Writing Workshop: Organizing the Essay

I. Introduction

a. Draw In the Reader

Example: U2 is debatably the greatest rock band to come out of the past thirty years of musical invention.  While the 1960s may have laid the foundation for musical greatness with the Beatles and Stones, the 1980s brought a new level of electricity to the building with U2 rewiring many of the fuses. See more examples in Interesting Introductions.

b. Ensure thesis is the last sentence (and only one sentence) of intro

c. Consider a prong thesis addressing the points about your claim that you will discuss in each body paragraph. See example below. 

1. Claim

Although an Irish rock band, U2 has signifcantly impacted American culture....

2. Prong 1

because of their insightful, spiritual music;  

3. Prong 2

their creative, high-publicity concert tours;  

4. Prong 3

and their extensive, inspiring humanitarianism.  

II. Body Paragraph 1

a. Topic Sentence

Example: A primary reason for U2’s viability as one of America’s significant cultural icons centers on the spiritual concern reflected in their music.   

b. Major Details

Example:  In America, where 78 percent of the adult population consider themselves Christian, and many equate the term “truly American” with a Christian faith (Neubert), U2’s faith-focused music contains a familiar theme that resonates with the American cultural mindset. 

c. Minor Details

Example: While their lyrics were more blatantly Christian early on in their career, as proved by such songs as the 1981 "Gloria," an obvious hymn to their maker, U2 has touched on spiritual themes, ranging from surrender and grace, to death and the afterlife.

d. Concluding Sentence

Example: As the numbers show, America has a large share of faith followers, and many have adopted U2 because of their spiritual themes and focus.

II. Body Paragraph 2

a. Topic Sentence

Example: Another reason why U2 maintains a level of relevance within America’s cultural landscape is due to the wild reception of their performances over the decades.

b. Major Details

Example: From die-hard fans to government officials, U2’s record-breaking tours gather the attention of many when they come to town. 

c. Minor Details

Example: In fact, when U2 made Pittsburgh the last American stop on their 2011 tour, the city’s mayor, Luke Ravenstahl, declared that date the “U2 360° World Tour Day.” 

d. Concluding Sentence

Example: Certainly, U2’s highly attended concerts comprise one reason why the band deserves recognition as an American cultural phenomenon

IV. Body Paragraph 3

a. Topic Sentence

Example: Perhaps U2’s most significant cause for celebration within American culture is their valiant humanitarian efforts.

b. Major Details

Example: U2's Lead singer, Bono, has frequently made headlines and even earned a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize because of his endeavors to provide aid to underprivileged communities with America's involvement.

c. Minor Details

Example: Since his work in the 1980s with Live Aid, Bono “has worked to support organizations such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and Jubilee 2000's 'Drop the Debt'" (“Inaugural Daniel Patrick Moynihan”). Most notably, Bono co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), in 2002, to raise public awareness and to lobby for policy to reduce poverty in Africa and Product(RED), in 2006, to raise funds for Africa’s AIDS communities to receive free life-lengthening drugs (“Bono: A Lesson in Giving Back”). 

d. Concluding Sentence

Example: Undoubtedly, while U2 has performed before audiences numbering in the thousands and sold albums totaling in the millions, their most enduring work—and cultural legacy—will not be the band’s music but their significant charitable contributions to the “least of these” throughout America and around the world. 

V. Conclusion

a. Wrap Up Essay

Example: While they may have started in Ireland in 1976, finding influence in the punk revolution, U2 has definitely transcended the brand as a mere product of a single country or a particular time. Instead, U2 has connected—and will continue to connect—with parishioners, social activists, music lovers, concert-goers, intellectuals, politicians, and the underprivileged.  

b. Rephrase (don't restate) thesis 

Example: U2’s reputation and representation as a spiritually inclined, impressively entertaining, and outstandingly charitable group of musical lads distinguishes them as culturally significant figures for both Americans and citizens of the world to know and understand.