate-related risks and their plans to adapt to them. Today, according to the SEC, some 90% of companies in the Russell 1000 Index already disclose this kind of sustainability data. Other jurisdictions go further than the SEC: For example, companies that do business in Europe or California are preparing to make more detailed disclosures than what the SEC requires. (For more on sustainability reporting requirements around the globe, download Morningstar’s “Sustainability Reporting Requirements” white paper ).
Increasingly, people use the term ESG investing for a vast array of approaches, whether investing according to their values, such as screening out stocks or finding companies that have an impact, or pursuing values based on nonfinancial factors, or some combination of approaches. ESG as a tool becomes conflated with the broader notion of sustainable investing.
Properly understood, ESG is an analytical framework that uses ESG factors to approach an investment, says Morningstar’s Kuh. “It’s is a useful tool for informing investment decisions.” There is no such thing as an “ESG company,” for example.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2021, highlighted contradictions, inconsistencies, and conflicts between the E, the S, and the G, points out Hortense Bioy, head of sustainable investing research for Morningstar Sustainalytics. For example, in Europe, governments reneged on their environmental goals by turning to fossil fuels to reduce dependence on Russian gas. The war also boosted oil and gas shares, making fossil-fuel-light ESG funds underperform by comparison. It highlighted the need for a strong defense industry, “something that doesn’t align with the values of investors focused on sustainability,” says Bioy.
Meanwhile, as fund managers chased after new clients, greenwashing charges grew—just as critiques of sustainable investing were on the rise. In 2023, DWS, an investment firm controlled by Deutsche Bank, settled with the SEC over misstatements regarding its ESG investing. Separately, critics slammed ESG on grounds that it overpromises on performance or reduces motivation by governments to solve climate change. Others said it violates fiduciary duty because it ventures outside the economic interest, narrowly defined, of investors. Says Kuh: “Greenwashing can be seen as primarily overreach on the part of fund managers but also unrealistic expectations on the part of investors.”
In 2021, Texas prohibited government contracts with companies it thought were punishing the fossil fuel and firearms industries and banned public pension funds from using ESG principles in investing. Republican opponents also slammed companies for venturing into social issues, dubbing ESG “woke capitalism.” This year, Florida effectively bans the term “climate change” from its state laws.
Today, dozens of states have passed either pro- or anti-ESG bills related to financial institutions and other large companies. The decisions have financial consequences: Wharton says decisions to ban certain banks as municipal bond underwriters in Texas means cities will pay an additional $303 million to $532 million in interest on $32 billion in bonds. As the term “ESG” became a political football, companies and investors shied away: BlackRock CEO Fink said he’d stop using it because it’s become weaponized on both sides, the right and the left, and it’s become too polarizing.
Says Andy Behar, CEO of shareholder advocate As You Sow: “ESG is about the relationship between shareholders and companies they own. Companies need to disclose [ESG information] honestly and in a standardized format for shareholders to make a good decision,” much as the SEC required standardized financial disclosures decades ago.
The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstar’s editorial policies .
About the authors, leslie p. norton.
Leslie Norton is editorial director for sustainability at Morningstar.
Norton joined Morningstar in 2021 after a long career at Barron's Magazine and Barrons.com, where she managed the magazine's well-known Q&A feature and launched its sustainable investing coverage. Before that, she was Barron's Asia editor and mutual funds editor. While at Barron's, she won a SABEW "Best in Business" award for a series of stories investigating fraudulent Chinese equities, which protected the savings of investors and pensioners by warning about deceptive stocks before they crashed.
She holds a bachelor's degree from Yale College, where she majored in English, and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Investors challenge ai and automation at meta, alphabet, and more companies, proxy season 2024: how to act like an owner, investors pressure exxonmobil board on climate; meta shareholders consider child safety and ai, proxy votes this week at amazon, schwab, and morgan stanley, during aapi month, financial advice for a poorly understood group, shareholders push these companies on human rights, worker-friendly policies, and biodiversity, shareholder activism on the rise at these two major companies.
Charity Blue is a senior product manager and reporting program manager on Morningstar's Enterprise Sustainability Team.
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A Brazilian judge has absolved all 28 people accused in the Panama Papers money laundering and financial crimes case, including Mossack Fonseca founders Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca.
Court of Justice
That was the decision handed down by Judge Baloisa Marquínez in cases focused on the "Panama Papers" and the related "Lava Jato" (“Car Wash”) scandals.
Initially, 31 people were accused of financial crimes, including bribery and corruption, in the Lava Jato case, and 28 were accused in the Panama Papers case. Prosecutors had accused the law firm and others of engaging in illegal activities related the car wash corruption scandal—and the charges were combined for purposes of the trial.
