Web Page: Structure of an Informative Essay
Web Page: How to Structure a Presentation
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Creating a Basic Structure
Anything that is experienced over time has a three-part structure: a beginning, a middle, and an ending. This three-part structure is common in essays, oral presentations, stories, plays, videos, games, concerts, and other events.
▶ Beginning
The beginning orients the person who is having the experience, whether reader, viewer, fan, or participant. It catches the person’s attention, provides background, and then identifies the goal or main point of the experience.
Your Turn Which beginning below does a better job of starting a podcast?
Host: Today we are speaking with Steve Redman. He knows a thing or two about fish and marine life.
Host: Have you ever wondered how the shows on Animal Planet get all that amazing footage of life beneath the ocean’s surface? Our guest today has answers for you and brings a unique perspective to the topic. Steve Redman is a marine biologist and deep-sea cameraman and is here to tell us about his experiences under the sea.
▶ Middle
The middle provides the heart of the experience, whether the argument in an essay, the action of a story, the songs in concert, or the sites on a tour. The middle immerses the audience in the experience, leading them through details and events that are organized in a logical and meaningful way.
▶ Ending
The ending ties the experience together and brings it to a fitting close. It may reinforce the topic’s importance, add a final thought, or include a call to action. A strong ending makes a lasting impression and rewards the audience’s attention.
Your Turn Which ending below does a better job of wrapping up a persuasive essay?
Dogfighting is violent and cruel and must be stopped. It treats dogs inhumanely and endangers communities. Education and awareness programs can sensitize youth and adults to animal cruelty. Citizens can help by speaking out against dog violence. Dogs—and our communities—deserve better.
We need to do a better job of protecting our dogs. They are friendly and loyal companions to all and should not be subjected to the bad people running dogfighting rings. It’s a tough problem to crack, but we can do better to end it.