Please cite with the following: Bunts-Anderson, K. (2011, November 27). Required components of academic essays[slide show]. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/drkimberlybuntsanderson/required-components-of-academic-essays-slideshow (Bunts-Anderson, 2011)

1. Required Components of Academic
Essays -
Dr. Kimberly Bunts-Anderson’s
helpful tips suggestions and
requirements for your essays.

2. Use a Cover Sheet !
• Assignment name
• Title
• Course and Section
• Instructor’s name
• Your Full Name and Student ID
• 2011/Month
• * Note your page numbering should start here
whether visible or not (invisible is standard)

3. Ask your instructor if an abstract is required in
your assignment. If yes, include the following: If
no, go to the next slide.
• Type the abstract of the document here. The
abstract is typically a short summary of the
contents of the document. If you did some
research you should outline your approach and
result(s).
• Note* Use your course template! A header and footer should be
visible with your information, the assignment and page number

4. Ask your instructor if an index is required in your
assignment. If yes, include the following: If
no, go to the next slide.
• An Index page is usually helpful to your reader if you are doing
a report essay or long research essay where Multiple
Headings and subheadings are required, and a variety of
sections are needed. It should look like this
• Contents
•
•
• introduction 1
• report body 2.-3
• Discussion 4
• Conclusion 4
• Recommendation 5
• References 6
• Appendices 7-9

5. Formatting
• Note* The information or sentences required
in most academic essays are highlighted in
red. You should start with a ‘title’ centered
on your first page.
The Big Cheese : Important UAE people.

6. Introduction
• 1.Should start with a general thesis statement that
briefly introduces your topic.
Should provide background information on the topic.
2.Should include a reason why the topic is interesting
and indicates who the audience will be.
Should inform the reader of the writers’ role and how
the topic will be addressed i.e.
(is the writer neutral, arguing, explaining, reporting
informing) (what type of essay: compare
contrast, narrative, report, expository, research, propos
al, argument, problem solving etc.’)
• 3. A detailed thesis statement which clearly addresses
the prompt or question given in the assignment.

7. •
Body Paragraph I
4.. Should start with a topic sentence that states the topic or main idea of the
paragraph and any subtopics or areas that will be covered it should be connected
to the detailed thesis above and the prompt given in assignment.
•
Have sentence that explains or defines the topic clearly for the reader.
5..Should have a sentence explaining why the topic is important to the reader in
other words(why is it being written about or why is it a reader should read it).
• 5A.Should have a sentence that introduces subtopics or areas that support the
main idea or topic introduced in topic sentences above in the author’s own words .
Should have sentence(s )that provide the reader with new information on the main
topic and any subtopics described in paragraph.
Should have sentence(s) that any new information or facts are supported by
reading or research.
• 6a Here you could use course reading info as support. (paraphrase or quote cited in
APA)
For each new fact introduced there should be supporting information that follows that
describes additional reading on the topic.
Should have a sentence that concludes that topic and introduces transitions to
another topic or that carries on to another area that the topic covers.

8. •
Body Paragraph II
7. Should start with a topic sentence that states the topic or main idea of
the paragraph and any subtopics or areas that will be covered it should be
connected to the detailed thesis above and the prompt given in assignment.
Should have a sentence(s) that describe the topic in the writers own words.
Should have sentences that introduces subtopics or areas that support the
main idea or topic introduced in topic sentences above .
Should have sentence(s )that provide the reader with new information on
the main topic and any subtopics described in paragraph.
Should have sentence(s) that any new information or facts are supported by
reading or research..At least 1 sentence that shows you have used outside
materials through ideas or words.
For each new fact introduced there should be supporting information that
follows that describes additional reading on the topic. 8. Here you can use
something from course reading (paraphrase or quote cited in APA).
Note* Transitions- Paragraphs-Should have a sentence that concludes the
topic above or introduces transitions to new main idea or topic or that
carries on with the topic above.

9. Body paragraphs III, IV … will follow the same pattern until all
the main ideas in the thesis are covered and the prompt given
in the assignment has been completely responded to.
Make sure that in your body paragraphs you have used
different types of support
quotations, examples, paraphrases and terms about
the topic you have learned from the readings or your
research.
NOTE* The number of Body paragraphs you have
depends on how much information you are providing
how you have organized your response to the prompt
given in your assignment and how many words the
assignment is supposed to be.