With respect to Lava Jato, the judge found that it was not possible to prove that money from illicit sources in Brazil entered Panama with the intent to hide, cover up, disguise, or help circumvent the law. With respect to the Panama Papers, the judge found that the evidence collected from the Mossack Fonseca computers did not comply with the chain of custody and principles governing digital proof—and the rest of the evidence was not sufficient and conclusive to determine guilt.
The case has been in the news for nearly a decade. Eight years ago, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and its media partners made public millions of files exposing the financial secrets of the über wealthy. The files, which came to be known as the Panama Papers, included assets that were allegedly stashed in offshore companies to avoid taxation.
The Panama Papers were leaked from Mossack Fonseca, a Panama-based law firm which, according to its website at the time, offered "comprehensive legal and trust services." (The law firm closed in 2018, and its website is currently parked.)
The accused included the founders of Mossack Fonseca, Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca. Fonseca died earlier this year before the judge had reached a verdict (charges against him were dismissed).
The files date back to 1977 when Mossack Fonseca was formed. In 2015, an anonymous source contacted Süddeutsche Zeitung , a well-known German newspaper, with an offer to turn over e-mails, photos, and other documents taken from an internal Mossack Fonseca database. The reason, the source said, was simply, "I want to make these crimes public."
German journalists Frederik Obermaier (L) and Bastian Obermayer, are journalists working for the investigative unit of the Munich-based Süddeutsche Zeitung on the Panama Papers leaks, pose on 07 April 2016 in Munich. AFP PHOTO CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP / CHRISTOF STACHE (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Süddeutsche Zeitung , in turn, shared the records with the ICIJ. The ICIJ and hundreds of other journalists from various news outlets researched the documents. Their investigations exposed the offshore financial secrets of world leaders and public figures.
It's important to remember that owning an offshore company or creating an offshore trust isn't illegal. It's perfectly okay in most countries, including in the United States. What is unlawful, however, is using offshore trusts to hide assets from known creditors or to evade taxation—failure to disclose offshore assets and report offshore income can land you in big trouble.
The IRS noted that "[u]nscrupulous promoters continue to lure U.S. persons into placing their assets in offshore accounts and structures, saying they are out of reach of the IRS," while warning taxpayers that those who "promise tax savings that are "too good to be true"… will likely cause legal harm to taxpayers who use them." Those schemes were (again) included in this year's IRS Dirty Dozen list . (The "Dirty Dozen" is an annual list of common scams taxpayers may encounter.)
When advisors like lawyers (like me), accountants, and financial advisors work to establish offshore accounts, there's a lot of due diligence that has to happen to ensure that money isn't being transferred for illegal purposes such as tax evasion, money laundering or to avoid existing creditors (including soon to be ex-spouses or victorious plaintiffs). But even moving money legitimately out of a jurisdiction doesn't erase the compliance obligations. In the U.S., for example, you must still report the existence of the accounts on tax returns (and in other circumstances, including for child support and other court proceedings).
Failure to do the right thing can land not only the account owners—but also the lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors who facilitated opening the accounts—in hot water.
That's what the authorities allege happened here. Mossack Fonseca immediately denied any wrongdoing, saying that the release of the documents misrepresented the work that was done. In 2016, they posted a statement on their website, saying, in part: Recent media reports have portrayed an inaccurate view of the services that we provide and, despite our efforts to correct the record, misrepresented the nature of our work and its role in global financial markets.
The firm also indicated that it had no control over how its clients might use offshore entities created for them. Despite those denials, the Panama Papers eventually led to the firm shutting down. It also resulted in a money laundering trial in a Panamanian court.
The trial began in April. The judge initially had 30 days to issue a verdict, but that date was extended due to the volume of evidence. The initial leak had involved 11.5 million confidential documents, including financial and legal records. The documents take up 2.6 terabytes in computer storage (for context, one terabyte of data could be stored on about 1400 CD-ROMs or 220 DVDs). The 2010 Wikileaks data, for comparison, only included 1.7 gigabytes.
The judgment was issued at the end of June.
In 2022, both Mossack Fonseca founders– Ramón Fonseca Mora and Jürgen Mossack– were acquitted in a separate Panamanian money laundering case. Both repeatedly denied any involvement in illegal activities.
You can search the database, which includes more than 810,000 offshore companies, foundations, and trusts from the Pandora Papers, Paradise Papers, Bahamas Leaks, Panama Papers, and Offshore Leaks investigation here .
You may see names you recognize, but as the database website notes, "The inclusion of a person or entity in the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database is not intended to suggest or imply that they have engaged in illegal or improper conduct."
