English Language Discussion Forums

#1 19-Sep-2003, 03:17

hi im trying to write a informative essay for my english class (english 101), but i dont remeber the layout. like introduction, body,etc... i got a few questions:

1.) can someone tell me the layout?
2.) how many paragraphs are in a informative essay?
3.) how many pages (typed) should it be?
4.) i need to use some sources from a book to write a informative essay, can someone tell me the format for that also? i really forgot how to quote from a book

**RonBee** · #2 19-Sep-2003, 06:32

One commonly used format for essays is to tell the reader what you are going to tell him (explain what it is about), tell him (make your case--the body of the essay), then tell him what you told him (sum up the main points).

:)

**RonBee** · #3 19-Sep-2003, 13:13

For a good place to find numerous informative essays, go here: www.howstufworks.com

:)

**RonBee** · #4 19-Sep-2003, 14:31

Here are a couple of sites you might find interesting.

Writing an Essay (explains the types of essays)
http://www.hccs.edu/system/library/TipSheets/Essay.html

Assignment #3 Expository Essay
http://people.moreheadstate.edu/fs/d...expository.htm

#5 19-Sep-2003, 15:52

i know what to do and how to write it, i just need to know the actually layout. like how many paragraphs? and like first paragraph is intro, second is body, etc... or whatever

**RonBee** · #6 19-Sep-2003, 16:35

The first paragraph is your introduction. The number of paragraphs can vary (but make sure you do have paragraphs). An essay can vary in length anywhere from one page to dozens of pages. The instructor in a college course usually specifies how long he (or she) wants the essay to be.

Perhaps you can post some of your essay here and we can critique it for you.

:)

#7 19-Sep-2003, 23:44

ah i see thanks, it's been a long time since my last essay. does anyone know how to quote information you used from a book and put it right in the paper? ("book name" author) <---- is that right? we have to use 4 difference sources from the book, the book contains alot of information and stories about different stuff. so how would i quote the article?

**RonBee** · #8 20-Sep-2003, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatupdoc

ah i see thanks, it's been a long time since my last essay. does anyone know how to quote information you used from a book and put it right in the paper? ("book name" author) <---- is that right? we have to use 4 difference sources from the book, the book contains alot of information and stories about different stuff. so how would i quote the article?

If something is a direct quote you need to put it in quotes. Cite the name of the book followed by the author. Cite the page number of the book.

You need to capitalize the first word of every sentence and also capitalize the pronoun I.

*a lot*

Welcome to our forum.

#9 20-Sep-2003, 20:13

("title", author, page 3) like that?

**RonBee** · #10 21-Sep-2003, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatupdoc

("title", author, page 3) like that?

Yep. :)

The abbreviation p. or pp. is normally used for page or pages.

:)