10. What about assignments for your
course?
Assignments for Col 140 typically are covered
in 2-3 body paragraphs sometimes more
Assignments for Col 145 are typically covered
in 3-5 body paragraphs sometimes more
Larger assignments like those in Col 240
require more body paragraphs.

11. What about Research?
If the Assignment has a large research component it will have
body paragraph(s) describing the research process and findings.
• At least two sentences that show you have conducted original
research and or an investigation of the topic (This is required of
Assignments that have done literature
reviews, studies, observations or interviews.
If the Assignment has a large research component it will have
body paragraph(s) describing the analysis of the findings and the
conclusions of the researcher or researchers. It will also support
those findings with other research or by readings.
If the assignment has a large research component and the
findings are significant it may have a body paragraph that
discusses how the findings are significant and how they could be
applied.

12. Conclusion
Should have a topic sentence(s) that briefly summarizes the
information provided in the body paragraphs above.
It should have a sentence or sentence(s) that summarize the
essay in more detail by reviewing or repeating information
introduced in the body paragraphs above in a new way.
It should have a sentence that either in the author’s own
reflection or a quotation or paraphrase from elsewhere the
topic is important.
9. It should have a concluding statement that ends your
assignment and that shows that the prompt given in the
assignment has been addressed.
It could end with a statement that gives the author’s opinion
or calls the reader to do something, or describes associated
areas of the topic the reader may want to know about. Here
you can write in first person!!

13. Research assignments should have
a section describing ‘future action’s
• Future Actions:
If the essay had a large or significant research
component it will discuss the writer’s future
plans to continue the research or apply the
findings.

14. Reports should include one of the
sections below:
Recommendations or Suggestions: If the
essay is about solving a significant
problem the writer will give suggestions
and recommendations to solve the
problem based on the information above
and may request that the reader become
involved.

15. 10. References
Cummings, J. N., Butler, B., & Kraut, R. (2002). The quality of online social
relationships. Communications of the ACM, 45(7), 103-108.
Hu, Y., Wood, J. F., Smith, V., & Westbrook, N. (2004). Friendships through IM:
Examining the relationship between instant messaging and intimacy. Journal of
Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(1), 38-48.
Tidwell, L. C., & Walther, J. B. (2002). Computer-mediated communication effects on
disclosure, impressions, and interpersonal evaluations: Getting to know one
another a bit at a time. Human Communication Research, 28(3), 317-348.
Underwood, H., & Findlay, B. (2004). Internet relationships and their impact on primary
relationships. Behaviour Change, 21(2), 127-140.
• Note* Center the title “References,” and
• alphabetize the entries. Do not underline or italicize the title.
Double-space between all
• entries. Every article mentioned in the paper should have an entry

16. If your essay has any original research you should have an
Appendices section, following the bibliography above. It
should have a cover page with the same layout as your
Assignment cover page
Appendices
Course and Section
Your Full Name and Student ID
• 2011/Month

17. Each section of the research should have its own page Appendix
A or B with a description of the research Appendix A or B with a
description of the research Use a separate pg for each
• Appendix A- Interview with Grandfather
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Type of Interview (phone conversation, informal, open ended, question
answer etc)
Place and Date where interview took place
Length of Interview
Focus or Topic of Interview
Interview questions and answers
Interview notes or transcript
Go to another page if there were two interviews or another
interviewee

18. Appendix B- Grandfather Follow up
Questions
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Type of Interview (phone conversation, informal, open
ended, question answer etc)
Place and Date where interview took place
Go to another page if Another Research Tool was used
Focus of Interview
Interview questions and answers
Interview notes or transcript

19. Appendix C- Survey Questions
Number of Researchers
Number of People surveyed
Types of People Surveyed Description
(Classmates Male Emirati
Students, Classmates, People between the ages
of 30-60 etc,)
Place and Date where survey took place
Method of Delivery – electronic, email, hardcopy
Copy of Survey questions

20. Appendix D- Survey Results
Detailed information or Report of Survey Findings
and Analysis
Remember to use your headings and footers
throughout with the assignment name,
Your Name – ID class number- section~ 7 ~ and
page numbers!

21. Before you Submit !

22. Remember to PROOF your work for Errors BEFORE you
submit
Be sure to put it all- on your class template or… that all the
information required in your template is included with
your assignment.
Don’t forget to highlight any of the AWL words you have
used from your readings.