As noted, Mossack Fonseca closed in 2018, and its website is currently parked.
Panama received a lot of negative press immediately after the publication of the papers. Panama had struggled with placement on the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for years, and this didn't help. In 2023, the country was finally removed from FATF's gray list. Additionally, in 2024, the Commission of the European Union announced the removal of Panama from the European Union's list of high-risk countries due to strategic deficiencies in the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. However, the country remains on the European Union's tax haven blacklist alongside American Samoa, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Guam, Russia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Palau, Samoa, and Vanuatu.
(FromL) British actor Gary Oldman, US actress Meryl Streep, US director Steven Soderbergh and US journalist and author Jake Bernstein arrive for the screening of the film "The Laundromat" on September 1, 2019 presented in competition during the 76th Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2019, the star-packed film, The Laundromat , starring Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas hit theaters. The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was inspired by a book focused on the Panama Papers. Mossack and Fonseca sued Netflix to try and block the film's release, claiming defamation among other things—they were unsuccessful.
The ICIJ released a statement following the verdict.
"While the court did not hold these defendants accountable, the enduring impact of our investigation persists," Gerard Ryle, the ICIJ's executive director, said in a statement. By revealing hidden truths, as we did in the Panama Papers, we empower the public with the information they need to demand accountability and push for reforms."
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Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.
An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.
Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type.
Essay type | Skills tested | Example prompt |
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Has the rise of the internet had a positive or negative impact on education? | ||
Explain how the invention of the printing press changed European society in the 15th century. | ||
Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself. | ||
Describe an object that has sentimental value for you. |
In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.
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Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.
An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.
Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.
The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:
The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.
A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.
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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.
Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.
The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.
A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.
The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.
A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.
Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.
A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.
Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.
Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.
Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.
A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.
The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.
A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.
Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.
A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.
Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.
On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.
My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.
With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…
Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.
Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.
A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.
The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.
The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.
The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.
King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.
A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.
Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.
The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.
Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.
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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.
Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”
The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.
Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:
An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.
An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.
The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.
Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.
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The European Commission, in its guidelines for Learning for the green transition and sustainable development, encourages Member States to integrate sustainability across educational institutions and operations. Since 2022, Member States are urged to establish supportive learning environments that foster hands-on, interdisciplinary teaching and are relevant to local contexts. The Commission emphasizes active involvement of students, staff, local authorities, youth organizations, and the research and innovation community in promoting sustainability in education. This initiative aims to instill a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, aligning educational practices with the broader goals of environmental consciousness and climate action.The Shire and the Real Food Garden: a students-based Eco-Team effortCLIP's Eco-Team, comprising students and teachers, transformed an adjacent land into The Shire, focusing on planting endemic species strategically chosen with geospatial digital tools and expert databases, and the Real Food Garden, an organic vegetable garden. This initiative, involving students from Pre-K to Upper School, aimed at maximizing ecosystem services, enhancing climate change remediation strategies, and ensuring food security based on local produces. Regular curricular and extracurricular outdoor activities promoted physical sensory learning, fostering a more empirical and long-lasting understanding on how the environment works, and how they can be a part of its conservation and management. The students have been responsible for planning and managing these spaces and delivering the produce to the school bar and canteen, this way promoting ownership and emotional connection to their natural surroundings.CLIP student: an environmentally conscient citizenThroughout their academic path, students develop conceptual knowledge on their environment, entangling interdependence between its elements, and how human societies impact over it. However, in CLIP, year 9 students engage in the Ecothon, where they are invited to spend a whole school day researching about ecological issues related to areas like Resources Management, Sustainable Mobility and Waste Management, choose one to focus on, come up with an innovative solution, and pitch it to a jury. The winners bring their projects to national and international contests.This inspires students to pursue subjects like Environmental Management, that demand not only for a theorical understanding of ecosystems processes and the dynamic interconnection and interdependence between biotic and abiotic factors, but a more experimental approach to learning about ecological management issues, with consequent elaboration of an investigative report. This Coursework results from fieldwork activities in natural environments in the region the school is located in. Samples are collected, and qualitative and quantitative data gathered and analysed through the application of in loco and lab techniques.With the work done within these subjects and initiatives, CLIP students grow their ecological awareness while working on skills like organization of information, definition of coherent methodologies, analysis of results, taking conclusions over initial hypothesis and evaluating the work done, as well as improving their presentation and communication abilities. They are not afraid to feel challenged, they assume themselves as life-long learners, they think globally while acting locally, developing as principled and active citizens.
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Learn how to add background information to essays and papers. These background information examples will help you do it perfectly every time.
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay. General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body. The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis.
In conclusion, the background in an essay plays a pivotal role in framing the narrative and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the topic. It provides the necessary context, establishes relevance, and engages readers by sparking their interest. Just as a painter carefully selects the backdrop for a masterpiece, writers meticulously craft ...
Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3. Hook the Reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. Provide Background: Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
When you write an essay for a course you are taking, you are being asked not only to create a product (the essay) but, more importantly, to go through a process of thinking more deeply about a question or problem related to the course. By writing about a source or collection of sources, you will have the chance to wrestle with some of the
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order: An opening hook to catch the reader's attention. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument. The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay.
When writing the background information section of the essay, start with a broad introduction to your topic. Give a brief overview of the topic's subject matter and its significance. This will set the context of the essay and grab your readers' attention. 5. Give Historical Context if Applicable.
Background information can also include summaries of important research studies. This can be a particularly important element of providing background information if an innovative or groundbreaking study about the research problem laid a foundation for further research or there was a key study that is essential to understanding your arguments.
In general, your introductions should contain the following elements: When you're writing an essay, it's helpful to think about what your reader needs to know in order to follow your argument. Your introduction should include enough information so that readers can understand the context for your thesis. For example, if you are analyzing ...
Hi there! Writing about your background in a college essay can be a great opportunity to showcase your unique experiences and perspectives. The key is to make sure your essay is both engaging and meaningful. Here are some suggestions on what to include in your background information essay: 1. Significant life events or challenges: Discuss events that shaped your values, outlook on life, or ...
Likewise, should your essay focus be on something important or significant - such as global warming or achieving world peace, then remember to detail this significance clearly for your reader. 2. Include Key Sources. One aspect of writing background information that students often neglect is the inclusion of key sources.
This essay is your opportunity to help the admissions officers get to know you beyond your stats and accomplishments. 4. Avoid clichés. Personal background essays are quite common, so if you're writing about a widely-covered topic (moving, learning a new language, etc.), try to find a unique angle or aspect that will set your essay apart. Example:
Definition of Background Information. As the name suggests, background information means all information that a reader requires to increase his awareness of the topic an essay is going to explain. Background information is placed shortly after the hook or attention grabber. Both are intertwined, as the hook cannot be separated from the ...
In short, the main purpose of the introduction is to: introduce the topic of the essay; give a general background of the topic; indicate the overall plan of the essay. This last purpose is perhaps the most important, and is the reason why many writers choose to write the introduction last, after they have written the main body, because they ...
The background information in an essay will depend on the topic. The background information in an essay on a scientific test may include test parameters, test objectives, test site conditions, sample kinds, sample size, and other background material. If your essay is about COVID 19, your background information may touch on diverse points.
Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints. To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point. These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.
In this video, I will walk you through how to start your essay with an effective introduction paragraph. Personally, I feel like many do not address this iss...
Background Information vs. the Literature Review. Incorporating background information into the Introduction is intended to provide the reader with critical information about the topic being studied, such as highlighting and expanding upon foundational studies conducted in the past, important historical events that inform why and in what ways the research problem exists, or defining key ...
An abstract in research papers is a keyword-rich summary usually not exceeding 200-350 words. It can be considered the "face" of research papers because it creates an initial impression on the readers. ... The Background sets the context for the rest of the paper and its length should be short so that the word count could be saved for the ...
Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction. The introduction serves to capture the reader's interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement, and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.
Start writing essays early to allow time for research and editing. Grab the reader's attention immediately with a compelling story. Answer questions directly with sound grammar and style. With so ...
I am loving how these backgrounds are turning out so far! If I had to pick one I liked the best I would for sure pick the vintage paper background with the black checkerboard border! I used a pack of 24 Checkered Deli Papers to make these. For all of these I started with a base of either Canson XL Mixed Media paper or pages pulled out of my ...
This essay about Katherine Stockett's "The Help" explores the intricate dynamics of race class and gender in 1960s Mississippi. Through the perspectives of three women—Aibileen Minny and Skeeter—the story examines the lives of African-American maids and their white employers amidst the Civil Rights Movement.
The UN also established Sustainable Development Goals, calling for nations to address challenges related to poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace by 2030.
Revised on July 23, 2023. An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph, giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold. You'll sometimes be asked to submit an essay outline as a separate ...
A Brazilian judge absolved all 28 people accused in the Panama Papers financial crimes case, including Mossack Fonseca founders Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca.
The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented. A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.
The European Commission, in its guidelines for Learning for the green transition and sustainable development, encourages Member States to integrate sustainability across educational institutions and operations. Since 2022, Member States are urged to establish supportive learning environments that foster hands-on, interdisciplinary teaching and are relevant to local contexts. The Commission ...